Junior Book Club – this month’s reads
Friday, 7 August 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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A River I Must Be Kate Foster HarperCollins ISBN: 9781460768372 RRP: $18.99 Age: 10 and over Teacher resources |
| Why young readers will love it: “With themes of belonging, friendship, bullying and exclusion, it is hard to imagine this beautifully written verse novel not inspiring conversations for readers aged 10 years plus as they consider their own experiences and the importance of looking out for others. And within a book club setting, this compelling Own Voices story has the potential to allow young readers to express their feelings about the challenges of starting at a new school and possibly identify with autistic schoolgirl Rebecca Tapia, whose story is so heartbreakingly real and moving.” – Lisa Berryman, publisher, HarperCollins | |
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Being Eve Em Hammond Penguin ISBN: 9781761348266 RRP: $19.99 Age: 9 and over |
| Why young readers will love it: “Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Remy Lai! This graphic novel tackles friendship and first crushes and is a heartfelt and hilarious representation of growing up neurodivergent, making it an excellent book club pick for discussing ADHD and autism, as well as an enjoyable story for young readers.” – Maddy Taplin, publicist, Penguin Random House | |
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Sleeping in the Land Jasmine Seymour Wild Dog Books ISBN: 9781742037288 RRP: $26.99 Age: 5 and over Teacher resources |
| Why young readers will love it: “Sleeping in the Land tells the inspiring story of the Dharug people of the Sydney Basin region, who are waking up their Ancestral language by learning to speak it together. Junior book clubs will get to learn the history of the Dharug language, be introduced to nearly forgotten language systems, and use clever pronunciation guides to test their speaking skills. Readers will be greeting each other with ‘Warimi’ in no time!” – Lisa Mclellan, editorial assistant, Wild Dog Books | |
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The Nardi Puzzle Gabriella Page Wombat Books ISBN: 9781761112966 RRP: $18.99 Age: 9 to 12 Teacher resources |
| Why young readers will love it: “This interactive story is perfect for puzzle-solvers, allowing readers to solve the puzzles alongside the characters. It’s a fast-paced mystery with an international cast that celebrates diversity and includes reference to historical figures. Young readers will be caught up in helping solve the mysterious clues, learning about the world along the way.” – Lynne Stringer, editor, Wombat Books | |
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The Other Side Philip Bunting Walker Books ISBN: 9781760659882 RRP: $26.99 Age: 6 to 99 |
| Why young readers will love it: “Junior fiction readers will revel in this spooky picture book, which offers a unique guided tour around the world. Told through vibrantly detailed illustrations in true Bunting fashion, it explores how different cultures and communities approach the taboo subject of death and what lies beyond. Join the Grim Reaper as he journeys to The Other Side, offering a humorous glimpse into what awaits us all once we have completed our time here on earth.” – Laura Mowlem, publicist, Walker Books | |
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Story Rug Sophie Blackall, illustrator Phoebe Wahl Lothian Children’s Books ISBN: 9780734424464 RRP: $24.99 Age: 3 to 5 |
| Why young readers will love it: “This charming, luminous picture book from two-time Caldecott Medallist Sophie Blackall and artist Phoebe Wahl braids together the joy of storytelling with the satisfaction of learning a new craft. Class 203 is braiding. In fact, they are in a braiding craze. Using rags and scraps from home, they are preparing a special surprise for their teacher – a rag rug where the whole class can gather, ready for more stories. Ideal for young book clubs and classrooms, this charming celebration of storytelling is intertwined with an easy-to-learn and impressive craft project, including instructions, and will have readers reaching for scraps to make their own special story rug!” – Jeanmarie Morosin, head of children’s publishing, Hachette Australia | |
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Talent Show (Amira Swift, #1) Sarah Ayoub & Niña Nill HarperCollins ISBN: 9781460766675 RRP: $15.99 Age: 6 and over Teacher resources |
| Why young readers will love it: “Amira is a warm, dance-loving year 1 student with two best friends and a loving Australian Lebanese family. She is thoughtful, caring and passionate, and in the first two stories in this gorgeous series, she faces everyday problems that she solves in a creative way, and with the help of her friends and family. The adorable illustrations and the engaging texts are sure to become a favourite with children who are new to chapter books or newly independent readers, and provide lots of conversation topics around friendship, dancing, talents, culture, food, family, and contributing to the school community.” – Angie Masters, publisher, HarperCollins | |
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The Wave Sarah Armstrong Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing ISBN: 9781761217951 RRP: $18.99 Age: 9 to 14 Teacher resources |
| Why young readers will love it: “The Wave is Sarah Armstrong’s highly anticipated follow-up to her bestselling, CBCA-shortlisted survivalist middle-grade novel Run. Young readers will devour this gripping standalone story about loyalty and survival in the face of a tsunami disaster – it’s big on suspense, big on action and guaranteed to get your blood pumping from the very first chapter!” – Marisa Pintado, publishing director, Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing | |
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Us in the Bright Lights Zanni L Arnot Lothian Children’s Books ISBN: 9780734424501 RRP: $24.99 Age: 13 to 17 |
| Why young readers will love it: “This beautiful and moving young adult novel about losing everything, but finding yourself in the process, is a must-read for fans of Nina Kenwood and Biffy James. Stevie has lost her best friend Bella, and her absence casts a harsh light on everything Stevie’s not. Who even is she without her best friend? When Stevie goes to Europe to attempt to fulfil Bella’s bucket list, she begins to figure out who she is … which would be great, if she wasn’t also falling in love with Theodore, Bella’s way-off-limits, long-time crush. This swoony love story with its themes of self-discovery, finding a place to belong and grieving a loved one is perfect for book-clubbing teens.” – Jeanmarie Morosin, head of children’s publishing, Hachette Australia | |
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Welcome to Friendship! Yumi Stynes & Melissa Kang, illustrator Jenny Lathan Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing ISBN: 9781761214196 RRP: $24.99 Age: 10 to 16 |
| Why young readers will love it: “A new book from Yumi Stynes and Dr Melissa Kang is always reason to celebrate! Just like its bestselling and award-winning predecessors, Welcome to Your Period and Welcome to Sex, Welcome to Friendship is an essential handbook for every household with kids. Their no-silly-questions, big-sisterish guide to all things friendship and frenemies is exactly what kids need to level up their confidence in making and being good friends, especially with puberty and hormones in the mix. Packed full of first-person quotes and anecdotes from real teens and actual letters to Dr Melissa’s Dolly Doctor column, it’s a book families will turn to over and over again.” – Marisa Pintado, publishing director, Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing | |
Category: Book Club
