Category: middle grade

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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

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2025 Dymocks Reading Challenge Volume 2 Completed

Ashleigh

Volume two is complete! There was one prompt that required some research, and that was dark academia, as the books I was expecting to have for this prompt hadn’t arrived. So, when I found Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent on an Instagram post of dark academia books, I slotted it in there. I could… Continue reading 2025 Dymocks Reading Challenge Volume 2 Completed

Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, classics, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, historical fiction, history, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Alice with a Why: Return to Wonderland by Anna James

Ashleigh

Title: Alice with a Why: Return to Wonderland Author: Anna James Genre: Fantasy Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 18th June 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 256 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: Return to Wonderland in this extraordinary reimagining of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, by one of our most brilliant storytellers England, 1919. Alyce – with a Y – lives… Continue reading Alice with a Why: Return to Wonderland by Anna James

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Celebrating 80 Years of the CBCA

Ashleigh

CBCA Book Week artwork by Jess McGeachin (c) 2025 For 80 years, the Children’s Book Council of Australia has been promoting quality Australian children’s books for young readers of all ages. Every year since 1946, the CBCA has presented The Book of the Year Awards to promote Australian books that had a high literary and… Continue reading Celebrating 80 Years of the CBCA

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Stories from Magic Beach by Alison Lester and Robert Connolly with eleven world-class animators

Ashleigh

Title: Stories from Magic Beach Author: Alison Lester and Robert Connolly with eleven world-class animators Genre: Non-Fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 1st April 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 96 Price: $29.99 Synopsis: Inspired by Alison Lester's much-loved classic, this is the book of the film by Paper Planes creator Robert Connolly, featuring the work of eleven world-class… Continue reading Stories from Magic Beach by Alison Lester and Robert Connolly with eleven world-class animators