Category: Junior Fiction

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Blue: Dragon of the Sea by Aleesah Darlison, illustrated by Tamlyn Teow

Ashleigh

Title: Blue: Dragon of the Sea Author: Aleesah Darlison, illustrated by Tamlyn Teow Genre: Fiction Publisher: Wombat Books Published: 1st February 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: Meet Blue, a Dragon of the Sea!He's also known as a nudibranch or sea slug. Blue's fleet roam the ocean, gliding on the currents, and dancing… Continue reading Blue: Dragon of the Sea by Aleesah Darlison, illustrated by Tamlyn Teow

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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

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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

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2025 reading round up

Ashleigh

In 2025, I read 270 books across every genre, style, and author identity I came across. Reviewing and judging activities meant a lot more reading, and until the end of the year, a lot less time to read the books I wanted to get through on my shelves. It was a delicate balancing act to… Continue reading 2025 reading round up

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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

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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

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Best Idea Yet (Willa and Woof #8) by Jacqueline Harvey

Ashleigh

Title: Best Idea Yet (Willa and Woof #8) Author: Jacqueline Harvey Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Puffin Published: 8th October 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 128 Price: $12.99 Synopsis: Adventure, imagination and loads of fun! When Willa accidentally learns that Sunset Views Retirement Village, home of her best old-age friend, Frank, is about to be sold, she has… Continue reading Best Idea Yet (Willa and Woof #8) by Jacqueline Harvey

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Australian Authors Read

Ashleigh

Every year, I aim to focus by reading on Australian authors, because I see authors from the UK and the US get widely promoted, and I feel that a lot of Australian authors, unless they’re super popular, get overlooked. Particularly the kids and young adult authors. So in 2025 I read 239 Australian authors in… Continue reading Australian Authors Read

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Australian Women Read

Ashleigh

In 2025, I read 210 books by Australian women, and may not have read as diversely as I wanted based on a focus for judging reading. That said, I did manage to get in as many diverse books as possible, where I could see or knew that the author was disabled, Indigenous or LGBTQIA, or… Continue reading Australian Women Read