Category: middle grade

#AussieAuthors2025, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Awards, Book Industry, Books, Indigenous authors, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading

Wilderness Awards  2025

Ashleigh

The 2025 Karajia and Environment Award Winners, stories that connect kids to Country and nature have been announced. They were announced at 11am on the 11th of October on Love Your Bookshop Day, which is also the start of Nature Books Week. These awards celebrate authors and illustrators who have written and created stories to… Continue reading Wilderness Awards  2025

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Stonewitch (Hedgewitch #4) by Skye McKenna

Ashleigh

Title: Stonewitch (Hedgewitch #4) Author: Skye McKenna Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Hachette Australia Published: 30th September 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 448 Price: $22.99 Synopsis: Cassie and her coven compete in challenging games at the Covenmoot while menacing forces haunt the moors and rumours of the Stonewitch swirl through the camp. Step into the magical world of… Continue reading Stonewitch (Hedgewitch #4) by Skye McKenna

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September 2025 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

In September, I read 20 books for review, and some reviews will be appearing at later dates for various reasons. I mostly read Australian authors, and focused on children’s and young adult books. I also made progress on reading challenges, and am almost done with my last few. Most books were by women authors, and… Continue reading September 2025 Reading Round Up

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The Keeper of the Octopus by Neridah McMullin

Ashleigh

Title: The Keeper of the Octopus Author: Neridah McMullin Genre: Fantasy, Magical Realism Publisher: Walker Books Australia Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 272 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: Engaging, heartfelt and imaginative - magical realism from the award-winning author of Evie and RhinoSince her father sailed away, Uncle Isaac is the only family Pippy has left.… Continue reading The Keeper of the Octopus by Neridah McMullin

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The 12 Birds of Christmas by Jodie McLeod, illustrated by Eloise Short

Ashleigh

Title: The 12 Birds of Christmas Author: Jodie McLeod, illustrated by Eloise Short Genre: Christmas Publisher: Wollemi Press Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 32 Price: $26.95 Synopsis: From the award-winning author and illustrator of The Black Cockatoo With One Feather Blue comes this original rhyming read aloud about giving, community and sharing the… Continue reading The 12 Birds of Christmas by Jodie McLeod, illustrated by Eloise Short

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The Story Writer’s Handbook: Adventures in Creative Writing by Katrina Nannestad, illustrated by Cheryl Orsini

Ashleigh

Title: The Story Writer’s Handbook: Adventures in Creative Writing Author: Katrina Nannestad, illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Genre: Language Arts, Composition and Creative Writing Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 30th September 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 192 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: Learn how to write with the multi-award-winning Katrina Nannestad! There is so much about writing that I love… Continue reading The Story Writer’s Handbook: Adventures in Creative Writing by Katrina Nannestad, illustrated by Cheryl Orsini

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The Hidden Forest (The Callers #2) by Kiah Thomas

Ashleigh

Title: The Hidden Forest (The Callers #2) Author: Kiah Thomas Genre: Fantasy/ Science Fiction Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 26th August 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 272 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: Return to the world of the Callers in this exciting middle-grade fantasy series that explores the amazing power of summoning objects into being and the ominous consequences… Continue reading The Hidden Forest (The Callers #2) by Kiah Thomas

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August 2025 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

In August, I read 25 books and reviewed most of them. Literary judging duties are over, so I was able to do everything I could to stay on top of my reading and reviewing. And was able to read a few books that I hadn’t agreed to review. This was nice, and I am enjoying… Continue reading August 2025 Reading Round Up

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Song of a Thousand Seas by Zana Fraillon

Ashleigh

Title: Song of a Thousand Seas Author: Zana Fraillon Genre: Verse Novel Publisher: UQP Published: 2nd September 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 96 Price: $14.99 Synopsis:  A lyrical verse novel of homecoming and friendship by Zana Fraillon, the multi-award-winning author of The Bone Sparrow and The Way of Dog. All day long we can hearthat Sea howl prowling wildinside… Continue reading Song of a Thousand Seas by Zana Fraillon

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11 Ruby Road 1950 by Charlotte Barkla

Ashleigh

Title: 11 Ruby Road 1950 Author: Charlotte Barkla Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Walker Books Published: 1st September 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 176 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: The third installment in the 11 Ruby Road series, set in the post-war 1950s - perfect period fiction for middle-grade readers and for fans of the Our Australian Girl series.Since Patsy's baby… Continue reading 11 Ruby Road 1950 by Charlotte Barkla