Suddenly Super by Jen Calonita
Suddenly Super takes the tale of the Incredibles and twists it into a new action-packed story. 14-year-old Violet Parr has always been told that she needs to hide her powers away however when she receives the news that her parents have been killed by the National Super Agency, she knows she will need help protecting her younger brothers. Violet meets Syndrome and Mirage who promise to help keep her family safe from harm. Violet finds out that Syndrome is a powerful hero who idolised her dad and together they form a plan that would keep her family safe from supervillains permanently. But as they continue to work together Violet begins to question if Syndrome and Mirage are really who they say they are and if she can really trust them to keep her family safe, or are they just as dangerous as the villains they claim to be protecting her from?
Suddenly Super is a fun book and an excellent choice for readers who enjoy retellings, adventure and fantasy. I really enjoyed this book, and could hardly put it down, I recommend this book for ages 10 +
You can find Suddenly Super at your local library here
Reviewed by Hayley
Mayowa and the Sea of Words by Chibundu Onuzo
Ten-year-old Mayowa is going to be spending her school holidays with her unusual Grandpa Edward, at his estate in the English countryside. Grandpa Edward has a weird habit that no one in her family, including her dad Tommy (Grandpa Edward’s son), can make sense of; Grandpa Edward likes to jump, barefoot, onto books! Mayowa’s Nigerian mother, Wumni, is especially not fond of this habit as in her culture books are prized possessions (on a personal note, I have to agree with Wumni, no one should be jumping on books, especially library books).
As her summer with Grandpa Edward progresses, Mayowa, or May as she goes by, soon discovers why her Grandpa jumps on books by discovering herself that she can book jump too! When some people in her family jump on books, they can harness emotions that the stories inside can make people feel, and channel it directly into other people! During the summer May also becomes friends Hazma, a boy May's age who lives on her Grandpa’s estate; Hazma’s family have fled their country to seek refuge in England. So, when the opportunity arises to use her power to save the lives of countless refugees, like Hazma and his family, May jumps at it!
Mayowa and the Sea of Words would be a great book for anyone who enjoys stories of friendship, adventure and a little bit of magic. I have not read such a unique storyline in such a long time! I recommend for ages 8+.
Find Mayowa and the Sea of Words at your local library here or read the eBook here.
The Daredevil Princess and the Grumpy Giant by Belinda Murrell
This book is part of a royally fun junior fiction series filled with magic, adventure and daring . . . and a super sassy unicorn.
Princess Tillie and Honey Blossom are excited. It’s the mid-winter Ice Festival and all the townsfolk of Rosenburg are celebrating and waiting for the fireworks. Is King Edwin really the best person to be in charge of the gunpowder? But things go wrong when a naughty prank wakens Bodo, the frost giant. The festival will be ruined!
Why does Mr Grimm keeping falling over in the snow? Why is Fritzi afraid of loud noises? Why is Bruno such a pest?
Can Princess Tillie be brave enough to face Bodo and talk to him? Can she reason with the frost giant before it is too late? The fate of the ice festival is in princess Tillie’s hands...
A great family read or for independent readers aged 7-10 years.
-Reviewed by Caroline, Children's Librarian
White Bird by R.J Palacio
Would I have the courage to protect someone from the Nazis? This is the question I always ask myself when I read stories from this time, especially with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz just passing. The novel White Bird is the story of Sara's survival, which was made possible only by the amazing courage, kindness and strength of Julien and his family. The phenomenal effort to keep Sara alive was matched by the wonderful imagination which kept her spirit alive. This story provided a vivid contrast between the ugly evil deeds of some humans with the beautiful generously of others.
I also watched the movie based on this book but feel it failed to capture all the details and feelings of the novel. I highly recommend this good read or listening to the Borrowbox eAudiobook. Find it in the catalogue here
Splat! The most exciting artists of all time. Mary Richards
I’ve always enjoyed learning about art and different art styles. This books gives us information on different art movements, at styles and famous artists throughout history. It describes the artists life, challenges they faced throughout their life, how they created their art and includes images of their artworks. One of my favourite artworks is The Starry Night by Van Gogh. The colours used and the thick paint is very eye catching. The books gives us inspiration to make our own artwork. Did you know that Picasso used collage style in his art and cut out images and patterns from newspaper? This is a great way to include recycling in art! Pollock’s style of drip painting, where you drip and splash paint all over the canvas sounds like a lot of messy fun.
Find a copy here on our catalogue
Just Like Me: 40 neurologically and physically diverse people who broke stereotypes by Louise Gooding
Greta Thunberg, Stephen Hawking, Selena Gomez, Usain Bolt – these people are all famous for achieving great things on a global scale. But did you know that all four of them are also neurologically or physically diverse?
These are just some of the amazing people from around the world who are explored in this book. It is a fascinating and affirming read about famous people with disabilities who broke stereotypes to achieve amazing things, often to a gold medal standard (literally, in some cases)!
Each person is superbly illustrated alongside their biography, which includes facts about their life, and a special explanation about their particular disability. I learnt a lot from this book while also enjoying reading about some famous people that I look up to.
Who knows – maybe you will end up reading about someone who is just like you!
I recommend this book for ages 7 and up. You can borrow or request a copy here!
Ghoulia and the Mysterious Visitor by Barbara Cantini
Once again I’ve found a book with awesome illustrations, it’s Ghoulia and the Mysterious Visitor by Barbara Cantini. Every page is full of colourful depictions of the characters. The story is set at Crumbing Manor house and is a spooky story for younger readers. Ghoulia is a friendly zombie child who learnt all about Halloween in the first book in this series. The books in this series have a very Addams Family vibe to them (think Wednesday Addams) This time around there is a mystery to solve. Ghoulia has a surprise visit from a cousin she didn’t know about, his name is Dilbert and he is not very nice. He complains about everything. Ghoulia would seek some help from her aunt, Auntie Departed, but she seems to have gone missing! Someone has sent out invitations to attend a dinner at Crumbling Manor, but who, it wasn’t Ghoulia, she knew nothing about a dinner. When all her human dinner guests arrive Ghoulia asks them to help her look for her aunt. Don’t be scared if a ghostly family member or two pops as you search the house! And watch out for Uncle Misfortune (who is a just a head) Whereas the first book had a very moral lesson this book is more dark and spooky but also a whole lot of fun. Will Auntie Departed be found or will more people in the house go missing before the mystery is unraveled? Keep an eye on the pictures as you read as you might find a clue or two! It all ends rather quickly but it left me wanting to read the next book in the series! Book three is Ghoulia and the Ghost With No Name.
Ideal for ages 6-9.
Find all the books in the Ghoulia series here on our catalogue.
Ghoulia colouring pages can be found on the authors website.
Fun Fact: the author and illustrator is Italian and in Italy Ghoulia is called Mortina!
Timmy Failure : The book you're not suppose to have by Stephan Pastis
If you don’t already know, Timmy Failure is a detective. Probably the world’s greatest detective (or so he believes). But he’s been banned from detecting by none-other than his mother. So, what should a boy do? What if YOU were destined for greatness but your mother banned you from doing something before you can achieved it? What would YOU do? Would you stop? Hide under the bed? Lock yourself in the broom cupboard? Or would you believe that your destiny for greatness is far too important to give up and, therefore, work out a way to sneakily do it anyway? Well, as far as Timmy failure believes, there is only one thing to do. But it doesn’t go according to plan. So, this is the book he doesn’t want you to read. Why? Because good detectives solve cases, and this case will push him to breaking point. And beyond!
This book (and its brilliant drawings) is very, very funny. If you can read this book without laughing, there can be only two possible reasons: you are a Space Alien visiting Earth and you can only read your own species squiggly hieroglyphics writing, not English, or you don’t understand it because somebody has stolen your brain. Either way, not finding this book funny would be one mystery that not even Timmy Failure can solve.
Find this book here
Find other books by this author here
Timmy Failure.com here
Nerra: Deep Time Traveller: The Broken Rainbow
For lovers of adventure and mythology, Nerra: Deep Time Traveller: The Broken Rainbow, is the book for you.
When Nerra’s Great-Grandmother, her Nanna, leaves a box that won’t seem to open, to her, she isn’t quite sure what to make of it, then her Nanna passes away soon after. Nerra is grieving for her Nanna when she is called to the box Nanna gave her, with ease the box opens, like it knows that Nerra must need what’s inside. The box contains artefacts which have been passed down for generations, picking up the clapsticks inside as they start to glow red, Nerra is transported back in time. The Dreaming is out of balance and needs someone to step up and help!
The husband and wife of the rainbow have been split apart, and captured by the evil Devour’ena, with the help of some friends, Nerra will need to reunite the rainbow and bring Dreaming back into balance.
This book explores Aboriginal mythology and culture. Perfect for young readers, who may just be starting to read chapter books.
Find it on our catalogue here.
The Nightmare Before Christmas, written and illustrated by Tim Burton
This charming book by Tim Burton is a fun companion to the popular movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Jack Skellington is the star of Halloween Town, where he loves to plan all sorts of spooky celebrations every year. But this time, he feels a little different—maybe there’s more to life than just scaring people? As Jack ponders his feelings and wishes for something exciting, he discovers three big doors. The door he picks takes him to Christmas Town, filled with twinkling lights and snow. Jack is amazed and decides he wants to bring the magic of Christmas back to Halloween, with himself taking on the role of Santa!
But things don't go as planned for Jack. How will everyone respond to a sleigh made of a coffin and deer that look like skeletons? And what will the real Santa say when he finds out?
I really enjoyed the way this story was told in a fun and rhythmic manner, especially since it contrasts so much with the darker artwork. Jack Skellington is truly a beloved character!
A great reading adventure for the whole family or for kids 6+ who like to read on their own.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
Sometimes you just want to read quick little bites and can’t find time for a big, long story. This book was perfect for me when I was in that mood. Each page has a picture and the life of an extraordinary girl from history until today. 100 tales to delight and inspire you - musicians, writers, sports women, leaders, protesters, artists, scientists, and inventors. Each story is accompanied by a QR code that takes you to an audio story associated with the person's tale.
My favourite tales were from brave woman in history. Kate Seppard was a suffragette who campaigned to make New Zealand the first country to give woman the vote. JacQuotte Delahaye was a pirate from Haiti in the 1600’s. Irena Sendlerowa was a war hero who rescued 2,500 Jewish children from the Nazi’s in WW2. Harriet Tubman escaped slavery in the 1800’s and returned to the south 19 times to rescue hundreds of enslaved people. Each story is an inspiration for living a life of strong choices and bravery.
Annie Lumsden, The Girl from the Sea by David Almond
Like many children, Annie Lumsden loves tales, and being told a story. But unlike other children, she cannot read or learn like them; she thinks differently too. And sometimes, her thoughts drift and her dreams become indistinguishable from the truth. She lives with her mum by the sea, with which Annie has a strong affinity. One day, after being taken from school after she faints, Annie and her mum meet a man. He sparks a dream within Annie, which links her to the sea and her father, and her mum tells her the story of how it is all connected.
This is a story about taking comfort and finding meaning in stories. It is about being different, about accepting yourself, and about growing up. It’s beautiful.
I love David Almond’s writing. Reading one of his books feels effortless, like the author is sitting next to you telling you, speaking to you as you would speak to a friend. This is a touching and beautifully written short novel; so short, in fact, that you’ll find yourself whizzing through it in next to no time. But it’s meaning will stick around with you much longer.
Find this book here
Find other books by this author here
Learn about David Almond here
Super Fun Art Activities for kids by Susan Schwake
Do you love art and craft like me? This book is full of ideas and projects to keep you busy and you can learn lots about different art styles and techniques. The book also tells you about some famous artists. My favourite projects are:
Scribbles art: where you go crazy and scribble all over a piece of paper then add colour and see if you can turn it into an image.
Painting like a Fauvist: Fauvism is one of my favourite art styles. It is so bright and colourful.
Reverse colour a landscape: I think it’s a fun idea to paint something using opposite colours, like a green sky and orange ocean.
If you like to get messy try string printing! Dip string into paint and drag across a canvas for abstract art.
This book has given me so many ideas for art projects!
Get a copy from the library here
Mythologica: An Encyclopedia of Gods, Monsters and Mortals by Steve Kershaw
Mythologica: An Encyclopedia of Gods, Monsters and Mortals from Ancient Greece, written by Steve Kershaw and illustrated by Victoria Topping
I absolutely loved this book, which describes 50 of the most famous gods, goddesses, mortals, monsters and other creatures from Ancient Greece. There is a double page about each mythological figure, including a summary of their most important feats and characteristics, short quotes from ancient literature, and big, beautiful illustrations.
What I love most is that this book gives accessible information while keeping the integrity of the original myths – nothing is ‘dumbed down’ or changed, while keeping the stories appropriate for young readers. The illustrations are also a massive highlight – Victoria Topping uses striking colours and abstract features to create very modern but respectful and faithful representations of the characters. I’ve seen Greek gods and goddesses represented in art a hundred different ways, but never like this – this art is fantastic!
I recommend this for ages 9 and up, including young adults and adults. Anyone who has an interest in mythology should read this book. You can request a hard copy here!
