Maggie’s Kitchen: courage of conviction

Author: Caroline Beecham / Reviewer: Kelly Lyonns Synopsis: (Allen & Unwin, 2016) When the Ministry of Food urgently calls for the opening of British Restaurants to feed tired and hungry Londoners during the Second World War, Maggie Johnson is close to realising […]

Little Warrior: be empowered

Author: Giuseppe Catozella /  Reviewer: Ellie George Synopsis: (Faber & Faber, 2016) Samia Omar grows up in war-torn Somalia determined to be a world-class sprinter. She sleeps with a photo of Mo Farah by her bed, trains hard despite the violence and […]

The Exclusives: a little underwhelmed

Author: Rebecca Thornton / Reviewer: Maddy Manning Synopsis: (Allen & Unwin, 2016) In 1996: Freya Seymour and Josephine Grey are invincible – beautiful and brilliant, the two best friends are on the cusp of Oxbridge, and the success they always dreamed they’d […]

Castle of Dreams: Intrigue and lies

Author: Elise McCune / Reviewer: JP Combe Synopsis: (Allen & Unwin, 2016) Growing up together in a mysterious castle in northern Queensland, Rose and Vivien Blake are very close sisters. But during the Second World War their relationship becomes strained when they […]