March Madness: The most exciting new books out this month for kids and teens!

Picture Books

Go Go and the Silver Shoes by Jane Godwin and Anna Walker

From the much-loved picture-book partnership comes this sparkly story of one independently minded little girl, and the unexpected, precious ways life sometimes works.
When Go Go is allowed to buy the most beautiful shoes ever, she decides she will wear them everywhere!

Even to the creek, where she and her brothers go adventuring.

But – Oh no, Go Go! – that’s when a terrible thing happens . . .

A Boat of Stars by Margaret Connolly and Natalie Jane Prior

Open worlds of imagination and explore themagic of everyday life with this enchanting new collection of poetry from some of Australia’s most-loved writers and illustrators. Perfect for the classroom and the home, A Boat of Stars will bring a love of language, rhythm and rhyme to every child.

Rabby the Brave by Patrick Guest

Leon and Lily do everything with their best pals Rabby and Snuggles, until one night the unimaginable happens and Snuggles is left outside. Faced with sadness, the others must find a way to save Snuggles from a frightful end. Heart-warming and playful, compassionate and true-to-life, Rabby the Brave is a story about close bonds and sibling love.

Shout Out to the Girls by Penguin Random House

Shout-outs to 50 awesome Australian women with easy-to-read biographies of their incredible achievements. From Cathy Freeman to Turia Pitt, Edith Cowan to Julia Gillard, Mum Shirl to Vali Myers, plus rally car drivers, molecular biologists and more, this book is a celebration of women in all fields, from all walks of life, and from Australia’s past and present.
Brought to life by colourful illustrations from female artists, Shout Out to the Girls is the ultimate inspirational read for young and old.

The Silver Sea by Jane Godwin and Alison Lester

Take a journey beneath the waves in this magical adventure created by young people at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne with much-loved Australian authors Alison Lester and Jane Godwin. Their unforgettable collaboration explores the hidden treasures of our seas and celebrates the joy of exploration – and of returning home.

Junior and Middle Fiction

Kenzy and Max by Jacqueline Harvey

Twins Kensy and Max Grey’s lives are turned upside down when they are whisked off to London, and discover their parents are missing. As the situation unfolds, so many things don’t add up: their strange new school, the bizarre grannies on their street, the coded messages they keep finding and the feeling that, all around them, adults are keeping secrets . . . (Ages 8+)

Elementals: Ice Wolves by Amie Kaufman

Everyone in Vallen knows that ice wolves and scorch dragons are sworn enemies who live deeply separate lives.
So when twelve-year-old orphan Anders takes one elemental form and his twin sister, Rayna, takes another, he wonders whether they are even related. Still, whether or not they’re family, Rayna is Anders’s only true friend. She’s nothing like the brutal, cruel dragons who claimed her as one of their own and stole her away. New York Times bestselling author Amie Kaufman delivers heart-pounding adventure and breathtaking magical inventions in this unforgettable story about finding one’s place in a sharply divided world. (Ages 10+)

Tiggy and the Magic Paintbrush by Zanni Louise

Tiggy has a big imagination and she can sometimes have big feelings too. But everything is A-Okay, because Tiggy has a very special secret…
Tiggy is spirited and full of imagination, though she can sometimes be just a little bit shy, and a little bit worried about things that are out of her control. But everything is A-Okay, because Tiggy has a special secret – a magic paintbrush that can bring to life anything her imagination dreams up! (Ages 5+)

Surf Riders Club #2: Bronte’s Big Sister Problem by Mary Van Reyk

How’s Bronte supposed to catch waves when she keeps fighting with her big sister? She always wanted to be just like Carrie, but now they are growing apart. Bronte wants to do her own thing, but Carrie thinks Surf Riders Club is lame.
Ava, Alex, Bronte, Janani and Molly formed Surf Riders Club to help each other practise, but it has quickly become much more than that. Whether it’s learning how to get barrelled, problem parents or annoying boys, Surf Riders Club are there for each other, no matter what. (Ages 9+)

