Finnegan Quick has recorded in his journal events that will scare and horrify, evidence that nightmare ghosts, monsters and vampires are real, and the twelve-year-old should know because all the bad things in his nightmares don’t stay there. Finn’s worst nightmares feature a woman monster, with blood dripping from its eyes and fingers; it steals away first his dog, then his mother and father, leaving him in the care of his grandmother with no trace of how they all disappeared or ever existed. The nightmares build in intensity, night after night until there is a crisis, like the disappearances, leaving Finnegan afraid to go to sleep. Things that happen in his dreams continue to bleed over into the real world like cuts and bruises, or wetting the bed, but the woman doesn’t come for Gran for years then, when a brave, monster fighting girl appears, taking him on adventures, Finn starts to relax. But when the girl, Cass, appears for real at school things really get weird. Cass is brave and fearless, taking control, training Finn and his best friend Squid how to meet up in dreams. She is big on belief, faith in your own power and conviction that you can control what happens. When a goblin appears sucking the life force from Grandma the trio join forces to expel it and things get more gory, complicated and thrilling with a spooky house, a crypt and portal in a sarcophagus.
The pace is fast and thrilling with climaxes and cliffhangers at every turn leavened with a lot of dark humour, the image of the exploded goblin skull splashing “stuff” on the children is particularly vivid. The characters are all brave in appalling circumstances with talents they are able to combine to outwit the monsters, most of the time. Squid, physically weak, is intellectually strong and courageous, Cass is independent and responsible guiding the others in their self-belief while concealing her own emotional needs and Finn, the fearful superhero has to take Gran’s advice and face his fears. A great middle school read for thrill seekers with just the right amount of horror to keep it exciting.
Themes Paranormal, Horror, Family, Friendships.
Sue Speck
Summer Island by Kristin Hannah
Macmillan, 2025. ISBN: 9781035045945. (Age:Adult)
Kristen Hannah is an American writer, publishing works that focus on the lives of women, particularly in challenging times. Her most recent novel The women topped the Sunday Times best-seller list; some others have won fiction awards. One of these was Firefly Lane which was a block-buster Netflix series. The nightingale is soon to become a major movie. Hannah often writes historical fiction but Summer Island is set in contemporary times.
Summer Island is an enjoyable light read- quite riveting and unputdownable but nonetheless predictable. Hannah explores the motherhood/sacrifice theme especially the fraught mother/daughter relationship. She delves into domestic violence and the long inter-generational hangover that can exist because of the responses that are developed in women who have lived through the experience. Thirty-four year old Ruby Bridge is the central character. Plucky and genuinely funny at times, she is also annoyingly good at making wrong choices. As a result of her mother walking out on the family when she was young, Ruby has developed a brittle and aggressive persona - a protective shell around her that does not allow anyone close. She is a failed comedienne. When her mother, Nora, a now famous radio talk show host who gives advice on life matters, is beset with a very public career-destroying scandal from the past, Ruby is offered a large sum of money and ongoing work for telling the story and betraying her mother. This she accepts. Her mother, after a car accident, is recuperating in the old family home on Summer Island and she needs care. Ruby agrees to take on that role with the idea of collecting more information to further tarnish her mother.
Here is where ethical choices and forgiveness begin to butt heads with betrayal, retaliation and revenge. Which will win out? Ruby learns that not all is as she has thought - that a child may gather certain information and being a child remain unaware of other perspectives and truths. She learns that not all is black and white. As in many of her other books, Hannah explores the theme of characters grappling with difficult choices, finding strength and learning to prioritise others' needs above their own. In a way, Summer Island is a "growing up" story; a getting of belated wisdom story. The family relationships are the focus of Summer Island and the issues are familiar and relateable: hope, determination, marriage, infidelity, loss and dealing with consequences.
There is romance too. In finding her true self and reuniting with her first love and his terminally ill brother, Ruby may just be able to redirect the downward spiral of her life.
