Today, we at SLAV are very happy to share a change to our acceptance of reviews going forward. Previously the Shelftalkers program has involved publishers sending books (either new releases or classics) to local schools, in order for students to write reviews that are then published on this website. While this has been a successful …
Review
Outlaw Girls
Ruby Miles went back in time from 2022 to 1878 to meet Kate Kelly (Ned Kelly’s sister). They looked the same and they were both adventurous and fearless. They worked together to nearly save Ned Kelly and confused the police. I enjoyed the book because of the time horses (where they went to moonlight track …
Good Girl Bad Blood
Good Girl Bad Blood is one of my favourite books in an amazing series. In the first book, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Pip becomes a detective to help solve a case, but during her investigations, she causes her dog to die, attracts threats and puts her whole family in danger. When this sequel …
Birdy
Birdy, written by Sharon Kernot, is a simple book. It explores what social media can do to people’s lives. The book is about a girl called Maddy who is mostly mute after the ‘incident’. She travels out to an old farmhouse out of town where she goes on her journey to relearn how to speak …
Our Family Dragon
In ‘Our Family Dragon’ by Rebecca Lim and Cai Tse, readers are immersed in a world of Chinese culture, family and tradition. Set in the perspective of a young boy and his family, the reader is taken through the celebration of Lunar New Year. I enjoyed the flowy and articulate language that Rebecca has used …
Oscar and Pendlebury: Behind the Blue Door
In this beautifully illustrated book by Georgia Athanasellis and Anastatia Wessex, young readers will be in a world of delight by the playful rhyming and cheerful mood. In a peaceful house an adventurous young boy, Oscar and his encouraging and faithful companion and friend Pendlebury the dog go through the blue door to new delights. …
The Secret Garden
This book is a traditional, classic English piece of literature. The author, Frances Hodgson Burnett, aimed this book at children but adults would also enjoy it. This compelling book is set in Yorkshire, England. The focus of the plot is how Mary Lennox’s personality changes from a sour, spoilt little girl to someone who adores …
Stolen
This book is about a girl named Gemma who has been stalked her whole life by a man named Ty. Ty has always felt like Gemma was the perfect one for him. One day, in London airport, Gemma sees a familiar face, as if she’s seen him many times before and they went on the …
Lyla: Through My Eyes
Lyla, written by Fleur Beale, is a moving book. It explores the danger of being in the middle of an earthquake. This story centers on a 14-year-old girl who lives in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. She loves nothing more than spending time with her friends, until an awful earthquake devastates her city and …