Scarecrow Army
by Leon Davidson (Black Dog Books)

Some books you pick up and read about the ANZACs at Gallipoli and then just forget about them. Not Scarecrow Army — it left me thinking about the war. What was it like? What if I was there? It made me see and feel things other books wouldn’t let me see and feel.

I thought Scarecrow Army was a great book; it had facts, feelings and humour. When I picked up this book I was reluctant to put it down, it was so thrilling. The book switched between lots of different places so it got confusing sometimes. That’s why I would recommend this book for upper primary students.
Rating: 8/10

Kieran Douglas, WA

Seadragon Sea
by Margaret Spurling and Danny Snell (Working Title Press)

This is a counting up to ten book. The little sea dragon gets lost and all the
sea creatures help him find his way to the seagrass meadow. Readers will enjoy the colourful illustrations.
Rating: 8/10

Rohan Baldwin , Vic

Sebby, Stee, the Garbos and Me
by Jane Godwin and Andrew McLean (Puffin Aussie Bites)

If you love Christmas and love mischief this is the perfect book for you. At Christmas time, three boys and a duck called Sebastian make up a plan to stop rubbish being thrown all over their garden. They take some beer from the garbos before they collect it from the neighbourhood. But Sebastian ends up in the bin and is taken by the garbos to the tip. Can the boys and their helpers rescue him in time?
I thought this story was extraordinary! I recommend it for readers aged 8–11.
Rating: 9/10

Jake Williams, WA

Secrets: The Secret Life of David Mortimore Baxter
by Karen Tayleur (Black Dog Books)

This is a really great book! David is told a secret by his friend Smashing Smorgan, who is a famous wrestler. Smorgan mentions David on live TV and suddenly he is popular and everyone wants to tell David their secrets!

This book is quite humorous and it reminds me of my life a bit, for example, the way the people in the book act and some of things they do. I enjoyed the book a lot, although it’s a bit predictable. I would recommend this book for ages 8–11 and people who like funny stories or keeping secrets.
Rating: 7.5/10

Laura Bettinaglio, WA

I like this book because it shows you real sea creatures. I also liked it because it had lots of information. Read this book to find out about sea creatures’ food chains and look for the holes in the pages.
Rating: 10/10

Olivia Penning , Vic

Shutting the Chooks In
by Libby Gleeson and Ann James (Scholastic)

There’s a boy who has a farm with three dogs and seven chooks. Their names are Billie, Mossy, Millie, Bossy, Bright Eyes, Feather Hand and Big Red. The boy needs to shut the chooks in every night. One day one of the chooks goes missing. The illustrations are colourful and dramatic.
Rating: 10/10!

Tom Kellock, Vic

Sister Chick
by Meme McDonald (Allen & Unwin)

Sister Chick is about a little girl who can’t talk. All she can do is make the sound of the curlew. When she was tiny she used to wait for the sound of the curlew. As the years passed Eva would listen for their cry. One day it happens. She hears a cry. She races out of her house. Out the back of her yard she sees a dead curlew lying on the ground. She lies down, sleeps and dreams of faraway places. This is a beautiful story. The illustrations are in black and white and are really effective.

Chelsea Rowe, Vic

Sister Night and Sister Day
by Beth Norling (Allen & Unwin)

Ruby shook the tree because the tree told Ruby to. Ruby took the bread out of the oven because the bread told her to. One morning Ruby poked her finger. Then she saw a little house. She worked for a long time. Then she went home with a golden dress.

Amy Tran, SA

Sledged!/Tricked! (Maxx Rumble cricket series)
by Michael Wagner and Terry Denton (Black Dog Books)

This is a good and funny set of eight books about a season of cricket. There are eight teams and Maxx is the Stone Valley Saints’ captain. There are characters with funny names such as Lynn C Doyle and I Drew Nuffin.