Although Summer Island follows a predictable plot it is nevertheless an enjoyable, entertaining read.
Themes Mother/daughter relationships, Family breakdown, Forgiveness, Cancer, romance.
Guido is a humanoid robot, the last of his kind, all the others hunted down and destroyed as commanded by supreme ruler Brother John. Verne is a young highly accomplished thief taking on missions for unidentified clients. Although separated by the passing of years, strangely their disparate paths cross after Verne is sent to steal the last remaining laser weapon still kept by the Enforcer tasked with eliminating Guido.
This is a future world, humanoids are wiped out, but there are sophisticated helibirds and trackers to search out fugitives. Verne knows she is in danger and must keep moving, but she doesn’t know why both the Enforcer and Brother John are so determined to retrieve the weapon she stole.
The action is fast-paced, the moves like a chess game, each side trying to outwit the other. At the heart of the story is the question of what makes us human, and when does artificial intelligence cross that line. Can a human and a robot enter a truly caring and trusting relationship? Could we call it friendship, even love?
Young readers will find this story totally gripping. It has the same tension as Kelleher’s acclaimed earlier YA books, the futuristic Wanderer (2022) and The cave (2024) set in the Paleolithic past; all three books share concerns for the natural world, and raise questions about where we are heading. The lastling is another scary adventure story, but also a warm exploration of friendship between very different kinds of beings.
Black Inc Books, 2025. ISBN: 9781760645267. (Age:16+) Highly recommended.
Giobannoni’s genre-defying book presents a fictional account of an Italian migrant community in rural Victoria, ‘as he remembers it’. At times like a memoir, he tells of the people around him as he grew up at 'Mitrefo' and 'Bafaloriva', but there are also times when we hear the voice of his determined mother Morena, the one who defied her mother-in-law with a broomstick. The Italian migrants came to this ‘English colony’ in the 1960’s from many different parts of Italy, each with their own dialect, to make ‘a better life’, and turned their energy and hard labour to whatever work was required to make money and build their future. For many it was the tobacco growing industry.
But for many it did not eventuate in a ‘better life’. The book is divided into seven parts, and each part prefacing Giovannoni’s childhood memories opens with a ‘grotesque’, an original account of some horrific circumstance that befell others along the way, people who were also a part of the boy’s community. The first is the shocking story of Luigi whose head is blown to pieces when the petrol drum used in the tobacco curing process explodes decapitating Luigi and scalding his coworkers. For others there is violence, murder and necrophilia, suicide, fatal gun accidents, deadly snake bites, and madness. Somehow the narrator’s family survives these challenges in the new country, but is not left unscathed, as the parents separate, leaving the boy wondering what was really happening between them.
The stories are haunting; I’m sure there will be at least one that will resonate long afterwards with each reader. These are real people’s lives that were given in an often hostile country, labouring alongside family, friends and community. Come for a better life, ‘they must die to find peace’. Their stories are glossed over in history books. Giovannoni’s book records what it was like, a truly ‘fabula mirabilis, or, a wonderful story’, one of heart-breaking beauty that can not leave you untouched.
Themes Italian community, Migrant stories, Tobacco industry, Labour, Sacrifice, Hardship.
Helen Eddy
A gift from the birds by Caroline Stills
Text Publishing, 2025. ISBN: 9781923058453. (Age:8+) Highly Recommended.
A Gift From The Birds is a thoughtful and sensitive debut novel written by Caroline Stills. This story carefully deals with the illness, death and grief that ten-year-old Millie and her father deal with when their much loved mother and wife passes away.
Millie’s tenth birthday appears to be just perfect in every way. With the predominant colours of pink and purple, party games, dancing and best friends, Millie is mostly overjoyed. But there are some niggles for Millie - the way her friends look at her mum and whisper together, the fact that her mum seems to be tired and needs to rest, and the uncomfortable feeling Millie is experiencing that maybe not everything is ok. When her Mum collapses at the end of the party, it is the beginning of a challenging journey of loss, anger and loneliness for Millie.
