Junior Book Club – this month’s reads
Friday, 7 November 2025 Books+Publishing @booksandpublishing
Searching for your next great read to share with kids? Our Junior Book Club highlights 10 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 adding to your shelves and sharing with young readers of all ages.
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Eggshell Olivia De Zilva Espresso ISBN: 9780987447944 RRP: $24.99 Age: 14 and over |
| Why young readers will love it: “Eggshell offers a distinctly Australian voice through the vivid character of Kira and a world that feels instantly recognisable to young readers. The novella explores relevant and complex themes – many suited to the maturity level of Years 9 and 10 – without crossing into territory that might concern educators. Its strongest appeal for teachers lies in its alignment with Stage 5 English outcomes, particularly the focus on how texts represent the world. As classrooms increasingly prioritise diverse experiences and identities within Australian storytelling, Eggshell stands out as an ideal choice. Its visceral writing style and occasional experimentation with form – such as the inclusion of MSN conversations – also make it a valuable text for modules that emphasise creative composition and narrative voice.” – Finlay Wilson, publisher, Spineless Wonders | |
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Escape from Sherwood Beattie Alvarez, illus David Allan Christmas Press ISBN: 9780648815495 RRP: $17.99 Age: 9 to 11 |
| Why young readers will love it: “Twisty, fast-paced and imaginative, this fabulous illustrated story will have young readers on the edge of their seats as the main character, Michael, plunges into the world of a retro video game in a desperate attempt to save his little sister from the clutches of wicked King John! With its immersive, game-like format, this book is perfect for schools and libraries to recommend to even the most reluctant readers.” – Sophie Masson, publishing director, Christmas Press | |
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Frances Bloom (Frances Bloom #1) Katrina Nannestad, illus Marina Zlatanova HarperCollins ISBN: 9780733343971 RRP: $17.99 Age: 7 and over Teacher’s notes |
| Why young readers will love it: “Young readers will love the mischief, adventure and cheeky main character in Katrina Nannestad’s new series. Marina Zlatanova has illustrated Frances Bloom’s unruly world so superbly, creating a world of madcap fun that is a celebration of imagination and the joy of storytelling. Also, who doesn’t want a honey-coloured bear and a garden gnome for a family?” – Ana Vivas, publisher, HarperCollins | |
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The Friendship Book Zanni Louise, illus Nicky Johnston Walker Books ISBN: 9781760658106 RRP: $24.99 Age: 3 to 8 |
| Why young readers will love it: “Almost every kid can relate to the important questions of how to find friends, make friends or be a friend. As author Zanni Louise tells us, ‘Friendships are made of lots of things – time and snacks and fairy wings’. Alongside Nicky Johnston’s delightful and warm-hearted illustrations, this book weaves a story of building friendship and community through kindness, inclusion and imagination through a day of meeting, greeting, laughing and playing together. A perfect story for every child, whether moving to a new neighbourhood, starting school, or starting a new class. This is a truly joyful look at the friendships we make and how to nurture them.” – Eve Tonelli, publisher, Walker Books | |
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Handbooks for Little Humans: Compassion Zanni Louise, illus Kim Drane Affirm ISBN: 9781923293175 RRP: $19.99 Age: 3 to 8 |
| Why young readers will love it: “Readers will love this book for its warm, playful approach to one of the most important human values – compassion. With Zanni Louise’s signature charm and Kim Drane’s engaging illustrations, it offers a gentle, practical guide for kids and grown-ups to explore social emotional literacy together, making it a perfect springboard for meaningful conversations.” – Tash Besliev, children’s publishing director, S&S and Affirm | |
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The Hits and Misses of Melody Moss (Book 1) Helen Dallimore Penguin ISBN: 9781761354175 RRP: $16.99 Age: 10 and over |
| Why young readers will love it: “A hilarious and relatable story of Aussie girlhood from an Australian musical theatre icon! Written in a classic illustrated diary format, this story is perfect for fans of Lottie Brooks and Dork Diaries, plus lovers of musicals.” – Lexi Stevens, children’s publicist, PRH | |
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Mega! Australia’s Megafauna Laura Holloway, illus Liz Duthie Wild Dog ISBN: 9781742036830 RRP: $24.99 Age: interest level 5 and over, reading level 7 and over Teacher’s notes |
| Why young readers will love it: “Our November new release, Mega!, will stomp its way into the hearts of young dinosaur-lovers by introducing them to a host of ancient yet familiar animals that used to roam Australia’s landscapes. Liz Duthie lends her extraordinary artistic vision to this book, providing rigorously researched interpretations of familiar giants like Diprotodon alongside lesser-known megafauna, such as Palorchestes. The book includes a geological timeline and sections on fossils and palaeontology. Laura’s lively writing style will inspire the appropriate level of awe (i.e. LOTS) for these huge creatures in readers of all ages.” – Lisa Mclellan, editorial assistant, Wild Dog Books | |
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The Whirlpool at Mermaid Rock (Nerra Deep Time Traveller #3) Tasma Walton, illus Samantha Campbell Scholastic ISBN: 9781761526718 RRP: $15.99 Age: 8 to 12 Teacher’s notes |
| Why young readers will love it: “This beautiful novel by award-winning novelist Tasma Walton is an action-packed adventure, drawing on the lore of the Boonwurrung People of Coastal Melbourne. Readers will love this epic fantasy that sees Nerra magically transported into the Dreaming to help restore balance to Country. Junior book clubs will have no shortage of talking points around the environment and our role in protecting it, set against the backdrop of an epic battle between good and evil. With mermaids, evil spirits and Creation Beings, readers will find this one hard to put down. Can be read as a standalone.” – Laura Sieveking, publisher, Scholastic | |
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Ngalak Yongka Miyak Koorliny: Visiting the Kangaroo-Moon Site Kim Scott, Graeme Miniter and Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories UWA Publishing ISBN: 9781760803186 RRP: $24.99 Age: 7 and over |
| Why young readers will love it: “Ngalak Yongka Miyak Koorliny is a beautiful cultural story from the Wirlomin Noongar people of Southwest Western Australia. Young readers will love the engaging story, which explores themes of family, connection, place and culture. Reading this book in a book club session will inspire discussion about how the Kangaroo-Moon site is culturally significant to the Wirlomin Noongar people and encourage young readers to reflect on places that are important to them and places that are important to people from cultures different to their own.” – Lauren Pratt, publishing communications officer, UWA Publishing | |
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This Is Us: Essential Poems for Young People eds Libby Hathorn & Jude Fell, illus Tull Suwannakit NLA Publishing ISBN: 9781922507860 RRP: $34.99 Age: 7 and over |
| Why young readers will love it: “This Is Us: Essential Australian Poems for Young People is a must-have anthology for school libraries and classrooms. Carefully curated, the poems are representative of the beautiful diversity that is Australia. From animals and places to people and moments, there is a poem within these pages for everyone and every situation. Readers are sure to delight in the works and names of familiar poets like Banjo Paterson and Jackie French, while others will find joy in discovering modern poets such as Jazz Money and Sara Mansour, who, after reading, may become their new favourite poet. With 10 chapters, 52 poets and 61 poems all partnered with original illustrations, this is a poetry book made for every Australian school, library, classroom and child.” – Jess Wallace, senior administration officer, NLA Publishing | |
Category: Book Club
