The Grey Berets Guide to Surviving the Odds

The Grey Berets Guide to Surviving the Odds by Anna Battese (Affirm Press) PB RRP $22.99 ISBN 9781923135352

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Odie Gusberry-Smith is an eleven-year-old with big worries. In fact, her anxiety keeps her housebound. She is homeschooled and lives primarily in her attic bedroom with her cat, Knuckles, and her messenger pigeons, Pudding and Plonk, who deliver her homework and library books.

One day, she receives an unexpected delivery: a parcel from an anonymous sender. It includes a letter, a beret and a book. The book is titled The Grey Berets Guide to Surviving the Odds, Volume One, and the note advises her to follow its guidelines, as they may save her life. It also highlights the Grey Berets’ motto: PREPARE FOR THE WORST. IT IS SURELY PREPARING FOR YOU. This book is right up Odie’s alley, especially now that her dad wants to take her on a cruise, which she is predicting to be a complete disaster.

The Grey Berets Guide to Surviving the Odds is the first instalment of an upcoming middle-grade trilogy. The humorous tale is packed with adventure and chaos and includes themes of anxiety, resilience and friendship.

 

Hafsa’s Way

Hafsa’s Way by Aisha Saeed (Text Publishing) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN 9781923058958

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Hafsa lives in a small village in Pakistan and dreams of becoming a doctor. Her parents are very traditional and conservative, and they frown upon her career aspirations and her request to attend a 4-week Summer Science Camp in Lahore (Pakistan’s second-largest city).

Hafsa is delighted when the opportunity to attend the camp comes to fruition. However, she is soon disappointed to realise that this year's focus is on climate change, not medicine. As Hafsa enjoys learning, she intends to make the most of the course. On an excursion to the zoo, she encounters a lone elephant in a small enclosure, its leg chained. Hafsa ruminates on the horrible situation, and it becomes the catalyst for change.

Hafsa’s Way is a middle-grade fiction novel and a companion book to Amal Unbound and Omar Rising. Its themes include female empowerment, determination, and activism. Hafsa’s Way is inspired by a true story and is highly recommended for readers who enjoy inspirational narratives.

It’s a Twin Thing: The Break Up

It’s a Twin Thing: The Break Up by Kristin Darell, illustrated by A. Yi (Penguin Random House) PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 9781761353598

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Identical twins Abi (Abigail) and Brook (Brooklyn) attend Cherry Lake Primary School. They describe themselves as an unstoppable and inseparable team. Until now. Heading into Year 5, it was decided that Abi and Brook should be in separate classes so they can ‘explore different opportunities’, discover ‘who [they] can be apart’ and to ‘have a bit of space.’ However, the distance between them begins to grow when Brook decides to organise the school talent show on her own.

The Break Up is the first book in the It’s a Twin Thing middle-grade series. The 204-page text includes the main narrative, complemented by diary entries from both girls, and the occasional monochrome illustrations. Themes include change, individuality, growth mindset, and resilience.

Author Kristin Darell, a twin herself, has created a fun reality fiction series that would appeal to an audience aged 8 years and older. If readers enjoyed The Break Up, they may also like The Big Switch, the second book in the series.

The Sunbird: Young readers’ edition

The Sunbird: Young readers’ edition by Sara Haddad, illustrated by Baraa Awoor (University of Queensland Press) PB RRP $14.99
ISBN 9780702271076

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

In 2025, Nabila sits in the park with a young friend she met during recent marches for Palestine. She has promised curious 10-year-old Zane that she would share her ‘Nakba story’ (the 1948 mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians). Nabila, now in her eighties, begins her story ‘Once upon a time, I was a little girl in Palestine, and everything was beautiful…’

Nabila recounts her early years living in a two-room stone-and-mud house in a small village. She was an inquisitive five-year-old and desperate to go to school; however, as she wasn’t yet old enough, she spent her days doing chores, dreaming, exploring the village, climbing olive trees, and playing with her animals. Her happiest memory was meeting Khalil, a boy her own age, someone she could play with.

One day, Nabila overheard talk about Palestine being divided and a new country to be formed within it. Young Nabila didn’t understand but sensed the unease. By June 1948, bombs started dropping, forcing families to flee their homes. Soon after, soldiers patrolled her village, making sure no one returned to their houses. Scared and confused, moving on foot through difficult terrain, Nabila and her family were forced out of their country with no place to go.