When Millie finally loses her mum to cancer, the grief she experiences is overwhelming. Her father is also suffering and they both withdraw from each other, their friends, and their life as they once knew it. Millie is drawn to her backyard where two crows appear to connect with her. They will become an important part of her healing and her reconnection to her father. At school Millie is lost and wants to be alone. Twice-weekly lunchtime art activities provide her with the solace she requires but also the opportunity to express her grief and changing feelings.
This is a deeply moving narrative that shares the very personal story of Millie and her journey of grief, but also the power of healing and hope that comes after such a devastating loss.
Wish in a tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Illus. by Nancy Carpenter
Penguin Random House Australia, 2025. ISBN: 9781761354991. (Age:4+) Highly recommended.
Involved in a show and tell, the reactions of the rest of the class tell the readers how Oliver is seen by others. He tells them about a bolas spider which lassoes its prey in a piece of sticky web, demonstrating the spider’s action. Shay tells the class that this is for show and tell, not just tell, while Albert is excited and wants to know more about the spider. Later at break, Oliver lies down to watch the ants. Some of the class think he is cool, but Shay again is dismissive. During writing, Oliver cannot set his mind to the task, instead thinking about how his pen looks like a shark, while Shay tells him that he is lazy and asks why he cannot be like the rest of the class. Through Shay we hear many of the slights given to those who are different.
At the next break, Oliver sits in the tree, wishing he was like the rest and his brain was not always behaving like a volcano. Albert responds that he wishes his brain was like Oliver’s and asks him to think about the leaves on the tree. Over the seasons the leaves change colour and it is at its most beautiful when the leaves are not all the same. He goes on to ask Oliver to imagine what the world would be like without scientists inventors and painters. Jada joins them and Oliver tells his friends that they are like ants, because ants come to the aid of other ants. And he goes on to say that in an ant colony, everyone is important. Albert tells him that he is astonishing. Oliver is thrilled and gets down from the tree, to be with his colony.
A delightful tale about acceptance, about being different, of the role of friends is told by Oliver as he comes to realise that being different is not something to be wished away, but a part of him that many people admire. In opening up to Albert, he gains a friend, a supportive, interested friend who admires Oliver.
Illustrations by Nancy Carpenter capture the thoughts of the children, from Shay’s dismissiveness to Albert’s support. Her multimedia approach to her work can be seen on her website by clicking the video link. It shows how Carpenter creates her characters. The array of classmates doing what has been asked of them is in stark contrast to the behaviour of Oliver, who is often staring into space, or sharing facts that excite him. Readers will see his differences and applaud those friends who tell him they admire his difference and support him in the times when people like Shay are set to undermine and hurt.
A good read aloud for kids to articulate their responses. Many will know about the subtle and not so subtle bullying that takes place and books such as these will give a platform for kids to talk about how they feel, and come to recognise that we are all different and that difference should be celebrated.
The Library Book by Gabby Dawnay. Illus. by Ian Morris
Thames & Hudson, 2022. ISBN: 9780500660157.
Zach isn't convinced that books are for him - they're too long, they're boring and he would rather watch TV. But thanks to his friend Ro's stubborn efforts, Zach falls for books hook, line and sinker, and loses himself in a world of dinosaurs, princesses, pirates, football and rocket ships - anything and everything the library has to offer.
Using Seuss-like rhyme and vibrant, cartoon-esque illustrations that will appeal to the intended audience, Zach's friend Ro tries to convince him of the value of reading through offering him a diversity of books, both fiction and non fiction. But Zach remains resistant until...
We all know those who are reluctant to read, each having their own reason not to which is often masking their lack of belief in themselves because they didn't master the skill as readily as others when they were younger. So this is another for the armoury that might break through the barriers, particularly if students are sent on a treasure hunt to discover an example of all the genres, plots and subjects that Ro uses to tempt Zach.
