12 year old Alfie Piper is grieving the loss of his mum. He now lives with his dad and his wife Sophie and new baby sister Alice. He is trying to come to terms with the sudden loss of his mum, and the uncomfortable relationship he had with his stepdad.

Plot summary of Six Weeks (No Spoilers)

Alfie Piper introduces himself to the reader. He has something to tell us. He’s struggling to voice it, and warns us it’s bad. His mum died.

He tells us how quick it all seemed to happen, about the funeral and his aunt and grandmother’s pain. Alfie finally talks of him – his mum’s partner.

Even though Alfie has known him since he was three, they never connected properly, only sharing his mum. But now she’s gone and she asked Alfie to do something before she died.

It’s a year before Alfie sees him again. The Summer holidays have arrived, and even though Alfie’s school friends have drifted away, he has a good life with his Dad, Sophie and Alice.

Six weeks of school holidays stretch before him. Six weeks of riding his bike wherever it takes him, and maybe even thinking about his mum’s last request of him.

Review

I thought my heart would break while reading The Final Year, but Six Weeks is even more powerful. Matt Goodfellow knows his characters – their hearts and their very souls. And this is how he breaks ours.

The beginning is masterfully done as a 12 year old boy introduces himself. He’s tentative, unsure and apologising for his revelation. Having his words in white text upon black pages is a masterful punch in the gut – where I gasped aloud. I hadn’t read the back blurb, just knowing I’d love another Matt Goodfellow novel regardless.

Alfie takes the reader on his painful passage from grief, loss, and confusion at his extended family’s behaviour, to more understanding of those around him and how it has affected his own life and relationships.

A slow healing, that he never thought possible; is aided by love, patience and time from close family, and honesty from others.

Wow. Simply beautiful storytelling of grief, complicated family relationships, and their fallout. But healing is possible, as loved ones share their truth.

Tissues definitely required.

Book Style

293 Pages /Verse Novel

FAQ’s

What age is it for?

10+

Where & When is it set?

Summer Holidays, England. The present

What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?

1st person / present tense

Is there Violence?

No

What genre is ?

Middle Grade Real Life / Contemporary Fiction

Themes

Family/ Grief / Loss / Growing Up / Real Life

Is it part of a series?

No

Find more books by Matt Goodfellow here

Author

Matt Goodfellow

Illustrator

Joe Todd-Stanton

Publisher

Hachette Children’s Books

(2026, Hachette, Intermediate (NZ), Starboard, Wow, Grief, Loss, Family, Connections, Bike Riding, Walking, Sharing, Change, Growing Up, England, Manchester, Blended Family, New Baby Sister, Summer Holidays, Real Life, Heartbreaking, Tissues required, Love, Music)

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10 year old Hari Kumar (75% Indian & 25% French) wants desperately to be a Bollywood Actor. Ultimate Superstar is a funny doodle-full diary novel, taking readers on his journey to get closer to his dream.

Plot summary of Hari Kumar Ultimate Superstar (No Spoilers)

Hari Kumar wants to be famous like other kids at his school. But Hari wants to be even more famous – he wants to be a Bollywood movie star!

He tries his connections to Bollywood (his grandparents live in Mumbai), but it’s a no go. He’s tried (42 times) asking his parents if he can switch to acting school. They said NO! (42 times). His mates Lily and Raheem are keen to help him and Hari does have his super power.

Just like his mum, his superpower of Autism and ADHD really help him become super focussed. His Nani’s advice on manifesting something you want helps too.

If only his aunties weren’t so intense, and his nemesis at school wasn’t so mean? It doesn’t help when a new kid joins Hari’s enemy at getting in the way of his acting success.

Review

Anyone who loves Louie Stowell’s Loki series, or Ross Welford’s Prince Kal series, is sure to enjoy Hari Kumar and his antics.

This diary doodle format novel is clever, funny and very relatable to any readers 8+. Set in Hari’s home or school, readers will see themselves, or learn a little about his Hindi family, food and customs. I certainly did!

His autism and ADHD are key factors in the book, and more understanding of classmates like Hari is possible after meeting him in this first book in the series.

Almost every page has an illustration, doodle or list, adding even more humour as Hari shares his quest to become an actor. Most don’t go to plan. Some do however, all inadvertently woven into a ‘story mountain’ format Hari is learning at school.

A funny, relatable character in an enjoyable journal read.

Book Style

230 Pages /  This novel is written in a Journal style of approx 6 weeks, skipping a few days in between. The book begins with introductions of Hari, his friends and family and why he writing a journal. It is packed with funny drawings, notes, and speech bubbles. There are also small boxes of text explaining things (especially for his parents who shouldn’t be reading his journal!)

FAQ’s

What age is it for?

8+

Where & When is it set?

In England outside London

What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?

Third Person / Past Tense

What genre is Hari Kumar Ultimate Superstar?

Middle Grade Humour / Diary

Themes

Real Life / Diary / Friendship / School / Humour / Series

Is it part of a series?

Yes – Hari Kumar Series

1. Hari Kumar – Ultimate Superstar (2026)
2. Hari Kumar – Going for Gold (Aug 2026)

Author

Rashmi Sirdeshpande

Illustrator

Mamta Singh

Publisher

Harper Collins

Find more diary format books here

Find more funny tween reads here

(2026, Series, Journal, Diary, School, Funny, Humour, Doodles, Journal, Film Competition, Bollywood Actor, ADHD, Autism, Music, Real Life)

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Theo has an ability to see how long a person will remain in his life by a number he sees when he looks in their eyes. He must learn how to deal with this gift/curse and overcome the all encompassing fears and worry they cause him.

