Mahtab’s Story by Libby Gleeson
23 March, 2008
Libby Gleeson’s latest novel sees her on familiar ground, writing a gripping story about an issue that is too often ignored by writers for young people. Although she is a strong and confident writer, Gleeson never allows her voice to overshadow that of her protagonist, the 12-year-old girl from Afghanistan, whose spirit wins her a place in the heart of the reader.

The Big Little Book of Happy Sadness by Colin Thompson
23 March, 2008
Award-winning author and illustrator Colin Thompson is well known for his sometimes dark, yet poignant stories about life and the world around us. His characters are often all too real as they grasp with the big issues of the real world in search of a brief glimpse of happiness

The Australia Book by Eve Pownall
23 March, 2008
As many teachers, readers and booksellers will be aware, there are very few complete books of Australian history for primary school-aged children available, which is what makes Eve Pownell’s The Australia Book unique even by today’s standards.

Milad: The Voyage to Ophir by Nazam Anhar
21 March, 2008
Nazam Anhar’s first novel is a historical adventure set in the ancient Near East. Milad is a young Phoenician farm boy who longs for adventure. He is sent to sea by his family to earn an income during a drought.

Sucked In by John Parker
20 March, 2008
Sucked In is a rather ordinary example of the short fiction intended for boys of 10 to12 years. All the standard elements of fiction aimed at this audience are here—humour based around bodily functions, slapstick comedy, the tried and true horror plot device and finally, the surprise ending.

The Sacrifice by Bruce Mutard
19 March, 2008
The Sacrifice is set against the backdrop of pre-War II Melbourne. It follows the life of Robert Wells, a principled man, who is trying very hard to maintain the lifestyle he is used to.

The Number One Aussie Counting Book by Heath McKenzie
17 March, 2008
Counting books, like alphabet books, have always served as showcases for the talents of illustrators. McKenzie has produced The Aussie A to Z and achieved outstanding sales with The Australian Twelve Days of Christmas.

A Rose for the Anzac Boys by Jackie French
16 March, 2008
Jackie French believes that good, historical writing really needs to come from source documents: things written at the time that give the feeling of the world as it was then, not just the facts.

Queasy Rider by James Roy
16 March, 2008
In the weeds by the side of the railway tracks Nobby and Thicky find an old bike. Although both of them already have bikes Thicky seems to think the wreck has potential. He has no idea what they can make out of it but makes it wound convincing enough to get Nobby to drag it back to his house.

The Stone Crown by Malcolm Walker
12 March, 2008
The Stone Crown by Malcolm Walker makes an intriguing use of Arthurian legends to frame a modern adventure fantasy. Emlyn and Max teal a wooden figure of a mounted knight from an ancient burial site, not only setting in motion their own adventure but also awakening an ancient curse that has dogged both of their lives.

Genius Squad by Catherine Jinks
12 March, 2008
Genius Squad is Catherine Jinks’ second novel featuring Cadel Piggot, the now-reformed title character of Evil Genius. Following the events of that story, Cadel is in foster care in the suburbs, bored, frustrated and bullied, as his complex legal situation is resolved.

The Brain Full of Holes by Martin Chatterton
12 March, 2008
The Brain Full of Holes by Martin Chatterton is an enjoyable absurdist adventure. Picking up the story after the events of The Brain Finds A Leg, Sheldon and The Brain are now living in Switzerland and some very unswiss oddities are occurring.

At Seventeen by Celeste Walters
12 March, 2008
Celeste Walters has built a reputation for writing novels that challenge our perceptions and understanding of teenage life and the effect institutions have on our society. In her new novel At Seventeen we see the world through the eyes of Catherine as she enters boarding school for her final two years while her parents move to Spain.

White Crane: Samurai Kids Book 1 by Sandy Fussell
12 March, 2008
White Crane is the first book in a new series, ‘Samurai Kids’, by Sandy Fussell. In it, we are introduced to a unique school (ryu) for young samurai.

Nathan Nuttboard Upstaged by Anthony Eaton
12 March, 2008
Nathan Nuttboard, surfer, loyal friend, and likeable lad returns for a third time in his new book Nathan Nuttboard: Upstaged from celebrated author Anthony Eaton. When Sally-Anne Anderson, the most popular girl in Year Seven, dumps Nathan in front of his mates he’s confused.

Escape by Sea by L S Lawrence
12 March, 2008
Escape by Sea is the new historical novel from L S Lawrence, author of Eagle of the East. Sara lives in Carthage, a city of the northern coast of Africa, and an enemy of the newly rising power, Rome.

Audrey of the Outback by Christine Harris
12 March, 2008
Audrey lives in the sandy scrubby outback, with her mother, two brothers, and an imaginary friend named Stumpy. Her dad is away most of the time, riding camels and selling dingo scalps to the government.

When Henry Caught Imaginitis by Nick Bland
12 March, 2008
Henry is an overly methodical boy, preferring sums and order to playing or daydreaming. Luckily, he catches a fortuitous case of ‘Imaginitis’, a condition where silly thoughts invade one’s head in a random manner and beg to be acted on.

Lofty’s Mission by Krista Bell
12 March, 2008
Harley has bred Lofty to be a champion racing pigeon, but the army needs strong pigeons to help them win the war. Krista Bell’s heart-warming story of a pigeon sent to join the army and be trained as a messenger pigeon is based on true events during the Second World War.

Hide and Seek by Irini Savvides & Owen Swan
12 March, 2008
A beautifully balanced colour palette of red, mint green and sepia adds a wistful, slightly nostalgic flavour to this book, marrying nicely with the poignancy of the text as a little boy searches to rediscover his connection to his dead grandfather.

The Firefighters by Sue Whiting
12 March, 2008
Opening with a lovely celebration of imaginative play, The Firefighters follows a group of small children deeply involved in a pretend game of rushing to put out a shop fire. Vivid and highly effective pictures and text successfully communicate the energy and excitement of the game.

Dancing With Grandma by Rosemary Mastnak
12 March, 2008
Spare on words but strong on pictures, this delightful picture book for young readers is full of life, joy and warmth, and has obviously been a labour of love.

Columbia Sneezes by Janeen Brian, illus. by Gabe Cunnett
12 March, 2008
Janeen Brian is an expert at rhyming text, which never sounds forced and is always fresh, lively and full of rhythm. She is also an expert on camels, having written the award-winning book Hoosh! Camels in Australia.

Collecting Colour by Kylie Dunstan
12 March, 2008
Rose and Olive are best friends. They live in the Top End of the Northern Territory of Australia. Collecting Colour depicts the girls as they accompany live’s (Indigenous) family on a special trip to collect pandanus leaves, which they then dye and weave into coloured baskets, mats and bags.

Goon Town by John Larkin
10 January, 2008
Goon Town follows the adventures of four unlikely friends as they uncover a unique way to get ahead on their school project. After several attempts at getting along and trying to start their project, Dermot, Jade, Leon and Paige stumble across a time machine invented by the mysterious Professor Snodgrass who has recently disappeared and is nowhere to be seen.