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The Someday Birds

Sally J. Pla

Charlie is autistic, keeps a list of birds he wants to see before he dies, and is now being driven across the country by people he barely knows. Sally J. Pla's warm road-trip novel is one of the most sensitively drawn portrayals of neurodiversity in middle grade fiction — funny, tender, and true.

adventureanxietyfamily

8–12 yrs

Two Naomis

Audrey Vernick

Naomi Marie and Naomi Key have nothing in common except their name — until their parents start dating each other. Audrey Vernick's funny, honest novel captures the awkward, reluctant process of a new family forming, told from both Naomis' perspectives.

Big ChangeBlended FamilyDivorce

8–12 yrs

The One and Only Bob

Katherine Applegate

Bob the street dog from Ivan's mall is searching for his lost sister when a hurricane threatens everything he has built. A worthy companion to Ivan — funny, warm, and genuinely exciting.

adventureanimalsfriendship

8–12 yrs

Amina's Voice

Hena Khan

Amina is Pakistani-American, loves music, and is terrified of performing in public. When her mosque is vandalised, the community has to come together — and Amina has to find her voice in more ways than one. A warm, grounded novel about identity, belonging, and where you call home.

Big Changediversityidentity

7–10 yrs

Flora and Ulysses

Kate DiCamillo

Flora, a self-described natural-born cynic, rescues a squirrel who gets accidentally sucked up by a vacuum cleaner and emerges with super powers. Kate DiCamillo's funniest, most joyfully strange novel.

creativityhumorheroism

7–10 yrs

The 117-Storey Treehouse

Andy Griffiths

Over a hundred storeys of non-stop mayhem. The Treehouse series remains one of the most entertaining and original children's franchises in Australian publishing.

adventurecreativityhumor

7–10 yrs

The 26-Storey Treehouse

Andy Griffiths

The treehouse now has 26 storeys and the chaos has only grown. The second Treehouse book delivers on every promise of the first — more invention, more laughs, more Andy and Terry.

adventurehumoraustralian

7–12 yrs

Sideways Stories From Wayside School

Louis Sachar

Meet the delightfully eccentric and unusually gifted pupils of Wayside School in this instalment of the brilliantly quirky Wayside School series – from Louis Sachar, author of the bestselling novel Holes As recommended on Radio 4 Kids Book Club, August 2024 There has been a terrible mistake. Instead of having thirty classrooms side by side, Wayside School is thirty storeys high! (The builder said he was sorry.) Perhaps that's why all sorts of strange and unusual things keep happening – especially in Mrs Jewls's classroom on the very top floor. There's the terrifying Mrs Gorf, who gets an unusually fruity comeuppance; Terrible Todd, who always gets sent home early; and Mauricia, who has a strange ice-cream addiction. Meanwhile, John can only read upside down, and Leslie is determined to sell her own toes. From top to bottom, Wayside is packed with quirky and hilarious characters who are all brought to life in this new edition with delightful illustrations by Aleksei Bitskoff throughout. This is an unmissable, irrepressible story of mixed-up mayhem from Louis Sachar, the bestselling author of Holes.

humor

7–10 yrs

The 91-Storey Treehouse

Andy Griffiths

More storeys, more contraptions, more chaos — and more of Andy and Terry's uniquely Australian absurdist humour. Fans of the series will not be disappointed.

adventurecreativityhumor

7–10 yrs

The 13-Storey Treehouse

Andy Griffiths

Andy and Terry live in a treehouse with 13 storeys — including a bowling alley, a shark tank, and a self-making-bed machine. Andy Griffiths' wildly silly Australian series is the perfect gateway for reluctant readers.

adventurehumoraustralian

7–10 yrs

Awful Auntie

David Walliams

After a terrible accident, Stella wakes up to find her monstrous Aunt Alberta in charge — and plotting to steal her inheritance. A gloriously gothic adventure full of Walliams' anarchic humour and unexpected heart.

familyhumorresilience

7–10 yrs

The 104-Storey Treehouse

Andy Griffiths

The treehouse has become a skyscraper of silliness, complete with new floors that defy logic and gravity. Andy Griffiths' universe keeps expanding in the most inventive ways.

adventurecreativityhumor

7–10 yrs

Amber Brown is Not a Crayon

Paula Danziger

Amber Brown and Justin Daniels have been best friends forever — until Justin's family announces they are moving away. A warm, funny early chapter novel that captures the specific heartbreak of losing your very best friend.

