Girls Stuff

Girls Stuff by Sue Lawson (black dog books)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 9781742031712
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

The Dream Diva contest is over and Mickey Farrell now has the gig of co-hosting Girls Stuff TV with Dream Diva winner and friend Skye. The girls' excitement is tempered with the discovery that Coco, or Mini-Freak as Mickey has dubbed her, arrives on set due to legal shenanigans.

Girls will love following Mickey and Skye through the process of recording their debut TV program. the clothes, make-up, filming at a theme park and the 'diva-ish' antics of Coco as she attempts to upstage Mickey and Skye at every opportunity.

Mickey Farrell is a wonderful heroine who loves singing and is always supportive of the other girls. This series for younger readers is fun and easy to read and comes recommended.

Going Solo

Going Solo by Sue Lawson (black dog books)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 9781742031682
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

Going Solo is the third title in the Diva series for younger readers by award-winning author Sue Lawson. The hero of the story Mickey Farrell is continuing on her quest to win the Dream Diva competition. Along the way she makes friends and encounters the best and the worst in people. I love how Mickey considers others and although Dream Diva is her ultimate goal she is not prepared to step on others to achieve it.


Going Solo has all the zip and fun of the previous two books in the series. In fact, with each book, I like the characters even more. It is wonderful that a book for newly competent readers or reluctant readers incorporates character development as well as fast action and snappy dialogue.

Going Solo is the perfect book for young fans of Australian Idol and similar shows and is great value at $7.99.  I expect that the shelves of many younger readers will include the whole series.

Rising Star

Rising Star by Sue Lawson (black dog books)
PB RRP $7.99
ISBN 9781742031682
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

Rising Star is the second title in the popular Diva series, re-released for 2011. Mickey Farrell has reached round two of the Diva competition and things are heating up. Mickey is a very likeable protagonist who is keen to win and fulfil her dream of becoming a singing star but, unlike some of her co-contestants, is always aware of supporting the other girls. She has been reunited with her friend Erin and her nemesis Coco. Tricks abound, and friendships falter and are put right.

Lawson writes in a very easy style and telling the story first-person, present tense draws the reader into the fast-paced action immediately. Primary school girls are bound to love the Diva series and will recognise many of the characters and are sure to relate to Mickey.