Ultimately this YA novel is a beautiful love story with a twist, with a boy taking the chance to love a girl, with all the risk that might entail.

Plot summary of Counting Down with Theodore Brown (No Spoilers)

Theo is 19 and is studying Creative Writing at Community College. He has been told by his tutor to get some life experience to help flesh out his characters and writing itself.

He sets out (warily) to do just that, but has some hurdles to face along the way. He tells it like it is, with all the feelings he experiences from dark to light, hate to love.

He begins with how his gift affects him around about losing people close to him, then the reader follows him in his journey of first love and all it entails. This is all while he still sees numbers in loved one’s eyes.

Review

The intriguing premise attracted me to this book and the fact that the author is a fellow bookseller in Aotearoa New Zealand. I tried to imagine what it would be like facing the numbers in friend’s and loved one’s eyes and how I would possibly deal with that. This was especially true when Theo was young and didn’t know whether the number was a death sentence or not.

I enjoyed his personality, even when he was going through the hard stuff and was awful to his mum, as their mutual love soon shone through again. I also enjoyed meeting HeyJude, (Theo’s therapist) with his calm, wise advice, whether he believed Theo about the numbers or not.

Theo and Lil’s love of retro music and movies is fun, which also star in the novel’s Chapter Headings.

Counting Down with Theodore Brown is a beautiful love story with an intriguing twist. The end result is something we all should think more about.

Characters

Theo – 19 years old. He’s always been seen as a weirdo by others because he would avoid looking people directly in the eye at any cost. Discovering that wearing sun glasses helped what he was trying to avoid was a game changer, but didn’t change his weirdo status much.

He learnt what the numbers he saw in people’s eyes really meant the hard way, when he lost his father. They were very close and it affected him deeply, further moulding his character. Theo loves his mum and appreciates her support, even though she doesn’t believe what he sees.

He loves retro music and movies.

Theo is a sheltered teen with little life experience with girls or many friends. This makes his first romance all the more sweeter to experience along with him.

Theo meets his first love on an online game, and finally arranged to meet up in person.

Lil (Fly)

A talented artist, a straight talker and daughter of wealthy Mexican parents who don’t really understand her. They are tidy, driven and business minded. She is messy, fun-loving and also a talented gamer.

She shares Theo’s love of retro movies and music – especially Dolly Parton, which helps the early stages of their relationship. She also loves any movies with Jeff Goldblum starring in them.

Writing Style

Theo talks directly to the reader explaining his ability to see numbers in people’s eyes. eg. (I shit you not – this is my unfortunate truth).

FAQs

What age is it for?

12 – 18 years

Where & When is it set?

A small town called Fairview, Indiana, USA.

What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?

First person / Past tense

Is there Violence?

No. There is bigotry and homophobia without physical violence.

What genre is Counting Down with Theodore Brown?

Coming of Age / Romance

Is there any sex in the novel?

Yes

Is there any swearing in the novel?

Yes

Themes

Family, Love, Loss, Becoming an adult

Is it part of a series?

No

Author

Daniel Devenney

Publisher

Allen & Unwin NZ

(2026, Allen & Unwin NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand Author, Humour, Love, Romance, Coming of Age, Growing Up, Grief, Loss, Therapy, Bigotry, Family, Gaming, Fear, Road Trip, Retro Music, Retro Movies)

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Five years later, Naeri loses her mother and she becomes an orphan. Allowed to remain in their luxurious home with her mother’s kudos, Naeli grieves them both, not sure of her future.

An envelope arrives with tickets to England and money for the journey. But who sent them? Did her Papa still love her after all?

With the help of a friend from India, then an English boy called Jack she meets on the long three month sailing to England, she plans to unravel the mystery of her Papa’s betrayal.

From the London docks, to a pie-shop kitchen to a boys boarding school, Naeli follows the clues. Both she and Jack end up on a train ride to nowhere to the last clue of all. Her Papa’s family home in Northumberland. The most important thing linking her past and present is her treasured violin. But why is it so important to her family?

A good old fashioned English / Orphan story that becomes so much more as a young girl searches for her father. Naeri and reader alike wonder what happened five years before when he never returned to Naeli and her mother in India.

Unravelling this mystery makes a riveting read. An unfathomable betrayal is soon revealed, bringing even more danger to the brave young characters.

Both Mystery and Music lovers will enjoy Naeli and the Secret Song, along with fans of The Secret Garden, The Unadoptables and other Orphan tales.

A captivating read.

Author – Jasbinder Bilan

Age – 9+

Find another read from Jasbinder Bilan here

(2025, Chicken House Books, Family, Secret, Mystery, Courage, Friendship, Music, Historical, Crime, Adventure, 1870’s, India, London, England, Victorian, Pie Shop, Violin, Northumberland, Train Travel, Clues)

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Faolan sees money passing hands before they leave and figures this is just a transaction to get rid of him so the Mayor can get his hands on Pops’s land. The Mayor is unaware of two things however. One – Faolan is a girl. Two – she knows where Pop’s land deed is hidden.

She’s heard of this Fort and had thought it was a doomed place to try and live, far from everywhere. But she’s surprised to find good food, kindness and purpose in the comunity. What she soon learns is completely different. The Fort is ruled by a man named His Benevolence by the people of the Fort, and his 2nd in charge is Acolyte Stuckley. Both men give Faolan the creeps.

Faolan has always been taught to be self sufficient and wary of others. Despite this she makes a couple of friends in Jesse & Dai Lo as she gets to know her new life within the Fort’s strict walls of work and prayer.