Dragon Towers - Theo and Wanda Rule by Pip Bird
Dragon Towers - Theo and Wanda Rule by Pip Bird is illustrated by David O’Connell and I think this what drew me in the most, it is simply full of the most adorable dragons ever! And of course there are scary fire breathing dragons as well. This is the first book in a new series from the author of the Naughtiest Unicorn. It all takes place in a school setting, but a school where everyone has their own dragon! The book centres around ten year-old Theo. Theo loves dragons, has every dragon book and knows every type of dragon there is. One day Theo gets an invite to dragon school! He thinks all his dreams have come true, but have they? Every student is paired with a dragon who has a certain special ability, but Theo gets Wanda, and she doesn’t seem to have any special powers at all, or does she? Join Theo and Wanda on their adventures to find out! This is a quick easy read, with plenty of laughs and adventure throughout. I didn’t know what burpboxing was before, but I do now and a word of warning, it can break plates!
There are cute dragon profiles at the end of the book and a quick quiz you can take!
Ideal for ages 6+
Find the book on our catalogue here
Find other books by the author here
Ting Ting the Ghosthunter by Gabrielle Wang
Ting Ting lives in China with her adoptive Grandmother, Por, who happens to be a Ghosthunter. She is learning the ancient ways of trapping ghosts so that they stop tormenting the locals. One day, Por receives a mysterious letter, the details of which she will not share with Ting Ting. But whatever is in this letter is enough for Por to leave Ting Ting on her own.
When Por doesn’t return as expected, Ting Ting embarks on a journey to find her. She discovers Por is in great danger and is forced to draw on her strength and skills to save her and the villagers that Por set out to help.
Is Ting Ting ready to combat not just one of the most fearsome ghosts ever known but also her own doubts about her abilities and worthiness to be called a ghosthunter? You’ll have to read to find out!
Although the book focuses a lot on the supernatural, it is really about Ting Ting discovering what makes a family and, in turn, who she truly is. The book is written by Gabrielle Wang, who was the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2022-23. At 164 pages and with short chapters, I found this book easy to read but still engaging. If you like books with strong, determined characters I would recommend giving this one a go.
We have the book available as a physical copy and as an ebook.
The Kindness Project by Deborah Abela
Do you ever feel like a friendless outsider? Nicolette does. She fears that she missed out when the friendship manual was handed out. When Ms. Sykes proposes a project with the goal of changing the world she names it the Kindness Project. Nicolette is teamed up with a girl who doesn't seem to like her and a boy who has definitely bullied her. The one ray of light is the fourth member of their working group - Leaf who draws fantastic stories and has included Nicolette as a character. Not just an ordinary character but a Superhero. Together they become a dynamic duo.
This is the story of how that dynamic duo grew into something more.
I also felt like an outsider as a young person and my happiest time was when I found my tribe. This story made me happy to remember that journey.
Find it as a book or eBook on the library catalogue.
Juno Jones Book Sleuth by Kate Gordon
What do you do when your favourite book, ever in the whole entire world goes missing?
Juno Jones wasn’t always a fan of reading. But now, she can’t get enough of books. And what with all the zombies, ninjas, and killer mermaids, who can resist a new book from the library? In fact, this may be the best book ever. After all, Juno has re-read it many times, that’s how good it was. But now the book is no longer at the library, and it was only returned this morning. Juno is absolutely sure. What is going on? There’s only one explanation…it has to be a CRIME. Juno convinces her teacher to turn their classroom into a courtroom so she can present her evidence, unmask the culprit and—more importantly—get her book back! So many possible suspects ranging from friends to foes (And even alien Lizard men), Juno is sure it’s only a matter of time before the truth is revealed.
But not everything is as it seems … proof is hard to find and even word ninjas need a helping hand sometimes! Can Juno solve the crime? Will she find the book? What is Smelly Bella up to? Can we trust Ms Kuzmic?
The Juno Jones series celebrates reading and is great for avid and reluctant readers alike. Juno Jones continues to take readers on a humorous, offbeat, and highly imaginative journey through the world of books, words and literary concepts while celebrating the value of family and friendship.
For families to read out loud and for solo readers aged 6-11 years.
Find it here!
The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets by Nancy Springer
Sherlock Holmes is THE greatest fictional detective. Ever! (In my opinion.) But did you know he had a niece named Enola Holmes? And did you know she was a red-hot detective, too? I certainly didn’t until I came across this book by Nancy Springer. Actually, The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets is the third book of a ten-book series (so far). Enola’s mother is missing, presumed to have left the country voluntarily to live overseas, and Enola is still hiding from her elder brothers Sherlock, but especially Mycroft, because he wants to send her to a boarding school for young woman. Enola has other plans, however, and when she hears that Sherlock Holmes colleague, Doctor Watson (whom she is indebted to), has mysteriously vanished, Enola sets out about London to unearth his whereabouts. All the while trying to not be found by her brothers!
Set in nineteenth-century Victorian England, the story is wonderfully detailed with all the sights, sounds, and smells of the era. And Enola herself has been praised by many readers as a smart and resourceful heroine. I agree. I really enjoyed how this story unfolded, and how she used her unique abilities to solve the mystery of how and why Doctor Watson went missing. But did he survive? Did Enola find him in time? Or did her brothers find her? You’ll have to read this one to find out!
Find this book here
Find other books in this series here
Find graphic novels in this series here
Learn about Nancy Spring here
The Kingdom of Wrenly, Book 1: The Lost Stone, by Jordan Quinn
If you have just started reading chapter books and like stories about fantasy and adventure, then this is the book for you!
Eight-year-old Prince Lucas lives in the royal castle in Wrenly, but he is an only child and isn’t allowed to play with any of the village children, making him very lonely. One day, he reconnects with Clara, a girl he used to play with when he was little. Together, they go on a mission to find the queen’s lost emerald – an adventure that takes them to many different places around the kingdom.
This is a short, simple chapter book with lovely illustrations on each page, so it is perfect for anyone who likes reading but isn’t ready for longer novels yet. This book is part of a series, so you can follow Lucas’ other adventures, too!
I recommend this for readers aged 6-9. You can request a hard copy here!
The Daredevil Princess and the Fire Dragon by Belinda Murrell
Our story starts with a day like any other in the Queendom of Blumenfeld, eating boiled eggs for breakfast. But it soon becomes apparent to Princess Tillie that all is not well. There’s no water in the river, no water in the well and the fountain has stopped flowing. The Cook cannot bake, the geese are grumpy, and the cows are thirsty. Princess Tillie is determined to find out what is going on.
Princess Tillie asks Lukas to help investigate the mystery of the disappearing water. Helped by various animal friends and bottle of never-ending water, they discover things are far worse than they could ever imagine.
Princess Tillie decides to be brave and daring. But can she face down a fire dragon, remove a boulder, save Prince Oskar from being eaten?
Why is there grey porridge everywhere? Why is Honey Blossom grumpy? Can Tillie win in a game of riddles? And how do you extinguish dragon flames?
A royally fun junior fiction series filled with magic, adventure and daring . . . and a very sassy unicorn.
Great for family read along session or for solo readers aged 6-10 years.
The Daredevil Princess and the Fire Dragon will engage and support those children who are moving onto chapter books.
Other titles in the series include, in both eBook and print format:
The Daredevil Princess and the Grumpy Giant
The Daredevil Princess and the Golden Unicorn
The Daredevil Princess and the Goblin King
Pip & Houdini by J.C. Jones
Pip has spent much of her life on the run. Ever since she was left by her mother in an old apple crate on Sully’s doorstep when she was a baby, she has needed a strong instinct for survival. Sully, a grumpy old man with a heart of gold becomes Pips only family . When he is hospitalised and eventually dies, her world is turned upside down. “Run Pip Run” is the first book in the series. And Pip has returned in this sequel “Pip and Houdini”.
Pip is skilled at evading the Police, Teachers, and most of all the Welfare. But for a time, she settles in with her best friend’s family. But trouble is Pip's middle name.
She worries her loving foster family is unable to cope with the trouble she finds herself in and she suspects they may call the welfare. She decides to take off in search of her mother with her dog Houdini.
I love heroines who can rescue themselves. If you do too then this is the book for you.
You can request it as a book or BorrowBox eBook here!
Birdlife by Pete Cromer
This book has beautiful illustrations of different types of interesting birds from around the world. The author, Pete Cromer is an artist from country Victoria and the book features bright, colourful collage style art of birds that Pete has created. It’s so nice to look at. I want to get out my art supplies and go birdwatching and draw birds now. The book has facts on birds and where the bird can be found in the world. Did you know that the ostrich lays the biggest eggs in the world? And can run super fast? It’s fun and easy to read, you will love it if you love birds.
You can request it as a hard copy here!
The Wolves of Greycoat Hall by Lucinda Gifford
This funny and charming story follows young wolf Boris Greycoat as he holidays with his parents to their ancestral homeland of Scotland, a country where there have been no wolves since 1680. The Greycoats are very polite and respectable wolves who love nothing more than exploring new places and eating delicious food, but Boris discovers that not everyone in Scotland is warm and welcoming towards folk like them!
This novel is full of quirky and charming characters, lots of humour and delightful illustrations. It made me giggle out loud all the way through while also telling a very important message about accepting people from different backgrounds and not believing cultural stereotypes. I guarantee that you will fall in love with the Greycoat family and with the clever hero, Boris.
I highly recommend this book for ages 8+. You can request it as a hard copy or eBook here!
Three tasks for a dragon by Eoin Colfer
After the death of his father, Prince Lir is supposed to take the throne of the Kingdom of Lagin. Instead, to prevent being banished, he finds himself on a dangerous quest to rescue a maiden from Lasvarg, the dragon.
At first it seems that Lir’s quest is doomed. However, Lasvarg is not the mighty dragon he once was. Realising the dragon’s frailty, Lir manages to convince Lasvarg that, with the help of the captured maiden Cethlenn, he can restore him to his former glory.
So begins a relationship between the three which reveals formerly unknown things about who they are and why they are there together.
I really enjoyed this book as it takes a number of unexpected turns, particularly towards the end. At times I doubted if this book was going to have a “Happily Ever After”.
I recommend this book for those that like medieval, fantasy tales with a touch of dark magic. At only 100 pages with lovely, coloured illustrations throughout, this book is short and quite an easy read but still very engaging.
Find this book on the catalogue here
Mia Megastar by Ada Nicodemou
Have you ever had dream so big, but didn’t know how to achieve it? Maybe it’s becoming an astronaut, a Lego Masterbuilder or the inventor of a REAL everlasting gob stopper? Do you also have a really, loud, slightly annoying family? Then meet Mia, a girl with a huge dream and even bigger family!
For as long as Mia can remember, she has always been surrounded by her large Greek family, living above their bustling fruit shop. Her younger brother Yianni is always playing practical jokes on her (which, according to Mia, are SO not funny!). Her mum gives her sage advice passed on to her from her Greek ancestors, such as “If you walk barefoot, you’ll get flat feet” (Mia’s not one hundred percent sure that’s true). Her dad cheerfully serves customers whilst trying to keep Mia and Yianni out of trouble.
As much as Mia loves her family, she is worried they may not understand her ultimate dream…her dream of becoming an ACTOR! She’s always loved writing and performing plays for her family, but it’s not until she watches a play starring her favourite actor in the world - THE Aston Kingsley from Sunset Beach - that she really, truly knows that this is what she wants to do. But how will she achieve this?
Thankfully, Mia is surrounded by great friends, such as her besties Ted & Brina and her awesome drama teacher Mr J, who all help her form the coolest drama club Summerdale Primary has ever seen. Even the super annoying Sebastian (he’s always making fun of Mia) is interested in joining her drama club. After an arduous audition process (who knew there was so much talent at one school?) Mia and her team are ready to put on the play of a lifetime. But will it all go to plan? Will her family understand her dream of becoming the world’s best actor?
Mia Megastar is a fun and light-hearted book, with lots of cool pictures and haloumi recipes to boot. Readers will look forward to the next two books in the series as they continue to follow Mia on her megastar adventures.
Rosie Frost and The Falcon Queen by Geri Halliwell-Horner
13-year-old Rosie has never felt that she fits in. Targeted by classroom bullies, Rosie feels she is completely alone, except for her Mum, with whom she has a very special bond. They have always been there for each other, and Rosie knows that when she is stressed, she can contact her mother by sending pineapple emojis to indicate how bad things are and Mum will come to her aid.
Suddenly, Rosie finds herself orphaned and alone, and her whole world is turned upside down. Rosie is sent to the mysterious Bloodstone Island—home not only to a boarding school for extraordinary teens, but also a sanctuary for various endangered species of flora and fauna. There, Rosie confronts a menacing deputy headmaster, a group of mean girls intent on destroying her, and also some shocking family secrets. She also discovers that history can come to life in ways she never could have imagined.
When the island itself comes under threat, Rosie knows she must enter and win the Falcon Queen Games in a desperate bid to save the sanctuary and all the animals. But Rosie can't do it alone. But not all is as it seems with some of her friends: indeed, who might be traitors in the midst? Rosie has to learn to trust others and she finds that believing in herself—and her friends—is the first step to finding the power she never knew she had.
Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen is a captivating adventure of empowerment, resilience and a must-read for young readers seeking an adventure filled with mystery, history, and a message of finding one's strength and purpose.
Looking forward to the next book in the series. Great for a family read along or solo readers 10+
The Book of Wondrous Possibilities by Deborah Abela
Adventure knocks on Arlo's door with the arrival of Lisette, delivering the Book of Wondrous Possibilities. Within this book is a story written by Arlo’s mother just before she died in a tragic accident. Arlo’s Uncle Avery recognizes the book at once as a grimoire, a legendary type of rare book with magical properties, and says “with this book, when a story is read by the person it was written for, it comes true”.
