Kids
Diamond Jack by Mark Greenwood
History ‘hunter and gatherer’ Mark Greenwood launches his History Mysteries series with a wartime story about a real bloke called Jack Palmer (aka Diamond Jack) and his glittering plunder. This rollicking “fair dinkum” Aussie story packs an adventurous punch, delivering…
The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange
The Secret of Nightingale Wood is a beautiful, immersive read with a spirited and courageous young heroine who drives its narrative. Following a tragic death in her family, 12-year-old Henrietta (or ‘Henry’, as she prefers to be called) finds herself…
The Story of Tracy Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson
Tracy Beaker, the eponymous hero of Jacqueline Wilson’s 1991 middle-fiction classic, is ten-years-old and lives in a children’s home in England. She’s waiting to be picked up by her long-absent Hollywood-starlet mum (she thinks) but in the meantime she’s hoping…
Wormwood Mire by Judith Rossell
Stella Montgomery is back! Those who loved Withering-by-Sea by Judith Rossell (which is to say anyone who read it) will be thrilled to hear that Wormwood Mire is even better! After the events of Withering-by-Sea, Stella is sent away…
The Weirdstone of Brisingamen by Alan Garner
I have re-read The Weirdstone of Brisingamen many times since I first read it on a beach holiday when I was about 10 years old. What captured my imagination then still has the power to engage me all these years…
The Glass Children by Kristina Ohlsson
Readers beware, this story is not for the faint of heart. Swedish author Kristina Ohlsson’s The Glass Children is a macabre tale about a haunted house. Creepy sounds, swinging light bulbs and objects that move inexplicably will send shivers down…
The Road to Ever After by Moira Young
‘I intend to die where I was born, right there in that house in that painting. And I intend for you, Mr David Davy, to drive me.’ And with those words David David, orphan and budding artist of only 13…
Australia Illustrated by Tania McCartney
Australia Illustrated is a fantastic reminder of how much we have to enjoy in this diverse and marvellous country. It depicts a kaleidoscope of iconic Aussie places with tantalising colour and cheeky fun. Starting with a few pages of distinctive…
Women in Science by Rachel Ignotofsky
From ancient times to the present day clever women pursuing their dreams and passions have made incredible contributions to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, often against tremendous odds and with little support from society, family or peers. Women in Science…
Blue Sky Yellow Kite by Janet A. Holmes and Jonathan Bentley
At Readings we love all styles of picture books: we love books with clever, quirky narratives; those that have seductive, enigmatic illustrations and appeal to an older audience; and then there are the books that are really just suited to…
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