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Aussie Kids Books
Book Reviews
Welcome to my blog! This blog is a celebration of Australian children's fiction - including young adult, middle grade, junior fiction, and picture books.
Read on for my reviews!
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YA novels set during Schoolies Week
Before the Beginning by Anna Morgan is a beautifully written story full of mystery and suspense. Four friends have gone on a trip to...
Sandy
Dec 16, 20212 min read
The Opposite of Disappearing: Short Stories in Uncertain Times, edited by Laura Norris & R.A Stephen
I am so honoured to have my short story, Between Spaces, included in this collection of contemporary short stories for young adult...
Sandy
Dec 7, 20212 min read
Worst Week Ever! Monday, by Eva Amores & Matt Cosgrove
Monday is not a popular day of the week for any of us. But for Justin Chase, the narrator of this book, this particular Monday is shaping...
Sandy
Dec 2, 20212 min read
Paws, by Kate Foster
The doggy star of this heartwarming and gently humorous book is Kevin, a sweet-natured cockapoo. Kevin belongs to Alex, the...
Sandy
Nov 24, 20212 min read
Bailey Finch Takes a Stand, by Ingrid Laguna
This heartfelt and moving book for middle grade readers is a story of family and friendship and loss and caring for the environment. It...
Sandy
Nov 19, 20212 min read
Two Houses, by Frieda Parks; illustrated by Mithini Wathsala
I love to support indie authors and today I'm giving a shout-out to Frieda Parks, Aussie author of the gorgeous picture book Two Houses....
Sandy
Nov 15, 20211 min read
The Underdogs (books 1 & 2), by Kate & Jol Temple; illustrated by Shiloh Gordon
"I really like these books because they make me laugh. I like that there is a mystery to solve, it keeps me interested in the story. The...
Sandy
Nov 15, 20212 min read
Sass and Traz Save the Library, by Michelle Worthington; illustrated by Naomi Greaves
If you love libraries and books, then you'll love this fun action-packed adventure story. Sass and Traz are twins who don't always agree...
Sandy
Nov 12, 20211 min read
The Book for Happy Hearts, by Maggie Hutchings; illustrated by Jess Racklyeft
Warning: I am going to rave about this book a little bit because it's just so beautiful, and I highly recommend you buy multiple copies...
Sandy
Nov 9, 20212 min read
How To Repaint a Life, by Stephen Herrick
I was fully immersed in this young adult novel from the very beginning. It's a story of friendship, family, kindness, and courage. Isaac...
Sandy
Nov 9, 20212 min read
Are You There Buddha? by Pip Harry
Did you read Judy Blume books when you were a teen? I sure did - and I loved 'Are You there God? It's me Margaret,' which was one of the...
Sandy
Nov 2, 20212 min read
Mary had a Monstersaur; written by Mike Dumbleton, illustrated by Peter Bath
I love this gorgeously 'scary' version of the well known children's rhyme Mary Had a Little Lamb. In this version of the story, it's not...
Sandy
Oct 25, 20212 min read
Lucy and Copper, by Mandy Foot
This beautifully heartfelt story celebrates the special bond between children and animals, and tells a story of learning to adjust to...
Sandy
Oct 19, 20212 min read
Hometown Haunts: Flash Fiction challenge
To celebrate the upcoming release of Hometown Haunts (a collection of spooky stories for YA readers published by Wakefield Press), the...
Sandy
Oct 17, 20213 min read
The Curiosities, written by Zana Fraillon, illustrated by Phil Lesnie
This picture book is a work of art, from the lyrical text, to the stunning and evocative illustrations. I love a multi-layered picture...
Sandy
Oct 11, 20212 min read
Michaela Mason's Big List of 23 Worries/Michaela Mason's Big List of Camp Worries, by Alexa Moses
I am officially hooked on this well crafted new series for middlegrade readers (aged 8+), which shines a light on friendship, family,...
Sandy
Oct 10, 20213 min read
The Australian Climate Change Book, Written by Polly Marsden, illustrated by Chris Nixon
Do you have kids who might be anxious or curious about climate change? Or are you looking for a book that helps explain climate change in...
Sandy
Oct 9, 20212 min read
Australian Backyard Birdies, by Andy Geppert
Fun, quirky, memorable, entertaining, colourful - these are all words the kids and I came up with to describe Australian Background...
Sandy
Oct 8, 20212 min read
Where’s My Dinosaur? by Ashling Kwok; illustrated by Jasmine Berry
This engaging new picture book is captivating from the very first page, when our young narrator tells us that ‘there’s something growing...
Sandy
Oct 4, 20212 min read
Tell Me Why, by Archie Roach
Tell Me Why is a raw, heartbreaking, yet ultimately uplifting account of singer/songwriter Archie Roach’s life. Archie was forcibly...
Sandy
Oct 1, 20212 min read
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