But something is wrong with this place. She’s heard screams in the night, and howls on the wind from her bed, and she wonders what roams outside the walls.

The more she learns about the Fort and its leader, the more eerie the place becomes, until she is right in the centre of something otherworldly. Can she use her smarts and fiddle playing to save herself and all those she has come to care about?

Part Real Life Western, and Historical Horror with a slash of Fantasy thrown in, Red in Tooth and Claw has an intriguing premise and a captivating plot that races the reader to a satisfying ending.

Main character Faolan is a likeable character (albeit with an annoying stubborn streak), that draws others to her. She’s smart, even when she mouths off when she shouldn’t, and this YA novel is told in her voice.

The setting easily encompasses the reader, taking them back to a Fort in the American Western Frontier, and the wilds around it.

With just a whisp of romance interwoven into the story, (that Faolan resists) her wariness and stubborn streak melts a little, making her even more authentic.

Great read.

Author – Lish McBride

Age – 13+

Find more Horror reads here

Publisher – Penguin Books

Set – Similar to Wild West (USA) Late 1800’s

Viewpoint – 1st person

Violence – Yes

Sex – No

Real Life – Aspects yes

Fantasy – Yes / Supernatural

Blend – Real Life / Historical /Horror / Western / Fantasy

(2025, Penguin Books, Putnam, Western, Wild West, Orphans, Religion, Control, Fort, Death, New Friends, Creature, Courage, Healers, Western gypsies, Rovers, Music, Fantasy, Crime)

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There are many auditioning, and Violet doesn’t like to say, but some are much better than others. But her teacher says they’re all in. What? That means three guitars and too many singers. That won’t work!

Violet has a solution. She gets her friends together and gives them her idea. They start their own band. At first, they don’t believe her. They can’t even play any instruments! But Violet is determined. Especially since she watched a Band Competition the year before, with mostly boys with instruments, and boys winning all the prizes. This is their chance to shine.

The start is rocky with so much to teach and learn among the band. Violet refuses to give up, encouraging her friends to keep practising. This suddenly becomes impossible as important equipment begins to go missing. What is happening? Will they find out before the competition date arrives?

Violet and her band mates discover the answers to this terrible conundrum, which brings other problems. All they want to do is play, and have a chance to compete after all their hard work. Was it all for nothing?

Violet and the Velvets is a fun, musical, middle grade novel. Violet Grumble is the star of the book with her can-do attitude, fun personality and authentic challenges. ADHD is in the mix, as Violet explains how it affects her day to day – with strengths and things that don’t quite go as well as they should. Her easy to like authentic personality shares all the trials and tribulations of starting, encouraging and being in a band.

The villain of the story is also authentic and dastardly as she carries out her plans – but not all evil, as the reader will discover.

Violet’s description of her mum might just be a little like the author of this first book in this new New Zealand series. The well spaced large font, doodles and illustrations throughout and friendship dynamics between Violet and her besties will capture readers hearts.

Go Violet and the Velvets!

Author – Rachael King

Illustrator – Phoebe Morris

Age – 9+

Shortlisted for the 2025 Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.

See the second book in the series here

(2025, Allen & Unwin, Humour, NZ, Aotearoa, New Zealand, Music, Friendship, Series, School, Betrayal, Band, Competition, Practising, Bass Player, Mystery, Real Life)

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When unexpected sounds fill the theatre, fear follows. Blaming technical glitches, the adults brush off the creepy atmosphere that has enveloped them, and the wary young musicians continue to prepare.

Violet however, is having none of the adults excuses, and her band members, Mo, Lexie and Jack are right behind her. It seems they have another mystery to solve. They’ve heard the rumours of the Royal theatre’s own ghost. The bands aren’t professionals, but surely a ghost isn’t upset with their best efforts? Maybe it doesn’t want them in the theatre at all?

Violet and the Velvets are quickly on the case, but what they find isn’t fitting any of their past or present suspects. Is the young ballerina ghost real?

The second in this middle-grade music filled mystery series, The Case of the Angry Ghost has Violet and her band on the hunt for more clues and culprits.

The mystique of a ghost story, an intriguing theatre setting and the excitement and nerves of the competition, make an exhilarating read.

Mystery lovers will enjoy Violet’s determination in solving this eerie case – even if she is spooked a little herself. Teamwork and friendship not only bring answers to the enigma of the ghost, but solve other problems too – with satisfying results.

Violet talks directly to the reader at times, increasing the connection between them. She’s a likeable, convincing pre-teen, and the third book in the series continues their band’s journey.

(For any readers unsure about the content, it’s really not scary – just intriguing.)

Author – Rachael King

Illustrator – Phoebe Morris

Age – 7+

See the first book in the series here

(2025, Allen and Unwin NZ, Aotearoa, Music, Series, Friendship, Ghost, Mystery, New Zealand, ADHD, Neurodiverse, LGBTQIA, Clues, BandChamps, Competition, Punk, Ska, Rock, Humour, Funny, Non-Binary, Gender Diversity)

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Still, Cassia has made some good friends on the streets of London. Sure they may be poor and live by their wits, but Cassia finds them friendly, fun and honest (mostly). Cassia tutors children for a few coins, which helps her and her father survive. She’s more worried about the street children who seem to be going missing. When a friend’s brother vanishes, the family search relentlessly but with no luck. Cassia is desperate to help.

