Category: Children’s Literature

#AussieAuthors2026, #LoveOZMG, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Children's Literature, Disney Reading Challenge, humour, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series, The Nerd Daily

It’s a Twin Thing: The Break Up by Kristin Darrell

Ashleigh

Title: It’s a Twin Thing: The Break Up Author: Kristin Darrell Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Penguin Australia Published: 3rd February 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 208 Price: $14.99 Synopsis: Being a twin is forever, but for Abigail and Brooklyn, starting grade five is about to test their bond in ways they never expected.Book one in a fun,… Continue reading It’s a Twin Thing: The Break Up by Kristin Darrell

#AussieAuthors2026, #LoveOZMG, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Children's Literature, humour, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series, The Nerd Daily

Neeka and the Great Search (Wilder Zoo #3) by Tina Strachan, illustrated by Max Hamilton

Ashleigh

Title: Neeka and the Great Search (Wilder Zoo #3) Author: Tina Strachan, illustrated by Max Hamilton Genre: Contemporary Middle Grade Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 28th January 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 272 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: When you live in a zoo - things can get wild! The final book in the Wilder Zoo series. Eleven-year-old Neeka… Continue reading Neeka and the Great Search (Wilder Zoo #3) by Tina Strachan, illustrated by Max Hamilton

#AussieAuthors2026, #LoveOZMG, adventure, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Disney Reading Challenge, Fantasy, humour, Junior Fiction, Larrikin House, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series

18,000 Holes: Sand Trapped by Adam Wallace, Lisa Foley and James Hart

Ashleigh

Title: 18,000 Holes: Sand Trapped Author: Adam Wallace, Lisa Foley and James Hart Genre: Fantasy Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 28th January 2026 Format:  Paperback Pages: 192 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: Will the GOLF Squad save the day?! Don't miss out on the final book in this series, of which the first book was awarded the K-zone &… Continue reading 18,000 Holes: Sand Trapped by Adam Wallace, Lisa Foley and James Hart

#AussieAuthors2026, #LoveOZMG, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Disney Reading Challenge, Fables, historical fiction, history, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, mythology, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series, The Nerd Daily

Ludicrous Legends: Myths with a Twist by Jol Temple and illustrated by David Conley

Ashleigh

Title: Ludicrous Legends: Myths with a Twist  Author: Jol Temple and illustrated by David Conley. Genre: Fiction Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 28th January 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 112 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: Ludicrous Legends is a hilarious new junior fiction series that reimagines myths in a fun way for early readers, 7 to 10 years old.… Continue reading Ludicrous Legends: Myths with a Twist by Jol Temple and illustrated by David Conley

#AussieAuthors2026, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOzYA, adventure, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Crime/Mystery, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, literary fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Young Adult

Silverbrook: Yumna and the Golden Horse by Yassmin Abdel-Magied

Ashleigh

Title: Silverbrook: Yumna and the Golden Horse Author: Yassmin Abdel-Magied Genre: Fantasy/Young Adult Publisher: Hachette/Hodder Children’s Books Published: 27th January 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 230 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: Warm, funny, and zinging with imagination this thrilling MG fantasy adventure highlights the power of community. Perfect for readers of Tola Okogwu and Sharna Jackson, aged 9+.… Continue reading Silverbrook: Yumna and the Golden Horse by Yassmin Abdel-Magied

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, check in post, Children's Literature, Crime/Mystery, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Young Adult

My Brother, Finch by Kate Gordon

Ashleigh

Title: My Brother, Finch Author: Kate Gordon Genre: Mystery Publisher: Riveted Press Published: 3rd July 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 200 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: Finch and Wren were as close as a brother and sister can be. When he vanished, when they were nine years old, her world cracked in two. Finch was never found. On… Continue reading My Brother, Finch by Kate Gordon

#AussieAuthor2025, #AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, adventure, Alice-Miranda, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, biography, Blog Tour, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Crime/Mystery, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, Friday Barnes, historical fiction, history, humour, Indigenous authors, literary fiction, memoir, middle grade, non-fiction, Picture Books, plays, poetry, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic, Sci-Fi, series, short stories, Speculative fiction, spies, The Nerd Daily, Young Adult

2025 Reading Summary

Ashleigh

I write roundups that are broad and focused, and split them into men, women, Australian, non-Australian, children’s, young adult, adult, LGBTQIA, Disabled and co-authored books. There is also a post with everything and a summary at the end. So if people want to look at something in particular, they can. My final reading stats for… Continue reading 2025 Reading Summary

#AussieAuthors2026, #LoveOZMG, adventure, Alice-Miranda, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, humour, Jacqueline Harvey, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series

Alice-Miranda Shows the Way by Jacqueline Harvey

Ashleigh

Title: Alice-Miranda Shows the Way Author: Jacqueline Harvey Genre: Mystery/Fiction Publisher: Puffin Published: 16th July 2019/1st August 2012 Format: Paperback Pages: 368 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: It’s a race to the finish as Winchesterfield gets set for the annual show. Alice-Miranda has a birthday to celebrate, and a village show to look forward to! One of… Continue reading Alice-Miranda Shows the Way by Jacqueline Harvey

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Blog Tour, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, CBCA, check in post, Children's Literature, Crime/Mystery, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, historical fiction, history, Jacqueline Harvey, Junior Fiction, Kate Temple, Larrikin House, literary fiction, memoir, middle grade, mythology, non-fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, R.A. Spratt, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic, Sci-Fi, series, short stories, Speculative fiction, The Girls Who Change the World, translated works, Verse novels, Wherewithal Way, Willa and Woof, Young Adult

Children’s and Young Adult Books Read in 2025

Ashleigh

In 2025, I read 198 children’s books, from picture books to middle grade books and young adult books. I covered every age range possible. I also have a separate post for young adult books. I covered a lot of different themes and ideas in this, as well as reading as diversely as possible. There seems… Continue reading Children’s and Young Adult Books Read in 2025

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, A.L. Tait, adventure, Alice-Miranda, Anna James, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, biography, Blog Tour, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, CBCA, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Christmas, Chronicles of Whetherwhy, Cressida Cowell, Crime/Mystery, Dani Vee, Dervla McTiernan, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Ella at Eden, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, Friday Barnes, Futuristic Fiction, historical fiction, history, humour, Indigenous authors, Jackie French, Jacqueline Harvey, Junior Fiction, Kate Temple, Larrikin House, literary fiction, Matilda Saga, memoir, middle grade, Natasha Lester, Nevermoor, non-fiction, Pages and Co Series, Picture Books, plays, poetry, Publishers, R.A. Spratt, Reading, Reviews, satire, Scholastic, Sci-Fi, series, short stories, Speculative fiction, spies, The Girls Who Change the World, The Nerd Daily, Verse novels, Wherewithal Way, Young Adult

Total Women

Ashleigh

Each year, I try my best to read as many books by women as possible, and to read as diversely as possible. In 2025, I read 234, participated in judging an award, and of course, continued to do my reviewing. Reading across as many styles and genres as possible, based on what I had from… Continue reading Total Women