Growing up

Heading into her second year of university, protagonist Mary-Elizabeth certainly has her plate full. Between lectures, writing an advice column for the on-campus magazine and occasional gigs as a DJ, there isn’t room for much else – except her mega crush on magazine editor Felix that is! Despite her friend’s warnings about his reputation, Mary-Elizabeth has her sights set on a casual fling with Felix. She is confident and self-assured Mary-Elizabeth Baxter, she can handle anything, right?

Lantern Smoke is a tender and poetic picturebook that explores themes of immigration and the beauty of remembering where we come from. The story follows a young boy who has moved to a new country, separated from much of his family but carrying with him warm memories of their love and times together as he settles into his new home. Through the boy’s eyes, readers experience the loneliness of starting over in an unfamiliar place, and the comfort that memory provides when home feels far away.

Making a mistake may affect your mood or even ruin your day, but making a fatal mistake can change the course of your life forever. That is what this novel explores in a heartbreaking tale of loss, bereavement and guilt. When Nathan accidently runs into and kills a pedestrian, his life as he knows it is irreversibly changed. We follow Nathan’s story as he comes to terms with the emotional and legal consequences of his actions.

These five adventure stories by award-winning author A.M Dassu feature different characters, and are set in different countries, but they are brought together by the unifying theme of starlings.

From Carnegie Medal-winning author Katya Balens comes this emotionally rich story of a boy’s life-transforming friendship with an elderly neighbour and his pigeons. Con’s dad has left, leaving him consumed by grief and guilt which he struggles to express except as violent anger. Con’s outbursts hurt and alienate friends and teachers, and worry his hard-working, long-suffering mother, but he seems powerless against their force.

Aaand we’re back live on Clipper FM with Kofi, Kelvin and their gang, for our third installation of cooking up raps and manning a secret radio station. Only, it’s not so secret anymore! EVERYONE knows Clipper FM – but what the audience doesn’t know is that thirteen-year-old Kofi is orchestrating everything!

Who does it serve when we silence ourselves to remain palatable to everyone? This timeless question lies at the crux of Anna Zoe Quirke’s enthralling coming-of-age novel Sad Girl Hours.

Sixth-grade superhero Leon is using his super powers to put away school bullies. However, his mom (aka Ms Magnificent) and his school principal worry about his cavalier attitude towards taking the law into his own hands. Plus, his giant ego is starting to alienate his friends – especially his best friend, amateur cartoonist Carlos.

Especially sweet for new parents or guardians, this beautiful picturebook captures the magic of a growing child and some of the many milestones little ones tick off in their early years. The wonder children bring to our lives is clear from the affectionate and reverent tone of the author, making it a perfect read-aloud story to share with the small people in your life.

In this sequel to Dinosaur Pie, Oleg receives a camera from his mum, but it is not like other cameras… when Dino Mode is activated – poof, you’re a dinosaur!