Asking her father’s lawyer for help only brings more heartache with the truth of her father’s chances of ever leaving prison, but it does bring an ally. Felix is wealthy and keen to help Cassia find out what is happening to the children of London. He has a strong sense of doing the right thing, and with his help and knowledge, they dive into a mystery below the streets of London and then even deeper again, into the Deep Dark.

Their discoveries are horrifying, and the fact that no one will believe them, even more so. Cassia must draw on all she has learnt on the streets of London, everyone she might think will help them, and summon her courage like never before.

Her father, the wealthy, and a strange tune that flits through the streets, are all part of a mystery ages-old that lies deep in the ocean. Cassia will do anything to stop them.

Cassia Thorne is an intriguing character – born in India into a wealthy shipping family, but now living in London’s Fleet Street Debtor’s Prison, until someone bails out her cash strapped father.

This prison was actually built in the 1100’s and still in use in the 1800’s as in this story. Fiction is a brilliant way for children to learn about history whilst enjoying a cracking good story – and Deep Dark is definitely that.

Deep Dark has a brave but kind heroine, with wealthy and street savvy friends at her side. The contrast between the wealth and the abject poverty is also clear, bringing empathy for the street children, no one seems to care about. Add ruthless adults spinning strange rhymes, and something lurking deep below the London streets, even lower than the abandoned crypts – and the story’s intensity slowly builds.

With an explosive ending and the thought that all could be lost after all, Deep Dark had me hooked to the last page.

Author – Zohra Nabi

Age – 8+

(2025, Simon & Schuster, London, Street Children, Missing Children, Mystery, Urchins, Fleet Street, Prisons, Poverty, Friendship, Courage, Historical, Adventure, Action, Music, Wealth, Greed)

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The world has driven them to this, as they have no idea who their parents were or where they came from. They have moved from school to school and between foster homes because they are seen as strange by all who meet them. With their blonde white hair and intense stares, they attract the wrong kind of attention, and their doctor and social worker are at their wits end.

Astrid and Jonas seem to have strange powers. No one knows how they seem to be connected to the nature around them. The twins can hear the songs of trees, flowers and even grass, and also hear screams of warning from them too. Their doctor knows they are different and has performed test after test on them, and now that Astrid and Jonas are teens, they’ve had enough.

Little do they know that they are about to meet someone who will bring them (almost) all the answers they have been searching for their entire lives.

Gwen is upset and embarrassed that she cannot control her magic. Her sister now attends the prestigious school for magic but Gwen must stay home. She’s tried and tried to summon her Bloom, but the results are too frightening for her to achieve anything. A desire to prove herself once and for all, takes her into a tunnel that Astrid and Jonas are also in as they are testing their own powers.

From Gwen, the twins learn that they are Bloom bloods – folk with magical powers. The humans they have grown up with and who have found them strange, are all Red Bloods – humans without magic. Finally, Astrid and Jonas feel more understood.

They are accepted into a new home with Gwen and her Bloom blood family, but find it hard to trust any one. Even here they are seen as different, and as Gwen keeps a terrible secret, Astrid and Jonas build their powers. None of the three teens realise how important they are to the future of humankind – and to each other.

A new world of magic – with those who have powers and those who have no idea magical folk walk among them. It’s hard not to compare this magical worlds with one that broke the mould in 1997, but even with comparison, this new series of good and evil types of magic, twins and a stubborn young girl and their journey to discover their true selves – is intriguing and a great read.

This first book in the series is perfectly fine for middle-grade readers as the romance component is only lightly touched upon. It’s these romantic influences that have the twin main characters keeping secrets from each other for the first time in their lives. I’m looking forward to seeing if these outside friendships turn into something more, and maybe even go on to cause tension between the tight-knit twins.

A great tale about the fighting forces of good and evil, finding your true self, working together, and humans and nature working together. 

For fans of the Harry Potter and Nevermoor series’ and other magical worlds.

Author – Connie Glynn

Age – 12+

(2025, Penguin NZ, Magic, Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Historical, Music, Mystery, Secret, School, Dark Forces, The Bloom, Red Bloods, Prince, Control, Experiments, Twins, Nature, Fountains Abbey, Series)

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The island is said to be something truly amazing, and Femi admires the entrepreneur who has built the resort. Richard Jenkins has the aura of someone successful as he draws everyone’s gaze to him whenever in a room.

Femi’s dreams are in music production, and he has made some influential musicians take notice, but is determined to keep his own sound. At only 17, his father and brother have been questioning him on his choice for his future. This constant undermining of his dream and an event the previous year has pushed the brother’s relationship to breaking point. When on the island, Femi prefers to keep to himself.

He does seek out a girl he knew back on the mainland. He’s had a thing for her for a while, but isn’t sure where he stands with her.

He meets others whose company he enjoys – one being a clever seven year old girl called Mui. She knows the island well as her father works for Richard Jenkins. She proves to be a great guide to behind the scenes of the spectacular resort.

But Femi goes a little too far ‘behind the scenes’ and discovers something Richard Jenkins is hiding from the public and the island’s guests. The history of Darlenia is far from what he claims in his glossy brochures. Secrets are everywhere and Femi has stumbled right into the explosive centre of them.

Main character Femi isn’t a likeable character to begin with. He’s 17, with a dream, and refuses to listen to anything that interferes with it. His selfishness and fiery temper has caused a rift between him and his brother and father, layered with guilt over his rash actions in the past.

We Were Hunted has a very real Jurassic Park vibe, so if you’ve seen even just one of those movies, you’ll be able to imagine the setting of this speculative thriller.