Adventures are all very well, but what really draws me into this world is the beautifully crafted characters. The best stories have truly good characters to fall in love with and in contrast, shockingly evil scoundrels. The good characters, however, are not flawless. They display a range of emotions such as Arlo’s anger at his mother's senseless death, to regret that he hadn't been more welcoming to Lisette when she arrived. And, throughout all these challenges runs a wonderful sense of humour.
Arlo thought of himself as someone who craved safety and security. With Lisette’s arrival he learns that his mother had written a story about him in the magic book that would reveal to him his own heroic nature.
I think if you enjoyed A Series of Unfortunate Events this book would be just the right read for you.
Wylah the Koorie Warrior: Guardians by Jordan Gould and Richard Pritchard
If you’re a fan of adventures, mythology and animals, then you’re in for treat with Wylah the Koorie Warrior. Set 40,000 years ago when megafauna roamed the Earth, we meet Wylah, a young Aboriginal girl whose best friends are animals and has a gift for art. Wylah’s life is turned upside down when her village is attacked by Dragons, kidnapping the villagers, leaving her and one of her art students, Po, and Wylah’s animal friends, behind. Suddenly Wylah is being forced to become the Koorie Warrior, but she finds there’s a lot more challenges she needs to face before she is ready help save her village.
Inspired by First Nations history and culture, mixed with fantasy, Wylah the Koorie Warrior is an exciting story which would be great for young readers aged 7 – 14.
Find it in print or eBook on the library catalogue here
Fortunately, The Milk… by Neil Gaiman
If you’re looking for a whimsical adventure featuring aliens, pirates, dinosaurs, vampires, time-travel, and talking ponies, then this is the book for you!
Fortunately, The Milk… is a madcap tale about a father who goes off to buy milk for his children, but gets caught up in an unbelievable adventure along the way. First, he gets abducted by aliens. Then, he has to escape a crew of threatening pirates. Then, he is rescued by a time-travelling dinosaur… and even more madness follows! Despite these many obstacles, this father will do anything to fulfil his mission and deliver the milk safely home. But will the children believe a word of his tale?
I really enjoyed the subtle humour behind the wild, rollicking plot, and I loved the beautiful illustrations by Chris Riddell, which perfectly complement the story. The time-travelling plot elements make this lots of fun to re-read – you will probably want to read it again as soon as you finish it!
This book is on the Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge list for grades 5-6. I recommend it for ages 8+.
You can request this title as a hard copy or eBook here!
Picturing my gratitude : knowing and showing my feelings through art
This awesome book by Anna Shepard is like a superpower for feeling good! The pages are bursting with fun ideas to help you stay positive and show gratitude, and the best part? You get to be the artist of your very own happiness adventure! The book gave me different ideas on how to express my emotions and thoughts in a creative way. When I feel down, I sit and draw about why I'm feeling that way. And when I'm happy, I capture those moments too. It's like a visual diary that I can turn to for a positive boost.
The book suggests creating a list of things that cheer me up when I'm sad, and also encourages me to keep track of all the cool things I achieve each week. The book is colourful, with cute illustrations. It inspires me to create mindful art.
When Rain Turns to Snow by Jane Godwin
A runaway, a Baby and a Whole lot of Questions. This little sentence at the back of the book intrigued me to read this book. Lissa is the narrator of the story and central to multiple storylines happening in the book. Lissa is trying to find new friends after her close friend moves out of state. One fine day she meets a runaway boy named Reed, who is older than her, with a baby, in front of her house claiming that her mother is his mother too.
The story is about the friendship made between Lissa and Reed and how they navigate through their life, solving all the mysteries and finding answers to their life changing problems. At the same time, Harry, Lissa’s older brother is dealing with secrets of his own that affects his mental health and physical wellbeing.
This book tackles some heavy issues for teenagers: navigating social media, cyberbullying, sexual identity, attention seeking behaviour, pitfalls of friendship circles, the stress of keeping secrets and knowing others have secrets. The writing is strong and holds the suspense right through the final chapter
This is a beautiful and timely coming-of-age story about finding out who you are in the face of crisis and change. I would recommend this book for any one over 12 years old and also to anyone with a high internet presence.
This book was published in 2020 and has been shortlisted for 2020 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.
Officer Clawsome: Lobster Cop by Brian “Smitty” Smith and Chris Giarrusso
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you combined underwater sea creatures with crime fighting adventure? Well, wonder no more as Officer Clawsome: Lobster Cop takes you on a wild crime-busting ride with his trusty side kick Stariana. The dynamic duo are always on the lookout for bad guys on the watery streets of Caper Cove - all while trying to decide which flavour kelpcakes they’ll buy at Caper Cove’s most popular establishment, Kelpy’s.
However, when Kelpy’s faces danger, Officer Clawsome and Stariana must use all their super sleuthing skills to stop the shady characters at Caper Cod’s most notorious hangout, Clams Casino, from carrying out their evil plans. The villains of Caper Cod are determined, but our heroes are even more determined, especially when it comes to saving Kelpy’s ocean-famous kelpcakes! Did I also mention there’s a GIANT SHARK??
If you love witty puns, colourful characters and delicious kelp cakes, you’ll be clam-bering to read Officer Clawsome: Lobster Cop. Even my 10 year old son declared it “the most hilarious graphic novel of all time”. And you never know, there may be further adventures for Officer Clawsome and Stariana in the future……
Paper boat, paper bird by David Almond
I wrote this review with my granddaughter, Hannah, who is 6. We have both been to Kyoto, and Japan is our favourite place in the world. Reading this book allowed us to feel as though we were returning there. We travelled with Mina on the bus to visit the Golden Temple, Kinkaku-ji. Walking through the temple garden and around the city streets with Mina and her mother allowed us to remember these beautiful places. Mina is introduced to origami by a woman she meets on the bus. Slowly and carefully, she demonstrates folding, creasing, and teasing technique to reveal the paper creations. She wordlessly shares her origami boat and bird and offers Mina some paper to make her own. Then we follow the journey of the little paper boat and bird as they magically bring together Mina with a new friend from this special place.
Hannah and I read this book in half an hour. It is filled with detailed black and white pictures with highlights of red. Hannah wished the pictures were more colourful – but I liked the red pops or colour that made our main characters stand out. We enjoyed playing with some Japanese words that we recognised – “thank you”, “hello”, “goodbye”. We enjoyed it, and we think you’ll enjoy it too.
The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman
Have you ever heard strange sounds in your house late at night? Or in the night? And they make you wonder what creature is making those sounds? Well, Lucy hears strange sounds in her house, but she doesn’t just hear them at night—she hears them during the day, too! But she does know what is making them. Wolves! However, when she shares her suspicions with her family, in the hope of doing something about it, do you think they believe her?
This is a story about not being believed, and about courage. It’s also about being closed-minded and not listening to others when we think we know best, and the consequences of that and being wrong. The book itself is picture book-sized with some interesting illustrations by Dave McKean. There’s only 56 pages, so you’ll be able to read this story pretty quickly. So, slow down because it’s a good little tale. And it’s by Neil Gaiman, so you are guaranteed a good read.
Find this book here.
Find the other books by Neil Gaiman here.
Find Neil Gaiman’s Website here.
The Vampire Knife (The Witching Hours: Book 1) by Jack Henseleit
If you’re looking for a spooky new fantasy series that deals with vampires, faeries and all things that go bump in the night, then this is the book for you! The Vampire Knife introduces Anna and Max, two siblings who love scary stories and adventure.
When they accompany their dad on a work trip to Transylvania, Anna and Max begin to see strange things that seem like they should belong in one of Anna’s spooky tales – but this time, it’s for real. From a dark figure in the woods with luminous eyes, to a mysterious knife hidden under the floorboards of an old inn, to whispers of the ominous strigoi, it’s as if the scary folktales that Anna and Max love so much might be true after all.
Then, on a dark and stormy night, Max gets snatched from his bed. It’s up to Anna – and her expert knowledge of fairy tales – to save him. This book is perfect for readers who like fairy tales and horror. I recommend it for ages 8+.
You can request The Vampire Knife as a hard copy or eBook here!
Rudy and the Forbidden Lake by Paul Westmoreland
Rudy is ready to follow the scent of adventure, are you? Rudy is a skateboarding Werewolf, with his best move being the daring double! This short chapter book is full of cool and amusing illustrations by George Ermos and makes for a quick and easy read. I especially loved the style of illustrations and their use of limited colour. There are musical instruments and mayhem with the Skeleton Ska Band and maybe a monster! This is the fifth book in the series and Rudy's friends return, Femi who is a mummy and Edie who is a ghost who loves her BMX bike. Rudy and his friends are not put off by warnings not to go down to the lake, something mysterious is happening down there. A big storm hits the town and belongings go missing but are Rudy and his friends ready to know what is below the surface of the lake? If you’re just starting out with independent reading or a reluctant reader this book is a must read for you! Funny and adventure packed!
For ages 6+
Find the book on our catalogue Rudy and the forbidden lake.
If you enjoy this book check out others that are similar like the Mirabelle series, Super Happy Magic Forest, Isadora Moon series, Emerald and the Sea Sprites, Mischief and Mayhem series, Agents of S.U.I.T. series, Real Pigeons series, Rabbit and Bear series, Amelia Fang series, Ivy and Bean series, The Princess in Black series, Zoey and Sassafras series, and the Dragon Masters series.
Pollyanna by Eleanor H Porter
Pollyanna is a 12-year-old girl whose life has been hard. She has had to rely on charity to provide for her basic needs and, in addition to losing her mother some years ago, now finds herself orphaned after the death of her father. As such, Pollyanna is sent to live with her rich Aunt Polly, who she has never met. Aunt Polly is far from thrilled about taking on the care of a child but feels a sense of duty to do so.
Given how difficult Pollyanna’s life has been and how unwelcoming Aunt Polly is, you would expect Pollyanna to be miserable. But her father introduced her to “the glad game” and Pollyanna has learnt to find something to be glad about in every situation.
Throughout the story, Pollyanna meets many characters who are unhappy with their lives. But as they spend more time with Pollyanna, her ability to see joy in everything transforms their lives too.
I really like the message that runs throughout this book. It’s a great reminder that, whatever is happening in our life, our happiness depends on how we look at the situation. I also love the relationships that Pollyanna forms with a variety of characters, showing that if we share our problems with others we often find they are not as bad as they seem.
The story was first published 100 years ago and is set in a small town in the United States. The language reflects this and some readers may find it challenging. However, if you like the sound of the story, I encourage you to try to read it or you can always listen to it as an eAudiobook.
UFO Stories by John Townsend
I've always found UFO stories intriguing, and this book is a collection of short tales about UFO sightings and encounters with aliens worldwide. From mysterious lights in the English night sky to a truck driver in Arizona claiming abduction by something with huge staring eyes, and even crop circles appearing in an American barley field. Did you know about the 1966 UFO sighting near Westall High School in Melbourne? Students and teachers reported a flying object in the sky! Are these stories made up or real? I'm eager to do more research. If you share my interest in this topic, the book is definitely worth a read!
Find a copy on the catalogue here
Stink Superhero Superfan
By Megan McDonald
Get your superhero cape on and let’s get reading!
At a Moody family garage sale, Stink comes across a box of old comics featuring a hero he’s never heard of before: Super Gecko. What could be more fantastic than a superhero with lizard superpowers?
Even better, Super Gecko is becoming popular again and Stink quickly becomes his number-one fan. Neato! Stink then starts receiving mysterious notes signed by Super Gecko himself. But Super Gecko isn’t real, or is he?
Using his own powers of deduction, and thanks to all the cool stuff he’s learning at Saturday Science Club, can Stink figure out who is writing the letters and sending him the secret messages?
A story full of humour and a book that resonates with heartwarming family fun. And who doesn’t enjoy solving a mystery?
A fun book to read alone or read along with the family.
First appearing in the Judy Moody series, by the same author, Judy Moody's little brother, Stink, got his chance to star in his own adventures! Beginning with STINK: THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING KID, three more stories, and his own encyclopedia, STINK-O-PEDIA, Stink's special style comes through loud and strong -- enhanced by a series of comic strips, drawn by Stink himself, which are sprinkled throughout the books.
Reading Level: Ages 6-9
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
Pippi Longstocking is the most fun, adventurous, and silly girl you'll ever meet! She lives in a colorful house called Villa Villekulla with her friends Mr. Nilsson the monkey and a horse named Little Old Man. Pippi is not like other kids; she's super strong, loves to tell funny stories, and has a treasure chest full of gold coins!
One of the best things about Pippi is that she does whatever she wants. She climbs trees, goes on wild adventures, and even has pancakes for dinner every night! She has no mother and her father is missing in the South Seas. She is the boss of herself with no one to tell her what to do.
The book is full of exciting stories about Pippi's escapades, like when she lifts a whole horse over her head or outsmarts burglars with her clever tricks. It's so much fun to read about her incredible strength and how she makes every day an extraordinary day.
The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo
This is the story about five puppets: a boy, a girl, a king, an owl, and a wolf. Each has a sense of who they are, and a dream of who they want to be. Also, they are inspired to have heard that one day they are to be part of a great, important story. In The Puppets of Spelhorst, we follow their lives through the hands of various owners as they experience life-changing adventures (for a puppet, at least) that lead to that great story.
Let it be known that I love Kate DiCamillo’s books! And this one is no different. She’s such a great writer, and she tells a story so simply that she makes it looks easy.