Research has shown that one of the most influential factors in a young child learning to read is if they perceive it to be valued by the significant adults in their lives, but sadly, research has also shown that by Year 6, children perceive it as an adult-imposed task designed to achieve an outcome like a better grade, so perhaps the secret lies in seeing that it is something valued by peers and we need to seek out ways to show this. Maybe books like this and the Losing the Plot series will be the key.
Working at Money Mia in Western Australia as a marine biologist and ranger, author Kasey Whitelaw’s passion for wild bottlenose dolphins led her to write and share this delightful story about Flute, a living and breathing real life dolphin.
Flute spends her days playing and travelling with other dolphins and exploring the ocean. She knows how to keep herself safe from predators but one day is distracted by a loud boat and loses touch with her party. Young readers can follow Flute as she encounters various sea creatures, different ocean habitats as well as danger on her journey to search for her family and friends.
The ebb and flow of the words and the thoughtful use of onomatopoeia incorporated with the glorious full page colour illustrations provide so much visual interest for readers, as do the striking endpapers. Throughout the story subtle facts about dolphin behaviour are incorporated and offer educators and students perfect teaching and learning moments. In the final pages are interesting facts and further information about Flute and bottlenose dolphins as well as notes from the author and relevant sources.
This is a highly engaging story that will be a wonderful addition to all libraries: home, school and public.
In another adventure in the Penric and Desdemona series of novellas set in a fantasy world, Learned Penric is told about an ox that his son Wyn thinks might be possessed by a demon. The ox is stabled on his brother-in-law’s bridge-building site and together with his adopted daughter Otta and Rina his daughter he travels to the building site to investigate. He believes that it will be an ideal opportunity to teach Otta who is studying at the Temple to be a sorceress. But events intervene, the ox escapes and Penric and his family face danger in the mountains.
Lois McMaster Bujold packs a fascinating array of themes into 130 pages - adventure, demons, danger and children growing up. The reader gets to know Penric’s family, who usually feature in the background of the novellas. There is 9-year-old Wyn, already working with his uncle on building bridges and allowed to ride by himself to deliver messages. Rina is desperate to become a sorceress and she gradually gets to know what she wants and how she can attempt to attain it. Otta is learning how to manage her demon, Atta, and growing up fast. When Penric faces great danger both Rina and Otta use their skills to face off wolves and scavengers. It is difficult for Penric to see his children moving away from him but he is consoled with a new baby in his household.
This is a feel-good series and The Adventure of the Demonic Ox is highly recommended for fans of the author and series as well as those who enjoy fantasy by Martha Wells and Sharon Shinn.
Themes Fantasy, Demons, Family.
Pat Pledger
This season's draft by Jason Gent
Allen & Unwin, 2025. ISBN: 9781761181696. (Age:13-18) Recommended.
For a number of teenagers, rising to the heights of their endeavours in local and representative AFL football, there is a chance that they will be selected in the AFL draft. This impending and momentous change in their life trajectory is highlighted for us as we see inside the four seasons of the buildup to Draft Week. There is a competitive edge, a nervous excitement, constant training, games and readiness, the possibility of heartache and a perpetual build-up like an impending thunderstorm, but with the possibility of the lightning flash of National exposure in an AFL club. One girlfriend is also followed through this tumultuous year, and all the families are part of the journey. If you have ever wondered what it must be like to go from anonymity and ‘just enjoying your football’ to the big stage of AFL, then this is a real window to this world of sport.
Written as a verse novel with each character revealing their stories separately across each season of the year, there is an easiness to the writing that would enable even reluctant readers to engage. For sports lovers the insights into elite sports demands are also revelatory. I imagine this will be a book recommended amongst peers of AFL-interested readers, but even those who only have a cursory interest will be able to connect with characters dealing with anxiety, personal expectations, family issues (even grief), relationships, the media, and all in the final season of school life. I really enjoyed this book, it is a comfortable reading journey, and it was good to have a sporting story that could be recommended to both genders in the teen years. (Note: AFLW draft is not mentioned … perhaps there should be a Book 2?)
