My Brother Finch

My Brother Finch by Kate Gordon (Simon and Schuster) ISBN: 978064586937 RRP $17.99

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

How do you continue your life when a member of your family disappears?

Wren is about to begin high school. She should be excited and looking forward to this milestone event. But it’s been three long years since she saw her younger brother and now everyone knows her as the girl whose brother went missing.

Gordon has created a tender story about older sister, Wren, who doesn’t quite know how to move on without her younger brother, Finch. Nobody knows what happened to him. Or to another girl Ava who also disappeared on the same day, in the same place as Finch. Her family were wealthy and got most of the attention. Finch was slowly forgotten.

Gordon doesn’t shy away from the sadness felt in different way by all members of the family. Nor does she avoid the guilt that weighs heavily on this young character. Gordon’s masterful writing tackles both strong issues of guilt and depression with care and consideration that creates an even bigger impact on the reader.

The story is told through Wren’s point of view, but scattered throughout the story are conversations she has with her missing brother. This clever and unique approach is used by Gordon to facilitate conversations between Wren and her brother. He tries to encourage Wren to make friends with the new girl, Freddie, check up on the other strangely quiet girl Ava, and most importantly, keep living her life. There is also a third narrative as Wren’s wrestles with her subconscious and the conversations she has with herself. All three are carefully constructed with just enough conversation that it doesn’t slow the overall storyline down; instead supports it to move forward. Each dialogue included has a distinct voice, along with a certain font printed within the book which is helpful and enjoyable.

This story will keep you curious until the very end. It will also pull on your heart strings. Keep some tissues handy!

My Brother Finch is suitable for a 12+ year-old readership.

The Other Shadow

The Other Shadow by Tania Ingram ISBN: 9781761203251 Scholastic RRP $15.99

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Thomas has a friend that only he can see, a shadow that supports Thomas whenever he needs it, especially since his dad died. But what will happen if the shadow disappears? How will Thomas cope?

Thomas has the weight of the world on his shoulders as he tries to look after his younger sister, especially when his mother spirals out of control. She suffers from mental health challenges and the effects on the two children range from forgetting to buy food to unwashed clothes to leaving her children alone for days.

Ingram has tackled several big hitting topics in this book and has done so with compassion and sensitivity. Topics like neglect, mental health, child protection and foster care are very real topics and much needed conversations about some of our most vulnerable people, yet they are rarely found so eloquently within young adult storylines. Ingram has responded to these gritty and uncomfortable areas through the creation of a beautiful young character called Thomas, whose strength and vulnerability is portrayed in a heart wrenching combination.

Thomas tries to be a good son for his mum when she is well but is even more desperate to be a good older brother for his sister Tilly when his mum is unwell. It is often around these moments that the other shadow quietly arrives and provides support and guidance for Thomas. The introduction of the other shadow to Thomas’s world after his dad dies is a beautiful metaphor that the reader can interpret in many ways. It would be a great discussion point for secondary school age readers or any book club.

Ingram has also woven some strong supporting characters into the storyline. But the strength in her storytelling shines in the way she addresses Mum’s mental health challenges. It is very well done and sensitive. This story will break your heart and raise you up again and again. Make sure you have the tissue handy!

While The Other Shadow uses a younger main character, the mature themes of child protective services and mental health issues might mean some confronting storylines. For this reason, I suggest The Other Shadow is suitable for a mature 12+ year-old readership.

Liar’s Test

Liar’s Test by Ambelin Kwaymullina (Text Publishing) RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781922790873

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

The Risen Kingdom needs a new queen, and Bell Silverleaf is one of the chosen to compete for the honour. But first she needs to work out who to trust and what she really wants.

Seven girls are selected to compete in a series of challenges that, if they survive, will narrow down who will rule across the Risen Kingdom for the next twenty-five years. Bell doesn’t really want rule. What she wants is revenge against those who hurt her people, the Treesingers. But if she takes this opportunity, she might just be able to have her revenge as well.

Kwaymullina has created an intricate fantasy world full of mystery, history, intrigue and action. The main character Bell has different shades of toughness, strength, kindness and vulnerability. A perfect combination! The journey created by Kwaymullina for Bell Silverleaf enables her to show these wonderful traits in her character. For that reason, the careful and detailed writing to craft this character mean that as the reader, you really hope Bell succeeds in all the challenges.

The storyline moved quickly between high stakes action, important details surrounding events, increased stakes and drawing all the threads of the storyline together to work out where it was going. It really keeps the reader guessing page after page.

Liar’s Test is book one in the Silverleaf chronicles. There is no release date for the next book as yet, but it will definitely be worth the wait! Inspired by strength and power of Aboriginal women, this story will keep the reader mesmerised by the fantasy world and every character in it.

Liar’s Test is suitable for a 12+ year-old readership. 

Nanny Piggins and the Origin Story

Nanny Piggins and the Origin Story by RA Spratt (Penguin Books) PB RRP$16.99 ISBN9781761340024

Prepare yourself for the greatest story about a farmyard tale ever told. When Mother Piggins leaves the family story for a job on a yacht, the Piggins piglets are faced with two options: fend for themselves… or become bacon sandwiches. Luckily, Sarah Piggins is no ordinary piglet.