Big ChangefriendshipDivorce

7–10 yrs

Mr Stink

David Walliams

Chloe makes an unlikely friendship with a tramp called Mr Stink and hides him in the garden shed. Funny, touching, and full of Walliams' trademark warmth — a story about friendship, class, and standing up for what's right.

familyhumorresilience

7–10 yrs

Stuart Little

E B White

Stuart Little is a mouse born to a human family in New York who sets off on a quest to find his friend Margalo the bird. E B White's quietly strange adventure novel has enchanted readers since 1945.

adventurefamily

7–10 yrs

The Hundred Dresses

Eleanor Estes

Wanda Petronski wears the same faded blue dress every day, but says she has a hundred dresses at home. The other girls tease her — until she's gone and they understand what they've done. Eleanor Estes's Newbery Honor novel is one of the most powerful stories about bullying, regret, and too-late kindness ever written for children.

bullyingempathykindness

7–9 yrs

The Worst Witch

Jill Murphy

Mildred Hubble is the worst witch at Miss Cackle's Academy — her spells go wrong, her cat is a tabby when it should be black, and trouble follows her everywhere. The funny, loveable original school story that inspired a generation of magical fiction.

fantasymagicbravery

6–10 yrs

Cory Stories: A Kid's Book About Living with ADHD

Jeanne Kraus

Cory has ADHD and shares what that means in his life — the challenges, the feelings, and the strategies that help. A warm, informative story that helps children with ADHD feel understood and helps their classmates understand them.

ADHD

6–10 yrs

Hey Warrior

Karen Young

A child learns why their body feels anxious and what the brave part of their brain can do about it. Karen Young's warmly illustrated guide gives children language and tools for understanding their own anxiety.

anxietyemotionsresilience

6–10 yrs

Dog Man A Tale of Two Kitties

Dav Pilkey

Dog Man must contend with Petey's tiny clone in the third graphic novel adventure. Dav Pilkey packs each book with wit, action, and genuine warmth.

adventurecreativityhumor

6–9 yrs

A Necklace of Raindrops

Joan Aiken

A collection of original fairy tales and magical short stories — including the classic title story about a girl given a necklace of raindrops by the North Wind. Charming, funny and full of wonder; perfect for reading aloud.

fantasymagicadventure

6–9 yrs

Wilma Jean the Worry Machine

Julia Cook

Wilma Jean worries about everything — especially school. Julia Cook's practical, warmly illustrated book gives children real strategies for managing anxiety. Widely used in schools and by therapists working with anxious children.

schoolanxietyemotions

6–10 yrs

The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body

Joanna Cole

Ms Frizzle shrinks her class and takes them on a journey through the human body. Joanna Cole's legendary series makes science genuinely exciting — essential reading for curious children.

curiosityscience

6–10 yrs

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me

Roald Dahl

Billy teams up with the Giraffe, the Pelican, and the Monkey — the Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company — to clean a duke's house and fulfil their wildest dreams. One of Dahl's most cheerful and sweet books.

adventurefriendshiphumor

6–9 yrs

Diary of a Killer Cat

Anne Fine

Tuffy the cat has been very, very bad. But from his perspective, everything he did made complete sense. A brilliantly funny story told entirely from the cat's point of view — perfect for reluctant readers who find the grown-up world baffling.

mischiefanimalsfamily

5–8 yrs

Juice Box Bully

Bob Sornson

Pete is the new kid and he's used to getting his way — until his classmates refuse to be bystanders. A picture book about the power of speaking up, told through the lens of a whole class working together to change the culture.

bullyingfriendshipempathy

5–8 yrs

Pearl Power

Mel Elliott

Pearl is brave, kind, and stands up for what's right — even when it's hard. This uplifting Australian series follows Pearl as she navigates friendship, kindness, and dealing with bullying, showing children that small acts of courage can make a big difference.

braveryconfidenceempathy

5–8 yrs

The General

Michael Foreman

A great and fearsome general leads his armies into battle — until one small flower stops him in his tracks. A gentle, beautifully illustrated anti-war fable about stopping to notice beauty and the unexpected power of a single moment.

natureempathypeace

5–8 yrs

Ruby Finds a Worry

Tom Percival

Ruby is happy until a Worry appears and follows her everywhere — and she doesn't know how to get rid of it. Tom Percival's most beloved book: a warm, visual exploration of childhood anxiety.

anxietyconfidenceemotions

5–8 yrs

Days with Frog and Toad

Arnold Lobel

Five more tender stories about the seasons of friendship — from flying a kite to telling ghost stories. A warm and satisfying chapter in Lobel's beloved series.

friendshiproutine

5–8 yrs

The Day You Begin

Jacqueline Woodson

Some days you walk into a room and feel like no one could understand where you have been or who you are. A luminous, lyrical picture book about finding the courage to share your story — and discovering you are never as alone as you feel.

