Kids

The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found by Jordan Lees & Vivienne Yo (illus.)

Reviewed by Aurelia Orr

Benjamiah is a realist. He does not like anything remotely fictional, and could not care less about all the mythology books his father reads and wishes his son would indulge in too. Instead, Benjamiah finds comfort and reassurance in science…

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Tweet by Morris Gleitzman

Reviewed by Xiao Xiao Kingham

In Morris Gleitzman’s latest book, readers follow an exciting adventure that explores environmental conservation through the eyes of Jay and his pet budgie, Clyde. Clyde is no stranger to puzzles, and loves completing jigsaws with Jay and his family. However…

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To and Fro by Anton Clifford-Motopi

Reviewed by Dani Solomon

For as long as Sam can remember, it’s just been him, his mum, and his dog Trevor – and Sam is ok with that. He’s fine being the weird White kid with hair that makes him look taller than he…

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If You Run Out of Words by Felicita Sala

Reviewed by Kate McIntosh

A child watches their parent talk all day, using their phone all day, constantly communicating in ways the little one simply cannot comprehend. Eventually that child asks, ‘Will you have any words left for me?’ And as this parent starts…

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Wurrtoo: The Wombat Who Fell in Love with the Sky by Tylissa Elisara & Dylan Finney (illus.)

Reviewed by Athina Clarke

This irresistibly playful tale of a timid wombat’s quest to marry the sky is told with such humour and whimsy I was charmed from the very beginning.

An epic adventure of courage and survival, the love-struck Wurrtoo and his cheeky…

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Black Beauty (Oxford Children’s Classics) by Anna Sewell

Reviewed by Angela Crocombe

As a child, I was utterly obsessed with this story of a beautiful horse and his journey from childhood to old age in 19th-century England, a time when horses were the main form of transportation.

Black Beauty is the autobiography…

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Minka and Curdy: The Enchanting Story of a Writer and Her Cats by Antonia White

Reviewed by Alexa Dretzke

Antonia White first published this delightful children’s classic in 1957, and it is as appealing now as it was then. As a cat owner, she knows the ‘real’ owner is the cat, and as a human she must do their…

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Losing the Plot by Annaleise Byrd

Reviewed by Celeste Perry

Terry doesn’t much like reading. Basil loves reading, but he doesn’t much like Terry. Usually, they don’t have a lot to do with one another, and that arrangement works just fine, until Basil is told he will be tutoring Terry…

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Outlaw Girls by Emily Gale & Nova Weetman

Reviewed by Kate McIntosh

Ruby is a modern day hellraiser, a bored teenager with little direction in life and a chip on her shoulder. Kate is the sister of Australia’s most famous bushranger, determined to do whatever it takes to protect her family. When…

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11 Ruby Road: 1900 by Charlotte Barkla

Reviewed by Alexa Dretzke

The ‘olden days’ hasn’t featured often in Australian middle-grade fiction in the last few years.

Except for Jackie French’s recent books, the Our Australian Girl series, and Katrina Nannestad’s wonderful Silver Linings at the end of last year, it has…

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