The Billie B Brown book series of chapter books for emerging readers (particularly girls) by Australian Children's Laureate Sally Rippin needs no introduction. Well loved by teachers, librarians, parents and children alike, the first book was published in 2009. The series continues to grow and there are now approximately 25 books which can be bought as boxed sets or separately. Billie B Brown: The book swap flop (2025) is the latest book in the series.
Billie B Brown is a thoroughly likeable little girl. The situations in which she finds herself are typical of what happens in the everyday lives of little children and thus the books are very relatable. The way that Billie solves her problems can be a teaching point for children. Each book concerns itself with one small adventure or happening. Adults are supportive and sensible but agency is left with Billie and her friends. When they find solutions they are congratulated.
Billie B Brown: The book swap flop sees Billie bringing her favourite book that was a special gift from her grandmother to school along with a gold coin so that she can participate in a Book Swap fundraiser. Like many children, she probably missed the point that the book would go to someone else in the class and not a sick child in hospital. When Lola picks up Billie's book, Billie is horrified but there is nothing she can do... or is there? With a little help from her friend Jack, Billie learns to think more positively about comics and "How to" books and perhaps a solution can be found.
Lessons learnt are: accept the rules, be open to new ideas and be kind.
Like all the books in the series, Billie B Brown: The book swap flop is warm-hearted and a great entry point for children who are ready for independent reading of chapter books. The font is large; words that need to be stressed are in different, larger and bolder font. The vocabulary is accessible and the sentences are short, well constructed and demonstrate examples of the variety that students of that age are beginning to encounter and write themselves. Aki Fukuoka's delightful illustrations perfectly accompany the text throughout the stories and make the books visually enchanting as they exude the charm of the characters that Rippin has created.
Other equally popular series by Rippin are Hey Jack! (especially created for boys) and School of Monsters.
Themes Books, Doing the right thing, Resilience, Friendship, Learning new things, Feelings.
Wendy Jeffrey
Song of a Thousand Seas by Zana Fraillon
University of Queensland Press, 2025. ISBN: 9780702266317. (Age:8 -12 years) Highly Recommended.
“…all we want is to feel the Sea taste the Sea smell the Sea twist ourselves to Sea…”
As a book reviewer I am fortunate to read many outstanding stories. Song of a Thousand Seas written by Zana Fraillon is one such story. Written in verse, this short but captivating tale will stay with the reader long after it is finished and may provide a growing understanding of the enthralling life of the octopus species.
This narrative is about Houdini, a day octopus living in captivity who has memories about what it is like to live free in the wild ocean. Her compelling story and her relationship with the human characters in her life will engage readers of all ages and provide many fascinating and little known facts about this incredible sea creature. With eight arms, nine brains, three hearts and 3,154 suckers, Houdini has been in captivity since she was young. She is considered by adults to be well looked after but longs for the time when she can be free. Houdini’s nine brains each work independently of each other but all yearn for what they are missing.
To while away the time the very clever and cheeky Houdini causes obvious and not so obvious mayhem to keep her carer on his toes. When Juno comes to visit the aquarium there is an immediate connection between her and Houdini. Juno’s brain works differently to others and yet she feels and senses immediately what her father cannot about Houdini’s captivity. As the story progresses, the bond between Juno and Houdini deepens and ultimately choices are made.
The short verse style with each having its own heading is creatively presented. There are delightful illustrations spread throughout and the glorious cover will hook readers in. As an added bonus are octopus facts in the final pages as well as the thoughtful Author’s Note.