This one is a story about stories—the ones we tell and the ones we live. Like many of Kate DiCamillo’s stories, this one has the feel of an old fairy tale, with almost mythical characters—certainly characters with thoughts and feelings we recognise—even if they are puppets. It’s not a big book, and you’ll read it pretty quickly. But it’s a nicely told story, and a great one to lose yourself in for a few hours.
Find the book and audiobook here.
Find the other books by Kate DiCamillo here.
Kate’s website is here.
Kimmi: Queen of the Dingoes by Favel Parrett
Under a full moon a small tropical dingo cub is born. That cub is Kimmi. Kimmi: Queen of the Dingoes by Favel Parrett combines true life and fiction in a story about courage and survival. Kimmi must travel far from her home, and far from her family but she does so knowing she can change things for all dingoes. Kimmi sets out at the start of the story with her mama, her aunty and her three brothers. Her family life is then threatened by the very farmer who took her father. This is the story of how Kimmi becomes the Queen of the Dingoes in a sanctuary that fights to save them from extinction. Kimmi experiences loss and pain on her journey and whilst her experiences are painful even for the reader, by the end the story you do feel ultimately uplifted. Favel weaves a story that truly makes her animal characters relatable and the story is assisted by lovely drawings from award-winning Astred Hicks.
Ideal for readers aged 7+
The book contains real information about dingoes via a Q&A with staff from the Dingo Discovery Sanctuary and Research Centre at the end of the story, with information about different types of dingos and how you can get involved in saving them from extinction. Favel has already written about alpine dingoes in her book Wandi.
Find Kimmi on our catalogue here
Check out Favel Parrett’s book Wandi about an alpine dingo: Wandi
Both Wandi and Kimmi are real-life dingoes who live at the Dingo Discovery Sanctuary and Research Centre in Victoria. For more information about the Dingo Discovery Sanctuary and Research Centre visit: Home or for information about both Kimmi and Wandi visit: Our Dingoes
Tuck everlasting by Natalie Babbit
87 years ago, the Tuck family drank from a spring that they came across in a little wood on the outskirts of Treegap. But unbeknownst to them, this was no ordinary spring. They came to realise the water had granted them immortality. Their inability to age was eventually noticed by friends and family. They were suspected of being witches and run out of town.
The two Tuck boys, Jesse and Miles, now lead a life wandering from place to place whilst their parents, Pa and Mae live a quiet life hidden away from the world. But every 10 years, the boys return to meet their mother in the Treegap woods.
Young Winnie Foster lives next to the woods and she is feeling terribly restless. So on the same morning that Jesse and Miles are waiting to meet their mother, Winnie decides it is time to explore the woods. Winnie and the Tuck’s paths intertwine, taking Winnie on far more of an adventure than she had planned. All the while, a mysterious man in a yellow suit follows them, determined to uncover the Tuck’s secret.
This is a classic book which is beautifully written. It is easy to be drawn into the landscape and the characters’ world. Although the book is only 135 pages and the story itself is quite simple, the language is extremely descriptive so I would recommend this book for confident readers in upper primary school.
Tuck Everlasting left me feeling whimsical and pondering whether, if I was given the chance, would I want to live forever. What would you choose?
Find it on our catalogue in print or eAudio
Agent Moose - Operation Owl by Mo O’Hara
Agent Moose is back in the Big Forest in Operation Owl. Agent Moose and trustworthy (and slightly more intelligent) side kick, Owlfred, is back too.
A little bit of danger, a lot of humour and a bit of courage all make for the perfect mix in this fun story. The book is filled with lots of jokes and puns. There are floods and kidnappings, or should that be bird-nappings? All that water is not a natural disaster, the bank has been flooded and the criminals are at large, Big Forest is in trouble. Will Agent Moose and Owlfred find the villains before Big Forest floats away? Read it and find out!
This is a short story contained in chapters and has super fun illustrations by Jess Bradley. The pictures are very bright and colourful and they really are the highlight of the book. This short graphic novel series is sure to please all readers but is specifically aimed at ages 6-10. You also don’t need to have read the other books in the series to enjoy this one, each story is complete but of course I would recommend reading them all as they are awesome!
Check out the first two books in the series here
Mo also wrote My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish and lots of other fun books and graphic novels, check them all out here
Check out the Authors website here
Millie Mak the Maker, written by Alice Pung and illustrated by Sher Rill Ng
When I saw this book, with its beautiful illustrations, about a Scottish-Chinese girl growing up in Melbourne who loves craft, I couldn’t wait to read it. I was even more excited when I found out it includes craft activities.
Nine-year-old Millie loves making. It helps her to relax when things aren’t going well. Like when she has to get through the day trying to fit in at her new school. At home, Millie can be herself and get creative. She can’t afford fancy craft materials, so she has to be resourceful. She re-uses fabric from old clothes, picks through hard rubbish and searches the web for crafts that can be made with stuff from around the house. With the help of her grandmothers, Millie develops a talent for turning things that have been discarded into things that are beautiful and useful.
The writer, Alice Pung, really gets what it’s like being a kid, dealing with school, family, not having what you want and needing to be understood. I like how she doesn’t romanticise being poor and different. Millie is angry and jealous her family can’t afford nice things. Having a Chinese grandmother isn’t all home-made dumplings and red packets, it can be really annoying. This book describes everyday life in a way that I haven’t seen in kids’ books before. If you’re a maker or you enjoy stories about real-life, I think you’ll love this book. Recommended for readers aged 8+
Find Millie Mak the Maker on the catalogue here
Jo: An adaptation of Little Women (sort of) by Kathleen Gros
Graphic Novel
Recommended for ages 8-12
As she starts the academic year in the eighth grade, Jo March decides it's time to get serious about her writing. She has her online blog but decides to challenge herself and joins the school newspaper. The writing challenge is hard, but she makes a new friend Freddie who supports and cheers her on. Jo discovers that becoming a hard-hitting journalist is a lot harder than she imagined.
But that’s not all that’s harder than she imagined. Jo and her sisters, Meg, Beth, and Amy are getting used to a “new normal” in their home life, while their dad is deployed overseas with the American armed forces. Their mum is now working heaps of overtime and trying to keep the family on track. Meg is trying to earn extra cash with tutoring, Beth is still recovering from a serious illness and Amy is trying to keep up with her older sisters.
Jo finds a new friend in Laurie, the boy who just moved in next door, is a great addition to their family dynamic and they get on like a house on fire. But things get complicated when Laurie tells Jo he has feelings for her. Feelings that Jo doesn't have for him, or for any boy. Feelings that Jo thinks she might have for Freddie.
How do you discover who you want to become when you're not entirely sure who you are? Jo March is on a great artistic and personal journey. Readers can identify with Jo as she explores her world and in doing so, finds out what makes her who she really is.
Perfect for lovers of graphic novels, and those who like books that reference classic literature but in an updated way. The graphics are bold, colourful, and presented in a traditional cartoon format.
Find it in our catalogue here. If you like this graphic novel, you might like to explore the book that inspired Kathleen Gros – the book is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott or look for copies of this title in our e-library.
Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tola Okogwu
Onyeka feels her hair is untameable and that she will never fit in. She learns that in fact her hair is extraordinary and that it gives her the ability to be powerful.
Her mother has spent her life trying to control and hide Onyeka 's difference to keep her safe. They had to flee to London from Nigeria and were separated from Onyeka’s father. When Onyeka 's hidden powers start to emerge, they are forced to return to Nigeria where Onyeka will learn more about her hidden power and potential.
What I love about this adventure is that I can relate to her feelings of not fitting in. I love that she has one very good friend that loves and understands her. But best of all I love that she finds her power in the qualities that make her different.
You can continue this story with Onyeka and the rise of the rebels, released this year.
Find Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun on our catalogue here
Mr. Penguin and The Lost Treasure by Alex T. Smith
If you like your heroes to be adventurous (mostly), brave (sort of), a bit of a detective and lover of fish-finger sandwiches (definitely), then Mr. Penguin is your man. Or rather, he’s your penguin. And this is where it all began for him. In this his first adventure, a desperate telephone call asking for help to find a lost treasure catapults Mr. Penguin and his faithful spider sidekick, Colin, on a hair-raising adventure. Set in the world of museums, with dastardly criminals, this story is non-stop mystery, danger, and, most of fun, right until the very end. (Or feather-raising if you’re a penguin.)
This was my first Mr. Penguin book, and I thought it was great. The chapters are short and quick to read, and the story whips along at a fast pace. Mr. Penguin himself is a wonderful character, and there are lots of brilliant illustrations that emphasize his perilous journey. This is certainly one of those stories that makes you want to read the rest in the series, and there have been several Mr. Penguin adventures now. So put this one high on your list of must-reads! Recommended.
Find this book here
Other books by Alex T. Smith at Wyndham City Libraries here
Alex T. Smith – author website
The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book One: The Field Guide, by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
The Spiderwick Chronicles follow the story of Jared, Simon and Mallory Grace, three ordinary siblings who move into an old Victorian house and discover a magical world hiding right under their noses.
In Book 1, the Grace siblings move into their new (old) house and strange things soon start occurring. When Jared hears scuttling sounds coming from the walls, he assumes it’s a squirrel – until Mallory breaks open the wall and they find what appears to be a very curiously constructed nest, complete with random objects from around the house. More strange incidents follow, and it seems like the siblings might have angered whatever was living inside the walls. Their mother believes that Jared is behind all the chaos – after all, who else could be responsible for tying his sister’s hair to the headboard, or turning the kitchen inside out?
Then Jared discovers a secret room and a mysterious volume full of information about faeries. Could a faerie be responsible for the general mischief that Jared is being blamed for?
I love the illustrations throughout this book, and the emotional connections that I formed with each of the main characters – there’s something to love about everyone, from Mallory’s fearlessness to Simon’s gentle spirit and Jared’s curiosity. This is a perfect read for lovers of adventure and fantasy who are looking for a new series to sink their teeth into!
I recommend this for ages 7-12.
You can request the hard copy or audiobook CD of this novel here!
Pearly and Pig and the lost city of Mu Savan by Sue Whiting
What could go wrong in the jungle? Adventurologist-in-training, Pearly Woe and her intelligent pet pig are about to find out! Journey along the Mekong River and go on another adventure with Pearly in the second book of the Pearly and Pig series.
Pearly, still worrying as usual, sets out into the jungle with her grandfather and her parents in Vietnam, but she gets separated from them. She must go it alone with Pig but along the way she meets some new faces, some are more reliable than others! Who should she trust as they search for the lost city of Mu Savan?
On top of being lost in the jungle Pearly worries that Pig wants to stay with his mother, the Divine Sow. But Pearly finds help from a number of other animals in this story, including some elephants and Wah-Wah, a cheeky macaque monkey who likes bananas and mischief.
What drives Pearly on is pure determination and a few pep talks from Pig along the way. No matter how uncertain Pearly is she does not let her anxieties get the better of her, there is after all always hope. If you have ever doubted yourself or your abilities Pearly is a character you can really relate to. I love the fact that her character has insecurities, there is a lot of pressure here but she rises to the challenge!
For readers 7+
Check out other books by Sue Whiting, including other books in the Pearly and Pig series here.
Check out the authors website with lots of fun information and activities about her books: PEARLY AND PIG SERIES PAGE - Sue Whiting
Love your body
By Jessica Sanders, illustrated by Carol Rossetti
“Every body is different, and every body is a good body”
I recommend this for any kids aged 8+ to help you understand, feel good about, and celebrate your body! It’s written specifically for girls but the information is universal and is useful for all genders.
The writing is gentle, kind, and easy to understand. It can help you understand that our bodies are amazing for doing stuff! It’s also got some great practical activities you can do to help you love your body, care for yourself, and give yourself some kindness. I like that it talks about how important it is to listen to your body, sometimes it’s telling you that you need a rest.
The illustrations are full of joy and they’re beautiful. They are really important to understanding the book – there are pictures of all kinds of bodies, and lots of ways to use them, to feel strong, have fun, make friends, and be yourself. I love how diverse the people in the pictures are in size, ability, colour, and style: this book celebrates difference! Hairy legs, stretch marks, freckles, they’re all joyfully represented.
This book is a great support to going against society’s unrealistic and narrow expectations of ‘beauty’ and that bodies are ‘just for looking at’. It’s also a positive introduction to some ideas about feminism.
It’s short, easy to read, easy to understand and I highly recommend it – read it and feel strong, empowered and good about your body!
Cryptosight by Nean McKenzie
Raff and Zara are camping with their Dad in the Flinders Rangers. But something happens and their Dad disappears, leaving them a note. Then strange people try to kidnap them! They find out their Dad is part of a secret organisation who look for mythical creatures to prove their existence, like the Bunyip and Yowie. When I was a kid, my Dad used to tell me stories about the Bunyip so I was excited to read this. I loved reading about Raff and Zara’s adventures around rural Victoria, looking for their Dad and avoiding the kidnappers. Raff and Zara wanted to find the Bunyip too. They used their smarts and courage to solve problems and find their Dad. Do you think they will find the Bunyip? Can they save their Dad? Join Raff and Zara in their awesome adventure. You’ll learn about magical creatures and have lots of fun!
The Letterbox Tree by Rebecca Lim and Kate Gordon
The Letterbox Tree gives us a glimpse into what life could be like in the future. Nyx and Bea have never met but they both share a strong connection to Hobart, Tasmania, where they’ve lived all their lives. Bea gets bullied at school for being different. Nyx lives with her dad who hasn’t been the same since her mum died. They both find solace in the giant pine tree near their homes. One day, Bea finds a note that Nyx has left in the hollow of the tree and they start a friendship through the letters they leave for each other. They can’t wait to meet in person but that’s impossible. Bea lives in 2023 and Nyx lives in 2093. In Nyx’s world, climate change, multiple pandemics and advanced technology have dramatically changed the way people live. Nyx finds herself in a desperate situation and reaches out to Bea, who can still change the future.
