Junior Book Club – this month’s reads
Friday, 4 September 2026 Books+Publishing @booksandpublishing
Our Junior Book Club highlights new titles each month that are perfect for classrooms, libraries and family reading time. From fun and imaginative adventures to books that spark curiosity and conversation, these are the latest releases worth recommending for young readers of all ages.
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Bloodsuckers Steve Worland Penguin ISBN: 9781761352935 RRP: $14.99 Age: 8 and over |
| Why young readers will love it: “Vampires on a plane. What could possibly go wrong? A hilarious and action-packed read, this is the perfect Halloween book club pick to engage every reader. The modern ‘Goosebumps’ for Aussie kids!” – Lexi Stevens, publicist, Penguin Random House | |
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Family Feast Brooke Graham, illustrated by Kristen Willis EK Books ISBN: 9781922539007 RRP: $27.99 Age: 4 to 8 |
| Why young readers will love it: “Family Feast reminds us not to judge too harshly the quirks and foibles of our loved ones. The very traits that make us squirm with embarrassment at home may just be someone else’s favourite thing about you. Kids will love the humour, playfulness, relatability and subtle message of acceptance this story carries, and may even feel a renewed surge of affection for those they share a home with!” – Nathan Thomas, publisher, EK Books | |
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Fight for the Franklin Jane Jolly, illustrated by Lois Bury NLA Publishing ISBN: 9781922507792 RRP: $24.99 Age: 8 to 12 Teacher resources |
| Why young readers will love it: “Fight for the Franklin shares the incredible story of the Franklin Blockade in the first-ever children’s book on the subject. Jane Jolly combines evocative, poetic descriptions of Tasmania’s south-west wilderness with the action and drama of the protest campaign, capturing the real danger the protesters faced. Readers will also hear personal reflections from blockaders such as Bob Brown, Michael Mansell and Jill McCulloch in the back matter, as well as other educational spreads like ‘how to be a change maker’.” – Madeleine Warburton, senior administration officer, NLA Publishing | |
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Honeysuckle Gold Penny Reeve, illustrated by Natasha Hagarty Wombat Books ISBN: 9781761112386 RRP: $27.99 Age: 4 to 7 Teacher resources |
| Why young readers will love it: “Honeysuckle Gold tells the story of two girls whose lives are connected by the global cotton supply chain. When one of the girls is trafficked into forced labour, both girls long for a better world. This picture book sensitively introduces themes of social justice, child labour and/or modern-day slavery without using that language, allowing different age groups to engage with the content as appropriate. It contains an empowering message of hope, inspiring children to be agents of realistic change.” – Lynne Stringer, editor, Wombat Books | |
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How Our Garden Grows Saurav Kiran Shrestha, illustrated by Estee Sarsfield WestWords Children’s Books ISBN: 9781923044708 RRP: $28.95 Age: 4 and over |
| Why young readers will love it: “How Our Garden Grows is a distinctly Australian story. Kids will open this book to its beautiful, captivating illustrations by CBCA-shortlisted illustrator Estee Sarsfield, and it will take them into a wondrous version of their own Australian neighbourhood. The power of community and Australia’s diverse nature lie at the heart of How Our Garden Grows. The power that comes with working together to foster something as beautiful as a garden.” – Isabelle Quilty, associate producer, WestWords | |
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Joey Gets His Wings Catherine Bauer Big Sky Publishing ISBN: 9781923720107 RRP: $24.99 Age: 4 to 8 |
| Why young readers will love it: “Joey Gets His Wings is a moving Australian picture book inspired by the true stories of First World War pilots and the small mascots they carried as reminders of home. Blending adventure, history and heart, award-winning author Catherine Bauer introduces young readers to themes of courage, friendship, hope and remembrance through a gentle, child-friendly story. Inspired by Australian pilot Captain Elliot “Tab” Pflaum and his leather kangaroo mascot, the book offers families and classrooms a meaningful way to explore the experiences of Australian service personnel during the First World War. With its strong emotional core and distinctly Australian perspective, Joey Gets His Wings encourages thoughtful conversations about the comfort of home, the importance of companionship and the enduring meaning of Anzac remembrance.” – Mika Gonzales, social media & marketing assistant, Big Sky Publishing | |