Other Worlds by George Ivanoff

Keegan suddenly finds himself in a weird world of clones who are obsessed with perfection. But this world isn’t as perfect as it seems. Keagan is determined to return home – all he has to do is find a way out of the city, survive the Dumping Ground and outsmart a bunch of rogue clones! (Ages 8+)

Ninja Kid by Anh Do

Nelson’s a nerd! Unfit, uncool…totally awkward! But when he wakes up on his tenth birthday, he discovers he’s a NINJA! THE LAST NINJA ON EARTH! How’s he going to save the world when he can’t even get his undies on the right way?! With the help of Grandma’s inventions and his wild cousin Kenny, can Nelson master his new ninja skills AND save Duck Creek? (Ages 7+)

Boy From Earth by Darrell Pitt

Twelve-year-old Bobby Baxter’s not the bravest kid on Earth. His list of things that scare him is up to number 689, and includes lightning, crowds, spiders, alien abductions, crocodiles, falling from great heights, falling from small heights and eggs. So when he learns that he’s the first Earthling ever chosen to attend the Galactic Space Academy, light years away from home, he’s terrified – and that’s before he discovers that someone at the academy wants the boy from Earth gone. (Ages 9+)

Flamingo Boy by Michael Mopurgo

A stunning new classic from master storyteller Michael Morpurgo, set in the unique landscape of the Camargue in the South of France during WW2. There, a young autistic boy lives on his parents’ farm among the salt flats, and the flamingos that live there. There are lots of things he doesn’t understand: but he does know how to heal animals. He loves routine, and music too: and every week he goes to market with his mother, to ride his special horse on the town carousel. (Ages 10+)

Frankie Fish and the Great Wall of Chaos by Peter Helliar

A hilarious time-travel adventure about mega-mischief, misbehaving grandparents, and one very naughty dog… Pranksters Frankie Fish and Drew Bird have got hold of Grandad’s time machine, but it’s no laughing matter. Grandad and Nanna have disappeared to 17th century China, and it’s up to Frankie and Drew to save them! (Ages 8+)

Missing by Sue Whiting

Mackenzie da Luca’s mother is missing – she’s vanished without a trace in the jungles of Panama. Now, 116 days later Mackenzie and her dad are in those same jungles. Her dad is desperate to find out what’s happened to his wife. And Mackenzie is desperate to make sure he doesn’t … (Ages 11+)

The Super Life of Ben Braver by Marcus Emerson

Ben Braver is an ordinary kid living, well, an ordinary life… So when he’s chosen to go to a secret school for kids with super powers, he sees it as a chance to be special. He’s hoping his super powers will kick in soon, but it’s not looking promising… Then he discovers the bully from his old school is at his new school as well, and things just get worse. (Ages 9+)

Young Adult Fiction

Tin Heart by Shivaun Plozza

When Marlowe gets a heart transplant and a second chance at life, all she wants is to thank her donor’s family. Maybe then she can move on. Maybe then she’ll discover who she is if she’s no longer The Dying Girl. But with a little brother who dresses like every day is Halloween, a vegan warrior for a mother and an all-out war with the hot butcher’s apprentice next door, Marlowe’s life is already pretty complicated. And her second chance is about to take an unexpected turn… Read our review here. (Ages 14+)

P is for Pearl by Eliza Henry Jones

From the talented author of the celebrated novels In the Quiet and Ache comes a poignant and moving book that explores the stories we tell ourselves about our families, and what it means to belong. Read our review here. (Ages 13+)

If I Tell You by Alicia Tuckerman

This is a story about being seventeen and growing up in rural Australia. Falling in love for the first time, following your dreams and disappointing your parents. Being brave enough to live your life, even when life is terrifying. In fear there is bravery you can either cling to the edge or have the courage to jump. But what do you do when you’re left spiralling through the freefall?

Be proud. Be seen. Live life fearlessly. (Ages 14+)

White Night by Ellie Marney

In Bo Mitchell’s country town, a ‘White Night’ light-show event has the potential to raise vital funds to save the skate park. And out of town, a girl from a secretive off-the-grid community called Garden of Eden has the potential to change the way Bo sees the world. But are there too many secrets in Eden? (Ages 14+)