The Verse Novels of Kathryn Apel

The Verse Novels of Kathryn Apel Author Interview “Why can’t we all just be friends?” (Too Many Friends) Australia is a leader in verse novels for young readers and Kathryn Apel is one of our major writers in the field. Kathryn’s engaging and affirming verse novels, Bully on the Bus (2014), On Track (2015), Too […]

Social Queue by Kay Kerr

Kay Kerr made a splash in 2020 with her YA debut novel Please Don’t Hug Me and I interviewed her then at PaperbarkWords. Kerr has a new YA novel, Social Queue (clever title), published this month. Both novels are from Text Publishing. She tells us about it here: I started writing Social Queue, my new […]

Exit Through the Gift Shop by Maryam Master

Exit Through the Gift Shop by Maryam Master, illustrated by Astred Hicks Exit Through the Gift Shop is a stand-out middle-fiction novel for mature children in upper primary and for readers in junior secondary school. The combined title and cover are eye-catching. The voice of 12-year-old Ana is striking, memorable and, surprisingly, even funny as […]

Scary Bird & Grump!

Picture Book Highlights from Scholastic Scary Bird by Michel Streich Grump! by Jonathan Bentley Two picture books recently published by Scholastic Australia offer important messages in compelling ways. They both use animal characters and telling humour. With verve and insight, both books share scenarios children that will no doubt encounter. Scary Bird by Michel Streich […]

The F Team by Rawah Arja

“You’re an Arab from Punchbowl. No one will believe you.” (The F Team) The F Team is a compelling new YA novel set mainly in Western Sydney by Rawah Arja (published by Giramondo). It is impossible to put down because of its portrayal of a visceral masculinity and physicality inhabited by authentic, lively characters. It […]

Starting Secondary School: The Essential Handbook for every Australian family by Michael Carr-Gregg & Sharon Witt

Starting Secondary School (Penguin Random House Australia) by child and adolescent psychologist and founder of Canteen, Michael Carr-Gregg and experienced teacher and founder of the Resilient Kids Conference, Sharon Witt is a practical, easy-to-read guide. It is aimed at parents with a child entering Year 7 in secondary school but is also useful for parents […]