Our kids and YA staff round up their favourite releases this year (so far)

16 Jul 2019

If you can believe it, we’re already staring down the barrel of the second half of 2019. With so many exciting new releases rapidly headed our way, we asked our wonderful kids and YA staff to reflect on the releases they’ve really enjoyed already this year.

Read on for their recommendations.

Kim Gruschow from Readings St Kilda has loved:

I adored Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly, a book about an industrious young deaf girl who becomes obsessed with Blue 55, a whale with a call that is at a different frequency to all other whales. It’s beautifully written middle-grade novel that explores communication and loneliness.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo is a YA novel of the highest quality. It’s a book about a young mother following her dreams and enrolling in a culinary course. The novel is a celebration of a rich food heritage, of family and community.

Looking ahead, for much younger readers, but also featuring some delicious recipes is Lunch at 10 Pomegranate Street, a beautifully illustrated picture book that will be hitting our shelves very soon, about a delightful group of neighbours all cooking and enjoying a meal together.

Alexa Dretzke from Readings Hawthorn has loved:

The Exiles by Hilary McKay. When the four Conroy sisters are ‘banished’ to their grandmother’s for the summer holidays, they are horrified, and yet, it turns out to be the best summer they’ve ever had. Revised for a new audience after the success of McKay’s The Skylarks’ War, this is a charming story for 9–12 year olds.

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling: it’s a quirky, hilarious and sad book. Main character Aven is a gutsy, inspiring girl who you won’t forget, ever. Brilliant. For ages 9–12.

I’d also recommend The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart. I loved this gem of a book. Coyote and her dad live on an old bus leading an itinerant lifestyle. One day, Coyote wants to return home and why and how she makes that happen and the wonderful people that assist her is a heartwarming, wonderful adventure. Coyote is a gift of a character. Ages 9–12.

And looking ahead, I’d also recommend How to Make a Movie in 12 Days by Fiona Hardy. This is my top pick for Australian middle fiction so far this year. Laugh-out-loud humour, great characters and an unusual plot make this a fun read. Watch out for the hilarious grandmother and the kooky but adorable little sister. Ages 9–12.

Dani Solomon from Readings Kids has loved:

Brenda is a Sheep by Morag Hood, who is yet to write a book that hasn’t made me laugh. Brenda is a Sheep is no different. Brenda is a sheep and is definitely not a tricky wolf in disguise (she totally is a wolf!). The actual sheep in Brenda’s herd are completely oblivious to their friend’s true intentions. When they play games like catch with Brenda – which she plays by ‘throwing’ an arrow at the delighted sheep – they look like they’re having the time of their lives. In fact, the sheep all love Brenda so much they all start to dress like her in matching woolly jumpers! I won’t say how the book ends, but it definitely kept me giggling with anticipation right to the very end.

My Book (Not Yours) (Lento and Fox, Book 1) by Ben Sanders. Lento the sloth is going to tell you an exciting story right after he wakes up from his nap. But before he gets the chance, Fox swoops in and takes over. The rest of the book is Lento and Fox arguing over whose book this actually is while they try to push each other off the page or trick each other into falling down freshly painted holes. It’s a very fun and silly book to read and when we first read it, my colleagues and I immediately joined opposing teams. I’m Team Fox, because like Fox says…you snooze, you lose, sloth!

Where Dani Goes, Happy Follows by Rose Lagercrantz and Eva Eriksson – I love this series. Dani is a young lady who breaks through all of life’s challenges with fierce optimism. Where Dani Goes, Happy Follows is probably the most downhearted Dani has ever been. Her dad, who is sad again, goes off to Rome to visit his family and Dani is sent to stay with her grandparents. But then Dani gets a amazing idea to surprise her best friend Ella, who lives on the other side of town, for her birthday. Grandma and Grandpa can’t drive her, so she makes her first-ever trip on a train all by herself. But the old lady across from her is nosy, there is no one to pick her up at the train station, some people with a mean dog steal her phone, and she starts to get a sore throat. Poor Dani has a very rough time in this book! But on the last page when she’s snuggled up in her warm bed thinking about her mama, Ella, and her friend Cushion, the old Dani optimism starts to seep back in and you know everything is going to be happy again when she wakes up.

Say Something by Peter H Reynolds is a beautiful little book about speaking out. It shows you there are lots of different ways you can say something; for example through poetry, a drawing, or actions. It tells you powerful words don’t have to be loud, they can be just a whisper, and the book gives you examples of times when speaking out can have positive effects – if you see injustice, say something peacefully; if you see an empty lot, say something with the flowers and fruits you plant in it; and if you are having a little moment where you feel grateful for being alive, say something to the stars and universe. The illustrations are simple and effective and the book is very inspiring. I always get goosebumps on the page with the girl standing on a mountain looking up at the stars, just quietly happy.