Lots of gory creature violence throughout, so probably best to avoid this one if you’re squeamish, but a riveting read if it’s your thing. I enjoyed Femi’s character arc and the conclusion is far from predictable.

Something refreshingly different.

Author – Tomi Oyemakinde

Age – 12+

(Graphic creature violence)

(2024, Macmillan Publishers, Action, Adventure, Animals, Betrayal, Conflict, Courage, Crime, Environment, Fantasy, Family, Growing up, Music, Revenge, Sibling Rivalry, Island, Resort, Unresolved actions, Brothers, Luxury, Conference, Bonding, Holiday, Lies, Secrets, Wealth, Greed, Grandeur, Ego, Exotic creatures, Attack, Survival, Speculative, Thriller)

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Jordan doesn’t ever bring friends home or even tell them where he lives. No one would understand their section covered in rubbish, let alone what’s inside their home. Moving from room to room is almost impossible due to waist deep piles of stuff.

There are newspapers, magazines, boxes, clothes, and all sorts of paraphenalia that Susan has ordered online or brought home from second hand dealers. Jordan’s biggest worry however is not his secret being revealed, but the health and well-being of his eleven year old sister, Tabitha.

Tabitha hardly knows any different, and enjoys sitting with their mother in front of one of her favourite TV shows, surrounded by food packets, takeaway boxes and crumbs.

But Jordan has noticed the sores on Tabitha’s face and how her only pair of shoes are too small. He has no patience for his mother as she buys yet more stuff online, but won’t buy proper food or cook anything for them, let alone give Jordan the money he needs for a guitar of his own.

Jordan has always looked out for them on his own, but at only 17 is completely out of his depth. His dream to leave is complicated by his love for his smart, sweet and brave little sister, and soon a betrayal by a classmate and a near disaster at home puts even more stress on him.

Torn between a fresh, clean, new start and understanding what he has grown up in, finally helps him make his final choices.

Mary-Anne Scott writes teenage boys with clarity, compassion and with a clear understanding in how they tick. Jordan is authentic, brave, angry, conflicted and kind. He’s not perfect however, and his struggles just drew me closer to him and his decisions.

The setting of a hoarder’s house is so real, it made me cringe at the cockroaches and screw my nose up at the explicitly described odours of a cramped, mouldy, mouse-stained home.

Trying to understand the hoarder character’s behaviour and mental health problems along with Jordan, pulled me further into the story. I felt his anger and frustrations keenly throughout the novel and held my breath in moments where I would’ve lost my temper too. His self-control is aided by kindness around him in a teacher, a girlfriend and her parents, and a couple who have reached out to him and Tabitha with solutions.

Much research is evident in the police, emergency and mental health services, as each of these organisations are compassionately portrayed in the book.

Sobering, emotional and ultimately hopeful for the character’s futures, The Mess Of Our Lives is a stunning read by a multi-award winning New Zealand author.

Author – Mary-Anne Scott

Age – 13+

Hear Radio NZ Review by Louise Ward here

Find more books by Mary-Anne Scott here

(2024, One Tree House, New Zealand, Family, Love, Betrayal, Grief, Growing up, Music, Poverty, School, Secret, Guitar, Composing, Composition, Sibling Love, Hoarding, Mental Health, Unsafe house, Caravan, Second Hand Dealers, Kindness, Compassion, Understanding, NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand, NZ Author, Award winning author)

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There is the past, the present and wishes for the future. Each character tells their tale how they experience it, not knowing that others in this novel and parts of their lives are experiencing the same events, feelings or miraculous reveals in entirely different ways, not far away.

There are cowboy hats, purple RV’s, a dog that understands its humans and humans that understand him. Strangers become loved ones, and loved ones become strangers. Violins sing and trumpets soar as music runs through veins like wine runs through the generations.

An angel saves a life, and then the life of another – someone met in a field years before who asked her to marry him.

When tragedy strikes, siblings, friends and family members look at their lives, their pasts and possible futures and finally, finally find each other’s hearts and truths and reasons to come together.

This miraculous story is layer upon layer of story, through letters written and never posted, and emails typed and never sent. Another story is from a little girl growing up with her free spirit of a mother in an RV called Sadie Grace with the money left by another. Another of a boy becoming a man without his father and trying to find where he fits in the world.

One brother loves to play the violin, but messes up everything else in his life. His disdain for his younger brother, deemed perfect in every way by all who have ever met him – has built a wedge a mile wide between them. When they realise what they thought was the truth is completely false, they must rethink their entire lives – this is a painful journey for both and exquisitely written by this extremely talented author.

But hurt and loss and love goes back generation by generation, all revealed between the pages, piece by piece by piece, completing a fractured mess of a jigsaw into a family that is eventually put back together by realisation, love and truths long lost.

Wow. Want a novel to get completely lost for days inside? Fall into the wonder of When The World Tips Over.

Author – Jandy Nelson

Age – 15+

Read an Excerpt here

(2024, Walker Books Aust, Story within story, Adventure, Animals, Betrayal, Courage, Family, Friendship, Ghost, Grief, LGBTQ+, Growing up, Love, Music, Mystery, Wine, Soufflé, Baking, Violin, Trumpet, Siblings, Brothers, Loss, RV, Life on the road, Secrets, Mental Illness, Discovery)

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But wait. I’m getting ahead of myself. The reason Alex had to take Patti for a walk is her dad is at the hospital with her big sister. Why? It all had to do with an experiment with a banana peel and a cactus.

Back to the spaceship! An alien appears. Not humanoid with a big head and strange eyes, but more like a snail with three eyes on stalks. Alex’s mouth is hanging open, staring at the alien. Especially when it speaks.