This book is truly a page turner. The story hinges on each letter and whether it is read in time. While the themes can feel overwhelming, it made me feel grateful for the incredible biodiversity of the world that we live in. The Letterbox Tree is a call for action and a reminder of the power in community.
A brilliantly written book for young readers interested in the environment or curious about the future. It’s co-authored by Australian, award-winning writers, Rebecca Lim and Kate Gordon. Recommended for 10+
Asterix and Cleopatra
The Adventures of Asterix by Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo
Graphic Novel
Set in 50 B.C., these hysterical historical tales follow the adventures of Asterix and his pals in the days of the Roman Empire. In order to impress Julius Caesar, Queen Cleopatra promises to build the Roman Emperor a magnificent palace in just three months. And Julius Caesar does everything he can to thwart the queen. After receiving Cleopatra’s plea for help, Asterix, Obelix and Getafix the Druid, travel to Egypt to come to her aid. What follows is an hilarious adventure as they race against time and attempts at sabotage, to try and get the palace built on time.
Will Asterix help Cleopatra win her bet? Why is Edifis considered the best architect in Alexandria when his buildings are wobbly at best? What will Getafix see when he goes sightseeing? Will Obelix finally get a taste of magic potion? Will Dogmatix save the day in the pyramid? Just what did happen to the Sphinx’s nose? Will Julius Caesar cheat in order to win the bet? And will Cleopatra cover everyone in gold if they succeed?
Drawn in a bright comic book style, Asterix and Cleopatra contains lots of puns and jokes hidden in the text and drawings. This comic strip fiction is recommended for ages 7+ and will delight readers of all ages.
Many readers find themselves rereading Asterix titles over and over again, reliving these fantastic and fun adventures.
In fact, these graphic novels are so loved, they have inspired animated and live action film versions of many titles from the Asterix series.
Find this book in the library catalogue here
Asterix the Gaul series contains over 40 titles, so if you love this book, there are plenty more to read and enjoy. Other titles include:
The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett
Have you ever met a talking cat? Well, meet Maurice. Once a normal cat, after eating at the town rubbish dump (which is behind the magician’s university), he can now talk. And so can his friends—a bunch of rats! Not only can they talk, but they can think, too, and they’ve come up with a plan. It involves going from town to town pretending to be a plague of rats; then, with the help of Keith, a boy who pretends to be like the pied piper, Keith gets paid to play his pipe and lead the rats away. Their scheme is going well until they go to a new town and discover something rather odd… there no rats there; someone in town is already running a scheme of their own...
This book will have you chuckling at the language, the characters, and the silliness of its situations. So, if you like funny or talking animal stories, or just fancy something entertaining to read, this is a good one for you. It won the Carnegie Medal in 2001.
Find this book here.
Find the other books by Terry Pratchett here.
Website: Terry Pratchett’s books for you here.
The Secret Message (A Billie B Brown story) by Sally Rippin
Guest review
I love this book! I like how Billie apologised to princess Harriet that she accidentally broke their sandcastle when she was trying to do a handstand - she was being kind and sorry. I like the author because she writes interesting and adventurous stories…
This is so good!
Billie becomes jealous and sad that Jack is not here to help her build a sandcastle, but the Billie finds a friend to help her to make a giant and huge sandcastle.
Find this book here.
More stories from this author at our libraries here.
Sally Rippin’s website here.
The Graveyard Book (Graphic Novel) Volume 1, by Neil Gaiman. Adapted by P. Craig Russell.
I first read The Graveyard Book a couple of years ago and was blown away by the dark but fascinating world. This story is loosely based on The Jungle Book, but set in a graveyard, where a human boy, Bod Owens, is raised and protected by the resident ghosts while a sinister force threatens him in the outside world. This adaptation tells the story in a compelling graphic novel format. This is the perfect book for older children who enjoy dark and fantastical tales but who may get overwhelmed at the prospect of reading pages and pages of words.
This adaptation is great for newcomers to the story, but I also recommend it to anyone who has read the original novel. I loved seeing my favourite characters in illustrated form. Bod’s guardian, Silas, is one of my favourite literary characters of all time, and his scenes are depicted beautifully.
Be aware that this book has depictions of violence (the story includes multiple murders), so I recommend it for older readers aged 10 and up.
You can request volume 1 and volume 2 of this book here!
You can also read other versions of this novel and watch related material here.
Evie and Rhino by Neridah McMullin
A storm rages, carrying a precious and surprising cargo to the Australian shore, but tragedy strikes and the ship capsizes. Little does Evie and her grandfather know what magic is abut to wash ashore! Evie and Rhino is a delightful book and sure to please anyone who likes animals, especially Rhinos, monkeys and birds! It is based on historical information and is set in Australia. Who knew there were so many ship wrecks along the Australian coast! When first flicking over the pages I was surprised by the terrific images provided by illustrator Astred Hicks, I really feel that the couple of illustrations per chapter really add to the book. The story is of course centered around a girl called Evie and she lives with her grandfather who lives on an isolated farm. Evie is looked after by her grandfather and cannot talk due to a horrible incident involving her parents. Evie finds comfort in the things around her, the wild birds, the chickens and a Rhino that she finds on the beach! This is the start of an adventure for Evie and Rhino. Evie wants to keep Rhino forever but staff from the Melbourne Zoo are on there way to take him to the zoo! Can Evie show that Rhino is a gentle giant in time to save him?
This is a lovely book about the bond that can form between a child and a wild creature. I loved that it had a lot of funny moments, from pie stealing monkeys to the farting Rhino. It balanced feelings of fear and apprehension with simple joys. It also highlighted how people can grow, become braver and stand up for themselves. This book is ideal for middle year readers.
Find it in print or ebook here
12 Hacks to Worry Less
Worries – we all have them and at times they may feel like they are taking over our thoughts and making it impossible to sleep.
Worries can be difficult to manage but they are a normal human emotion. Just like every emotion, they do pass. But sometimes we need to take action so that they don’t stop us from enjoying life.
“12 Hacks to Worry Less” is an easy-to-read toolkit to help you understand why we worry and how we can control our worries so they don’t get out of hand. The book is broken down into sections on common worries, such as going to school, dealing with social media, and anxiety over world issues.
Some books about this topic can be very wordy and heavy. I like this book because it’s simple - with colourful pictures exploring various scenarios. Another great thing about this book is that it offers lots of suggestions for managing worries, so if one thing doesn’t seem to work for you then there are many other ideas you can try.
“12 Hacks to Worry Less” is a good place to start if you’d like some help managing your worries. But if you are still finding things difficult, it’s important to reach out to a trusted adult for some extra support.
If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to someone you know call Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 or visit https://kidshelpline.com.au/kids
The Complete Big Nate Vol. 1 Collection by Lincoln Peirce
Meet Nate Wright, an eleven-and-a-half-year-old who thinks he’s brilliant at everything and whose sarcastic humour often gets him in trouble. His best friend Francis is kind of a wimp, his older sister is annoying, and his dad burns breakfast. Who burns waffles?!! Nate’s story is told in comic strips, some of which Nate writes himself as a self-confessed brilliant and witty future artist.
Big Nate is a light-hearted and funny take on what it’s like to be a boy in sixth grade. Homework sucks! Mrs. Godfrey, the social studies teacher, is a nightmare! Detention again?! All Nate wants to do is work on his bloodthirsty comic strip series the adventures of Dr Cesspool who performs hair-raising surgery using his trusty chainsaw.
What I really enjoy about this series is that Nate gets to say and do things that I could only wish I could have gotten away with when I was in sixth grade.
The Complete Big Nate Vol. 1 Collection is part of the Big Nate series available to read for free on Hoopla, BorrowBox or borrow from the library.
El Deafo by Cece Bell
Cece is a regular little kid, riding her bike, playing with caterpillars, hanging out with friends, and then she gets sick with Meningitis and everything changes. The world starts sounding muffled, she can’t hear her mum and she can’t even hear herself. She’s lost her hearing.
When Cece starts school, she has to wear a huge contraption around her neck, called a phonic ear. It’s paired with a mic that the teacher wears. Cece worries about what other kids will think and if she’ll make friends. She soon realises how powerful the phonic ear is. She can hear everything! Secret staffroom conversations, kids getting told off in the hallway, even the teacher sitting on the toilet. Gross. Like Batman with his fancy bat technology, Cece becomes El Deafo, a superhero with a super phonic ear.
But superheroes are still different. Cece doesn’t want to be alone so she fumbles her way through friendships with kids who don’t treat her well and she’s too embarrassed to tell people how she really feels or how they can best communicate with her. She imagines what her alter ego, El Deafo would do, which is usually hilariously inappropriate. Over time she finds a way to be herself, with friends who understand her.
I love how the writer uses the graphic novel format to show what it’s like to have hearing loss. Words in speech bubbles fade, jumble and go blank or they blast in bold capitals when well-meaning people shout to communicate. All the characters are drawn as cute, anthropomorphic bunnies. Why? Because bunnies have massive ears and amazing hearing. If you’re a fellow El Deafo or if you have a hidden disability, Cece Bell nails the mix of emotions that come with interactions you’re sure to be familiar with. If not, El Deafo will give you a funny and light-hearted view into what that can be like.
The book that no one wanted to read by Richard Ayoade
The book that no one wanted to read spoke to me in a hilarious voice. Each page had funny little drawings. If you like Andy Griffiths, Aaron Blabey and Anh Do you will enjoy this book filled with laughter and drawings.
Is it weird that a book can talk? No stranger than an animal talking and doing lots of other strange behaviour- “like tigers sitting at tables eating iced buns and not biting your head off’ . “Here’s a tip” he says, “if you see a tiger in your house, get out of your house.” The drawing of a shocked person discovering a tiger in their bathtub is followed by a sketch of that same person running for their life. After flicking open the book to that section I was hooked.
This book with its funny little pictures made me laugh!
The Adventures of Tintin: King Ottokar’s Sceptre by Hergé
Graphic Novel
Recommended for ages 7+
Tintin, intrepid freelance reporter from Belgium and his ever-faithful companion, Snowy the dog, are off on another exciting adventure.
Tintin travels to the fictional country of Syldavia and uncovers a plot to dethrone King Muskar XII. But can he help the head of state before it's too late?
Is the professor who he claims to be?
How will Tintin stop the plot of a gang of spies from Borduria as they attempt to take over Syldavia? Why are detectives Thomson and Thompson constantly running into mishaps and into each other? Can Tintin solve the mystery of the lost golden sceptre? Will the king get to keep his crown?
Will Snowy be able to resist that tasty bone and save the day?
Follow the action in this clear line drawn style graphic novel, as Tintin escapes from a plane, rolls in a ravine, avoids an ambush in the woods and survives the operatic singing of the illustrious singer Bianca Castafiore.
Perfect for lovers of graphic novels, and those who like mysteries, spies, and historical adventures.
If you like this adventure story, there are a total of 24 books in The Adventures of Tintin. Find them all on our catalogue here.
Diary of a Minecraft Dork Steve by M. C. Steve
Love all things Minecraft? Take a trip into Blockton where twelve-year-old Steve (aka. Dork Steve) is about to embark on a monster filled adventure down an abandoned mine. Giant spiders? Check. Scary skeletons? Check. Zombie hordes? Check. Yummy magical cake? Check. What I really like about this story is that at its heart, it’s about a boy who finds the strength to stand up to a gang of bullies. Steve isn’t perfect, he’s often scared and worries about making dumb decisions and looking stupid, but he perseveres and ends up saving the day. Dork Steve is part of an unofficial Minecraft adventure series available to read for free on Hoopla.
A Bite in the Night by Julian Gough & Jim Field
Where are all the trees going? South for the Winter? Do trees migrate? Bear doesn’t think so, but Rabbit shows her that something is certainly happening because the trees are definitely going missing! What could the answer be? Is there an enormous tree-eating monster on the loose? Aaaagh!!! Rabbit & Bear search for the answer to the mystery in this fun story.
If you like pictures with your stories, Jim Field’s illustrations are wonderfully entertaining and really help to tell this latest story with Rabbit and Bear and some of their closest woodland friends. With as many pictures as there is text, you’ll fly through this book quickly; but that doesn’t matter because so far there are another four books in the series, and Wyndham Library has them all. Hooray for Rabbit & Bear!!!
Find this book here.
Find the other books in the series here.
Interview with Julian Gough here.
What Zola did on Monday
This is a book in the Zola series, every day of the week she has a different adventure. Zola’s Nonna has a beautiful garden. She grows a lot of vegetables for them to eat, which Zola finds boring. She would rather yummy fruit. At school one day Zola’s class are talking about the old community garden. Years ago it was beautiful. No one looks after it anymore so it is full of weeds. Nonna helps fix up the community garden and slowly other families come help as well so it is full of beautiful plants again.
Fairytales for Feisty Girls by Susannah McFarlane
This is a collection of four fairy tales retold for a modern audience. Inside are the stories of Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and Thumbelina, four heroines who are given more agency and personality than the traditional fairy tales allow. These stories have been rewritten by Susannah McFarlane, author of the EJ 12 Girl Hero series, while each is illustrated by a different female illustrator.
