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Children's and YA book reviews and interviews

The Silver Sea
Alison Lester, Jane Godwin and the children at the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Affirm Press, March 2018, reviewed by Anica Boulanger-Mashberg

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Interview

Down through the blue: Alison Lester and Jane Godwin on 'The Silver Sea'

Up for a challenge: Nelly Thomas on ‘Some Girls’

Picture books

A Boat of Stars: New Poems to Inspire and Enchant
ed by Margaret Connolly & Natalie Jane Prior, ABC Books, March 2018, reviewed by Margaret Hamilton

Apart from rhyming texts in picture books, poetry for children seems to be largely neglected, even though it is an active part of the Australian primary curriculum. So it is... Read more

Hickory Dickory Dash
Tony Wilson and Laura Wood, Scholastic, February 2018, reviewed by Michael Earp

Following the success of The Cow Tripped over the Moon, Tony Wilson and Laura Wood return with another collaboration that fleshes out a well-known nursery rhyme. Did you ever wonder... Read more

I Wanted a Giant Chocolate Egg but All I Got Was This Stupid Book
Merv Lamington, illus by Makoto Koji, Affirm Press, March 2018, reviewed by Thuy On

Forget about any religious symbolism, for kids (and a fair few adults), Easter is all about chocolate eggs brought by the stealthy Easter bunny. This cute little self-referential picture book... Read more

Some Girls
Nelly Thomas, illus by Sarah Dunk, Piccolo Nero, March 2018, reviewed by Michael Earp

We have seen a recent surge of books highlighting the achievements of great women throughout history. These books aim to redress historical imbalances and inspire children of all genders to... Read more

Younger readers

Breaking News: Kensy and Max Book One
Jacqueline Harvey, Random House, March 2018, reviewed by Natalie Crawford

Kensy and Max are 11-year-old twins whose slightly eccentric lives change overnight after a string of strange occurrences sees them racing across international borders to London accompanied by their Nanny... Read more

The Endsister
Penni Russon, A&U, February 2018, reviewed by Karys McEwen

Penni Russon’s new middle-grade novel centres on the rowdy but lovable Outhwaite family. When they inherit an old mansion on the other side of the world, otherworldly encounters ensue. The... Read more

From Nerd to Ninja: Ninja Kid Book One
Ahn Do, Scholastic, March 2018, reviewed by Dani Solomon

When Nelson wakes up on his 10th birthday with a spider on his nose, things are not looking good. In his scramble to get it off he gets tangled in his... Read more

Lucy's Dawn
Juliet Blair, NLA, March 2018, reviewed by Hannah Cartmel

This is a charming historical novel, based on a series of events in pre-federation Sydney. Told through the diary entries of the fictional 14-year-old Lucy Coombes, the book delves into... Read more

Stephanie Chiocci and the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Chase: Footy Stars Book One
Matt Porter, Ford Street Publishing, February 2018, reviewed by Eadie Allen

Stephanie Chiocci, captain of the Collingwood AFLW team, is taking some time away from footy training to compete in the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Chase in England—a race to catch a... Read more

Turtle Trackers
Samantha Wheeler, UQP, March 2018, reviewed by Erin Wamala

Ten-year-old Isaac and his mum run a caravan park on the coast of Queensland. Things have been tough since the death of Isaac’s father, with Isaac having to take on... Read more

Young adult

White Night
Ellie Marney, A&U, March 2018, reviewed by Bec Kavanagh

Bo Mitchell is a typical guy in Lamistead. He’s nice, sporty, and doesn’t do anything that will make him stand out. Aurora Wild stands out in all the wrong ways.... Read more