In Tricked!, the Stone Valley Saints play the Outhouse Rodents in a remarkable episode where every trick in the book is used (or not) to determine who will end up on top of the ladder. In Sledged!, we see if Maxx can stand up and not get distracted against the Sproilt Bats. For ages 7+.
Rating: 8/10!

Samuel Kenny, Tas

Slinky Malinki’s Christmas Crackers
by Lynley Dodd (ABC Books)

The Christmas tree was a mess
Baubles and tinsel everywhere
Stars and bells and pretty little shells
All came crashing down
WHO DID IT?
Slinky Malinki!
We thought the pictures were brilliant!
Rating: 10/10

Room 19 (Years 1, 2, 3) Altona Gate Primary School, Vic

Sneila
by Paul Collins (Penguin)

Five kids have formed a group called Sneila (aliens spelt backwards). They have to defeat the aliens but no one will believe them. When their group starts disappearing they figure they’re being abducted. Kazuo is the last one to be abducted. Has he got a plan to save Sneila and the whole world?
I like books with UFOs and aliens, but this story is out of this world . . . in a good way! It’s a bit slow to begin with but once you get to the end it’s good. It has a bit of danger, a bit of comedy and a lot of action. For readers from 9 to 14.
Rating: 6.5/10

Michael Hodge, VIC

Snot Funny
by Josie Montano (Lothian)

Vinnie, who wants to be the biggest prankster in the world, plans revenge on the witch-cleaner-from-hell. Vinnie likes the way his bedroom is, rather than sparkling clean. He takes revenge by making snot sandwiches and writing notes in his diaries that he knows the witch-cleaner will read.
I enjoyed this book because I love humour. The highlight for me was learning to say ‘fart’ in nine different languages. This book would suit someone who likes pranks, humour and taking revenge on people. Recommended for readers from 10 to 13.
Rating: 10/10

Rachel Wong, VIC

So You Think You Know Lemony Snicket?
by Clive Gifford (Hodder)

Do you know Lemony Snicket? How many Unfortunate Events books have you read? This is a book full of questions on the Unfortunate Events. It gets your brain racing from one book to the next, trying to find the answer. There are three sections: ‘excruciatingly easy’ questions, ‘miserably easy’ questions and ‘tragically tough’ questions. This is a great book to read, especially if you like quizzes or something different. It would suit readers of 7 and older, but it would be best if you have read three or four of the Unfortunate Events books first.
Rating: 7/10

Shannon D’Onghia, SA

Specky Magee and the Boots of Glory
by Felice Arena and Garry Lyon (Puffin)

In this book, Specky gets a scholarship to attend Gosmore Grammar — a school for kids who want to play AFL. Gosmore Grammar is in a footy competition with Salisbury College. The match is played every 25 years and the winning school gets to keep Frederick Cooper’s football boots until the next Boots of Glory game.

Specky Magee and the Boots of Glory is entertaining and you learn a lot about AFL players. For kids who love footy, aged 10+.
Rating: 9/10.

Laura Jankovic, Vic

Specky Magee and the Great Footy Contest
by Gary Lyon and Felice Arena (Penguin)

This is a fantastic fiction book for children who follow Aussie Rules football. The main character, Simon ‘Specky’ Magee, is a very good 13-year-old footy player who plays for the Booyong High Lions under 14s. Specky comes face to face with a talented player by the name of Derek ‘Screamer’ Johnson (who’s quite mean) and they become worst enemies. The book is about friendship and football. It is very exciting, moving and a great read. Recommended for footy lovers from about the age of 6 and over (if they know their footy terminology). Rating: 11/10.

Harrison Shannon–Brown , Vic

In this book, there is a competition for kids who love footy. Specky wants to enter but who will be his partner ­ his best friends Robbo or Danny, or Johnny Cockatoo from the Northern Territory? At the end of Chapter 5 there is a mystery — something that will turn Specky’s world ‘upside down’.

