Category: middle grade

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Otis Ottley and the School in the Sky by Will Kostakis

Ashleigh

Title: Otis Ottley and the School in the Sky Author: Will Kostakis Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 1st September 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 160 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: Otis Ottley is an ordinary boy who yearns to go to the magic school in the sky. And he will stop at nothing to make it… Continue reading Otis Ottley and the School in the Sky by Will Kostakis

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Star of Deltora by Emily Rodda

Ashleigh

Title: Star of Deltora Author: Emily Rodda Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 1st September 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 680 Price: $39.99 Synopsis: Adventure to the world of Deltora Quest in this epic fantasy from legendary author Emily Rodda. Britta's dream is to be a sea trader, like her father. But the shameful end… Continue reading Star of Deltora by Emily Rodda

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The Platypus of Christmas Creek – The True Story of a Miracle Rescue by Sophie Cunningham, illustrated by Anil Tortop

Ashleigh

Title: The Platypus of Christmas Creek - The True Story of a Miracle Rescue Author: Sophie Cunningham, illustrated by Anil Tortop Genre: Non-fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 1st September 2026 Format: Hardcover Pages: 24 Price: $19.99 Synopsis: The heartwarming true story of a lost-and-found baby platypus, from the bestselling creators of Tippy and Jellybean. Little… Continue reading The Platypus of Christmas Creek – The True Story of a Miracle Rescue by Sophie Cunningham, illustrated by Anil Tortop

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Dymocks August Prompts completed

Ashleigh

Another month, and another set of prompts from Dymocks complete. I didn’t think I would get through as quickly as I did, but I managed. The Shift your perspective prompt threw me at first, but then I realised it was really open to interpretation. The poetry one I decided to use a verse novel, because… Continue reading Dymocks August Prompts completed

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The Ghost Horse of Snowy River by Stef Gemmill

Ashleigh

Title: The Ghost Horse of Snowy River Author: Stef Gemmill Genre: Contemporary Middle Grade/YA Publisher: Wombat Books Published: 3rd June 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 216 Price: $18.99 Synopsis: A year has passed since 12-year-old Georgie Stone had a serious horse-riding accident. Now that she’s back at the cattle station, she tries to overcome her fear… Continue reading The Ghost Horse of Snowy River by Stef Gemmill

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July 2026 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

What a month July was. I read 21 books this month and reviewed as many of them as possible, and others were read for fun. I also didn’t have time to review everything. And what I did read was chosen for various purposes to fit in with reviewing and challenges. Some books were longer or… Continue reading July 2026 Reading Round Up

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Aidan versus the Ocean by Dannika Patterson, illustrated by Heidi Cooper Smith

Ashleigh

Title: Aidan versus the Ocean Author: Dannika Patterson, illustrated by Heidi Cooper Smith Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Wombat Books Published: 1st August 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 130 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: All Aidan thought he'd have to survive during the summer school holidays was yet another game of Fortnite with his mates. But his plans are suddenly… Continue reading Aidan versus the Ocean by Dannika Patterson, illustrated by Heidi Cooper Smith

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The Lost Island by Samantha Wheeler, illustrated by Anke Noack

Ashleigh

Title: The Lost Island Author: Samantha Wheeler, illustrated by Anke Noack Genre: Fantasy Publisher: UQP Published: 4th August 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 224 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: Bestselling and award-winning Australian author Samantha Wheeler returns with this thrilling desert island survival story full of action, mystery and adventure.Theo thinks there’s nothing worse than being stuck on… Continue reading The Lost Island by Samantha Wheeler, illustrated by Anke Noack

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Miles Thorne and the Forbidden Magic by Rebecca Ahola

Ashleigh

Title: Miles Thorne and the Forbidden Magic Author: Rebecca Ahola Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Wombat Australia Published: 1st August 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 238 Price: $19.99 Synopsis: Miles Thorne was kicked out of his last school, the prestigious Nox Wizarding Academy, because he’s a wizard with almost no magic. At his new school, he meets Eric,… Continue reading Miles Thorne and the Forbidden Magic by Rebecca Ahola

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The Nardi Puzzle by Gabriella Page

Ashleigh

Title: The Nardi Puzzle Author: Gabriella Page Genre: Science Fiction Publisher: Wombat Books Published: 1st August 2026 Format: Paperback Pages: 242 Price: $18.99 Synopsis: Thirteen players. Thirteen hours. One extraordinary prize. When 12-year-old Sebastian Walker is invited to legendary game-maker Elisabetta Nardi’s mansion in Sardinia, he thinks he can finally leave his troubles behind. Instead,… Continue reading The Nardi Puzzle by Gabriella Page