The Sunbird: Young readers’ edition has been adapted from Sara Haddad’s critically acclaimed debut adult novel. This middle-grade historical fiction novel is suitable for readers aged 9 years and older. Its themes include war, dispossession and displacement, resilience, belonging and cultural identity. 

Phoenix

Phoenix by Kimberley Brubaker Bradley (Text Publishing) PB RRP $22.00 ISBN 9781923058774

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Eleven-year-old Harper’s world has just turned upside down. She has just moved from a large city to a small rural town, following her parents unexpected separation. Everything is new and a stark contrast to what she is used to. Harper now lives with her mother and the family dog in a tiny house next to horse stables… and she isn’t even sure if she likes horses!

One Saturday morning when Harper is home alone and the stables are empty, drivers of a fully loaded ‘kill truck’ dump a severely neglected and emaciated horse in the paddock adjacent to her house. Harper insists that the drivers sign the horse over to her indefinitely. The condition of the horse is unfathomable, and Harper knows nothing about caring for horses, but she is determined to do everything she can to help it return to good health. She names the horse Phoenix as she believes it will come back from the brink of death.

Phoenix is the first book in the upcoming Ride On series, suitable for middle grade readers. This heart-warming narrative is recommended for animal lovers aged 9 years and older who enjoy realistic fiction. Themes include change, hope, determination, perseverance, friendship and family.

Running Wild! (Ninja Girl 3)

Running Wild! (Ninja Girl 3) by Anh Do, illustrated by James Hart (Scholastic) HB RRP $18.00

ISBN 9781760269067

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Niki is an ordinary girl who lives an ordinary life, except that she inherited ninja skills from her biological father. These skills come in handy, especially when taking on the evil Dr Kane, who is trying to run people out of Green Valley so that he can turn the town into a mine to search for lucrative ‘space gems’.

Niki (Ninja Kid) has an upcoming school excursion to the zoo, and her cat, Connor (Karate Kitten), is begging to go. Of course, cats aren’t permitted on excursions, so the answer is ‘no’, until…. the discovery of Mrs Gray’s ‘morph bracelet’ invention that helps turn Connor into a human.

The excursion to the zoo is not all smooth sailing. Niki experiments with the morph bracelet, which leads to some funny and embarrassing mishaps. Later, the pair realise that Dr Kane is at it again. As the sky turns grey and snow starts to fall, the animals grow into giant evil versions of themselves and break out of their enclosures to terrorise the patrons.

Running Wild! (Ninja Girl 3) is a humorous, action-packed, highly illustrated chapter book for readers aged 7 years and older. The full-colour cartoon illustrations and short text on each page would also appeal to reluctant readers. Running Wild! is recommended for audiences who enjoy fast-paced, good-versus-evil storylines.

The Disappearing Circus

The Disappearing Circus by Kate Gordon and Helen Edwards (Riveted Press) PB RRP $17.99 ISBN 9781763526099

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Ivy and Emme are runaways, both heading north from their respective villages. Both girls are running from sadness, broken families, and broken hearts. Initially unknown to each other, the pair find themselves captured inside a scarlet red circus tent in the Midmoors.

 

The pair soon discover that this circus is a far cry from any ordinary circus. The Disappearing Circus is ‘all about the past and the never-was’. It is a captivating blend of ghosts, myths, extinct creatures, and children of the ‘real and now’, thanks to Ivy and Emme’s arrival.

Ivy and Emme are soon tasked with the overwhelming challenge of showcasing their talents to save the circus. However, both girls believe they have no distinguishing talents to attract the large crowds required. The girls learn and grow together by sharing their stories, facing their past, and keeping memories alive.

The Disappearing Circus is an imaginative and multi-layered middle grade novel seamlessly co-authored by Kate Gordon and Helen Edwards. The multiple themes include family, friendship, belonging, grief, courage, self-belief, hope, magic, and possibility.

Dexter Procter the 10-Year-Old Doctor

Dexter Procter the 10-Year-Old Doctor by Adam Kay, illustrated by Henry Paker (Penguin) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN 9780241668610

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Dexter Procter was a genius from the moment he was born. In fact, he spoke to the midwives who delivered him and he cut his own umbilical cord! Dexter finished school by the time he was five and could not wait to go to university so that his brain would not explode from boredom. However, all the professors he met with advised him that universities would not accept students until they were seventeen years old. Instead, Dexter sought out medical school where the age restriction didn’t exist and became a doctor at the age of ten. Dexter found his calling as a pediatrician, which pleased him immensely, but it was not all smooth sailing. It seems that Dr Drake, a jealous doctor, and Toby Tanner, his nemesis from primary school, are there to make his life miserable.