I enjoyed this book because I really got stuck into it and I felt like I was there being Specky Magee. For readers 7+ who love footy or just love reading.
Rating: 9.5/10.

Erika Henriksen, Vic

Specky Magee and the Season of Champions
by Felice Arena and Garry Lyon (Puffin)

This is the third of the Specky Magee books but you could read it and understand it even if you haven’t read the other two yet. It is about Specky having an injury which should prevent him from playing football for a number of weeks. Specky, however, defies his parents and doctors and plays. His parents find out and not all goes to plan. There is also a romantic element to the story. Specky is given a great opportunity. Read it and find out more. A really great footy book that I highly recommend.
Rating: 9.5/10

Rachel Davies, Vic

Simon ‘Specky’ Magee is having trouble sleeping because of his knees so his parents decide they will take him to the doctor after school. Specky finds out he has Osgood–Schlatter disease, which may come to a very active person during a growth spurt. Specky is not allowed to play footy for seven weeks, which is a very difficult thing for him. Will he be able to last the distance?

This is a great book that tells you how to deal with things in life that may seem hard, but happen to all of us. For readers 7+.
Rating: 8/10.

Arika Hussain, Vic

Sprung Again
by Andrew Daddo (Mark Macleod Books)

Fergus, the main character, is a spoilt brat. He has a sister called Elizabeth and a brother called Clint. When he gets together with his brother, they are very big spoilt brats. This book is about a boy’s life and his different adventures. These include catching his sister with her boyfriend, making parachutes with his friends and using Mum’s undies and bras to make slingshots. I enjoyed this book because it was funny. It is suitable for anyone but probably better for boys of 10+.Rating: 5/10.

Hasret Ozturk, Vic

Spygirl #3: Nightmare
by Christine Harris (Omnibus)

Jesse Sharpe, secret agent, is on another mission. Jesse has to go undercover as Ellie Saunders at a science camp to find an evil child working for a group called Nimbus. Ellie has to meet a man named George to get more information on her task. Thus begins an interesting story of undercover work and what a spy goes through to achieve a mission. The book had an interesting storyline that made you want to keep reading. The characters were well described and the story kept you in suspense. However, some parts of the book were a bit hard to understand so it’s best to read the first two books first. Suitable for readers 10+.
Rating: 7/10.

Courtney Baker, Vic

Spygirl #4: Danger
by Christine Harris (Scholastic)

Jesse Sharpe is a child genius working for C2 (a secret organisation) on Operation IQ. She has to go where no adult can go and is on an assignment to stop Nimbus (the bad secret organisation) and if she doesn’t get it right, the whole town will be infected with anthrax and 90 per cent of the people may die. This book is a mystery. I think that kids of any age would like it. It was a great read. I like mysteries and I enjoyed this one.
Rating: 8/10.

Kelli McGlone, Vic

Stegosaur Stone
by Patricia Bernard (Scholastic Australia)

A story about three teenagers being hunted by a national crime gang, Stegosaur Stone is a great story to be read full pelt. Abba, James and Giles weren’t meant to be at the national park that night, and they definitely weren’t meant to witness a murder ­ or the theft of priceless fossils. They are in deep trouble, and they can’t tell the police. The book can be quite scary sometimes, but you’ve got to remember that it is fiction. I enjoyed reading Stegosaur Stone because the author made me feel like I was there with the characters and I wanted to know what would happen to them. For readers aged 10+
Rating: 9/10.

Bobbie Seignior, Vic

Stones of Quentaris
by Michael Pryor (Lothian)

It is carnival time and salesman Jaq is getting his barrow ready to sell his ornaments. The carnival is the best time for a salesman in Quentaris because everyone is excited and ready to buy food, ornaments and collectibles. When he sets up his barrow at the Siamese stairs, Jaq has a run in with some evil sandmen who are being controlled by the dark master Yol. For some strange reason, these sandmen are stealing mysterious stones of a particular shape. Jaq and four magicians are trying to figure out why. An intriguing book for ages 11+.
Rating: 8/10.

