Aussie Kids Books

Book Reviews

Welcome to my blog! This blog is a celebration of Australian children's fiction - including young adult, middle grade, junior fiction, and picture books.

Read on for my reviews!

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Michaela Mason's Big List of 23 Worries/Michaela Mason's Big List of Camp Worries, by Alexa Moses

Sandy

Oct 10, 20213 min read

Michaela Mason's Big List of 23 Worries/Michaela Mason's Big List of Camp Worries, by Alexa Moses

I am officially hooked on this well crafted new series for middlegrade readers (aged 8+), which shines a light on friendship, family,...

125 views0 comments

Author Q&A: Peter Carnavas (My Brother Ben).

Sandy

Sep 28, 20214 min read

Author Q&A: Peter Carnavas (My Brother Ben).

Peter's new release for middle grade readers, My Brother Ben, is a gently beautiful story that shines a light on the bond between...

157 views0 comments

Sandy

Sep 17, 20212 min read

My Brother Ben, by Peter Carnavas

You know how sometimes you start reading a book and get that almost instant feeling that it’s going to be the type of book that makes...

57 views0 comments

Sandy

Aug 27, 20212 min read

Tiger Daughter, by Rebecca Lim

Tiger Daughter is a powerful and captivating read and is one of my top picks this year for middle grade readers. The story is told...

270 views0 comments

The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals, by Sami Bayly

Sandy

Aug 14, 20213 min read

The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals, by Sami Bayly

So I might be a little (ok, a lot) obsessed with this beautifully designed encyclopaedia, which is a 2020 CBCA shortlisted book. There is...

43 views0 comments

Author Q&A: Samantha Wheeler (Devils in Danger)

Sandy

Aug 6, 20215 min read

Author Q&A: Samantha Wheeler (Devils in Danger)

I absolutely adored Samantha's latest release for middle grade readers, Devils in Danger. Samantha kindly agreed to answer some questions...

98 views0 comments

Sandy

Aug 1, 20212 min read

Devils in Danger, by Samantha Wheeler

This beautifully crafted middle grade novel captivated me from the opening page, where we meet the narrator, 11-year-old Killarney, and...

18 views0 comments

Sandy

Jul 16, 20213 min read

Sensitive, by Allayne Webster

This middlegrade novel is beautifully written and completely engrossing - I read it over a couple of days, reluctant to leave the world...

34 views0 comments

Sandy

Jul 4, 20212 min read

Mina and the Whole Wide World

I absolutely adore verse novels and have been eagerly anticipating this new verse novel by Sherryl Clark. Mina and the Whole Wide World...

145 views0 comments

Sandy

Jun 26, 20211 min read

Everything We Keep, by Di Walker

This middle grade book is the perfect reminder that families are all different, and shines a light on the importance of embracing...

48 views0 comments

The Ballad of Melodie Rose, by Kate Gordon

Sandy

Jun 17, 20212 min read

The Ballad of Melodie Rose, by Kate Gordon

I was so excited when I heard that Kate Gordon had written a companion novel to her beautifully haunting story The Heartsong of Wonder...

29 views0 comments

Sandy

Jun 6, 20213 min read

Bindi, by Kirli Saunders & Dub Leffler

This beautifully crafted verse novel for middle grade readers is truly a work of art - from the charcoal-smudged illustrations depicting...

287 views0 comments

Sandy

May 21, 20212 min read

The Edge of Thirteen, by Nova Weetman

This is a beautifully written story about navigating change, shifting family and friendship dynamics, and finding your place in the...

47 views0 comments

Sandy

May 21, 20211 min read

As Fast As I Can, by Penny Tangey

I absolutely devoured this heartfelt, funny and brilliantly written story, which has all the essential ingredients for the perfect middle...

31 views1 comment

Mini Book Review: Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories, by Jeff Kinney

Sandy

Apr 26, 20211 min read

Mini Book Review: Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories, by Jeff Kinney

Mr 8 loved this book and wanted to share a quick review, so here it is: "I loved this book because the author had some very creative...

39 views0 comments

Sandy

Mar 4, 20212 min read

A Glasshouse of Stars by Shirley Marr

This is a beautifully crafted magical story for middle grade readers which made my heart feel like bursting with all the sadness and...

40 views0 comments

My Girragundji, by Meme McDonald & Boori Monty Pryor

Sandy

Mar 1, 20212 min read

My Girragundji, by Meme McDonald & Boori Monty Pryor

This beautiful little book was awarded the CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers in 1999, and this is the 20th anniversary edition of...

108 views0 comments

Girl of the Southern Sea, by Michelle Kadarusman

Sandy

Jan 30, 20212 min read

Girl of the Southern Sea, by Michelle Kadarusman

This is an empowering, moving and beautifully articulated story of loss and grief and family love, of finding your inner strength against...

22 views0 comments

The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn, by Kate Gordon

Sandy

Jan 27, 20212 min read

The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn, by Kate Gordon

This enchanting story for middlegrade readers is at once both uplifting and heartbreaking. It has the dreamy flow and rhythm of a...

34 views0 comments

Sandy

Jan 9, 20212 min read

Across the Risen Sea, by Bren MacDibble

I love this beautifully crafted middle grade novel not only for its story of adventure and mystery, but also for its compelling, unique...

30 views0 comments

Aussie Kids Books

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