Children's and Young Adult Books
A matter of style
Stephanie Owen Reeder
Once upon a time, Australian picture books were easy to pick because of their distinctive artwork, which often featured Australia’s unique landscape and its flora and fauna. Nowadays, many Australian illustrators adopt a more universal style.
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Jackie French, a prolific author, is best known for her children’s books, with variations on historical themes clearly something of a specialty. A Waltz for Matilda, which seems to be aimed at a broader market, builds on the premise that the Jolly Swagman of Banjo Paterson’s song is not alone. His twelve-year-old daughter, Matilda, is with him and witne ...
There is much to like in this début Young Adult novel: its straightforward storytelling, distinctive central characters, well-tuned adolescent dialogue, and humorous depiction of first love...
... (read more)Stephen Mansfield reviews 'Noah's Law' by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Six people. Five seatbelts. Six teenagers involved in a horrific car crash. But who has died?
... (read more)Stephanie Owen Reeder reviews eleven new children's picture books
The latest crop of children’s picture books highlights the ability of this versatile genre to cover everything from the ever-popular animal tale, to sparkling stories about fairies, to introspective contemplations on the meaning of life.
... (read more)Benjamin Chandler reviews 'Chasing Odysseus' by S.D. Gentill
S.D. Gentill’s Chasing Odysseus provides a fresh perspective on Homer’s The Odyssey for young readers. It focuses on the adventures of Hero and her three brothers – Machaon, Lycon, and Cadmus – during the fall of Troy and on their subsequent pursuit of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, throughout his legendary voyages. The siblings are raised among the Herdsmen of Ida, who are ...
Maya Linden reviews 'Darkwater' by Georgia Blain and 'This Is Shyness' by Leanne Hall
Darkness, both literal and symbolic, pervadesthese two recent books. Darkwater, the first Young Adult title by established writer Georgia Blain...
... (read more)