Jackson Evans, Vic

Stones of Quentaris
by Michael Pryor (Lothian)

It is carnival time and salesman Jaq is getting his barrow ready to sell his ornaments. The carnival is the best time for a salesman in Quentaris because everyone is excited and ready to buy food, ornaments and collectibles. When he sets up his barrow at the Siamese stairs, Jaq has a run in with some evil sandmen who are being controlled by the dark master Yol. For some strange reason, these sandmen are stealing mysterious stones of a particular shape. Jaq and four magicians are trying to figure out why. An intriguing book for ages 11+.
Rating: 8/10.

Jackson Evans, Vic

Storm Riders
by Anna Ciddor (Allen & Unwin)

Thora and Oddo are best friends. They meet a slave called Dúngal, an Irish lad kidnapped by Vikings and sold as a thrall. They head out on an epic journey through the rough seas. Oddo, the Magical Wind Master, speaks to the wind and their sail heads for the land of fire and ice. Here they meet strange Vikings travelling in the same direction. Together they head out on another exciting journey of the Viking Magic trio!

This book has a great story line; it was hard to put down. The Viking language at the end of every chapter gave the book individual character and influenced me to read more about Vikings. This is the third book in the Viking Magic Series and I can’t wait to read the rest. Recommended for readers aged 11 to 13.
Rating: 9/10.

Kelsey Singh, NSW

Stones of Quentaris
by Michael Pryor (Lothian)

It is carnival time and salesman Jaq is getting his barrow ready to sell his ornaments. The carnival is the best time for a salesman in Quentaris because everyone is excited and ready to buy food, ornaments and collectibles. When he sets up his barrow at the Siamese stairs, Jaq has a run in with some evil sandmen who are being controlled by the dark master Yol. For some strange reason, these sandmen are stealing mysterious stones of a particular shape. Jaq and four magicians are trying to figure out why. An intriguing book for ages 11+.
Rating: 8/10.

Jackson Evans, Vic

Swords of Quentaris
by Paul Collins (Lothian)

Swords of Quentaris is a book I couldn’t put down. It is fast-paced, action-packed and flows well. Street urchin Rad De’Larel is suddenly plunged into a perilous adventure.
He and his friend Tulcia set off to the Scar with the Thieves’ Guild and Vindon Nibhelline in hot pursuit. Paul Collins uses short, sharp sentences to create an action packed plot. This sometimes gave me the feeling of being rushed through the story, however, in other parts the quick pace was very gripping. Paul lets the reader understand his characters’ thinking so that by the end of the book you can almost predict what the characters are going to do. For ages 9–12.
Rating: 8/10.

Oliver Westaway, VIC

Television
by Nicholas Brasch (Heinemann Library)

Television is the transmission of vision and sound along radio waves. Television was invented by John Logie Baird in 1926 and was first introduced in Australia in 1956. Many people are involved in making television programs for all age groups. They include the producer, technical crew, director and many other staff. Television keeps teenagers informed about their movie stars or sport heroes. This book will be a good resource for primary school projects since there are many useful pieces of information about the history of television and the making of television programs. Rating: 7/10.

Jade Diep, Vic

Tell Me Why
by Robyn Templeton and Sarah Jackson (Magabala Books)

The author has written a narrative about her own childhood. Sarah asks her grandmother: ‘Tell me, Grandma, why am I white on the outside but I feel brown on the inside?’ Her grandmother sits her down and explains Sarah’s past.
Sarah learns about her family traditions and her great-grandmother’s sad life. Sarah’s curious mind leads her to discover more about her interesting family background. Through her own illustrations Sarah shows us what life used to be like for Aborigines in her great-grandmother’s time.
Recommended for ages 5 to 9 years.
Rating: 8/10.