Dexter Procter the 10-Year-Old Doctor is a fun and entertaining 400-page novel that would appeal to readers aged 8 years and older who enjoy a good vs evil story line and plenty of toilet humour. The writing is broken up with monochrome cartoon illustrations throughout as well as annotated notes in the margins from Dexter himself, commenting on the interpretation of his life and the author’s word choices.

If readers like this book they may also enjoy Kay’s Anatomy: A Complete (and completely disgusting) Guide to the Human Body by the same author.

The Experiment

The Experiment by Rebecca Stead (Text Publishing) PB RRP $17.99
ISBN 9781923058576

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Nathan lives in New York with his mother, father, and cat Toto, but they are far from your average family. Nathan’s mother and father were born on planet Kast and came to Earth as part of an experiment to assess if they could, if necessary, permanently maintain human form on Earth. Thorough records are kept and are constantly reported back to the Kast leader. Nathan’s family and the 9 other Kast families are sworn to secrecy about their identity. The Kast families have been sent to live in different states, so once a month the ‘Kast kids’ meet online to chat. The children are forbidden to communicate to each other without a parent present; however, Nathan and Izzy find a way and eventually form a friendship.

When some of the kids start disappearing from the online meetings without explanation, Nathan gets curious. However, it is not until Nathan discovers he is growing a tail, and is summoned to the Kast mothership that he can no longer ignore his gut feeling that something sinister is happening. He develops a plethora of questions; questions that cannot remain unanswered.

The Experiment is a middle grade science fiction novel that would appeal to readers aged 9 years and older who enjoy original and imaginative stories. The book’s themes include identity, friendship, first crush, change and manipulation.

 

 

Catty Corner Pounces into Action

Catty Corner Pounces into Action by Julie Murphy, illustrated by Eve Farb (New South Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781454956495

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Something terrible is happening at Friends Hollow Elementary School. Food is going missing, and whoever is taking it is leaving quite a mess! First, it is the macaroni sculptures from the preschool room that have been eaten, then it is the students’ food from the snack pantry that has vanished. Third graders Catty (half cat/half girl) and her two besties, Bebe and Jo, are determined to get to the bottom of it. The trio set about finding the culprit before the school’s Meatball Mania fundraising night, and in the process learn some important lessons about friendship.

Catty Corner Pounces into Action is a chapter book suitable for readers aged 6 years and older. The large text is broken up by full-colour illustrations scattered throughout the book. This fun mystery narrative includes themes of friendship, identity, and acceptance.

If readers like this book, they may also enjoy Catty Corner Lands on Her Feet.

Summer, in Between

Summer, in Between by Holly Cardamone (Hawkeye Publishing) PB RRP $29.99 ISBN 9781923105591

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Caterina (Cat) Kelty is a determined seventeen-year-old girl about to embark on her final year of high school. She is looking forward to spending her summer holidays studiously reading and preparing for year 12, and, as her best friends are away, this plan seems feasible. That is, until half of her school booklist doesn’t arrive, and the local heartthrob comes to help her dad with a renovation at her house. 

Despite wanting no distractions, there is never a dull moment in the Kelty household. With two younger brothers, an interfering Nonna, a dad who has hired a distractingly gorgeous apprentice, and a mother who just wants her to have fun, Cat’s summer is far from what she had planned.

Summer, in Between is a humorous young adult novel set in a small coastal town. It is suitable for readers aged 15 years and older who enjoy coming-of-age romance narratives. However, it must be noted that it contains coarse language. The book’s themes include first love, trust, family, identity, misogyny, feminism, stereotyping, and casual racism. 

Red Flags

Red Flags by Sophie Jo (Scholastic) PB RRP $22.99 ISBN 978176172112

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Poppy knows what she wants in a boyfriend and does not settle for less. In fact, she has created a ‘dream man’ list of all the qualities she is looking for in a partner. Cam has never been in an enduring relationship as he always focuses on what isn’t working and ends relationships prematurely. 

 

Poppy and Cam’s fussy worlds collide when they are both secretly challenged by their respective friends to make their next relationship work. Despite an initial interest by both parties, neither Poppy or Cam could care less after the first date. However, as neither can be the one to end things due to their challenge, it results in a comedic conundrum.

