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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
I am officially hooked on this well crafted new series for middlegrade readers (aged 8+), which shines a light on friendship, family,...
Sandy
Oct 10, 20213 min read
129 views
0 comments
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...
Sandy
Sep 28, 20214 min read
161 views
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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...
Sandy
Sep 17, 20212 min read
76 views
0 comments
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...
Sandy
Aug 27, 20212 min read
290 views
0 comments
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...
Sandy
Aug 14, 20213 min read
43 views
0 comments
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...
Sandy
Aug 6, 20215 min read
99 views
0 comments
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...
Sandy
Aug 1, 20212 min read
19 views
0 comments
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...
Sandy
Jul 16, 20213 min read
34 views
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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...
Sandy
Jul 4, 20212 min read
164 views
0 comments
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...
Sandy
Jun 26, 20211 min read
48 views
0 comments
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...
Sandy
Jun 17, 20212 min read
29 views
0 comments
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...
Sandy
Jun 6, 20213 min read
315 views
0 comments
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...
Sandy
May 21, 20212 min read
51 views
0 comments
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...
Sandy
May 21, 20211 min read
32 views
1 comment
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...
Sandy
Apr 26, 20211 min read
41 views
0 comments
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...
Sandy
Mar 4, 20212 min read
41 views
0 comments
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...
Sandy
Mar 1, 20212 min read
115 views
0 comments
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...
Sandy
Jan 30, 20212 min read
25 views
0 comments
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...
Sandy
Jan 27, 20212 min read
36 views
0 comments
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...
Sandy
Jan 9, 20212 min read
31 views
0 comments
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