Alana Baxter, QLD

That's The Trick
by Krista Bell and Sarah Dunk (Lothian Books)

That's the Trick is an educational book that explains commonly confused homophones. Although it sounds boring, the author, Krista Bell, explains the differences in a funny and enjoyable way using animals, fairytales and nursery rhymes. But what makes this book really good is the use of pictures by Sarah Dunk. Her illustrations add to the writing extremely well and make it easier to understand. This book changes boring homophones into lots of fun. Recommended for kids from 6 to 10.
Rating: 7/10

Jay Paton.

The Big Book of Bean
(ABC Books)

Mr Bean's likes are fudge, cake, chocolate, watching telly and photography. One thing that he really loves is his teddy. Mr Bean does some strange things with his teddy such as taking him into the bath with him. Another strange thing that he does is padlock his green Mini. Some of his dislikes are Scrapper (Mrs Wicket's cat), golf, the bloke down at the park with the wart on his nose, and the little three—wheel car.

I really enjoyed this book because Mr Bean does some strange things which are great to read about. For readers from 9 to 15.
Rating: 10/10.

Courtney Blyth, Vic

The Bilbies of Bliss
by Margaret Wild and Noela Young (ABC Books)

Biba the bilby lived in a nursing home and there was a matron who was the boss of the home. At the end of the book, Matron gets sent away. The illustrations were fabulous. I loved this book.
Rating: 9/10.

Rhiannon, Vic

The Day I Turned Ten
Jane Godwin and David Cox (Puffin Aussie Bites)

This book taught me the valuable lesson that you should love your siblings no matter what their personality is. I personally think Jane Godwin should receive a standing ovation for this narrative.
Jeremy has been eagerly awaiting his tenth birthday. Suddenly his little brother Oliver goes missing! To find out more, go to your school or local library. I would say this book is a mystery as you don’t know what’s going to happen next. It would suit readers aged 8+ who like some nice quiet time.
Rating: 10/10.

Justin Riley, WA

The Disappearing TV Star
by Emily Rodda and Mary Forrest (Scholastic)

The Teen Power gang is really excited when they are hired to be in a chocolate ad called 'The Lot'. They are really excited because they are making an ad with Cassandra Cass, the famous TV star. They have started to make the ad but Cassandra has disappeared. Where has she gone?

I thought this was a great book which was really good to read but the ending was a bit predictable. Recommended for readers 8 to 14.
Rating: 9/10.

Caily Nash, Vic

The Doolalley Kid
by Wendy Milton (Lothian)

The Doolalley Kid is a wonderfully written fantasy/mystery book. It is about a tall, unpopular 12–year–old boy called Billy O’Connor. His mother is a famous movie star and he lives with his weird Aunt, who talks to spirits. Billy’s life dramatically changes when four spirits take over his body and pour their talents into him.

I think this book is great because it leaves the reader hanging on the edge of their seat and not wanting to put the book down because every page is exciting. Suitable for ages 9–15
Rating: 9/10.

Carissa Efford, WA

The Earthborn
by Paul Collins (Tor/Macmillan)

When the rigidly structured world of Colony crashes back to earth, 14-yearold Welkin has to question everything he believes. He must find a way to survive and learns that those he has been taught to despise are the ones he needs most. When war breaks out he must choose sides. I do not usually read science fiction and was initially a reluctant reader of this book. However I became enthralled by the story and was eager to find out how things developed. Paul Collins’s use of clever and descriptive language  brought the story to life. Recommended for people interested in science fiction who  love an intriguing and different read. For readers 11–14.
Rating: 7/10.

Tamsen Kempster, Vic

The Echidna and the Shade Tree
An Aboriginal story told by Mona Green (Scholastic)

I liked the echidna story because the pictures were very cute and it was exciting to me. The book was about an echidna and a huge shade tree that covered the desert. The echidna was jealous!
Rating: 10/10.