“Take me to your leader.”

According to the alien, he has wanted to say that for ages, and now on Earth for a school project, he thought he’d try it out. As Alex watches the spaceship slip up into the sky and disappear leaving the alien behind, she has to admit that it’s not some TV stunt. There are no cameras and the alien in front of her is not someone in a costume. It’s actually real.

Named Hieronymus, or Hi for short, Alex takes him home hoping her dad will know what to do. Unfortunately Alex seems to be the only one to see Hi, except for Patti the dog who can communicate with Hi herself.

Alex learns more about Hi, as Hi learns about Earthlings and Earth. Hi has many misconceptions about Earth from a TV program he watches on his home planet and is disappointed to find many things he loved about Earth, to be not true at all.

One thing that remains the same however is Hi’s love of human shoes. This causes some unfortunate incidents in the local shopping centre. But helping Hi meet an Earth leader for his ‘Role of Leadership in Human Societies’ school project might be just what Alex needs for a project of her own.

She loves to draw and wants to enter a cartoon competition. The theme’s for the Junior Division 9-13 year age section are Truth is Stranger than Fiction or A helping hand. Suddenly both of those have just dropped in her lap in the form of a three eyed alien called Hi.

Packed full of funny in both story and illustration, Hi from Outer Space is perfect for fans of Wimpy Kid, Tom Gates or the Penny Draws series.

There is laughter, music, misconceptions and a mystery solved. There is word play, hilarious sound descriptions of Hi’s alien speech, and all types of leaders introduced to the plot in Hi’s search for wisdom.

A pair of rich man’s gold shoes reminds me of another pair here on Earth, and two ticking clocks in the plot add a little tension. Hi has only a few days on Earth, and Alex’s deadline to finish her comic competition entry is fast approaching….

Author / Illustrator – Fiona Katauskas

Age – 7+

(2024, Allen & Unwin, Humour, Funny, Animals, Family, Music, Mystery, Sci Fi, Secret, Shoes, Aliens, Space Ships, Leadership styles, Band, Musician, Comics, Cartoon Competition, School Project, Tiktok, Social media, Viral video)

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He doesn’t take much notice of the moving van in his street. It was no interest to him at all. But when a new girl walks into his classroom the next day, he wishes he took more time to look.

“I swear the second Carly appeared I didn’t feel like a rug had been pulled from under my feet. The rug had been set on fire. With me still standing on it.”

Marv is swept up in feelings he’s never had before. He can’t think straight. His entire being is consumed with thoughts of Carly. Jimmy can’t understand it, asking him if he’s okay on the way home. Something’s weird because Marv is too quiet.

But Marv can hardly answer as he doesn’t understand it himself. What the heck was happening to him?

At home, his dad is playing one of his old records. He’s a little down as sales are down in his record store, so he’s playing one of his favourites from the King of Soul – Otis Redding.

Usually, Marv escapes from his dad’s cringy music, but somehow the guy singing knew exactly how Marv was feeling since laying eyes on Carly. How could he possibly know? After hours of more Otis Redding, Marv is at his wit’s end, calling out for help.

A ghostly visit is the lastly thing he expects, but at least now he can share his thoughts about Carly, and have some help in how to get to know her.

A laugh out loud read for anyone who has been struck by Cupid’s bow, fallen in love at first sight, or head over heels for someone. 14 yr old Marv feels like he’s been hit by a train full of fireworks after laying his gaze on the new girl at school, who is also now living in his street.

Some spectral help is welcome at first. It’s not like he can talk to his Croc-and-sock wearing dad or his best mate Jimmy. Too embarrassing. His new ‘friend’ suggests all sorts of chat up lines, plans and schemes to woo Marv’s crush, with funny, dorky and disastrous results. 

The King of Soul really should have stayed on the records Marv’s dad plays, and not come to Marv’s aid. Marv vows never to play that singer again. There is always other music, and maybe even another girl….?

I really enjoyed this tale of first love, epic fails and growing up. Loved the ending too.

Author – Phil Earle

Reading Age 8 – Interest Age 11+

Dyslexic Title

Read a sample chapter here

(2024, Barrington Stoke, School, New Girl, Crush, Music, Otis Redding, Love at first sight, Football fan, Funny, Laugh out Loud, Dyslexic, Dyslexia, Friendship, Humour, Ghost, Music, Growing up, Secret, LPs, Vinyl)

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Her passion of sharing te reo Māori with children, shows in her brightly coloured and cheerful picture book Because I’m Māori – He Māori Ahau.

This picture book begins with four children waking up inside the kopa iti / matakopa (meeting house). They are stretching and happy, looking forward to a great day.

Outside they acknowledge where they are, their happiness to be there and the feeling of belonging that it brings them.

Hīkoi haere me te mea e hīteki ai

I walk around with a little kick in my step

Tē ware ai nō  hea ahau

I can’t forget where I am from

nō hea ahau

where I belong

Acknowledging their maunga (mountain), their (moana) ocean and their waka is part of them. As is their whanau (family), kapa haka and past. They know that with all these supporting aspects of their cultural identity, they can achieve anything they want to be.

Such a beautiful, positive, bilingual picture book for New Zealand children in te reo Māori and English.