My favourite of the stories was Cinderella – I enjoyed how Ella and the Prince bond over their love of animals and their mutual respect. I especially loved Sher Rill Ng’s cinematic illustrations for Thumbelina. I recommend reading these tales and comparing them to the originals, as I think they will provoke interesting discussions.
I recommend this book for ages 7+.
You can request a hard copy here!
Our World in Numbers: an encyclopedia of fantastic facts
Have you ever wondered how many earths would fit inside Jupiter, how far bees travel to make just one jar of honey, how small is the world’s smallest book, or how large is the world’s largest gold nugget? Our World in Numbers is a great resource to answer these questions and learn thousands of other fascinating facts about our world.
The book is divided into six sections – Space, Earth, Nature, People and Culture, History, and Science and Technology. Each double page spread then looks at a particular topic. This layout helps with learning interesting facts without leaving you feeling overwhelmed.
You can explore the book using the contents page as your guide however I prefer to just open to a random page each day. By doing this I have read pages that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise and come across some obscure information. For example, I now know that TV was banned from being broadcast on Thursdays in Iceland from 1966-1987.
What cool facts will you discover?
Wilder by Penny Chrimes
A battle is looming and the outcome will determine the fate of a river and all those that depend upon it. Wilder by Penny Chrimes almost sounded like a bit of a lonely read, but it is an uplifting read about a girl who is like no other. It doesn’t have many characters and is set in a bleak marsh land where children keep going missing, never to return. The girl, named Rhodd, has a falcon that soars high above her. But both the falcon and Rhodd are mysterious. No one knows where they have come from, she just walked out of the marsh one day as a young child and was adopted by a kind woman in the local village. The villagers fear the marsh, which seems to just keep on growing and growing, slowly strangling the river. This tale is part folk lore and part warning, and it has a strong environmental message. How has the marsh been allowed to swallow the river? The river keeps the villagers alive and is about to disappear. Rhodd is the only one who can find out what is happening. Can she save the river and the village? Perhaps with the help of her best friend Gar and her animal friends she can. Rhodd has a special bond with all living creatures and can literally see through their eyes. The villagers do not trust Rhodd or her mother, they think they are witches. Are they correct?
If you like the way Penny writes then check out her other books, The Dragon and her Boy and Tiger Heart.
See all her books on our catalogue here
Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief – Katrina Nannestad
This beautifully written book is set in a hospital in Berlin, just after World War II has ended. It’s inspired by the real-life story of a Russian child, who was adopted by the Red Army after his village was destroyed by the Nazis.
When we’re first introduced to young Sasha, he is mute and compulsively stealing what seems like random objects from the hospital ward and staff. The significance of these objects is slowly revealed as they bring back Sasha’s memories and help him to find his voice. He retells his story in flashbacks, with each chapter holding the memories to a collection of items.
Nannestad’s writing style immediately grabbed me when I picked this book off the shelf. The language that she uses is succinct and visceral, conveying the intensity of Sasha’s experiences without graphic detail of war or violence. The book touches on the dark realities of war but it is mainly a heart-warming story of survival, of finding hope and connection when everything is lost and how even the most vulnerable can create change through small actions.
This highly engaging historical fiction was voted by young readers as the winner of the 2022 CBCA Sun Project award.
Find a print, eAudiobook or eBook copy on our catalogue here.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas
If you’re looking for your new favourite fantasy series than look no further than the new Nic Blake and the Remarkables series. In the first book, The Manifestor Prophecy, we meet 12-year-old Nic Blake, a type of Remarkable called a Manifestor, living with her father in the Unremarkable world. As a Manifestor Nic is desperate to learn how to use her magic-like powers known as the “Gift”, that she possesses, but her father keeps refusing to teach her. Try as he might however, Nic’s father cannot keep her from being thrown into the Remarkable world after some shocking truths come out about her father, leaving Nic unsure what to believe and on the run having to find a powerful magical item to get some answers. Join Nic, Alex and JP as they set off on adventure to track down the magical item before it’s too late.
Author Angie Thomas creates a magical world with Nic Blake and the Remarkables, inspired by African American history and folklore. If you’re a fan of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series than I recommend giving this a read.
Find it in print or eBook at your library
Judy Moody in a Monday Mood by Megan McDonald
Have you ever been in a Monday mood? Feeling moody and mopey? Not sure how you are going to get through the week? Judy Moody is feeling super moody, even her mood ring is moody! So, how can she turn the week around? What is it going to take to turn her frown upside down?
Will bubble wrap help? Ninja squirrels? Zucchinis? Judy gets all her friends involved to help make each day a special day. What other crazy ideas for celebrations will Judy come up with? The worry is that the weekend could be a letdown after all this fun.
This book is perfect for family reading and for solo readers up to 9 years of age.
If you like this book, you might like to read more in the Judy Moody series including Judy Moody declares Independence, Twice as Moody, Judy Moody mood Martian, and Judy Moody, girl detective. But is you would prefer, there’s always books about her brother Stink – who goes on a Midnight Zombie walk!
The Beast and the Bethany by Jack Meggit-Phillips
Ebenezer Tweezer is a young, vain, exceedingly rich man who is 500 years old. How can he be? Well, he has a secret, and it’s kept in the upper most story of his mansion: a monster that grants him wishes. But those wishes come at a price: the monster must be fed! If not, Ebeneezer will pay the ultimate price… And what is the next tasty morsal it wants to eat? A nice, plump child, of course! Enter Bethany, an unpleasant, strong-willed girl who has her own view about the world and what she wants, and doesn’t realise she is next on the menu… Will she get eaten? Will Ebenezer be granted his next wish? If you like books by Roald Dahl or Lemony Snicket, you will certainly like this. It’s a very funny story about two people who want very different things and only one of them can win. Who will it be?
Find this book here
More details Jack Meggitt-Phillips here
Video Q&A with Jack Meggitt-Phillips here
What About Thao? By Oliver Phommavanh
Imagine if you moved to a tiny town in the country, and had to go through the effort of being the “new kid” at school, making new friends, learning new “country kid” skills (in this scenario you are originally a city kid). And instead of it being difficult, you found that you love it! Excellent! Things are going well! But then, a new-new kid arrives! And they’ve taken your spotlight! But unlike you, they don’t enjoy it. And to make matters worse, you’ve been assigned as the buddy of this new-new kid! What are you going to do?!
This is the story of What About Thao?, a funny and friendly book about fitting in, sticking out, milkshakes, poetry, felafel, rice paper rolls, and an abandoned biscuit factory. It made me laugh, and it made me cry. And it made me crave a milkshake.
I would recommend this book for kids aged 9+
Get a copy from the library, in print, eaudio or ebook.
The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Chris Riddell
In this mesmerising tale, Neil Gaiman uses his masterful storytelling skills to combine the tales of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty and rework them for a modern audience. This story carries an important message about female agency and having the power to choose your own path.
The plot follows a young queen and her three dwarf companions who embark on a quest to save the kingdom from a mysterious sleeping sickness, which is spreading through the realm. The illustrations by Chris Riddell are absolutely captivating and will have you staring at them for hours. It is no surprise that this book won the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal in 2016, which recognises distinguished illustration in a book for children.
This is an enchanting book that fantasy readers both young and old will adore. I recommend this for ages 10+.
You can request a hard copy or download the eBook version here!
Two Wolves by Tristan Banks
Two Wolves by Tristan Banks is a believable drama set in Australia. Right from the start it’s made clear that the story will be told from the point of view of the main character, Ben, a thoughtful 13 year old. He is unsure about his family and the world around him, and he often feels hopeless and anxious. This is not helped by the fact that early in the book the police suddenly arrive at Ben's front door. Soon after this his parents come home and he and his sister, Olive, are bundled into a car and driven away. He is told they are all off on holiday, but is it a holiday or are they on the run? Ben has always been into detecting and problem solving but this time he must solve his own mystery, a family one. This story is part adventure and part thriller, with Ben’s sister, Olive, providing some humour to a serious situation. Olive is very stubborn! A difficult journey is ahead for both brother and sister, both physically and mentally and they have some difficult truths to find out and some difficult choices to make. Ben doesn’t always make the best decisions; he is often unsure of what is going on, but that just makes the story all the more believable. Increasing tension between Ben and his dad is well written and ensures the book keeps its fast pace. Ben’s dad is a little scary and unpredictable and is a great contract to Ben, who is always thinking. Ben and his siter form a closer bond as the story goes on but it is clear that all the characters in this story are very different from one another and each must learn to live with their choices.
The Little Match Girl Strikes Back, by Emma Carroll
You may have heard of “The Little Match Girl”, written by Hans Christian Anderson in the mid-1800s. In this story, to keep warm, an unnamed poor girl lights the matches she can’t sell. In the flames she sees visions of the life she would like to lead. Wanting to keep these visions alive, she burns through all her matches and dies from the cold. It is only then that passersby notice and take pity on her.
Emma Carroll, the author of “The Little Match Girl Strikes Back”, felt dissatisfied at how powerless the match girl was in the original story. To give the match girl a far happier ending, she has written the story of Bridie and her family.
Bridie sees visions in her match flames too. But rather than getting swept away, Bridie chooses to use these visions to drive her and the other match factory workers into meaningful action to seek better work conditions and pay.
This is an uplifting story about how people working together can change what appears to be their destiny. I liked how strong the female characters were and how the story is based on true events. It is also beautifully illustrated by Lauren Child.
I would recommend this book for those aged 10+ who like inspirational stories.
Find a print or eaudiobook copy on our catalogue here.
Wildwood by Colin Meloy
Prue McKeel is at the park, keeping half an eye on her baby brother when a murder of crows swoops down, picks him up and carries him off into the Impassable Wilderness. Not knowing how to share this news with her parents, she leaves a decoy in her brother’s cot and steals off into the woods to find him. Meanwhile, Curtis (a nerdy kid from school) has been watching from afar and decides to follow. The pair discover a fascinating society, with talking animals, warring factions and dark magic. They soon become enmeshed in a civil war and need to decide where their loyalties lie.
The book feels slow to start but I think it’s well worth the commitment if you’re up for a lengthier read that will stretch your vocabulary. By the second half, I was completely immersed in the complex fantasy world that the writer has built. I particularly enjoyed the character of the exiled Dowager Governess, mad with grief and unapologetically bloodthirsty.
Wildwood is the first book in a trilogy written by Colin Meloy from indie rock band, The Decemberists, with beautiful, intricate illustrations by artist, Carson Ellis.
Laika studios are currently working on an animated film adaptation of Wildwood. Start reading before the film is released!
Suited to readers aged 10+
Find the eBook here.
When Life Gives You Mangoes by Kareen Getten
Set in a small town on the coast of Jamaica, When Life Gives You Mangoes gives us a glimpse into the summer life of 12 year old Clara and her community. Clara spends her days hanging out with her best friend Gaynah, and wondering why she can’t remember anything from last summer. Clara knows that she loves to surf and to swim but she has no idea why she can no longer enter the water due to fear; Gaynah’s not being supportive of Clara’s memory problem either and hasn’t been acting like a best friend. So when a new girl arrives in town this summer starts to look a bit more hopeful for Clara.
This book explores friendship and the dynamics of small communities, as well as the mystery of why Clara can’t remember what everyone else in the community seems to be aware of. A real page turner that had me hooked getting to know Clara and her community, as well as unwrapping the mystery of the previous summer. I definitely recommend for those who enjoy stories of friendship and mysteries.
Friday Barnes Girl Detective by R. A. Spratt
Friday Barnes has an extraordinary skill; she is a genius super sleuth and can solve mysteries, and she is only 11 years of age.
Growing up in a family of geniuses, she has never attended an organised school before. So, when she solves a bank robbery for her Uncle Bernie, she uses the reward money to send herself to the most exclusive boarding school in the country.
Are there lots of mysteries to solve at school? You bet there are! The school is a hotbed of crime! From disappearing homework, school pranks, a stolen clock, high tech smuggling, a mysterious Yeti living in the school swamp, and the biggest mystery of all, why her new best friend, Melanie, keeps falling asleep. What else can an amazing girl detective do but keep solving mysteries!
Can Friday ever understand the crazy world of Highcrest Academy? Can she make friends with the other students? Will she ever defeat her arch enemy, Ian Wainscott?
This book is great for a family reading out loud together or independent readers aged 8-14 years.
There are lots of books to read in this series, including Under Suspicion, Big Trouble, Danger Ahead, No Escape and Undercover. Check out the latest book in the series, Last Chance, published January 2023!
R.A.Spratt is an Australian author who has also written the Nanny Piggins and the Peski Kids series.
Click here to find all the books in the series at the library.
Penny Dreadful and the Midnight Kittens by Allison Rushby
“It is 1872, Miss Pickering. We are living in the modern world. A girl can’t get by on daydreams and fancies you know!”
This story transports us to England during a time of great advances in science and opportunities for girls. Penny Pickering attends Miss Strickland’s School for Girls of an Enquiring Mind. Her parents are both scientists and have very enquiring minds. Penny however is drawn to the imaginative and fantastic like the ‘Penny Dreadful Stories’ published by her famous authoress Aunt Harriet.
She dreams of being rescued from the dreary school routine to embark on an exciting adventure with her Aunt. Her dream comes true when her aunt arrives at the school announcing she has been made Penny’s guardian and agrees to whisk her away.
Mysterious events call for all of Penny’s curiosity, powers of observation and inventiveness to discover the secrets behind the bizarre and unexplainable. In the end many of Miss Strickland’s wise words help guide her enquiring mind to the answers she seeks.
I loved being transported to this time and place where girls and woman were starting to be allowed opportunities for an education that opened doors for them.
