Claire Atherfold
Claire Atherfold is the manager of Readings State Library
Review — 3 Jul 2023
Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef
‘Once was, once wasn’t’ (yeki bood, yeki nabood) is the beginning of classic Persian fairy tales, and to Kiyash Monsef’s debut novel. Monsef, already an accomplished director and…
Review — 20 Apr 2023
Desert Jungle by Jeannie Baker
Jeannie Baker’s creations have astounded me since I was small, staring for hours on end at her mixed-media collages that bring to life wonderous stories that sometimes don’t even need…
Review — 27 Mar 2023
The Quiet and the Loud by Helena Fox
The Quiet and the Loud is the latest novel by Helena Fox, the award-winning author of How It Feels to Float. It is set in Sydney, just before and…
Review — 2 Feb 2023
Dorrie by Tania McCartney
Many Australian children have grown up with the lovable creatures from the tales of Blinky Bill. Be it in the original books or via the cinema screen and TV, Blinky…
Review — 19 Sep 2022
Dusty in the Outwilds by Rhiannon Williams
The award-winning Australian creator of the Ottilie Colter trilogy has gifted us an enthralling new standalone adventure: Dusty in the Outwilds. Willa, or Dusty to everyone but her dad…
Review — 29 Aug 2022
No Words by Maryam Master
I adored Maryam Master’s previous CBCA-shortlisted novel Exit Through the Gift Shop, so I had high hopes for her latest creation, No Words. Tackling challenging topics such as…
Review — 29 Jun 2022
Completely Normal (and Other Lies) by Biffy James
Shortlisted for the Ampersand Prize, this debut YA novel by local author Biffy James is told from the perspective of Stella Wilde, an amusing, sardonic teenager who’s just starting to…
Review — 30 May 2022
Cress Watercress by Gregory Maguire
From Gregory Maguire, author of the book that inspired the stage phenomenon Wicked, and stunningly supported by picture book creator David Litchfield’s glorious illustrations full of colour and imagination…
Review — 26 Apr 2022
The Bravest Word by Kate Foster
Matt has just started a new year at school; he is surrounded by his mates, he adores soccer (and is the star player) and he is totally loved and supported…
Review — 29 Mar 2022
The Wearing of the Green by Claire Saxby
The Wearing of the Green is the latest from award-winning local author Claire Saxby. Inspired by her own ancestry, Saxby explores the lives of young Irish girls who migrated to…