Author – Nicolla Hemi-Morehouse

Illustrator – Story Hemi-Morehouse

Picture Book

Listen to the song here on You Tube here

(2024, Bateman Books, Tamariki, Cultural Pride, Culture, Identity, Belonging, Family, Te reo, Bilingual, Māori New Zealand, Aotearoa, Song, Self Confidence, Marae, Happy, Positive, Waka, Wharekai, Moana, Maunga, Music, Confidence, Cooperation, Security, Self Esteem)

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Covered in eczema, tiny Mitchell scratched and scratched, even with covers on his hands and feet. But he never stopped smiling.

As he grew, Mitchell and his parents discovered ways to soothe Mitchell’s red, itchy skin. Special creams, lukewarm baths and cotton clothes helped a lot. His cat falling in the bath – didn’t!

Sometimes Mitchell’s skin became fire-engine red and sore at the same time. His doctor was always on hand to help too. Certain things made Mitchell itch even more, like milk, eggs, washing powders and dust. But Mitchell kept smiling anyway.

The worst things for Mitchell was teasing at school, and adults saying… “Don’t scratch!” But Mitchell couldn’t help it.

The best times for Mitchell were school holidays at the beach and when he was learning and playing his guitar with his uncle. In fact, playing his guitar becomes like a super power among his peers. When he plays, he’s still smiling, and so are others around him.

Mitchell Itches – An Eczema Story follows a boy called Mitchell from birth to school days. He and his family become experts on how to calm Mitchell’s eczema and with it, his scratching.

This story not only shows all these tricks and tips they learn to help Mitchell, but how Mitchell feels when others comment or call him names. Both children and adults can harm eczema sufferers with their words. Normal things around the home or at school trigger Mitchell’s eczema and this story also allows young readers to understand it, and in turn take away the fear and misconceptions of seeing itchy, flaky skin.

Mitchell is a normal boy who loves soccer, his family, and playing the guitar, and with his persistence, finally shows those around him that he is more than just his eczema.

Author – Kristin Kelly

Illustrator – Amelia Jones

Picture Book

Find Teacher’s Notes here

(2024, Exisle Publishing, Skin Condition, Eczema, Misunderstandings, Misconceptions, Bullying, Name Calling, Guitar, Confidence, Distraction, Courage, Triggers, Stresses, Resilience, Self-Care, Symptoms)

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Their Uncle Ted has just moved in, leaving their Aunt Shirley. He says he received a message in his head telling him he must paint the history of the world in Ferris’ basement. This was once Ted’s family home, so Ferris’ mum doesn’t have much to say.

Her dad doesn’t say much either, besides sayings he’s repeated throughout Ferris’ entire life. He also likes to use rich vocabulary as do others in Ferris’ family, but she and her best friend (Billy Jackson) have a strong understanding of these due to a teacher they once had. Mrs Mielk was a fan of words and collective nouns.

Aunt Shirley is mad as a cut snake at Uncle Ted for leaving and when Ted begins asking Ferris to be a go-between, Ferris somehow ends up in one of Aunt Shirley’s hairdressing chairs and comes out looking completely different. Of course, Aunt Shirley insists she’s a trained cosmetologist – NOT just a hairdresser.

Then there is Charisse, Ferris’ grandmother, who also lives in the house. She hasn’t been feeling well lately and shares a secret with Ferris. A ghost has been visiting her room.

Stir this melting pot of family with a six year old bank-robber, a bundle of bees, hissing racoons and an exterminator. Add an unhappy ghost, a practising Houdini and a pining painter, and you have another wonderful small town tale – cleverly constructed for middle-grade readers.

I love Kate Di Camillo’s slice of life stories layered with quirky characters, and this one is a pure gem.

Author – Kate Di Camillo

Age – 8+

See inside here

See more Kate Di Camillo Book Reviews here

(2024, Walker Books Aust, Family, Small Town, Younger Sibling, Quirky characters, WANTED poster, Bank Robber, Houdini, Ghost, Chandelier, Taper Candles, Spelling, Vocabulary, Music, Friendship, Grief, Growing Up, Historical, Humour, Funny, Love, Music)

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He is stoked that he has got the part as Donkey in the Shrek Musical at School, but deep down he would have preferred to be playing Shrek. That would mean he would be closer to Frankie (Francesca) who he has had a crush on for a while now.

At home, Jamie is working on a musical about a time vampire called Billy Raven. His mind is always spinning with ideas and he finds it hard to wind down to sleep. He often gets up again and then wakes his mum when he bursts into song on the piano in the early hours of the morning.

His outbursts in class get him in trouble there too, and having detention at lunchtime mucks up his schedule and singing lessons. On top of this he’s accepted a challenge by his English teacher to write a story of Orwell’s 1984 meshed with a zombie apocalypse, and he’s enjoying it so far.

He gets to spend more time with Frankie at the Shrek rehearsals and they begin to hit it off. The only problem being that Frankie’s boyfriend is a lot bigger than Jamie and also a friend. Things are not only going to get busier for Jamie but a whole lot messier too.

But he takes it all in his stride – at least that’s what he thinks he’s doing. But he’s sleeping less, doing more, drinking more coffee and Coke, making crazy decisions, and wondering if his Uncle Anders really did visit him when he and his friends conducted a Séance for fun.

Jamie’s mind is going faster, and he’s loving the creativity and spin from everything, until it becomes… just… too… much…

From the very first pages, I was caught up in the manic pace of Jamie’s life and mind as he tells his story in first person. He’s very likeable, funny, clever, sweet, and chaotic. He’s incredibly creative, but also his own worst enemy and I could almost feel his racing heart with all the Coke and coffee he consumes. 