Find the book here: Miss Penny Dreadful and the Midnight Kittens
Find the e-book here: Miss Penny Dreadful and the Midnight Kittens
Festergrimm by Thomas Taylor
If something mysterious is going to happen, it’s going to happen in Eerie-On-Sea, you can bet! And when it does, Herbie and Violet are going to try to get to the bottom of things. So, when arch-villain Sebastian Eels reappears unexpectedly in town telling everyone he wants to re-open the famous but long-abandoned waxworks museum, and everyone believes he has changed his bad ways and is finally doing something good for a change, the two best friends become suspicious and start delving into his goings on! With legends of a genius inventor of clockwork marvels, his missing daughter, and a giant clockwork robot that once tore the town apart to keep Herbie and Violet enthralled, as well as the secret goings-on in the waxworks by Eels to keep them busy (and in danger) there is plenty to keep them (and you) guessing. It certainly kept me wondering what was going to happen! If you like adventure with a twist of mystery in your stories, this is one for you! Suitable for boys and girls aged 9+
Find this book here
Other books by this author at Wyndham City Libraries here
Thomas Taylor – author website
Thomas Taylor - ReadingZone Bookclub - YouTube
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
I loved the movie when I was a kid so I thought it was about time I read the book! The story follows a child called Sara who is leaving her father in India to move to a boarding school in London. Sara doesn’t always get along with the head mistress because Sara is very clever, independent and gets on well with everyone. Sara settles in well at school but then something terrible happens on her birthday. She finds out her father has died and now Sara has no money to pay for her school. Sara goes for the richest girl in the school to a servant who lives in the cold damp attic. She is not treated very well by the head mistress who was always jealous of Sara’s wealth. You will need to read the book to find out what happens to Sara!
Mister Cassowary
Personally, I think that the Cassowary is Australia’s most awesome bird! Who doesn’t like the thought of a giant flightless bird? Mister Cassowary by Samantha Wheeler is an easy-to-read book all about cassowaries and family secrets. Ideal for kids aged 7+
The story takes place at Flynn’s Granddads old rundown banana farm and right from the start there is a mystery that needs figuring out. No one will talk about how Flynn’s Granddad died just last year or why Flynn’s dad is so scared of the local cassowaries, the strange and dinosaur-like bird found in Far North Queensland. Flynn’s dad calls them the most dangerous birds in the world. Is he correct?
Flynn, who is ten, meets a local girl called Abby and together they discover two orphaned baby cassowaries and the adventure, and the mystery continues.
The book weaves information about cassowaries into a story about relationships very effectively. Flynn must tread carefully between doing what he is told to do and finding the answers to his many questions. Hidden family secrets are uncovered, like why Flynn’s Granddad is called Mister Cassowary, and Flynn becomes closer to his dad through the investigative process.
The chapters of this book are short and steadily paced, most are event based with lots of dialog. There is some terrific factual information at the end about Cassowaries in a special section which is an excellent resource for projects and for readers who want to know more about this endangered bird. There are also three other books in the series, all animal based. So if you like animals or want to know more about Tasmania Devils, Sea Turtles or Wombats check out these other books!
Find all Samantha Wheeler books here
Seven Wherewithal Way by Samantha-Ellen Bound
Looking for a whimsical, fast-paced fantasy adventure that both younger and older readers will adore? Look no further! In Seven Wherewithal Way, Celeste and Esme are two sisters who are about to spend a boring summer at their Gran’s house, when suddenly, their cousin Ferdinand literally crash-lands in front of them. Ferdinand soon whisks them away on an adventure to Seven Wherewithal Way, a place where magical portals and curious creatures abound.
There is so much to love about this book, including its laugh-out-loud humour and charming characters (I fell in love with Ferdinand instantly). Moreover, it is written by an Australian author and features a non-binary main character, so it is perfect for those who want to read more stories with gender-diverse figures. This novel invites you to a world that is as magical and captivating as Narnia or Hogwarts, with delightful humour that reminded me a lot of Howl’s Moving Castle. I highly recommend it for ages 7+.
You can request a hard copy or download the eBook version here!
The Legend of Hobart
Hobart is tired. Tired of being bullied by the local Lord’s nephew. Tired of being mocked by his siblings. Tired of failing. To prove his worth, Hobart feels his only chance is to be offered a spot in Knight School. And the only way he can think to get into Knight School is to slay a dragon.
So Hobart sets off on a quest to find a dragon. He expects danger and adventure, both of which he finds in great supply. But on the way, he meets some interesting characters who seem to be able to see that he is already a person of value.
Hobart’s quest takes some unlikely turns, with unexpected friendships formed along the way. So did Hobart succeed in his quest? You’ll have to read to find out!
I recommend this book for those that like medieval, fantasy tales but sometimes struggle with longer stories. At only 90 pages, this book is short but still captivating and I hope there will be a sequel.
A Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
Trouble comes knocking on the Baudelaire children’s door with the death of their parents in a house fire that destroys their home and possessions. That is just the beginning of a Series of Unfortunate Events spanning another 12 volumes. Violet and Klaus work together to protect themselves and their baby sister Sunny from the evil Count Olaf who is determined to find a way to steal the fortune they have inherited from their parents.
Who doesn’t like a good orphan story? Harry Potter, The Graveyard Book, The Secret Garden, Frozen, Anne of Green Gables, Cinderella, Peter Pan- the list goes on and on. I love seeing the underdog triumph by resilience, kindness, courage, and inventiveness.
Find this book here
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Lemony Snicket Wikipedia
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A Girl called Corpse by Reece Carter
‘If my hair looks like bright green seaweed, it’s because that’s exactly what it is. My eyes, a pair of abalone shells, polished blue by sand. Teeth, two rows of pebbles. And my skin is made of wax.’
Hiding in the attic of a witches’ shack, on a rock that can’t be seen by living eyes, is the ghost of a child called Corpse. Unlike the ghosts who have slipped away into death proper, Corpse is desperate to escape the rock and uncover her past. Who was she before she died? Where are her family? How did she meet her gruesome end at such a young age? One day a strange visitor arrives and gives her the chance to find out. The story follows Corpse as she searches for answers, coming up against evil witches and other unsavoury characters along the way. What I like most about this story, is that Corpse isn’t your usual hero. She gets scared, stuffs up and isn’t always a nice person but she makes it through in her own way. Be warned, this book is not recommended bedtime reading, mainly because you’ll want to read until the end. I can’t wait until the next book comes out.
This quirky read would appeal to fans of Tim Burton, Neil Gaiman and readers aged 8+.
Find a copy of the book here.
The Elemental Detectives by Patrice Lawrence
If you enjoy a good fantasy adventure, then this is the book for you. Set in historic London, where the city is ran by the Elemental spirits, the fiery Dragons, airy Fumis, earthbound Magogs and the watery Chads. One of our lead characters is Marisee, her grandmother is what they call the Keeper of the Wells, and is regularly in contact with the Chads, so Marisee is familiar with the magic of the world, but when a strange sickness takes over London and Grandma disappears, Marisee finds there’s a lot her grandmother hasn’t told her!
Down the road at the Hibbert estate, 12-year-old Robert Strong lives as a slave to Lady Hibbert, after he was taken from his family on the plantation in Barbados. As he watches everyone around him fall to the sleeping sickness, including his best friend, he ventures off to the Keeper of the Wells house to hopefully get something to help them. That’s where Robert finds Marisee trying to fit off infected people, together they escape them and team up to find Marisee’s grandmother and cure the sleeping sickness that’s infecting London.
This book is full of adventure and magic, and is the first in an upcoming series. I definitely recommend if you’re a fan of fantasy, mysteries, adventure and/or magic!
The Mystery of Banshee Towers by Enid Blyton
I must admit that I’ve not read any Enid Blyton until now and I was pleasantly surprised after reading The Mystery of Banshee Towers. The Find-Outers gang plus Ern were all there to explore the spooky towers with dogs in tow in the final case of the series. As Chief Inspector Jenks said, it is a mystery that only children might find, because adults hardly ever observe things in that much detail. The book was quick and easy to read and would be ideal for someone starting out on chapter books who loves mystery. A variety of characters and dilemmas are presented, including a new dog, Bingo, who provides relief from the mystery itself being the only focus of the story. The kids start off with no mystery to solve but after visiting Banshee Towers on Banshee Hill after a long bike ride a mystery is presented to them. They must discover what is making the hideous wailing banshee sound, whether the owner of the towers is a bit of a crook and if the painter they encounter is all that he seems to be. It appears that some art work is also not what it appears to be on first glance. What can you make of a painting that seems to have a small boat in it one day, and not the next? I did enjoy the scenes with the two dogs, Buster and Bingo, as they provided most of the comical situations in this book. I also liked the groups meeting place scenes, a location for Ern to hide out and keep his new dog under control, as these scenes provide another focus of the story. And who doesn’t want to have their own little shed in the backyard where friends can hang out and eat biscuits all day with dogs!
This story is available as a book and eAudiobook
Ballet shoes by Noel Streatfield
Would you like to go to a school that teaches you to dance? Would you like to earn money performing in pantomimes, ballets or plays? Then put on your ballet shoes and meet the Fossil sisters….
Pauline, Petrova and Posy are three orphans raised as sisters by their guardian Sylvia. Deciding to put their family name of Fossil into the history books and because of a burning need to follow their passions, they embark on an exciting journey at the school the Academy of Dance and Stage Training. Here they learn the skills they will need to start earning their own living on the stage, performing in plays and dancing troupes. As they take classes in acting, ballet and performance, each sister goes on a very different journey, battling through financial hardships, personal triumphs, and some tragedies. Along the way, the three sisters learn that being a star isn’t as easy as they first thought; but if you work hard enough, you can follow your dreams.
This classic book can be read aloud by the family or by independent readers aged 9+.
Also part of the Shoes series by the author, including White Boots, Dancing Shoes and Circus shoes.
Find the book here.
Arsenic for Tea by Robin Stevens
Do you enjoy a good murder mystery story? Because thirteen-year-old detectives Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are back for their second case. This time the location is Fallingford mansion, Daisy’s family home. It’s her birthday, but she’s dreading the completely awful tea party her mother has planned. However, the gruesome crime that follows is far from boring, and with the house isolated by flood-waters, the murderer must still be in the house! Yikes! Can Daisy and Hazel solve the crime before the police arrive? Are their lives in danger? Apart from the servants and Daisy’s governess, everyone in the house is her family. Imagine suspecting members of your own family of murder! How would you feel? What would you do?
This is the second of eleven books in the A Murder Most Unladylike series, and it’s the first one that I’ve read. It’s got some interesting characters, all with secrets they would rather not share. Can you solve the case before Daisy and Hazel? If you’re a budding detective, or just a fan of mysteries, this one’s for you.
Find this book here.
More Books, eBooks, and eAudiobooks by this Robin Stevens here.
A Great Escape by Felice Arena
Set in Cold War Germany. A great point of view from a kid in Berlin when they build the Berlin wall, dividing the city and families in two. This is what happens to Peter. He is stuck on one side with his grandparents, his parents and sister are on the other side and he can’t go to them. Everybody is so angry and confused. Why have the authorities build a wall dividing the city in half? In the East where Peter is, their life is very restricted- they are sent home from school if they wear jeans! But in the West, people have a lot more freedom.
Peter decides the best way to go find his family is to build himself a pair of wings so he can fly over the wall. Let’s hope Peter is reunited with his family again.
Yahoo Creek: An Australian Mystery by Tohby Riddle
I have always been fascinated by tales about yowies: mysterious creatures also known as the Australian Bigfoot, yahoo or hairy man. Yahoo Creek is a fascinating book that combines excerpts from Australian newspapers with first-hand tales from an Aboriginal elder, illuminating the unusual yahoo phenomenon.
The newspaper excerpts, dating from the 19th and early 20th century, include eyewitness accounts from early settlers who had strange encounters with a mysterious creature they described as “an immense ape-like animal.” Also included are words from contemporary Ngiyampaa Elder Peter Williams, who tells us about indigenous stories of berai, the hairy man.
Tohby Riddle’s beautiful illustrations perfectly capture the mysteriousness of this mythical creature and the dense, wild nature of the Australian bush. The monochromatic images are perfect to contemplate as you absorb the words on the page.
This book is perfect for inquisitive readers aged 8+.
Yahoo Creek is on the Victorian Premier’s reading Challenge list for Years 3, 4, 5, and 6. It was also shortlisted for the CBCA Children’s Book of the Year awards in 2020.
Find the book on our catalogue here.
Find out more about Australian author and illustrator Tohby Riddle here.
Sisters of the Lost March by Lucy Strange
Sisters of the Lost March by Lucy Strange lived up to my expectations! This slightly spooky story about six cursed sisters is set on a farm in the middle of marsh lands that are harsh, dangerous, and unforgiving. The marshes hold many mysteries. What is the will-o’ the-wisp? The sisters are usually protected by their Grammy, a strong grandmother that protects the girls from their beastly father. A father who believes in superstition and curses, like so many in the village nearby. Unfortunately the curse that looms over the family is caused by one of it’s members. When Grammy is too old and frail to look after the sisters and is accused of being a witch it is Willa, the second eldest sister, that steps up to protect them all. But at what cost? Will it be the happiness of her eldest sister, Grace, forced to marry someone she doesn’t love? Or will the marsh lands claim a life? Is their father right to believe in the curse? Read Sisters of the Lost Marsh and find out!
Other Books written by Lucy Strange.
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
Pippi Longstocking has been a favourite book of mine since I was in Grade 3.
