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Jerry’s Window (Y K Willemse, Wombat Books)
Released April 2024
In the spirit of Dennis the Menace, 10-year-old Jerry Ronden is a notorious nightmare. His parents are at a loss as he torments his school and neighbours with pranks, stink... Read more
Frog Squad: Dessert Disaster (Kate Temple & Jol Temple, illus Shiloh Gordon, HarperCollins)
Released April 2024
Prepare yourselves, Bin Chicken and Underdogs fans (among others): the unstoppable force that is Kate and Jol Temple (That Bird Has Arms) has a new series. The first book, Frog... Read more
The Pinchers and the Diamond Heist (Anders Sparring, illus Per Gustavsson, Gecko Press)
Released April 2024
Anders Sparring’s The Pinchers and the Diamond Heist is a first-in-series chapter book that ticks many boxes young primary school children love: comedy, crime, and fun family connections. Opening with... Read more
The Cave (Victor Kelleher, Eagle Books)
Released April 2024
In Victor Kelleher’s upper-middle-grade prehistoric adventure novel The Cave, young Irian—one of the few survivors after the Beast (a sabre-toothed tiger) attacks the cave where he lives—is traumatised into muteness... Read more
Roarsome (Joel Slack-Smith, illus Rebel Challenger, Scholastic)
Released April 2024
Roarsome is the first book in a new illustrated junior fiction series by TV comedy writer Joel Slack-Smith. Like many kids, Walter wants the latest tech for his birthday—a nitro-powered... Read more
Shower Land 1: Break the Curse (Nat Amoore, illus James Hart, Puffin)
Released March 2024
The first in a new junior fiction series, Shower Land 1: Break the Curse is a fun, whimsical book that will appeal to kids who enjoy fantasy and humour plots.... Read more
Outlaw Girls (Emily Gale & Nova Weetman, Text)
Released March 2024
Emily Gale and Nova Weetman deliver again with Outlaw Girls, the Kelly country time-slip follow-up to their CBCA Notable Elsewhere Girls. In 1878, Kate Kelly secretly slips supplies to her... Read more
A Room for Ryel (Emma Cameron, Wombat)
Released March 2024
Within modern shifting family dynamics, Emma Cameron’s A Room for Ryel emerges as a heartwarming tale that adeptly explores the intricacies and joys of blending families. The book seamlessly transcends... Read more
To and Fro (Anton Clifford-Motopi, A&U Children’s)
Released March 2024
To and Fro by debut author Anton Clifford-Motopi is a heartfelt and humorous exploration of the complexities of growing up mixed-race in Australia. This delightful offering for readers aged 8–12... Read more
The Daredevil Princess and the Golden Unicorn (Belinda Murrell, illus Rebecca Crane, Puffin)
Released February 2024
The Daredevil Princess and the Golden Unicorn is the first in kid-lit superstar Belinda Murrell’s latest series, with a second book (The Daredevil Princess and the Goblin King) to be... Read more
Countdown to Yesterday (Shirley Marr, Puffin)
Released February 2024
Shirley Marr’s latest novel, Countdown to Yesterday, takes young readers on a heartwarming journey through time, memories, and the complexities of family and friendship. This enchanting tale is a delightful... Read more
How to Avoid Being Eaten By Sharks… and other advice (John Larkin, illus Chrissie Krebs, Walker)
Released February 2024
How do you avoid being eaten by sharks? Is the Earth flat or round? How do you translate parent-speak, pass a creative writing test, and elude alien abduction? Tongue-in-cheek, chapter-length... Read more
Andromache Between Worlds (Gabriel Bergmoser, HarperCollins)
Released February 2024
Andromache Between Worlds is the middle-grade fiction debut from prolific adult and young adult writer Gabriel Bergmoser. Andromache is the 14-year-old daughter of two celebrity adventurer journalists whose escapades have... Read more
Lani and the Universe (Victoria Carless, HarperCollins)
Released January 2024
For young readers who enjoyed Gus and the Starlight (2022) comes another heart-warming and captivating story by Victoria Carless. Lani and the Universe tells the story of Lani Scrub, who... Read more
Secret Sparrow (Jackie French, HarperCollins)
Released December 2023
Jackie French’s latest middle-grade novel, Secret Sparrow, focuses on the unheralded work of women in World War I. This exciting adventure story is told with dual timelines and begins in... Read more
Silver Linings (Katrina Nannestad, ABC Books)
Released November 2023
Following the multi-award-winning success of Katrina Nannestad’s World War II novels for younger readers, Silver Linings sees her move from the battlefields of Europe to post-war Australia, and a story... Read more
Fluff: Bullies Beware (Matt Stanton, ABC Books)
Released November 2023
Gilbert Morris lives with his mum and sister in a caravan park. After his dad goes missing in outer space, Gilbert’s mum gives him Fluff, a comfort toy, to squeeze... Read more
Kimmi: Queen of the dingoes (Favel Parrett, illus Astred Hicks, Lothian)
Released November 2023
For young readers who enjoyed Favel Parrett’s alpine dingo tale in Wandi (2021), Kimmi follows a real-life tropical dingo who, like Wandi, now lives at the Dingo Discovery Sanctuary and... Read more
Spies in the Sky (Beverley McWilliams, illus Martina Heiduczek, Pantera)
Released November 2023
Inspired by the little-known story of the British National Pigeon Service, a volunteer organisation of pigeon breeders who provided their animals for military service during WWII, Spies in the Sky by... Read more
Blair Moon: How to be cooler than the moon (AshIeigh Mounser, Ford St)
Released October 2023
Blair Moon: How to be cooler than the moon by Ashleigh Mounser is a fast-paced novel that doesn’t let up, much like its protagonist, Blair Moon. Eleven-year-old Blair is precocious,... Read more
