After Flynn’s grandad passes away, he and his dad make the trek to the family banana farm so they prepare it for sale. But in the clean-up, Flynn discovers two small, orphaned cassowary chicks. Flynn wants to take care of them, but every time he questions his dad about them he gets nothing but an angry response. Flynn thinks there’s something else going on, so he enlists the help of his new friend Abby to get to the bottom of this mystery.

Samantha Wheeler’s previous book Smooch & Rose made our 2014 Readings Children’s Book Prize shortlist, so it’s no surprise she’s back again. Wheeler has a knack for writing endearing characters and plots that weave in environmental themes that readers 8 and up will love.

Holly Harper