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Sari, her brothers Perak and Netro and friend Raden set out to find both their parents who were washed away in a tsunami and the holy whale in order to find the answer to their village’s demise. 

As they walk through the forbidden forest strange deadly creatures attack. Killer butterflies and enormous Komodo dragons. Danger continues to haunt the group. 

What is the source of all this evil and danger? Who is behind it all? 

I enjoyed the fantastical creatures and the mysterious origins of the danger permeating the island. 

Recommended  for YA and adults. 

Published by Ink Rose Press 2020 

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin 

Sam, known to some as Honeybee, can’t believe someone else is at the other end of the bridge about to jump. 

Vic invites Sam to stay. He can stay as long as he likes but he can’t die. Sam sets out to make sure Vic doesn’t die either. 

Sam knows everything about him is wrong. He shouldn’t have been born, he wasn’t right and there is no hope. 

Vic is filled with grief. His wife’s dog died. 

How do these characters sort life? 

I enjoyed how the characters lives become more and more intertwined. Silvey presents characters with great sadness and great hope. It was a page turner.  

Recommended for YA 

Published by Allen & Unwin 2020 

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin 

A boy kicks his ball, and it flies high in the sky. Danger arrives from the sky and their father does his best to protect the family. The ball is ruined by falling buildings. 

The father tells the boys of a far of place where there is green grass and a new ball. 

They escape at night. The boat journey is very frightening, and they end up in tents behind a wire fence. 

The boy kicks his ball, but it goes over the fence. He needs someone’s help to play with his ball. 

I enjoyed the power of the story and the beautiful illustrations. 

Recommend or anyone sharing the plight of refugees and migrants with young children. 

Published by Scholastic Australia 2020 

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin 

There is a big hole in Aman’s life. Her father died. She misses him a lot. Milly is her new dog. Bullies frightened Aman at the local park. A stranger defends her and sends the bullies packing. 

Gurnam becomes part of her family. 

Aman spots a terrible grief in her new ‘grandfather’ that he doesn’t want to talk about it. 

At temple she hears one of the bullies gossiping about someone and realises at it Gurnam they are talking about. 

What does she hear? What is Gurnam’s grief about? Can Aman act quickly enough?  

I enjoyed the characters and the cultural insights. 

Recommended for MG and tweens and reluctant readers. 

Published by Barrington Stoke 2018 

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin 

Stacey is the good girl, well behaved, rule following. Her twin Laney is outgoing, sporty and definitely not a rule follower. Laney’s decision to go out with Tony, wear the necklace he gave her and get Stacey to cover for her turns their whole world upside down. 

The old people know things. Knowledge is earned not given. The old people are the final word. No-one is to go anywhere near The Mountain. 

Laney vanishes and Stacey is haunted by nightmares. These are a special link between the twins. Stacey decides she must follow the dreams. A life-threatening decision. What does she find? 

I enjoyed the rich characters. The book held me spellbound. 

Recommended for Tweens and YA 13+  

Published by UQP 2019 

Winner of the David Unaipon Award Shortlisted Book The Children’s Book of the Year Awards 

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin 

Kim thought the stranger who approached her was unusual and the story he told unbelievable. The conversation haunted Kim and she sought out family photos to validate the family history she knew. Only they didn’t. 

Who was her mother, who was she? Driven to distraction by it, isolated and frightened she travelled from Australia to the USA to meet the stranger again. The answers were not what she expected.

I enjoyed the tension of the story. 

Recommended for YA 15+ and adults. 

Published by Affirm Press 2018

Shortlisted for the Indie Book Awards 2019 Shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards Matt Richell Awards for New Writer of the Year 2019 Shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards General Fiction Book of the Year 2019 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards Winner 

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin 

Cordelia lives with her hat maker family. All have special talents and a bit of magic. Cordelia isn’t allowed to make hats yet. She hasn’t been awarded her special hatmakers’ pin. 

The king is behaving in a very strange manner and the princess has called for a set of special clothes to help with peace negotiations. Hatmakers, cobblers, dressmakers and all the town's skilled artisans are to make a special piece of clothing for the princess. 

A series of thefts and break-ins make everyone suspicious. Cordelia is caught with an urgent order and makes a hat even though she is not allowed. Trouble comes from all quarters. How does she help the princess? 

I enjoyed the complexity of the story. 

Recommended for Tweens 10-14 years 

Published by Puffin 2021 

Illustrated by Paola Escobar 

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin  

Ebony and her best friend Jay love being Eco Rangers. They appreciate nature and enjoy helping animals. A bushfire has destroyed a local forest, and Ebony finds a possum covered in ash. They take it to the vet hospital and are asked to help with its recovery. 

In the forest, they find evidence of campers. The cause of the bush fire is a mystery. Ebony and Jay set out to find the campers and the origins of the fire. What do they find?  

I enjoyed the tips on how to be safe around bushfires and how to care for wild animals. 

Recommended for MG 

Published by New Frontier Publishing 2020 

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin 

When Life Gives You Mangoes by Kereen Getten  Clara won’t go into the sea. Mum won’t let her go in without someone being there. Gaynor, her best friend, isn’t that friendly anymore. Rudy, the new girl in Sycamore, is exciting. 

Clara is angry. Gaynor causes all sorts of problems. Rudy doesn’t seem to mind. 

A game exploring her uncle’s house leads to Clara discovering more about herself, her family and her community. What does she discover? 

I enjoyed the Jamaican setting and the tropical feel of the whole story. 

Recommended for MG 

Published by Pushkin Children’s 2020 

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin 

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