Written by Eden

From new Arabic books and Spoken Word inspiration, to fantastical Young Adult novels and eye-opening Children’s Non-fiction, this September was jam packed with new releases and we’re here to share 20 of our favourites with you!

Sorted in order of genre, there truly is something for everyone in this round-up.

Scroll through and make some room on your shelves - you’re sure to be adding a whole stack of books to your TBR pile!

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ARABIC

Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into a new year and a new school where undersize weaklings share the corridors with kids who are taller, meaner and already shaving.

Desperate to prove his new found maturity, which only going up a grade can bring, Greg is happy to have his not-quite-so-cool sidekick, Rowley, along for the ride. But when Rowley's star starts to rise, Greg tries to use his best friend's popularity to his own advantage. Recorded in his diary with comic pictures and his very own words, this test of Greg and Rowley's friendship unfolds with hilarious results.

A well loved Middle Grade classic now available in Arabic!

Anya could really use a friend. But her new BFF isn't kidding about the "Forever" part.

Of all the things Anya expected to find at the bottom of an old well, a new friend was not one of them. Especially not a new friend who’s been dead for a century.

Falling down a well is bad enough, but Anya's normal life might actually be worse. She's embarrassed by her family, self-conscious about her body, and she's pretty much given up on fitting in at school. A new friend—even a ghost—is just what she needs.

Or so she thinks. Spooky, sardonic, and secretly sincere, Anya's Ghost is a wonderfully entertaining debut from author/artist Vera Brosgol, now available in Arabic!

This is the story of a little girl who lost joy - she went looking for him on her picnic grounds, but she did not find him and remained sad. The reason for her sadness is her feeling of guilt over her parents’ divorce. We live with her moments of sadness and anxiety, and her naive decisions, until a solution comes to her from the world of her childhood.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

A tale of love, heartbreak and surfing from an important new voice in comics. In Waves is Craig Thompson's Blankets meets William Finnegan's Barbarian Days.

In this visually arresting graphic novel, surfer and illustrator AJ Dungo remembers his late partner, her battle with cancer, and their shared love of surfing that brought them strength throughout their time together. With his passion for surfing uniting many narratives, he intertwines his own story with those of some of the great heroes of surf in a rare work of nonfiction that is as moving as it is fascinating.

Teen Titans - Raven by Kami Garcia, Illustrated by Gabriel Picolo

When a tragic accident takes the life of seventeen-year-old Raven Roth's foster mom--and Raven's memory--she moves to New Orleans to live with her foster mother's family and finish her senior year of high school.

Starting over isn't easy. Raven remembers how to solve math equations and make pasta, but she can't remember her favourite song or who she was before the accident.

When strange things start happening--impossible things--Raven starts to think it might be better not to know who she was in her previous life. But as she grows closer to her foster sister, Max, her new friends, and Tommy Torres, a guy who accepts her for who she is now, Raven has to decide if she's ready to face what's buried in the past...and the darkness building inside her.

Sky Island by Amy Chu, Illustrated by Janet K. Lee

The stunning sequel to Sea Sirens, the middle-grade graphic novel about a spunky Vietnamese American surfer girl and her cantankerous talking cat. This time Trot and Cap'n Bill have to rescue a Sea Siren friend from the clutches of a ruthless amusement park owner.

School's out and Trot and Cap'n Bill are looking forward to a carefree summer of surfing. But trouble surfaces when Grandpa hooks a message in a bottle while fishing. Clia, the Sea Siren princess, and Anko, King of the Sea Serpents, need their help: Merla, their Sea Siren friend, has been kidnapped!

Like Sea Sirens, Sky Island was inspired by an L. Frank Baum novel of the same name. This charming graphic novel weaves fantastical ocean creatures, quirky but sympathetic main characters, a fun amusement park setting, and fast-paced adventure into an imaginative, world-building story.

CHILDREN’S NON-FICTION

This Book is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake up, Take Action and Do the Work by Tiffany Jewell, Illustrated by Aurélia Durand

Who are you?
What is your identity?
What is racism?
How do you choose your own path?
How do you stand in solidarity?
How can you hold yourself accountable?

Learn about identities, true histories, and anti-racism work in 20 carefully laid out chapters. Written by anti-bias, anti-racist, educator and activist, Tiffany Jewell, and illustrated by French illustrator Aurélia Durand in kaleidoscopic vibrancy.

This book is written for the young person who doesn't know how to speak up to the racist adults in their life. For the 14 year old who sees injustice at school and isn't able to understand the role racism plays in separating them from their friends. For the kid who spends years trying to fit into the dominant culture and loses themselves for a little while. It's for all of the Black and Brown children who have been harmed (physically and emotionally) because no one stood up for them or they couldn't stand up for themselves; because the colour of their skin, the texture of their hair, their names made white folx feel scared and threatened.

It is written so children and young adults will feel empowered to stand up to the adults who continue to close doors in their faces. This book will give them the language and ability to understand racism and a drive to undo it. In short, it is for everyone.

Kids are on a mission to make our Earth a better, safer, happier place, and you can join in!

