Category: middle grade

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Dymocks 2026 Reading Challenge April

Ashleigh

The April prompts for this year’s Dymocks reading challenge have just been released. The theme for April is Match Your Taste, which means you can take a chance and taste-test something you might not normally read, or you might find something you normally do read for the prompts. I should for at least two, and… Continue reading Dymocks 2026 Reading Challenge April

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March 2026 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

During March, I read 24 books, and reviewed most of them. Two reviews are coming from Sisters in Crime soon. One review is for much later in the month, so all up, I reviewed 23 of the books I read in March. All but three of the books I read were by Australian authors, and… Continue reading March 2026 Reading Round Up

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Dugongs of the Sky by Emily Larkin

Ashleigh

Title: Dugongs of the Sky Author: Emily Larkin Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Wombat Books Published: 1st April 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 208 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: The sky dugongs are in danger, but Captain Scree Barnacle is determined to save them. Her voyage to overturn an ancient hunting law means sailing the perilous Starstruck Straits—and dealing with… Continue reading Dugongs of the Sky by Emily Larkin

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Millie Mak Makes Her Mark (Millie Mak, #3) by Alice Pung, Sher Rill Ng

Ashleigh

Title: Millie Mak Makes Her Mark (Millie Mak, #3) Author: Alice Pung, Sher Rill Ng Genre: Contemporary Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 26th August 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 240 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: The final title in the series about Millie Mak - the clever maker and problem-solver. Millie Mak and her friends are trying to start… Continue reading Millie Mak Makes Her Mark (Millie Mak, #3) by Alice Pung, Sher Rill Ng

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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

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Nora Nightsky by Rebecca Lewis-Oakes

Ashleigh

Title: Nora Nightsky Author: Rebecca Lewis-Oakes Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Scholastic Australia Published: 1st April 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 208 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: Nora Nightsky is a star-literally. Her glamorous mum is the North Star, and their dazzling family works hard, bringing to life the Little Bear constellation and sprinkling magic down to earth to grant… Continue reading Nora Nightsky by Rebecca Lewis-Oakes

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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

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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

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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

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Disney Reading Challenge Disney Princesses Completed

Ashleigh

This year I have been doing the Disney Reading Challenge, and have completed the first lot of prompts. The first card I completed was the Disney Princess card. Each card has four prompts, and I am getting there with the others. Some will be a bit harder to fill in, or will at least take… Continue reading Disney Reading Challenge Disney Princesses Completed