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The Little Bird That Fell Bradley Trevor Greive, illustrated by Gabriel Evans ABC Kids ISBN: 9780733344077 RRP: $24.99 Age: 3 and over |
| Why young readers will love it: “The Little Bird That Fell tells the true story of a magpie chick, Penguin Bloom, which sadly fell out of its nest and was injured. Penguin was rescued by Sam, who had also been injured in an accident, and Penguin and Sam became the best of friends, spending time together as Penguin healed. This beautiful and moving story reminds us that friendships don’t always have to be with other people and that animals can be the kindest, most loyal and understanding friends to humans. It might inspire kids to share stories of injured animals they have helped, or the pets in their lives who are – or were – significant to them and why.” – Lisa Berryman, publisher, HarperCollins | |
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Maya Follows Her Nose (Sniff Squad #1) Nic Gill, illustrated by Jake A Minton UWA Publishing ISBN: 9781760803391 RRP: $17.99 Age: 7 to 10 |
| Why young readers will love it: “Maya Follows Her Nose tells the story of Maya, a border collie who is rescued from an animal shelter and given a new life as a working dog in koala conservation. Kids will love the mix of real-life science and facts with the fun, adventurous rags-to-riches tale ending with Maya finding her purpose and her forever home.” – Lauren Pratt, communications officer, UWA Publishing | |
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My Tiny Universe Maryam Master Pan Australia ISBN: 9781761776670 RRP: $16.99 Age: 8 to 12 |
| Why young readers will love it: “My Tiny Universe is for every kid who has ever felt different. It is full of heart, humour and family, and will inspire middle-grade readers to look inward and outward. It will stimulate timely conversations about science versus art; climate change, technology and artificial intelligence; the concepts of reality, perception and sentience; and ultimately hope for a better future. This dazzling novel plays with form, unreliable narration and perspective, and will be a delight for young book clubbers everywhere.” – Danielle Walker, executive editor, Pan Macmillan Australia | |
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Web of Spies (S.I.G.M.A. #1) Tim Ayliffe Affirm Kids ISBN: 9781761636615 RRP: $16.99 Age: 10 and over Teacher resources |
| Why young readers will love it: “Readers will love this book because it delivers the pace, danger and edge-of-your-seat thrills of a grown-up spy story, with an everyday kid at the centre of the action. Short chapters, real-world intrigue and a cracking pace make it irresistibly easy to pick up – and very hard to put down!” – Tash Besliev, executive publisher, children’s publishing, Simon & Schuster | |
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The Waiting Place Megan Jacobson Lothian Children’s Books ISBN: 9780734424273 RRP: $19.99 Age: 14 and over |
| Why young readers will love it: “Can you run from your demons while being chased by angels? The Good Place meets a tradwife TikTok account in this gorgeous YA novel that will break your heart and put it back together again. Three teenagers – the perfect girl, the teen delinquent and the bland one – find themselves dead and sharing an afterlife that morphs into all the places they’ve waited at in their lives. To save the people they still care about in life – and death – they must defy the angels supervising them and take the actions they were too afraid to take when they were alive. Book-clubbing teens will love reading about unlikely bonds, forbidden romance and trusting yourself when it really matters, in this book that is as much about living as it is about dying.” – Jeanmarie Morosin, head of children’s publishing, Hachette Australia | |
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What’s the Time, Mighty Wolf? Katrina Germein, illustrated by Kooky Chooky Scholastic Press ISBN: 9781761641947 RRP: $19.99 Age: 3 and over |
| Why young readers will love it: “What’s the Time, Mighty Wolf? is a brand-new story by CBCA Honour book author Katrina Germein, and a playful twist on the classic schoolyard game. Kooky Chooky’s evocative art draws readers into a visual narrative that cleverly reveals not everything is as it first seems … hungry Wolf looks like she is planning something, but what is it? Young readers will love following the journey to Wolf’s house, watching the clocks count down, and getting closer and closer to Wolf’s surprise – one step at a time!” –Tiff Malins, publisher, Scholastic Press | |
Category: Book Club