Revelation of mental health problems in his family concern Jamie, but he doesn’t ask his mum about it, who is already at her wits end with his erratic behaviour. But his spiral downwards is so gradual, his friends and family almost don’t catch him in time. He is the most surprised by his fall out of anyone, after denying there was anything wrong over the past few months. This is almost painful to read as I watched his self destruction.

Exams, the musical, his new relationship with Frankie. It was all supposed to be a bit crazy, wasn’t it? His denial made everything even more real on the page.

Catch a Falling Star is the Prequel to Catch me When You Fall, which I will be seeking out soon. It is the only Eileen Merriman YA novel I haven’t read and I’m really looking forward to following Jamie’s story.

Merriman’s skill in drawing me in never wanes. Her writing is so skillful, precise, and authentic, with engaging characters and narratives – every novel is a pure treat.

(This novel has been approved by two specialists of mental health in young people)

Author – Eileen Merriman

Age – 15+

Read more reviews of Eileen Merriman Novels HERE

2023, Penguin NZ, Mental Health, Bipolar, Treatment, Relationships, Friendships, Singing, Shrek, Musical, Phantom of the Opera, Manic, Depression, High highs, Terrible lows, School, English, Exams, Taking risks, Erratic Behaviour, Family Secret, Seance, NZ Author, Award Winning Author, New Zealand, Aotearoa, High School, Music, Growing Up)

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The thing is, even though they’re not related, they do have close family connections, and the opposite scenario would’ve been much clearer in his family’s mind. Ryan is the king of the come back, full of jokes, never serious and the bane of many of his teacher’s lives. All he wants to do is surf, without any thoughts or plans of what he wants to do when he leaves school.

Cody however, masters anything he touches. He’s a gifted tennis player, popular at school with his peers and teachers and a talented classical musician. He even writes his own music, planning to have a career in classical piano.

The family connection has seen Ryan and Cody grow up apart, but pulled together at family gatherings. They’ve seen each other mature and have family tales of their achievements or failures of each other through the backdrop of their lives. Cody achieving and Ryan failing of course.

But when they end up in the same beach house for a summer, their opinions of each other shift. Maybe what their parents have been saying isn’t the whole story?

Cody sees Ryan’s skills in the surf and begins to appreciate his laid back personality and humour. Ryan realises there is more to the way Cody pushes himself to do better. They make a deal. Ryan will teach Cody to surf, and Cody will teach Ryan to play the guitar.

The reason they know each other is also the reason they shouldn’t start something. But this same reason is why it becomes impossible not to fall for each other. It’s gradual but they know they can’t deny it. The war between certain family members can’t be ignored either. Will the fallout be survivable?

When their secret is out, Ryan is reminded how he’s never been serious about anything in his life. Is he sure this is any different? Ryan knows what he feels though, and he is becoming a different person. After a shocking event on the beach, Ryan begins to reevaluate his life. Could it really work, or are they headed for disaster?

Meanwhile, the family tension underlying their entire lives is rising even further, until it finally must be faced by all, and so must Ryan’s love for Cody.

A blistering read of first love, family tensions, parental expectations, and a secret that shredded a family. This secret is the underbelly of this love story, lying in the backdrop of two boy’s lives. They only know each other through this connection, but it has also kept them apart. Now both 17, they begin to know their true selves, without family interference.

This discovery is brilliantly written, authentic, funny, full of love, pain, indecision, passion and finally courage. Settings are well set out – on the waves, in bedrooms with locked doors or at awkward family get togethers. Relationships between siblings are full of jibes and jokes, and tensions between an ex-wife and ex-husband positively toxic.

I personally enjoyed the use of similie throughout the story, as part of Ryan’s first person point of view. 

The way the characters bloom into young men who finally say what they think is beautiful to read as it not only brings solutions to terrible hurt and memory, but lays the foundations for their own futures. 

A stunning read. Dive in. You’ll love it!

Author – Jax Calder

Age – 15+

(2023, OneTree House, Sisters, Siblings, Half Sisters, Surfing, Music, Expectation, Blended Family, Family, Secrets, Growing Up, Grief, Attraction, LGBTQ+, Bi, Queer, Beach, Piano, Tension, New Baby, NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa)

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Birdie knows this is a huge responsibility, but she loves to sing and enjoys every dusk singing up at the sky while the animals watch on.

One day, Birdie wakes up feeling unwell. She shivers and her throat is sore. Her friends try to help with warm scarves, honey and kindness, but soon Birdie can’t even speak.

As the end of the day comes closer, the animals began to panic. Without Birdie’s song, will they all be cloaked in complete darkness?

No-one is more shocked than Birdie when the stars begin to shine – without her song. Does this mean the sky doesn’t need her after all?

Suddenly Birdie feels she has no purpose. She tries to find another, but to no avail.

It’s her friends around her who make her realise that she is still incredibly important to them. Her song is a huge part of their lives.

A beautiful story about expectations, purpose, and achievements. Many children find something they are good at, are praised for it and feel they must continue with it for approval from those around them.

Birdie Lights up the World shows young readers that you can be good at something without pressure of being even better, or being the only one who can do so well. Enjoyment of a skill or pastime can be for your enjoyment alone or shared with others – for fun.

Parental expectations can often be high, but kids doing something they enjoy just for fun is incredibly important too. Adorable exotic zoo animals are just the ticket to share this concept with little readers.

Author – Alison McLennan

Illustrator – Lauren Mullinder

Picture Book

(2023, Exisle Books, EK Books, Animals, Penguin, Singing, Song, Music, Mornings, Purpose, Self Esteem, Confidence, Love, Family, Zoo, Expectation, Just for Fun, Sick, Illness, Unwell)

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