July 2025 Reading Round Up

In July, I read 22 books, and am keeping on track with maintaining reading mostly Australian authors, and reading as diversely as I can between what I have already and what I am being sent for review. I’m also focused on certain styles and genres, so there might be some that are, say, translated, that are more literary that I may not be attracted to. It all comes down to whether I am going to get through the book. And we’ve had some great kids’ and young adult books coming out in Australia lately that are diverse in many ways. I am slowly getting on top of backlog reading and will hopefully be able to stay on top of it.

1. Friday Barnes: In Plain Sight by R.A. Spratt
2. Neeka and the Storm by Tina Strachan, illustrated by Max Hamilton
3. Lady’s Knight by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
4. Hedgehog or Echidna? Animals Who Are the Same but Different by Ashleigh Barton and illustrated by Amandine Thomas
5. Gloam by Jack MacKay
6. A Gift from the Birds by Caroline Stills
7. My Name is Jemima by Olivia Muscat, illustrated by Allison Colpoys
8. Mango and Hopscotch: The Inspiring Story of a Brave Kangaroo and her Joey Rescued from the Floodwaters by Sophie Cunningham, illustrated by Anil Tortop
9. Moonlight and Dust by Jasmin McGaughey
10. Danger Road by A.L. Tait
11. Pirate Academy: New Kid on Deck by Justin Somper
12. Vesper Jones and Marshmallow by Karen Hendriks, illustrated by Francesca Corso
13. Secret Keeper by Di Walker
14. The Set-Up Girl by Sasha Vey
15. High Wire by Candice Fox
16. Weaving Us Together by Lay Maloney
17. Oceanforged #1: The Wicked Ship by Amelia Mellor
18. Looking Out and Beyond by Toby Hammserschlag
19. Raising Readers: How To Nurture a Child’s Love of Books by Megan Daley
20. Tiny Dancer by Patrick Guest, illustrated by Mateja Jager
21. The Mademoiselle Alliance by Natasha Lester
22. The Pull of the Moon by Pip Smith