Every year our staff vote for their favourite books of the past year. Here are the best junior and middle grade books of 2025, as voted by Readings' staff!
Titles are displayed alphabetically by author.
Detective Beans: Adventures in Cat Town
Li Chen
‘Adventures in Cat Town is a joyful return to the world of Detective Beans, the adorable detective that Readings fell in love with in The Case of the Missing Hat. This sequel has all the same charm and humour as Li Chen’s debut and further fleshes out the whimsical world of Cat Town.
Rather than following one mystery, as we did in The Case of the Missing Hat, Adventures in Cat Town is a collection of short comics, showing Detective Bean’s successes, some less-than-successes, and glimpses into his daily life. From an epic beach day with his best friend Biscuits, to a quiet afternoon where Beans excitedly makes himself "eggy bread", with lots of mysteries to investigate along the way, this is a wonderful graphic novel for readers 7+, that will also delight adult readers who enjoy a cosy story. I’m already eagerly awaiting a third instalment, to see more of these loveable characters and their world!’
– Bella Mackey, Digital Content Lead
Song of a Thousand Seas
Zana Fraillon
‘Song of a Thousand Seas is a moving verse novel from Zana Fraillon, the 2017 winner of The Readings Young Adult Prize. Writing for middle grade readers, Fraillon brings us into the mind of an octopus who dreams of escaping from the aquarium and returning to the sea.
Houdini is an octopus who grew up in an aquarium, but feels the call of the wild sea. They’re biding their time until they can escape – escape from their irritating handler, escape from the visitors that gawk and bang on the glass, and escape from people in general. But then they meet Juno, an aquarium visitor who isn’t like the others. Houdini senses that somehow Juno is a kindred spirit, and an unlikely friendship is formed. But can Houdini make Juno understand their need to return to the ocean? And is there anything that Juno can do to help?
This is a beautiful story, poetically and approachably written; recommended for readers aged 8+.’
– Bella Mackey, Digital Content Lead
Into the Bewilderness
Gus Gordon
‘I’m a huge fan of Gus Gordon’s storytelling, so I was absolutely thrilled to discover this middle grade graphic novel that delves into his perennial themes – friendship, adventure, and existential musings. Luis (a bear) and Pablo (a mole) are the classic odd couple, living together in bickering companionship in the woods, but Luis longs for more – theatre, adventure, excitement! When two tickets arrive in the mail to go to the Big City for a theatre production of The Weary Mermaid, this is Luis’s big chance to explore. But who will he take with him (certainly not Pablo!) and will the Big City live up to his expectations?
This is a delightful and wacky graphic novel that will have adventurous spirits of all ages smiling as they follow this charming pair … an absolute joy for ages 9+.’
– This is an edited quote from Angela Crocombe’s review for Readings Monthly
The Wicked Ship (Oceanforged, Book 1)
Amelia Mellor, illustrated by Alessia Trunfio
‘The Wicked Ship is the first book in Oceanforged, a new series by Amelia Mellor, author of The Grandest Bookshop in the World. It follows the story of Cori, a young orphan girl who unwittingly becomes a pirate on a ship with a horrendous captain, crew and reputation.
During one village pillage, she is sent into a decrepit, booby-trapped vault to find a weapon. It turns out this weapon is the Oceanforged Gauntlet: an instrument that belonged to long-forgotten champions who used to rule Cori’s world with fairness and strength. Much to her captain’s chagrin, the gauntlet has chosen Cori to be its champion – and so the fun begins! Cori must find the other pieces of armour before the captain does, with only the ragtag crew she pulls together to help …
The sentences are short, the pace is quick, and the scene is set beautifully, making this a good read-alone or a fun read-along [for ages 8+].’
– This is an edited quote from Rosalind McClintock’s review for Readings Monthly
Caring for Country
Bruce Pascoe, Bill Gammage & Jasmin McGaughey, illustrated by Savi Ross
‘Caring for Country is the third instalment in Thames & Hudson’s First Knowledges for younger readers series, which shares the same insight as their adult series in an approachable format for kids.
Written jointly by historian Bill Gammage and writer (and farmer!) Bruce Pascoe, this book cleverly allows each author to speak to their expertise, and draw on each other’s knowledge, to create a detailed look at how First Nations Australians have looked after the land, and how their traditional practices still have value today. This book will fascinate nature lovers, budding environmental activists and those with an interest in farming – and with thought-starters and suggested activities in every section, there’s also lots of helpful guidance on how readers can put their new knowledge into practice!
This is recommended for independent readers aged 8+, but the concepts are clearly explained enough that it’s still approachable for young readers, with an adult to read aloud and guide them through.’