On the school netball team Eliot is a valued member, even when not playing exceptionally well, but out of uniform, wearing a hoodie and track pants, bitchy classmate Kate makes the comment “could she look any more of a lesbian?” Eliot has a quick comeback and best friend Jess, who gets bullied because of her body shape, is quick to stand up to Kate and her cronies, but when Jess says "girls together forever, right?” Eliot is not so sure. Brooding about the incident Eliot stumbles into a skateboarding group, instantly having rapport with board rider Ryan who assumes Eliot is a boy and is keen to get another rider for their team. Eliot somehow doesn’t correct him and finds skateboarding with this friendly group an exhilarating experience. Eliot’s mum is supportive and intuits something is causing anxiety but Eliot is not ready to discuss the complex feelings of not fitting into either identifying as a girl or boy.
Eliot’s rollercoaster emotional journey is depicted graphically through characters who come sharply into focus where important interactions are happening but at other times form an energetic sketchy and edgy backdrop, animating each page. Comic artist Logan Hanning and author L.D. Lapinski seamlessly deliver the message to love who you are and that you don’t need to choose to fit into gender stereotypes. As one of the characters says "there’s enough crap in the world without worrying about someone’s gender”. I was a little disappointed at the end where various characters declare their gender identifiers; non-binary, bisexual, and pan-sexual'; I think it was better when labels were left out.
The series of book by Tom Percival called Big Bright Feelings are shown on the inside back cover, and includes books such as Finn’s little fibs and Ravi’s roar, each produced as a springboard for discussions about feelings.
Sammy feels shy is the most recent book and is obviously about shyness, especially when Sammy is asked to talk in front of others.
Sammy loves to have fun. Especially with his father, but at school when his teacher asks him a question, he becomes aware that everyone is looking at him, waiting for his answer. And his face turns pink. At a birthday party he sings the wrong word in happy birthday and again everyone looks at him, saying he is so shy. He turns pink all over. He tells his dad about his problem, and dad takes him to the fair, but here he is embarrassed and begins to turn pink and runs away. A girl from school, Lily, asks him if he scared too. He says no, he is scared of the number of people. The two decide to overcome their problem together. Sammy does not feel shy with her. First they get some fairy floss, then have a ride on the spinning teacups and finally the helter skelter. But a group from school appears and Sammy’s face turns pink. Lily reassures him with a hand on his shoulder reminding him that they are there to have fun. He calls for the group to follow him onto the helter skelter and they follow.
His pink days are over. He has shown the group that he may feel a bit funny sometimes but can still enjoy himself. The object is to do what he loves, not worry about those around him, increasing his self confidence and resilience.
I am me by Mitch Tambo. Illus. by Carla Hoffenberg
Allen & Unwin, 2025. ISBN: 9781761182204. (Age:3+) Recommended.
This vivacious picture book about being true to yourself, is full of colour and lively movements as Mitch encourages children to follow his lead.
A subtitle motivates children to sing and dance to their own beat, and opening the book, children will be part of a presentation by Mitch. They will be readily involved in the unveiling of his ideas, watching his movements cross the pages, joining in themselves, marvelling at the different qualities he shares with us, learning some language as he retells his view of life in modern Australia. He questions the reader, one of the first encouraging the children to be aware that First Nations lived where they now live, many generations ago. He wears feathers from an emu, and he tells us that the emu can only walk forwards, encouraging us to be resilient, as we walk forward, never giving up. He ask them about the Milky Way and seeing the Dark Emu in the sky. He shows the readers his headdress and asks how it might be glued together, telling them about the honey bee. He points to the paint on his face and talks about how this is made, telling the reader about ochre and where it is used. Mitch takes us into his wardrobe, explaining why he wears particular outfits. He wraps up his presentation, with further information available on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.
This wonderful journey with Mitch will enthral younger readers, who may have asked the questions but not received an answer. Here he predicts the questions and make his responses part of the story of his life, giving the information in a way that is illuminating, told within illustrations that are involving.
A Gamilaraay man, Mitch leads a multi faceted life: a qualified social worker who encourages diversity, he writes and performs songs, gives corporate and school presentations encouraging resilience and involvement, and has seen his language presentation of Farnham’s 'The Voice', gain him and his message, instant recognition.