Elaine Nataren, SA

The Encyclopedia of Preserved People
by Natalie Jane Prior (Hodder)

This book is about preserved people and mummies. Each chapter refers to a different continent. The information is well presented and colourful. The facts are simple and easy to understand. The book is bright and colourful and the layout and design of the book are great. If I went into a library and flicked through the pages, I would borrow it.
I learned that not everybody was preserved in mint condition. You had to be wealthy to be well preserved. I also learned that they shove a hook up the person’s nose to pull out the brain. Eeeeeewwwww . . .
Rating: 8.5/10

Ye Yint Aung, VIC

The Family Tree
Jane Godwin (Puffin)

Harry (short for Harriet) is an average girl except that she looks like a boy and she has no father. Harry has no memory of her father either and she wonders why. Things couldn’t get much worse – her mum’s boyfriend and son move in, bringing another challenge to face. Harry’s world is turned upside down. She moves schools and houses and there are more challenges as well. Surprisingly, her stepbrother is a big help to her.
This book is a little sad in some chapters. An interesting story suitable for mature children over 10.
Rating: 9/10

Kiarna Hay, WA

The Floatingest Frog
by Sally Murphy and Simon Bosch (New Frontier)

This story is about two frogs who try to see who is the best. I like the part when the frog says ‘Help!’ and then he bursts like a balloon.
Rating: 7/10

Kathryn Vo, Vic

The Greeblies
by Robert Greenberg (Puffin)

The Greeblies is a book about those bugs that we find creeping and crawling around our homes. There are five different stories with lots of scientific facts to collect along the way. If you like anything funny or disgusting you will love this book. There are 12 different characters to meet in these adventure stories, which are all set in the one house, owned by a family of four. All of these stories are full of fun and adventure, and I recommend them to enthusiastic readers aged 10+.
Rating: 8/10

Nathan Essex, Qld

The Legend of Big Red
by James Roy and illustrated by Rae Dale (UQP)

Liam is a boy who likes to go on adventures and wants to hook Big Red, a much—talked about enormous cod that nobody’s ever seen. This book is mainly set at Bailey’s Swamp. Will Liam and his friend Barney catch Big Red or will they drag in a rotten boot?

I recommend this book to boys and girls aged 8+ who like adventures or fishing. It’s easy to picture what’s going on due to the description. The book could be improved by having a more complex plot.
Recommended for ages 9+
Rating: 8/10

Daniel O’Brien, Vic

The Legend of Lasseter’s Reef
by Mark Greenwood (Cygnet Books)

‘Gentlemen, I have a proposition for you. For the past 33 years I have known of a vast gold bearing reef . . . ’
These are the words of Lewis Harold Bell Lasseter in the year 1930. Along with colourful, collaged pictures, discover the history of the gold reef in central Australia, which Lasseter claims to have found. This story is an amazing book of true facts that are presented using both pictures and a clear story. If you look at the bottom of all the pages, a message is revealed.
Recommended for ages 9+
Rating: 7/10

Anna Lieschke, VIC

The Lesser of Two Weevils
by Steve Wide and Michelle Mackintosh (Lothian Books)

This book is about a weevil called Wenzel who lives in a dark corner of a cupboard. He envies Dweezil Weevil because he lives at the top of the cupboard and hopes that Wendy Weevil will notice him. One day Wenzel buys a new motorbike to become a famous daredevil. Dweezil decides to make a motorbike daredevil contest. The winner will get a bike called the Exterminator 2000. All of the daredevils come to the contest to compete. Will Wenzel win the contest and get Wendy to notice him? Will he move to the top shelf?

