Category: middle grade

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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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Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping by Craig Silvey

Ashleigh

Title: Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping Author: Craig Silvey Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 30th September 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 416 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: The sequel to Runt, the phenomenal bestseller and family favourite, by award-winning author Craig Silvey. Six weeks have passed since Annie Shearer and Runt competed valiantly at the Krumpets Dog… Continue reading Runt and the Diabolical Dognapping by Craig Silvey

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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

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Promises and Other Lies by Sue Whiting

Ashleigh

Title: Promises and Other Lies Author: Sue Whiting Genre: Contemporary/Mystery Publisher: Walker Books Published: 1st September 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 304 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: A gripping middle-grade mystery from Australian author Sue Whiting, in which a small coastal town is torn apart by more than just a bushfire.One year on from a devastating bushfire, the… Continue reading Promises and Other Lies by Sue Whiting

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Liam the Chid and the Kangaroo Warriors by Meredith Downes

Ashleigh

Title: Liam the Chid and the Kangaroo WarriorsAuthor/illustrator: Meredith DownesPublisher: Bugalugs BooksPublication date: 31 August 2025Price (AUD): $18.99 Page numbers: 250 pagesGenre: children's fiction (ages 8-12)Synopsis: Liam is an echidna destined for trouble. A fierce fire inside him makes him do strange things...crazy things! Like standing up to the wicked Goanna Gang, something no other echidna… Continue reading Liam the Chid and the Kangaroo Warriors by Meredith Downes

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Seawitch (Hedgewitch #3) by Skye McKenna

Ashleigh

Title: Seawitch (Hedgewitch #3) Author: Skye McKenna Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Hachette Australia/Welbeck Published: 26th September 2024 Format: Hardcover Pages: 448 Price: $22.99 Synopsis: Step into the magical world of Hedgewitch, where the land of Faerie lies just beyond our own . . . The third book in the enchanting Hedgewitch series, perfect for children age… Continue reading Seawitch (Hedgewitch #3) by Skye McKenna