Category: Junior Fiction

#AussieAuthors2026, #LoveOZMG, adventure, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, humour, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic, series

Worst Hero Ever: Feet First by Eva Amores and Matt Cosgrove

Ashleigh

Title: Worst Hero Ever: Feet First Author: Eva Amores and Matt Cosgrove Genre: Humour Publisher: Scholastic Australia Published: 1st April 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 160 Price: $15.99 Synopsis:If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?Super strength? Invisibility? The ability to fly? Super speed? So many superpowers to choose from. Unfortunately, for Licky Ricky,… Continue reading Worst Hero Ever: Feet First by Eva Amores and Matt Cosgrove

#AussieAuthors2026, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, humour, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Connected: Networks for Kids by R.A. Stephens, illustrated by Tamlyn Teow

Ashleigh

Title: Connected: Networks for Kids Author: R.A. Stephens, illustrated by Tamlyn Teow Genre: Fiction Publisher: Wombat Rhiza Published: 1st April 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: Chloe has a dot on her shirt called a node. So do her friends and family. They are joined by lines called edges. The edges spread out… Continue reading Connected: Networks for Kids by R.A. Stephens, illustrated by Tamlyn Teow

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieAuthors2026, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Awards, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Junior Fiction, middle grade, Picture Books, Young Adult

CBCA Book of the Year Shortlist

Ashleigh

The CBCA shortlist for 2026 is here! There are some great books on this list, and some where I think it will be hard to decide. It’s always tough because there are so many good books entered into awards. When there are so many of high quality, with good storytelling or good information, it can… Continue reading CBCA Book of the Year Shortlist

#AussieAuthors2026, #LoveOZMG, adventure, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Crime/Mystery, humour, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series

The Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay by Charlie Archbold

Ashleigh

Title: The Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay Author: Charlie Archbold Genre: Mystery/Crime Publisher: Text Publishing Published: 31st March 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: Price: $16.99 Synopsis: Dad pulls the chewed-up shark egg out of Washington’s mouth. It is drippy with drool. He puts it on the table. ‘That’s a Port Jackson shark egg.… Continue reading The Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay by Charlie Archbold

#AussieAuthors2026, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Books, Children's Literature, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, non-fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Storm by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft

Ashleigh

Title: Storm Author: Claire Saxby, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft Genre: Non-Fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 31st March 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 28 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: A storm is brewing. From the first puff of wind to a howling gale, this beautiful non-fiction picture book offers a deeply researched exploration of the effects of wind… Continue reading Storm by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft

#AussieAuthors2026, adventure, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Indigenous authors, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Come Home, Bigibila: A story of an echidna finding its way back to Country by Corey Tutt and Irma Gold, illustrated by Jessica Tedim

Ashleigh

Title: Come Home, Bigibila: A story of an echidna finding its way back to Country A story of an echidna finding its way back to Country Author: Corey Tutt and Irma Gold, illustrated by Jessica Tedim Genre: Fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 31st March 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: From bestselling… Continue reading Come Home, Bigibila: A story of an echidna finding its way back to Country by Corey Tutt and Irma Gold, illustrated by Jessica Tedim

#AussieAuthors2026, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Somewhere You Can Dream by Janeen Brian, illustrated by Hilary Jean Tapper

Ashleigh

Title: Somewhere You Can Dream Author: Janeen Brian, illustrated by Hilary Jean Tapper Genre: Fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 31st March 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: From the smallest cubby to the highest hilltop, this heart-warming, read-aloud picture book is all about finding your own special place in the world. From… Continue reading Somewhere You Can Dream by Janeen Brian, illustrated by Hilary Jean Tapper

#AussieAuthors2026, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, adventure, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, biography, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, CBCA, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Crime/Mystery, Disney Reading Challenge, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, historical fiction, history, humour, Indigenous authors, Jacqueline Harvey, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, memoir, middle grade, mythology, non-fiction, Picture Books, poetry, Publishers, R.A. Spratt, Reading, Reviews, satire, Scholastic, Sci-Fi, series, Speculative fiction, The Nerd Daily, Young Adult

February 2026 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

This February I read 27 books. Most were review books, and most were by women. I reviewed 23 of the books I read, and there are some other reviews coming in the next few months. I’m also getting through my reading challenges for the year, and ticking off thing as I go or as I… Continue reading February 2026 Reading Round Up

#AussieAuthors2026, #LoveOZMG, adventure, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Disney Reading Challenge, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, humour, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, mythology, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series

Bravepaw and the Fangstone of Flintfall (Bravepaw #3) by L.M. Wilkinson, illustrated by Lavanya Naidu

Ashleigh

Title: Bravepaw and the Fangstone of Flintfall (Bravepaw #3) Author: L.M. Wilkinson, illustrated by Lavanya Naidu Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 3rd March 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 208 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: An epic Tail of Adventure! Can one gallant mouse find the Gems of Harmony and save her homeland from destruction? Titch knows… Continue reading Bravepaw and the Fangstone of Flintfall (Bravepaw #3) by L.M. Wilkinson, illustrated by Lavanya Naidu

#AussieAuthors2026, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, biography, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Children's Literature, history, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, memoir, middle grade, non-fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Young Adult

Treeshape by Trace Balla

Ashleigh

Title: Treeshape Author: Trace Balla Genre: Memoir Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 3rd March 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 136 Price: $32.99 Synopsis: An extraordinary, inspiring and hope-filled graphic novel from the multi-award-winning creator of Rivertime, Rockhopping, Landing with Wings and Leaf-light, Trace Balla's stunning memoir reveals her personal and life-changing experiences of place, her understanding of the natural… Continue reading Treeshape by Trace Balla