Big Changeconfidenceresilience

5–8 yrs

The Ring Bearer

Floyd Cooper

A young boy is asked to be the ring bearer at his parent's wedding to a new partner. Nervous and uncertain about what this new family will look like, he discovers through the ceremony that love has room enough for everyone. Warm illustrations and a gentle story about blended families forming.

familyBig ChangeBlended Family

5–8 yrs

The Invisible Boy

Trudy Ludwig

Brian always feels invisible at school — until a new boy arrives and notices him. A gentle, moving picture book about the difference one act of inclusion can make.

belongingempathyfriendship

4–8 yrs

The Big Cheese

Jory John

A cheese who thinks he's the most important ingredient in every dish learns a lesson in humility. Jory John's most gently satirical book — funny for kids, resonant for adults.

friendshiphumility

4–8 yrs

And Tango Makes Three

Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

Based on a true story at Central Park Zoo: two male penguins build a nest and raise a chick together. The most challenged and banned children's book of the 2000s — and a warm, matter-of-fact story about families of all kinds.

diversityloveanimals

4–8 yrs

The Sour Grape

Jory John

A grape who hates losing turns every game sour — until she realises her bitterness only hurts herself. A gentle story about sportsmanship, forgiveness, and giving others a second chance.

emotionsforgiveness

4–8 yrs

A Little Spot of Anxiety

Diane Alber

A spot of anxiety is living inside a child and making everything feel overwhelming. Diane Alber's simple, visual approach helps children recognise and manage anxious feelings.

anxietyemotionsself-awareness

4–8 yrs

Ida, Always

Caron Levis

Based on the true story of two polar bears at the Central Park Zoo, this achingly beautiful picture book follows Gus as his best friend Ida grows very ill. A gentle, honest story about loving someone who is dying and learning to carry them with you always — for children facing the loss of someone they love.

Big Changeemotionsempathy

4–8 yrs

My Shadow is Pink

Scott Stuart

A boy's shadow is pink and loves the things that shadows aren't supposed to love. A beautiful picture book about being brave enough to be yourself, written and illustrated by Australian author Scott Stuart.

Big Changeconfidenceaustralian

9–12 yrs

Dork Diaries Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life

Rachel Renee Russell

Nikki Maxwell is starting at a new school and is absolutely determined not to be a dork. Rachel Renee Russell's illustrated diary series is a perfect companion for girls who love Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

friendshiphumor

9–12 yrs

Dork Diaries Tales from a Not-So-Popular Party Girl

Rachel Renee Russell

Nikki is invited to a party — but so is her nemesis MacKenzie. A funny, relatable sequel for middle grade readers navigating the social jungle of school.

confidencefriendshipsocial

9–12 yrs

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson discovers he is a demigod — son of Poseidon — and has been accused of stealing Zeus's master lightning bolt. Rick Riordan's fast, funny, brilliantly inventive series has turned more reluctant readers into book lovers than almost any other series of the past twenty years.

adventurefriendshipidentity

9–12 yrs

Inside Out and Back Again

Thanhha Lai

It is 1975 and ten-year-old Hà is fleeing Saigon with her family to start over in Alabama. Thanhha Lai's Newbery Honor verse novel captures the disorientation, grief, and growing resilience of a child who must rebuild her entire world in a language she doesn't yet speak.

Big Changediversityemotions

9–12 yrs

Auggie and Me

R J Palacio

Three perspectives on the events of Wonder — from Auggie's classmates Julian, Christopher, and Charlotte — adding new layers to a story readers thought they knew.

empathyfriendship

9–12 yrs

The Reptile Room

Lemony Snicket

The Baudelaires find a brief respite with their kind Uncle Monty — but Count Olaf is never far behind. Darkly funny and emotionally richer than the first.

curiositymysteryresilience

9–12 yrs

Almost American Girl

Robin Ha

Chuna moves from Korea to Alabama with her mother, knows no English, and feels completely invisible — until she discovers comics. Robin Ha's graphic novel memoir is a love letter to finding your people through the things you love, and one of the most honest accounts of adolescent anxiety in the format.

anxietydiversityidentity

9–12 yrs

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

J K Rowling

A dangerous prisoner has escaped from Azkaban and is said to be heading for Hogwarts. The third Harry Potter book is widely considered the point where the series truly comes into its own.

adventurefriendshipmagic

9–12 yrs

The Sea of Monsters

Rick Riordan

Percy and his friends must rescue their satyr friend Grover from the Sea of Monsters — a modern-day reworking of the Odyssey that is even more exciting than it sounds.

adventurefriendshipteamwork