REVIEWED BY GABRIEL, 13, NSW Jack’s Island by Norman Jorgensen, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781760992958 The publisher provided a review copy of this book. Jack’s Island is a short novel by Norman Jorgenson featuring a boy named Jack. Along with his friends Banjo and Dafty, Jack finds himself causing mischief on their small island village off the coast of Australia during World War II. One day, whilst exploring near the cliffs, Jack and Banjo stumble across a Japanese helmet and a rifle. Could this discovery be the invasion they have been anticipating? With Pearl Harbor already bombed just no ..read more

Deb Fitzpatrick writes for adults, young adults and children. She loves using stories from real life in her novels and regularly teaches creative writing to people of all ages. Deb’s own dog is a kelpie, who is absolutely not a failed sheep dog. Today we’re talking to Deb about her latest novel, Kelpie Chaos. From the publisher: A kelpie puppy is about to be sent to the pound and Eli knows he has to do something. After adopting the flame-chested kelpie, now named Zoom, the family falls in love, but they soon learn there’s a lot involved in raising a dog. Especially a working dog, who is hard ..read more

Cristy Burne writes fiction and nonfiction and her books are bursting with adventure, friendship, family, nature, science and technology. Cristy has worked as a science communicator for nearly 20 years across six countries. She has been a science circus performer, garbage analyst, museum writer, and atom-smashing reporter at CERN, but her all-time favourite job is working with kids to embrace the intersection between science, technology and creativity. Today we’re thrilled to be chatting with Cristy about her novel Into the Blue, illustrated by Amanda Burnett. From the publisher: Blair and h ..read more

REVIEWED BY ELIZABETH, 11, NSW Maddy McAllister: Shipwreck Detective (Aussie STEM stars series), story told by Deb Fitzpatrick, Wild Dingo Press, ISBN 9781925893823 Elizabeth received a review copy of this book. Six-year-old Maddy McAllister, a shipwreck detective, started her adventure in Wangi Falls – her favourite place to cool down. But then her parents took an unexpected turn. Maddy and her sister Ally changed schools and moved to Pine Creek for their father’s job. It was 225 kilometres from Darwin where they used to live. Then she moved closer to her grandparents because her father foun ..read more

Tracey Dembo writes books encouraging big questions, daring dreams and wild imaginations. She’s the author of two picture books: An A to Z of Dreaming Differently, illustrated by Lucia Masciullo, and This Book is a Time Machine, illustrated by Lucinda Gifford. Today we’re excited to chat to Tracey about This Book is a Time Machine! From the publisher: Guess what? You are holding a real-life time machine! You don’t believe me? I’ll show you! For a start, I wrote this blurb in the PAST. Yet, you are reading it in the PRESENT. And when you finish reading the blurb, it will be the FUTURE … The ..read more

REVIEWED BY MIA, 11, WA The First Summer of Callie McGee by A.L. Tait, Scholastic Australia Pty Ltd, ISBN 9781760260163 Mia received a review copy of this book. The First Summer Of Callie McGee is a fantastic book written by A.L Tait. In this book Callie and her family friends go on a traditional trip to Sawyers Point. Callie’s character is a kind of nerdy goody-two-shoes. She is quiet, warm and kindhearted. Callie seems to be one of those girls though who wants to be a popular cool kid and thinks that she needs to have a cool name “CJ”. Callie’s real name is really Calliope-Jean! Callie is c ..read more

Western Australian family-friendly event: Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy a morning of poetry and outdoor activities to  celebrate the release of Right Way Down, a brand new ⁠children’s poetry collection from WA authors.  Poetry readings; games; activities; light snacks; and book sales from Dymocks Subiaco. Some of the contributing authors will be there on the day for signings. WHEN: Saturday April 6th, 10:30am WHERE: Rankin Gardens, cnr Hamersley Rd and Rokeby Rd, Subiaco, WA BOOKINGS: FREE but required, via eventbrite ..read more

Emily Gale writes for children and for teenagers – you might know her novels I am out with Lanterns and The Other Side of Summer. Nova Weetman also writes for children and teenagers and you might have read some of her books, such as The Secrets We Keep and Sick Bay. Emily and Nova previously collaborated on Elsewhere Girls. Their latest book collaboration is Outlaw Girls, the second co-authored book by these authors. We’re thrilled to chat to them about Outlaw Girls today. Emily GaleNova Weetman From the publisher: Kate and Ruby live in the High Country in Victoria. They’re both daring, quick ..read more

Peter Carnavas is the creator of over twenty books, many of which have been shortlisted or won awards. Peter’s books have been translated into many languages. He lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Today we’re chatting about Leo and Ralph, his latest novel. From the publisher: Leo and Ralph have been best friends ever since Ralph flew down from one of Jupiter’s moons. But now Leo’s older, and Mum and Dad think it’s time to say goodbye to Ralph. When the family moves to a small country town, they hope Leo might finally make a real friend. But someone like Ralph is hard to leave behind ..read more

Allison Tait (A.L. Tait) is the internationally published bestselling author of adventure series The Mapmaker Chronicles, the Ateban Cipher novels, and the Maven & Reeve Mysteries. Today we’re chatting to A.L. Tait about her latest novel The First Summer of Callie McGee, a cosy mystery novel.  From the publisher: It’s the last summer before Callie starts high school and she’s been dragged along to yet another ‘family friends’ holiday. Determined to change her nerdy reputation, Callie sets out to make waves but nothing is quite as she expects. Her usual ally, Sash ..read more