Humour, Friendship and Nostalgia – with a Dash of Magic: May Highlights at Better Reading Kids

May was another huge month here at Better Reading Kids. And this month’s titles showed us that some sentiment, laughter, and sticking by one another – all with a touch of magic – is everything we need right now.

Here are the top titles on our reading list in May:

Wednesday Weeks and the Tower of Shadows by Denis Knight and Cristy Burne

Wednesday Weeks never wanted to be a sorcerer’s apprentice. She’d rather study science than magic. But when her cloak-wearing, staff-wielding grandpa is captured by a power-hungry goblin king, Wednesday must find a way to embrace her magical heritage and rescue him from the dreaded Tower of Shadows.Reminiscent of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett, Wednesday Weeks and the Tower of Shadows is a wondrous novel and the perfect addition to a school library. In a world of magic, can science save the day?

Readers aged 8+

Funny Kid Prank Aliens by Matt Stanton

Every kid wants to laugh, but Max is the boy who can make it happen. He’s also the kid who’s keen to spend the most boring school holidays ever coming up with the greatest prank of all time. The Funny Kid series sits at an unrivalled level of hilarity, with wit and fun laced throughout, and Funny Kid Prank Aliens is no exception. From conspiracy theories to alien invasions, expect to have a smile plastered on your face from beginning to end.

Readers aged 7+

A Glasshouse of Stars by Shirley Marr

Meixing Lim and her family have arrived at the New House in the New Land. Everything is vast and unknown, but she finds solace in the glasshouse in the garden. When her fragile universe is rocked by tragedy, it will take all of Meixing’s bravery to find her place of belonging in this new world. A Glasshouse of Stars is the perfect reading experience for kids aged 9+. It’s endearing, raw, and highlights the realities of change in an intimate way. A conversation starter that will give children the chance to interact with others in a new light.

Readers aged 9+

Elsewhere Girls by Emily Gale and Nova Weetman

Cat and Fanny have never met. They both live in the same Sydney suburb, but in different worlds, or at least different times: Cat in current-day Sydney, and Fanny in 1908. But one day, time slips, and they swap places. Elsewhere Girls is a wonderful and witty coming-of-age story that highlights the struggles that many young women face. With themes of courage, pressure, and friendships, it’s the perfect gift for young readers everywhere.

Readers aged 10+

Eliza Vanda’s Button Box by Emily Rodda

Life hasn’t been much fun for Milly Dynes lately. There seem to be problems everywhere she looks. No one saw Eliza Vanda arrive in Tidgy Bay that rainy winter afternoon, but as she turns up, magic comes with her. Eliza Vanda’s Button Box is a sparkling new fantasy adventure from multi-award-winning author Emily Rodda. It’s about discovery, adventure, and tackling the unknown – all with a dash of magic!

Readers aged 10+

The Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen

Turtle really likes standing in his favourite spot. He likes it so much that he asks his friend Armadillo to come over and stand in it, too. But now that Armadillo is standing in that spot, he has a bad feeling about it. A hilarious meditation on the workings of friendship, fate, and shared futuristic visions. Merging broad visual suspense with wry wit and existential silliness, celebrated picture-book creator Jon Klassen gives us a wholly original comedy.

Readers aged 4+

Earn at Home Mum by Jody Allen

Whether you want to bring in a little extra income on the side or build your own company from scratch, Earn at Home Mum will give you the knowledge and confidence to make the leap to earn at home. Earn at Home Mum is raw, real and supportive. Allen shows you how to go about earning a living from your kitchen table and focuses on business ideas aimed at mums that you could consider pursuing.

Adult readers

Drum Roll Please, It’s Stevie Louise by Tanya Hennessy and Leigh Hedstrom

Meet Stevie Louise. She is an entrepreneur, an entertainer, and an extrovert on the inside. Stevie has a brilliant plan to make money and, most importantly, make sure the Brooke Street kids stay best friends forever. But when a new neighbour arrives, will Stevie’s plans be derailed? Drum Roll Please, It’s Stevie Louise is a gloriously warm, funny and relatable story from much-loved, multi-media sensation Tanya Hennessy. Illustrations by Leigh Hedstrom combined with Hennessy’s stylistic word choices make this an enjoyable and assistive read.

Readers aged 7+

Can’t Say It Went to Play by Gabrielle Tozer

Zoë, Samira and Dahlia are strangers, but they have something in common: their plans for a dream week after their final year of school are about to be flipped upside-down. From hooking up and heartache to growing apart, testing friendships and falling in love, anything can go down this week. Can’t Say It Went to Plan is adventurous and fun with a touch of rebellion. Tozer’s light-hearted and conversational tone makes this an easy and realistic read for YA readers, taking them on a journey to schoolies (in paperback!).

YA readers

Ginger Meggs by Tristan Bancks and Jason Chatfield

Celebrating 100 years of the iconic character and Aussie legend Ginger Meggs, these four brand-new and original stories are written by Tristan Bancks, the great-great nephew of creator Jimmy Bancks, and illustrated in full colour by the current Ginger Meggs comic-strip cartoonist, Jason Chatfield. Kids and grown-ups alike will revel in the rambunctious adventures and comical capers of the ginger kid who never gets old. Tristan Bancks and Jason Chatfield have their own personal history with Ginger Meggs, creating an unparalleled level of sentiment to the book.

Readers aged 9+

Night Ride into Danger by Jackie French

It’s a dark and dangerous journey for the Cobb & Co night mail coach, but when his coach-driver father is injured, young Jem Donovan must take the reins. Six mysterious passengers and seven dark secrets. Who can be trusted? Set in 19^th century NSW, Night Ride into Danger is historical fiction at its finest. Jackie French’s attention to detail and diversity allows readers to consider matters of class, race, and the immigrant experience.

Readers aged 10+

The Lightning Catcher by Clare Weze

After Alfie and his family move to the little town of Folding Ford, he soon finds out there isn’t much to do in the country. But when he starts to notice bizarre weather throughout the town, he goes to investigate the disturbances. Will Alfie be able to stop the chaos? The Lightning Catcher is a heartwarming, rip-roaring adventure that brings life (and trouble) to the small town of Folding Ford. With a fresh story and original characters, it’s the perfect gift for any kid struggling to find a good book.

Readers aged 8+

Pawcasso by Remy Lai

Every Saturday, Pawcasso trots into town. One day, he passes by Jo’s house. When Jo sets out to follow him, a group of kids from school mistake her for Pawcasso’s owner and, excited to make new friends, she hides the truth and gets trapped in a web of lies. Will Jo risk her new friendship by telling the truth? Pawcasso is a heartwarming and hilarious story about an unexpected friendship between the loneliest girl in class and the coolest canine in town. Perfect for readers who are fans of graphic novels or just love a great page-turner. Get ready for your heartstrings to be tugged at!

Readers aged 8+