 

Red Flags is a young adult romantic comedy written with the alternating narrative voices of Poppy and Cam. If 2003 film How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and 1999 film 10 Things I Hate About You had a narrative baby… this novel would be it!

Juniper’s Painting

Juniper’s Painting by Catherine Bauer, illustrated by Jennifer Horn (Wombat Books) HB RRP $26.99 ISBN 9781761112409

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Young Juniper stares out of the window at her beloved beach. She longs to play on the sand and discover washed up treasures. However, it is too cold, wet, and windy to play outside so she is forced to stay indoors. When Juniper runs out of things to do inside, her busy mum requests that she paint her a picture. Juniper uses her imagination and artistic talent to paint what she would like the beach to look like outside her window. When her artwork is complete, her mum points out a lovely surprise waiting for her.

The ink and watercolour illustrations complement the text well, and the changing colour palette beautifully reflects the changing moods throughout the story. The artwork appears as a combination of spot illustrations, vignettes, single pages, and double-page spreads. The contrasting endpapers are a great talking point for young readers.

Juniper’s Painting is a lovely picture book suitable for an early childhood audience. The narrative’s themes include disappointment, patience, independent play, imagination, and creativity.

The Lies We Tell Ourselves

The Lies We Tell Ourselves by Maura Pierlot (Big Ideas Press) PB RRP $22.99

ISBN 9780645099836

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Harley is struggling with the recent death of her nan as well as her parent’s deteriorating marriage. Despite this, she is looking forward to starting Year 10 and, even though her best friend did not contact her over the school break, she is optimistic about the year ahead. Harley sets her intentions for the year: get a job, get a boyfriend, get a life.

 

When Harley establishes a friendship with Carter, the hot new guy at school, she cannot help but imagine a future with him as her boyfriend. However, her critical inner voice tells her she needs to lose weight and reinvent herself. Harley’s hopes are high. But, why is her manifesting failing? Why are her friendships crumbling? Why is everything going wrong?

 

The Lies We Tell Ourselves is a young adult novel about staying true to yourself and the futile nature of seeking approval from others. This coming-of-age narrative is written in the first person by 15-year-old Harley and gives off 2004, American teen comedy film, Mean Girl vibes. Its themes include body image, toxic friendships, first love, belonging, family dynamics and grief. The Lies We Tell Ourselves is recommended for an audience aged 13 years and older.

Clamory: The Magic of Adeline Black

Clamory: The Magic of Adeline Black by Sue-Ellen Pashley (Hawkeye Publishing) PB RRP $22.9 ISBN 9781923105256

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Thirteen-year-old Adeline Black lives in Camellia, a tea-growing nation where magic is despised and outlawed. Since the death of her parents when she was two years old, Adeline has lived with her grandparents. The expectation is that she will one day inherit the family’s tea plantation and take over her grandmother’s well-respected role of Madame Overseer of the Tea Association. However, that changes when it is discovered that Adeline has magic, a trait her mother had.

Adeline is sent away to Clamory, a nation where magic is celebrated. The plan is for Adeline to stay with her mother’s family for six months, then return to Camellia once she has learned to control and hide her magical powers.

New to Clamory and new to magic, Adeline soon becomes overwhelmed. However, things only get worse when her rare magic is revealed to all. Adeline becomes the talk of the town, and the council has grand plans for her future. High expectations are placed upon Adeline, and it becomes apparent that she has a preordained role, whether she stays in Clamory or returns to Camellia. All Adeline wants is the choice to determine her own future.

Clamory: The Magic of Adeline Black is an upper middle grade fantasy novel recommended for readers aged 10 years and older who enjoy 

The Most Boring Book Ever

 

The Most Boring Book Ever by Brandon Sanderson, illustrated by Kazu Kibuishi (Scholastic) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN 9781761641787

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

The Most Boring Book Ever is a humorous picture book intended for an audience aged 4 years and older. The text is short and sweet, and yes, very boring. A single simple sentence appears on each double-page spread and includes examples such as ‘A boy sat in a chair’, ‘Next the boy looked at the clouds’, and ‘Then the boy thought about laundry’. However, the illustrations tell a different narrative. The contrasting story told through pictures depicts the boy lifted on his chair into a world of fantasy that includes fighting off people in strange flying contraptions, avoiding fire-breathing dragons, and flying over the turrets and rooftops of an old cobblestoned town.