An amazing lemon meringue pie makes Sarah the most sought-after baker in the region, and their future is looking up. But when her no-good siblings sell all the cakes to visit the local circus without her, Sarah is forced to use all her agility and cunning to punish them. Her spectacular feat captures the eye of the world’s most despicable ringmaster, and Sarah’s fate – and that of the circus crew – is changed forever.

The is the prequel to Spratt’s The Adventures of Nanny Piggins and the ten subsequent books in the series. A funny standalone novel.

Mushrooms Know

Mushrooms Know by Kallie George, illustrated by Sara Gillingham (Greystone Kids) HB RRP $29.99 ISBN 9781778400773

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Mushrooms Know is a fun nonfiction picture book about the many and varied mushroom species and their unique ability to ‘know’ how to survive and thrive. The fabulous facts are plentiful and include an interesting insight into the fungi world. Children will learn many things, including: there are more than 30,000 species of mushrooms; unlike green plants mushrooms do not use sunlight to make their food; and many mushrooms have an extensive underground network that works to help nourish trees and share chemical messages with its plant partners.

The book’s text is presented in two parts on each double page spread. The larger font shares basic facts about what ‘mushrooms know’ and the smaller font offers more descriptive information to expand on these facts.

The illustrations are created using a bright and vibrant colour palette that would appeal to a young audience. The cartoon-style mushrooms are presented as anthropomorphic tying in nicely with the ‘mushrooms know’ text. Over 50 types of mushrooms are illustrated throughout the book and are labelled with their species name.

Mushrooms Know is an informative picture book that would appeal to children aged 4-8 who love learning about science and nature. Ultimately, the early childhood audience will learn that “mushrooms play a vital role in life cycles and creating healthy ecosystems.”

The book concludes with a ‘Did You Know?’ section that includes more fun facts, and a reminder to never eat or touch any mushrooms you find.

The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage

The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage by Charlie Archbold (Text Publishing) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN 9781922790996

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

The Sugarcane Kids from far north Queensland are back again with another mystery to solve. This time they are in search of lost animals. Firstly, Old Jean’s hand-raised eclectus parrot goes missing. Then, the library’s beloved pet scrub python disappears. While many townsfolk believe these animals have innocently escaped their enclosures, Andy, Eli, Harvey, Bernie and Fletch start to suspect that they have been stolen, and feared to be headed for illegal trade. The kids know that these protected animals need special care and are on a mission to find them asap!

This fun action-packed adventure story is suitable for readers aged 8 years and older. Its themes include protection of native wildlife, community, friendship, and bravery.

The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage is the second novel in a middle grade adventure series. The first book in the series, The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat, has received multiple awards including Winner of The Reading’s Children’s Prize 2022 and Winner of the 2023 Davitt Award for Best Children’s Novel. The third book in the series, The Sugarcane Kids and the Smelly Fish, is due for release in 2025.

Waiting for Santa

Waiting for Santa by Lucy Cochran & Heidi McKinnon (Allen & Unwin) HB PB RRP $19.99 ISBN 9781760526719

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks 

Lucy Cochran is an award-winning advertising professional who lives in Melbourne with her husband and two daughters. 

Heidi McKinnon is a children's book author and illustrator from Melbourne. She has a background in art and design and creates books that are bright and fun. Mc Kinnon has received numerous award nominations.

Having a family photo taken with Santa is one of the best things about Christmas! But if the line is long and your legs are little, and you are not good at waiting, something is bound to happen.

Lucy Cochran has created a unique Christmas story about what many families do at Christmas time - have a family photo with Santa. The opening spreads introduce where the family is going and what they are doing. Ren and Harry have spent all morning writing their lists for Santa. ‘C’mon kids! Time to go,’ Mum shouts again, ‘Santa is waiting!’ The dialogue is true to real life and the adult and child voices are distinct and spot on. I love the creation of mischief when Harry decides to sneak Moloko the cat along. It adds such an element of fun and drama.

Cochran shines a light upon the efforts that parents make for their children. ‘Seven thousand elf steps until Santa?’ says Ren. ‘Don’t worry, elves have little legs,’ says Mum. ‘But I have little legs, too,’ sighs Harry. The word choices are cute, adorable and on theme. The story builds with the trip to the shops and the long, long line and then Harry lets the cat out. The story entices the reader to page turn to find out more. The ending brings smiles and is satisfying because Cochran has shared the creative space with Mc Kinnon.

Heidi Mc Kinnon’s unique style works well with this text. The colour palette is Christmasy and bright. Mc Kinnon’s trademark sense of play appears. Perspective zooms in and out and I love that it highlights kids are little and adults are big. The funny facial expressions of Moloko the cat are eye-catching. Mc Kinnon brings into play the busyness of life and this time of year. The illustrations on certain spreads are busy with weaving, looping roads, lines and lines of people, escalators full of people going up and down and a crowded shopping centre. Attention to detail shows in the layout of the book and how the spreads match and enhance the text. Without spoiling the ending it is a good one with Moloko the cat a standout winner.

Waiting for Santa is a fun Christmas picture book for children 3-6 who will enjoy seeing a beloved Christmas tradition in story.  Preschool and Infants teachers will enjoy using this book at the end of the school year and parents will find it appealing too. This book may find itself in quite a few Christmas stockings too.