– Bella Mackey, Digital Content Lead
The Poisoned King (Impossible Creatures, Book 2)
Katherine Rundell
‘All of Katherine Rundell’s books for young readers are excellent, but she is doing something truly special with Impossible Creatures … In Book 2, Christopher returns to the Archipelago, a hidden place of islands filled with creatures drawn from mythology. The dragons are dying for unknown reasons, and a princess needs help after the suspicious poisoning of her grandfather and threats to her life.
… [E]xtinction is the big theme of the series. Rundell understands that the natural world is at risk, and so too is our great history of ideas and knowledge. The action is immediate, and intrigue stabs each page. Rundell pays great attention to the senses and writes fantasy that feels close enough to taste. With magnificent sophistication she has again packed so much into a slim, graspable book … For ages 9+.’
– This is an edited quote from Kim Gruschow’s review for Readings Monthly
Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping
Craig Silvey, illustrated by Sara Acton
‘I’m pleased to report that Craig Silvey’s second instalment in the story of Runt, the stray-turned-farm-dog-turned-show-dog, is just as charming and delightful as the first! This is a true modern-day classic, both by virtue of Silvey’s story, and the old-school charm of Sara Acton’s illustrations.
In this new book, Annie and her brother Max have a mystery to solve: who dognapped Runt?! With the Tournament of Champions looming and Runt’s return seeming to hang on a win, Annie is determined to rescue her friend before it’s too late. The plan of the dognappers may be unclear, but one thing is sure – Annie’s not going to listen to the demands of a threatening ransom note. She’s going to take action and get back her dog!
This is a great read for kids aged 8+ but also makes a delightful read-aloud for younger kids – especially if they saw the movie of Runt and are now keen to know what happens next.’
– Bella Mackey, Digital Content Lead
Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow: Nevermoor 4
Jessica Townsend
‘It has been nearly five years since Hollowpox, the previous instalment of Sunshine Coast author Jessica Townsend’s fantastic, and fantastical, Nevermoor series. The excitement around this release has been building, as has the tension …
In Silverborn, the people of Nevermoor gather to see if the Age will turn from Morningtide, a time of relative peace and stability, to the Basking, a time of turmoil and challenge. We jump back four months, to our 13-year-old protagonist, Morrigan Crow, who is preparing to walk the Black Parade. However, things do not go as planned and Morrigan is thrown headfirst into early turmoil, both externally and internally. She must grapple with a giant secret that may blow up all her relationships; meet her Nevermoorian family, who have secrets of their own; and attempt, along with her friends, to solve a murder.
For those who love the series, you will love this; for those who haven’t started – what are you waiting for? For ages 10+.’
– This is an edited quote from Rosalind McClintock’s review for Readings Monthly
Inked
Karen Wasson, illustrated by Jake A. Minton
‘ … In Inked, an opera-singing octopus shows up at a family-owned fish shop in a small town that is somewhere in Australia – but nowhere near the ocean.
Sid, a 12-year-old kid, has just been accepted into art school when the octopus shows up at his family’s fish shop, but his primary concern is the school fees. The kid and the octopus reluctantly team up, trying to help each other with their unique struggles while enduring various dramas, including unkind classmates and an Idol style talent show.
A quick summary of the plot makes this book sound completely absurd, but readers will be surprised and delighted by thoughtful character development, witty dialogue, and Jake A. Minton’s warm, polished artwork. Inked is a strangely compelling reading experience with a filmic style and energy. An excellent, wildly entertaining read for ages 9+.’
– This is an edited quote from Kim Gruschow’s review for Readings Monthly
Sonny & Tess
Nova Weetman
'Nova Weetman has written many beautiful, sensitive middle grade books, and her latest is no exception. Sonny & Tess is a sweet romance for kids on the edge of adolescence who are starting to face big firsts – first crush, first job, first year at a new school.
Sonny is living above his aunt and uncle’s chip shop while his dad is away working. Between manning the fryer and idling around town with his one friend, Tin, he’s just waiting for the summer to end and missing his dad. Tess is looking for a summer job, eager for some independence, spending money, and time away from her younger brothers. When Tess gets a job at Sonny’s family chip shop, their connection is immediate, and soon they’re friends, teetering on the edge of something more.
This is a charming read for ages 11+.'
– Bella Mackey, Digital Content Lead
🏆 Other 2025 releases highly recommended by our staff are How to Free a Jinn by Raidah Shah Idil, winner of The Readings Children's Prize 2025, The Girl Who Cried Bird by Katherine Collette and Brightest Wild by Tania Crampton-Larking, which were both shortlisted for the prize. You can revisit the rest of the 2025 shortlist here.
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