Pippi lives on her own with just her horse and pet monkey for company. You can only imagine what Pippi gets up to without parents to tell her what to do! But Pippi does get lonely. Lucky for her, she meets some new neighbours, Tommy and Annika, to share her life with. I really like seeing how the three characters grow as they spend time with each other.
Pippi Longstocking has lots of fun characters and unbelievable adventures and is an exciting read for any primary schooler. You can start your “Pippi Longstocking” reading adventure here.
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
A pig’s life on a farm is DANGEROUS. But with the help of wise and caring friends a pig can find peace and protection.
Our hero, Wilbur the pig, is rescued from certain death by the intervention of a sensitive farm girl- Fern.
Fern raises the little runt with love and care until he is big enough to be sold.
Once again, she pleads for Wilbur’s life and he is sold to her uncle, where he continues to live.
There he meets a wise and magical friend Charlotte.
This was a favorite of mine from my own childhood. I can picture the wonderful scenes on the farm and fell in love with all the characters.
Find this book here
Other books by E.B.White
E.B.White Wikipedia
E.B.White - Goodreads
Dirty Beasts by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl’s classic Dirty Beasts is a collection of gruesome kid friendly poems full of wacky animals doing unmentionable things. From the tale of the super smart pig to the very hungry ant eater, all get their just desserts. Or do they? My favourite poem is The Tummy Beast. Who doesn’t have a growly, yowly monster in their tummy? If you like funny poems with a twist this book is for you.
Find a paperback copy of this book here, read the eBook, or listen to the audiobook
Like Roald Dahl stories? Find more here
Huda and Me by H. Hayek
Stealing your aunt’s credit card, booking plane tickets, and boarding an international flight to the other side of the world might seem drastic, but 9-year-old Huda manages to convince her somewhat more cautious older brother, Akeal that it’s their only option.
As we follow these two unaccompanied minors on their journey to Lebanon, wondering at what point they’re going to get caught, the story flashes back in time, slowly revealing the events that made life unbearable for Huda, Akeal and their 5 siblings. The sense of action and drama makes the book hard to put down. I found this book incredibly funny and the characters very likeable. The story is set in the western suburbs of Melbourne which might be why it is so relatable! It provides insight into the lives of a large Muslim family, with its usual everyday fun and busyness, while also conveying the complexities of being from a migrant background and living in Australia.
Huda and Me was shortlisted in the Younger Readers category for the 2022 CBCA Book of the Year Award. This cheeky, clever and engaging read is recommended for ages 8+
Find this book here.
H. Hayek - Website.
Ming & Flo Fight for the Future by Jackie French
Sick of constantly hearing about the great achievements of historic men, 12 year old Ming wishes she could learn more about impactful historic women. This wish is answered by Herstory, History’s sister, who sends Ming back in time to live as Flo Watson in 1898 on a struggling farm in rural Australia. Ming is soon rescued by her Wealthy Aunt McTavish and taken to Sydney where Aunt McTavish lives and has her eyes open to how people are struggling to survive. Ming is desperate to help change the world but how she’s supposed to do that when she’s supposed to be acting like a good young lady?
Follow along with Ming as Flo to find out!
Find it as a eAudiobook, eBook, or regular print book on our catalogue here.
A Bear called Paddington by Michael Bond
What would you do if you met a Bear at the train station who needed a home? Mr and Mrs Brown found a bear at Paddington station. All he had was a label around his neck that said, “Please look after this Bear, Thank you.” Life was never going to be the same again for the Brown family. So that is just what they did. From the very first night when he attempted his first bath and ended up nearly flooding the house, Paddington was seldom far from imminent disaster. How does a bear cope with eating tea and cakes, using the underground train, going to a department store, cleaning up old paintings and going to the Theatre? Especially a bear from Darkest Peru who has never had these experiences before.
This book uses humour to explore the situation of being a refugee in a new country, where everything is new, exciting but very different from home. Paddington is very happy being different and brings joy to his new family. A collection of stories that can be read to any age and loved by 7+ readers.
Find this book here
More Paddington at Wyndham City Libraries
Amari and the night brothers by B. B. Alston
When her brother goes missing at a prestigious school, and the authorities seem not to care, Amari attempts to find out why. Clues lead her to become involved in a secretive school where she displays a supernatural talent that alienates her from other teenagers. Meanwhile, she has try to locate her brother and prove to everyone that she’s not the enemy because an evil magic is lurking in the sidelines that could destroy the whole of the supernatural world. This is a story about underdogs battling bullies and conquering challenges. It’s about finding your purpose and your tribe. And it’s also about a school for magic. Sound familiar? If you enjoyed Harry Potter and are looking for the next great fantasy adventure - this is the book for you!
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B. B. Alston – Author website
B. B. Alston – Goodreads
Paul Biegel – The King of Copper Mountain
King Mansolain is hundreds of years old and slowing down fast. Some days his heart is barely beating at all! A very rare plant located a long way away from his castle can save him, hooray! But only the Wonder Doctor knows its secret location. While he goes in search of it, the king’s heart must be kept ticking! And interesting stories can do that! Word is sent around the kingdom and everyday a new visitor arrives at the castle with a unique story to tell the king. But will enough visitors come? Will their stories be good enough to keep the king interested and his heart beating? And, importantly, will the Wonder Doctor find the special plant and return to the castle in time to save the king’s life? Containing a host of animal characters, all with their own special story to tell, if you like a good fairy tale, this story will appeal to you.
Find this book here.
Paul Biegel - wikipedia.
The Grandest Bookshop in the World by Amelia Mellor
I’d been waiting to read this book as soon as I heard about it. I knew it was based on a real bookshop, right here in Melbourne that used to trade in the mall! Was it really the biggest in the world? Did it really have animals and plants inside? Indeed Cole’s Book Arcade was the grandest bookshop of its time. The book perfectly describes areas in the shop that existed in real life, like the Toy Land, Wonder Land and fernery.
I loved the main character of Pearl, a headstrong and intelligent ten-year-old. Her father strikes a deal with a devilish and tricky magician, who calls himself Magnus Maximillian or the mysterious Obscurosmith. One very slippery character! The deal could see the end of the Coles family ownership of the bookshop, so Pearl and her siblings try to save it. It’s a race against time, with puzzles at every turn, some which see the children put their lives at risk should they fail! It did get a little dark in places, touching on themes of grief, death of a loved one and loss of memory.
It was indeed a mysterious story. I ended up loving Pearl and her family and wishing them on to win the bookshop back. The characters had great development throughout the story. I thought perhaps the magical elements of the story were not needed, but they do add to the urgency of the story as it progresses. It is a very fast paced book, and at times I found this a little unsettling and I needed to pause to catch up! But overall the story mixes magic and realism well and all its descriptions are very vivid. I wish I could visit this bookshop now!
Amelia Mellor – 30 authors in 30 days YouTube
Other books by Amelia Mellor at Wyndham City Libraries
12 Curly Questions with at Kids Book Review
Amelia Mellor – Publisher website
Inkling by Kenneth Oppel
How do you impress your friends, make money, and help your family deal with the loss of your mum? The answer lies with Inkling – a tiny inkblot from a comic sketchbook that magically comes to life.
The main character, Ethan, initially uses Inkling to help with a school project. But over time, Inkling becomes his friend. And when friends are in danger you do everything you can to protect them – even break the law.
Inkling is a great, easy to read book for middle to upper primary school kids. If you like books about real life experiences but enjoy a little bit of magic, humour, and mystery, Inkling could be the next book for you!
Find this book here.
Other books by Kenneth Oppel at Wyndham City Libraries
Kenneth Oppel - Website
Kenneth Oppel - Wikipedia
Kenneth Oppel - Youtube
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Undone! By Paul Jennings
Paul Jennings short stories on audiobook are read by my favourite narrator- Stig Wemyss. All the voices he uses bring these bizarre stories to life. Because these are short stories you can listen in short bursts- but I doubt you will be able to drag yourself away. Many of the characters are underdogs who battle through twists in the stories to triumph against bullies and harsh circumstances. These books were originally published over 30 years ago and have stood the test of time. I listened to these stories with my children (who now have children of their own) and we both enjoyed them very much.
Find this book here.
To listen to it being read by Stig (my favourite narrator) click here
Other books by Paul Jennings
Other books read by Stig Wemyss
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson is a 12-year-old boy who always has good intentions, but trouble seems to follow him wherever he goes. After being expelled from every school he’s ever been too, he always feels like he is an outsider and someone, or something, is out to get him. When his teacher turns into a monster and tries to kill him, his mother finally decides it’s time take him to the one place he might be safe, Camp Half-Blood; where he discovers who he really is, the son of a Greek God.
Join Percy, alongside Annabeth, daughter of Athena, and Grover the Satyr, as they make their way through different adventures and challenges, in this modern day take on Greek Mythology. This compelling series shows that heroes come in a diverse range of characters.
Find books in this series here
Other books by Rick Riordan books at Wyndham City Libraries
Rick Riordan – goodreads
Rick Riordan - website
‘Swimming on the Lawn’ by Yasmin Hamid
Spend some time with Farida and her family. Small and simple chapters delight in Swimming on the Lawn by Yasmin Hamid. Full of sensory detail, everyday actions are explored as Farida goes to school, does family chores, enjoys a holiday and plays with siblings and friends. What I enjoyed most was the book's attention to detail. I could smell the molasses and overripe fruit! The story took me on a journey through 1960’s Sudanese culture, customs and food. A visit to the remains of Nubian pyramids and vivid descriptions of twirling dancers at the Mawlid festival bring alive a time and place that is so unlike my own. Can happiness last forever? Read this celebration of family life to find out.
Find this book here.
See Yasmin Hamid’s bio here
Murder at the Museum by Lena Jones
There’s something rather odd going on. Have you noticed? Agatha Oddly has. She’s a bold, determined 13-year-old, who wants to be a detective. She lives in a cottage in Hyde Park with her father, surrounded by detective novels and her invisible mentor, Hercule Poirot, the world-famous detective. The mystery? The water system in London is polluted with toxic algae, there’s been a murder at the British Museum, stolen gold bullion in a disused tube station, a missing curator at the National Gallery, and what is the secret society that holds the key to her mother’s disappearance? Can Agatha and her friends solve all the crimes, thwart the villains and keep London safe? For ages 9 and up, this is a fun, action packed series that will appeal to fans of Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys, Enola Holmes, Murder Most Unladylike and the Friday Barnes series.
Find this book here.
Other books by Lena Jones
‘The Graveyard Riddle’ by Lisa Thompson
This is the story of Melody Bird, who stumbles across a hidden, abandoned house. And within it, a boy. The boy tells her that he’s a spy on the trail of a notorious criminal, and the theft of an expensive jewel. But is he telling the truth? Wanting to believe him, Melody becomes involved in solving some mysterious riddles that could break the case wide open. In the process, she convinces her friends, Mathew and Jake, to become involved in helping the boy, too. But the question is, is there a case to be solved at all? Can the boy be trusted? And how much of his story is true? The Graveyard Riddle is not just a great little mystery that’ll keep you guessing until the end, it’s also a story about friendship and trust. I highly recommend it!
Find this book here.
Other books by Lisa Thompson
Lisa Thompson website
Video interview with Lisa Thompson
The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
Do you think you know everything about the fairy tale world? I certainly did, until I read “The Wishing Spell'. This book follows 11 year-old twins, Alex and Connor, on a journey through the fairy tale kingdoms, getting to know the true stories of a variety of fairy tale characters. As much as I liked learning new things about the traditional fairy tale characters, my favourite part was cheering Alex and Connor on through the challenges they faced, both in the Land of Stories and in their own world. I also enjoyed how Alex and Connor spoke to each other - making fun of each other but also supporting each other during hard times, just like real siblings. This book was first recommended to me by a Grade 4 student, so I decided to read it to my 9 year-old daughter. She became hooked and has now finished all six books in “The Land of Stories” series! I highly recommend this book for fantasy fans in middle to upper primary school.
Find this book here.
Other books by Chris Colfer
Chris Colfer wikipedia
Land of Stories website
‘Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow’ by Jessica Townsend
Morrigan is a cursed child, doomed to die on her 11th birthday. Just in time, a mystery man appears to take her away to a magical place called Nevermoor. He has chosen Morrigan to be his champion in a series of exciting and dangerous trials to earn her place at a magical school. All the other kids competing seems to have a special magical talent, but Morrigan does not know what hers is. Will Morrigan be able to successfully earn her place in the Wundrous Society competing against the other kids who understand magic more than she does? Of course, something is bound to go wrong, putting Morrigan’s life in danger once again! A great read if you love Harry Potter.
Find this book here.
Other books by Jessica Townsend
Jessica Townsend Wikipedia
Video interview with Jessica Townsend
‘The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane’ by Kate DiCamillo
Edward Tulane is a white toy rabbit made of china. Rather privileged and self-centred, he doesn’t much care for anything, and certainly doesn’t love anyone, other than himself. One day he is removed from his comfortable world and thrown into a remarkable adventure. There, he meets lots of different people, and he experiences many different circumstances that make him re-think his life and who he is. I have to admit, this book is one of my all-time favourite stories! I never get bored reading it. The story is so well written, and aloof Edward is a wonderful character. It’s both funny and heartbreaking to read the problems he finds himself in, and to see how he changes as a result. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventures with great characters and a story that makes you think. Find this book here.
Other books by Kate DiCamillo
Kate DiCamillo Wikipedia
Video interview with Kate DiCamillo