The book cover includes a striking gold embossed title and an intriguing yellow eye peeking through a rip in the top corner which would entice young children. The cartoon-like illustrations are colourful, detailed, and action-packed and are sure to capture the imagination of an early childhood audience. This book is certainly not a great option as an audiobook as visual literacy skills and conversations between the reader and audience are required to enjoy it to its fullest potential.

Brandon Sanderson is an American best-selling author of fantasy, science fiction, and thriller novels. Kazu Kibuishi is a Japanese-born American graphic novel author and illustrator best known for his Amulet series for middle-grade readers. 

One Word and a Bird

One Word and a Bird by Stephen Michael King (Scholastic) HB RRP $26.99

ISBN 9781761520860

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

One Word and a Bird is a multi-faceted picture book that will capture the imaginations of an audience aged 5 years and older. The narrative follows a genderless and nameless child on a solo journey ‘a long way from home.’ During their adventure, the child searches for a singular word that describes how they feel or what they are experiencing at that moment. Using their extensive vocabulary, they list a few striking synonyms, but nothing seems quite right. The child meets some animals along the way and despite the language differences they make a connection and join in the journey. Finally, his search for words and meaning ends when he returns home and finds what he is looking for.

This heart-warming tale conveys that love and kindness do not need words, they are felt with the heart. Beautiful moments and wonderful connections are happening all the time whether we have the precise words to describe them or not. What is most important is that we stay present to fully experience them.

The illustrations are created using watercolour and ink and a soft colour palette. The artwork appears as a combination of spot illustrations, single pages, and double-page spreads. The captivating endpapers and a scattering of wordless double-page spreads will encourage conversation and interpretation.

One Word and a Bird is a multi-layered narrative that is highly recommended for an audience who likes to think critically and creatively about what they read. As well as a beautiful story to read aloud, this book would be a great resource to use in the primary classroom when studying literary devices, synonyms, and tier two vocabulary.

Golden

Golden by Jade Timms (Text Publishing) PB RRP $22.99

ISBN 9781923058354

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Golden is a coming-of-age story written in the first person by seventeen-year-old Eddie (Edwina). Eddie lives in a small coastal town in southern NSW where the local teenagers are highly sociable and enjoy spending their free time at the beach and at house parties. Since a tragic accident a few years prior, Eddie prefers not to socialise especially if the group includes her twin brother Pat or her ex-best friend Hazel. Eddie spends her time equally between working at Just Juice, training for the Mud Run, and caring for her older sister who lives alone. However, her interest in socialising piques when the new boy Howl starts paying her attention.

Golden is a beautifully written young adult novel that takes you on an emotional journey with Eddie, a flawed but relatable protagonist. It explores themes of grief, trauma, first love, and complex family dynamics. Golden is highly recommended for mature audiences aged 15 years and older.

Me and You

Me and You by Ellie Royce, illustrated by Penelope Pratley (Ford Street Publishing) HB RRP $27.95

ISBN 9781922696502

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Me and You is a sweet picture book for an early childhood audience that celebrates the special bond between grandchildren and grandparents.

The narrative is told with alternating perspectives from the grandchild and grandparent. The young child’s voice is in blue text while the grandparent's voice appears in black text. In the beginning, the story highlights differences between the old and the young. Later, the book depicts many ‘me too’ moments, highlighting the similarities between them. Despite any similarities or differences, all their interactions show how much they love spending time together.

The illustrations have been created using pencil and watercolour and appear as a combination of single pages, double-page spreads as well as spot illustrations.

Me and You may be equally enjoyed in the home or the early years classroom.

Miffy and the Artists

Miffy and the Artists by Mercis Publishing, illustrated by Dick Bruna (Thames & Hudson Ltd) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9780500653784

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Miffy and the Artists celebrates 70 years of Miffy, its Dutch creator Dick Bruna, and 24 famous artists that influenced Bruna’s craft. Miffy, one of the most recognisable children’s book characters in the world, was first published in 1955 and now boasts over 120 books.

This 64-page picture book has been created for children aged 2-6 years, and older children who have grown up enjoying the Miffy series. This nonfiction book introduces its young audience to a range of famous artists including Henri Matisse, Johannes Vermeer, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, and Andy Warhol, among many others. It describes the connections between Bruna’s artwork and that of other famous artists who influenced Bruna as he grew as an artist himself.

The end of the book includes a ‘Meet Dick Bruna’ section and a ‘Meet the Artists’ section that provides more in-depth details about the artists and the work portrayed in the book. Miffy and the Artists is a great book for budding young artists who may be inspired to start creating their own characters and artworks.