This is a wonderful story, beautifully illustrated in black and white. For readers aged 7—8.
Rating: 7/10

Kieren Kresevic, VIC

The Littlest Pirate and the Hammerheads
by Sherryl Clark and Tom Jellett (Penguin Aussie Nibbles)

This story is about a victory between Hammerhead and Nicolas, a tiny young pirate. I liked the story because it was about sharks and pirates! The best part was when Nicolas pulled out Gretta’s undies elastic and used it as a slingshot.
Rating: 9/10

George Kanakis, VIC

The Magic Fire at Warlukurlangu
A Dreaming narrative belonging to Dolly Daniels Granites Nampijinpa (Working Title Press)

An old man named Jampijinpa tricks his two sons into believing he is blind. After some time, the boys are told the truth and tragic events begin to happen causing a bushfire. This is a Dreamtime story belonging to the Warlpiri tribe.

The bright illustrations helped with the understanding of the book. This book is suitable for children aged 6 and above.
Recommended for ages 9+
Rating: 9/10

Sarah Richardson, VIC

The Mighty Bunyips
by Paul Harvey (Pan Macmillan)

The Mighty Bunyips is a good book if you like rhymes, football, animals, excitement or humour. It’s about a bunyip and his football team, The Mighty Bunyips, who play against Feral United, a team that has not lost a Grand Final game for 23 years. On the Bunyip’s team there are characters such as Spike Echidna (good because no–one wants to tackle him) and an emu who hits the ball with his head. Their opponents include Razorback Snout, their star full—forward who has never missed a goal, and wild, crafty cats. Will The Mighty Bunyips win? Will they make history? I’ll let you read the book to find out. For ages 5—12.
Recommended for ages 9+
Rating: 8/10

Andrew Collins, Tas

The Mona Mousa Code
by Geronimo Stilton (Scholastic)

The Mona Mousa Code is a great book about four mice: Geronimo Stilton, his cousin Trap, his sister Thea and his nephew Benjamin. When they find out about another painting hidden behind the Mona Mousa they want to solve the Mona Mousa code so they set off to find all eleven clues. Will they solve the code before someone else does?

This book is a mystery but also is very humorous on several occasions. I enjoyed the book because the colour illustrations are very effective and it is very funny. It is really hard to put the book down because you want to see what happens.
Suitable for ages 5 to 12.
Rating: 8/10

Ellie Ramsey, Vic

The Most Beautiful Lantern
by Sally Heinrich (Lothian/Hachette)

This entertaining story is about a girl named Mei-Ling who is searching for the most beautiful lantern for the Mid-Autumn Festival. She looks at many different and beautiful lanterns until, at last, she finds the lantern that is right for her. I thought that the colours in the detailed illustrations were really bright and the pictures looked realistic. The pictures made me feel happy. For readers around 10.
Rating: 8/10

Matilda Bayfield, WA

The Outback
by Annaliese Porter and Bronwyn Bancroft (Magabala Books)

This book is about scaly snakes, dingoes, wombats and lots more! It tells you that there’s more to the outback than vast plains and parched earth — lots of animals need to shelter there.

I think this book is very creative. It tells you that the outback is a very special place. Annaliese, who has won many awards for her writing, wrote The Outback when she was only eight. The wonderful illustrations by Bronwyn Bancroft add to the story.
I recommend this book for readers aged 7 to 12.
Rating: 8/10

Tessa Vabalevicus, Vic

The Owl and the Pussycat
by Edward Lear and Anne Wilson (ABC Books)

I think the book was fantastic and the pictures were good too. When the owl and pussycat got married they went to the turkey on the hill. The book had rhyming words. They were really different to the words in most books.
Rating: 10/10

Isabelle Carter, Vic

The Paw Collection
by Natalie Jane Prior and Terry Denton (Working Title Press)

This is a cheeky story about a girl named Leonie who is also a cat burglar. She steals stuff from the rich to give to the poor. In the story, she comes face to face with Konrad Korva and his assistant, Dim Jim, who are trying to capture the last two sabre tooth pumas in the world. I thought the pictures were cartoonish but also quite detailed and they made me feel happy. For readers around 10.
Rating: 8/10

Jennah Tucker, WA