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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Completely Normal (and other lies), by Biffy James

Sandy

Sep 28, 20222 min read

Completely Normal (and other lies), by Biffy James

This is a young adult novel you won't want to put down! I was immediately invested in the protagonist, 16-year-old Stella, whose...

171 views0 comments

Sandy

Mar 12, 20222 min read

Anything But Fine, by Tobias Madden

This story starts with a life changing incident, with ballet dancer Luca missing a step on a flight of stairs and shattering his foot,...

22 views0 comments

Sandy

Mar 1, 20221 min read

CBCA 2022 Notables

The 2022 Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Notable books have been announced. These are a big deal in the Australian children's...

30 views0 comments

Fragments: Journeys from Isolation to Connection, by Maura Pierlot

Sandy

Jan 25, 20222 min read

Fragments: Journeys from Isolation to Connection, by Maura Pierlot

Highschool can certainly be challenging - with that constant juggle of friendship issues, worry over studies and achievement, and search...

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Elsewhere Girls by Emily Gale & Nova Weetman

Sandy

Jan 15, 20222 min read

Elsewhere Girls by Emily Gale & Nova Weetman

I love a good timeslip/body swap novel - and this one by acclaimed middlegrade authors Emily Gale and Nova Weetman is truly captivating!...

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Sugarcoated (Leftovers #1), by Sarah Epstein

Sandy

Jan 5, 20222 min read

Sugarcoated (Leftovers #1), by Sarah Epstein

I adored this young adult novel written by multi award-winning author Sarah Epstein (whose novel Small Spaces - a YA psychological...

15 views0 comments

Courageous Queens, by Angela Buckingham, Illustrations by Debora Islas

Sandy

Dec 24, 20212 min read

Courageous Queens, by Angela Buckingham, Illustrations by Debora Islas

Courageous Queens brings us ten previously untold stories of fearless, resilient and clever women throughout history who have held...

23 views0 comments

Sandy

Dec 16, 20212 min read

YA novels set during Schoolies Week

Before the Beginning by Anna Morgan is a beautifully written story full of mystery and suspense. Four friends have gone on a trip to...

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The Opposite of Disappearing: Short Stories in Uncertain Times, edited by Laura Norris & R.A Stephen

Sandy

Dec 7, 20212 min read

The Opposite of Disappearing: Short Stories in Uncertain Times, edited by Laura Norris & R.A Stephen

I am so honoured to have my short story, Between Spaces, included in this collection of contemporary short stories for young adult...

36 views0 comments

How To Repaint a Life, by Stephen Herrick

Sandy

Nov 9, 20212 min read

How To Repaint a Life, by Stephen Herrick

I was fully immersed in this young adult novel from the very beginning. It's a story of friendship, family, kindness, and courage. Isaac...

53 views0 comments

Hometown Haunts: Flash Fiction challenge

Sandy

Oct 17, 20213 min read

Hometown Haunts: Flash Fiction challenge

To celebrate the upcoming release of Hometown Haunts (a collection of spooky stories for YA readers published by Wakefield Press), the...

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Sandy

Oct 1, 20212 min read

Tell Me Why, by Archie Roach

Tell Me Why is a raw, heartbreaking, yet ultimately uplifting account of singer/songwriter Archie Roach’s life. Archie was forcibly...

16 views0 comments

Sandy

Sep 18, 20213 min read

Half My Luck by Samera Kamaleddine

This own voices book for young adults is an engaging and enjoyable read from debut author and winner of the Matilda Prize Samera...

21 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

Sandy

Jun 29, 20212 min read

Henry Hamlet's Heart, by Rhiannon Wilde

This young adult novel by debut author Rhiannon Wilde broke my heart in the best possible way. I loved it from the very first page -...

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Sandy

Jun 13, 20212 min read

The Coconut Children, by Vivian Pham

Set in Sydney's southwest suburbs in the 1990s, this is a raw, beautiful and heartbreaking story of love and coming-of-age. At the...

227 views0 comments

The Boy From the Mish, by Gary Lonesborough

Sandy

Jun 1, 20212 min read

The Boy From the Mish, by Gary Lonesborough

'The Boy From the Mish' by debut author Gary Lonesborough is a beautifully articulated and heartfelt own voices story that will stay with...

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The Girl in the Sunflower Dress, by Katie Montinaro

Sandy

May 20, 20212 min read

The Girl in the Sunflower Dress, by Katie Montinaro

I absolutely adored this young adult coming of age novel from debut author Katie Montinaro. I loved this book for its gripping storyline,...

22 views0 comments

Sandy

Apr 26, 20212 min read

When We Are Invisible, by Claire Zorn

A huge thank you to UQP and @ausyabloggers for hosting a book tour of this fabulous young adult novel, and for my gifted copy in exchange...

15 views0 comments

Sandy

Apr 10, 20212 min read

Metal Fish Falling Snow, by Cath Moore

This is a beautifully articulated #loveozya own voices story about grief, family and identity. There are so many reasons why I love this...

29 views0 comments

Aussie Kids Books

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