Our latest reviews

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Reviewed by Tina Lehnert, Australian Children's Literature Alliance

16- year old Clay Jensen finds a shoebox containing a map and seven audio tapes on his doorstep. The tapes were recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate. Hannah is dead - she committed suicide two weeks earlier. In one night…

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Mama's Song: Ben Beaton

Reviewed by Yvonne Colley, freelance reviewer

Georgina, a heavily pregnant teenager, has run away from home. Estranged from her parents she flees to her grandmother’s, only to find that she has passed away.

Told in ultra-short chapters, the story that follows takes place mostly in a…

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The Poison Throne: The Moorehawke Trilogy Book One: Celine Kiernan

Reviewed by Jo Boyce, Readings Carlton

Upon returning from the south, Wynter Moorehawke and her sick father, Protector Lord Lorcan Moorehawke re-enter the court of the king to find it much changed; and changed for the worst. Alberon, the king’s heir and one of Wynter’s friends…

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Leviathan: Scott Westerfeld

Reviewed by Bridget Pearl, freelance reviewer

Scott Westerfeld is well-known for his remarkable imagination and writing. Many of his books are very popular and I tell you, Leviathan is going to be one of them. This book grabs your attention in the first three pages and…

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Working with Monsters: A Course in Monsterology: Ernest Drake

Reviewed by Leanne Hall, Readings Carlton

This book is required reading for all students who want to do work experience at the Sanctuary for Fabulous Beasts. I’m quite happy with my job in a bookstore, but I did appreciate the homework exercises scattered throughout. I particularly…

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Creature ABC: Andrew Zuckerman

Reviewed by Leanne Hall, Readings Carlton

Creature ABC is a simple and beautiful alphabet book that features Andrew Zuckerman’s amazing photos of animals on uncluttered white pages, with bold black letters and words.From ordinary ants to exotic mandrills (which sort of look like gorillas wearing clown…

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The Danger Game: Kalinda Ashton

Reviewed by Luke May, Readings St Kilda

Hetay angerday amegay chant three young siblings, and so they should. For pig latin always warns of dangers unknown. Jeremy, his older sister Alice, and his twin Louise are cast together in a house, a family that is ravaged by…

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Isabella's Garden: Glenda Millard and Rebecca Cool

Reviewed by Alexa Dretzke, Readings Hawthorn

This is the book that cajoles the cadence, that caresses the colour and accents that alliteration to inspire the iridescent Isabella’s Garden. The seasons are sung in perfect poetry and illustrated with intrepid, intense vibrancy that shimmers like gemstones in…

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Robot Riot! Andy Griffiths

Reviewed by Felix Wilkins, Grade 4, Kingsville Primary School.

Robot Riot is the best book yet. Lots of kids LOVE reading about robots and almost anyone, whether they be adult, kid, or not even human, will treasure this one.

Henry accidently discovers that the new girl, Roberta Flywheel, is…

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My Name Is Charles Saatchi And I Am An Artaholic: Charles Saatchi

Reviewed by Margaret Snowdon, Art & Design Specialist at Readings Carlton

What is the most honest thing you can say about yourself? How do you rate political advertising today? Do you think you have messed up anyone’s life by flogging off all of their work?

Art collector, gallery owner and founder…

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