Every day, we see a problem we would like to fix. A piece of rubbish in a green, grassy park. Plastic water bottles buried in the sand at the beach. A garbage bin overflowing onto the street. A skinny, stray dog. A homeless person on a cold day. These problems seem impossible for one person to change. But we can fix them, if we each do our part – one step at a time.

This practical guide is designed to empower kids to make changes in their lives to help make a difference in the world. Filled with information, ideas and activities, and interspersed with features on amazing children around the world, this book shows kids how to:

Avoid single-use plastics
Throw a plastic-free party
Make a compost bin and reduce waste
Start a herb garden
Grow bee-friendly flowers
Learn about where their food comes from
Be kinder to others, share and donate

Kids are on a mission to make our earth a better, safer, happier place.

And anyone can join in.

Unseen Worlds by Hélène Rajcak & Damien Laverdunt

Discover a hidden universe of microscopic monsters right before your eyes. Travel to locations both familiar and strange as you search for the smallest creatures on Planet Earth. You’ll never see the world the same way again!

Unfold each page to reveal stunningly detailed illustrations bursting with jelly-like amoebae, predatory centipedes, ravenous mosquitoes, and more mites than you could imagine. From the murky ocean depths to your kitchen cupboard, and even inside your nose, you’ll travel to locations both familiar and strange as you search for the smallest creatures on Planet Earth.

Picture Books

She's lovely, our girl!

A joyful and empowering celebration of daughters, granddaughters, sisters and girl-children everywhere - showing all the many things that girls can be.

A brand-new picture book from award-winning and best-loved creator, Anthony Browne.

The Word Needs More Purple People by Kristen Bell & Benjamin Hart, Illustrated by Daniel Wiseman

Actress, producer, and parent Kristen Bell (The Good Place, Veronica Mars, Frozen) and creative director and parent Benjamin Hart have a new challenge for you and your kids: become a purple person

What is a purple person? Great question. I mean, really great Because purple people always ask really great questions. They bring their family, friends, and communities together, and they speak up for what's right. They are kind and hardworking, and they love to laugh (especially at Grandpa's funny noises) A purple person is an everyday superhero How do you become one? That's the fun part Penny Purple will lead you through the steps. Get ready to be silly, exercise your curiosity, use your voice, and be inspired.

Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart have created a hilarious and joyous read-aloud that offers a wonderful message about embracing the things that bring us together as humans. This book will inspire a whole generation to paint the world purple

Aunty’s Wedding by Miranda Tapsell & Joshua Tyler, Illustrated by Samantha Fry

A Tiwi-Island girl prepares for Aunty's wedding with help from her maningawu in this vibrant picture book by the popular actor and writers of Top End Wedding and the highly acclaimed illustrator of Alfred's War.

Everyone on the island is getting ready for Aunty's wedding.
Maningawu puts on her best hat and I can wear a wurrijinga in my hair. Lucky!
We all dress up, but I still don't understand. Why do people have a wedding?

A warm family story that celebrates love and culture from actor, activist, writer and Australian sweetheart, Miranda Tapsell, and Joshua Tyler, co-writer of Top End Wedding, lushly illustrated by Samantha Fry.

MIDDLE GRADE BOOKS

Henry Khoo's family treats him like a baby. He’s not allowed to go anywhere without his sister/chaperone/bodyguard. His (former) best friend knows to expect his family’s mafia-style interrogation when Henry’s actually allowed to hang out at her house. And he definitely CAN’T take a journey halfway around the world all by himself! But that’s exactly his plan.

After his family’s annual trip to visit his father in Singapore is cancelled, Henry decides he doesn’t want to be cooped up at home with his overprotective family and BFF turned NRFF (Not Really Friend Forever). Plus, he’s hiding a your-life-is-over-if-you’re-caught secret: he’s the creator of an anonymous gossip cartoon, and he's on the verge of getting caught. Determined to prove his independence and avoid punishment for his crimes, Henry embarks on the greatest adventure ever . . . hoping it won’t turn into the greatest disaster ever.

Remy Lai takes readers on an adventure filled with humour, heart, and hijinks that’s a sure bet for fans of Jerry Craft, Terri Libenson, and Shannon Hale!

In London's Belgravia, Tamsin lives next door to Edie St Clair, famous author of the ‘London of the Bells’ series of graphic novels.

With the series’ tenth and final novel overdue, Tamsin offers her idol help and discovers that Edie can literally draw herself into her stories. When Edie goes missing, Tamsin draws herself into the novel and lands in a world of unexpected danger. The stakes couldn’t be higher in this gripping adventure.

The Secret Library of Hummingbird House by Julianne Negri

Hattie Maxwell is trying to make sense of her life since the Big Split. It used to be the four of them - Mum, Dad, Ivy and Hattie - against the universe. But now it feels like she's a lone star in a big galaxy. And to make matters worse, her favourite place, Hummingbird House, is going to be demolished! Determined to stop the development, Hattie throws herself into uncovering the secrets of the house. Under a special full moon, she discovers that there is much more to the grand old mansion than first meets the eye... But will it be enough to save Hummingbird House? Or her family? A classic time-slip novel with a contemporary twist, THE SECRET LIBRARY OF HUMMINGBIRD HOUSE celebrates standing up for what you believe in, dealing with change and the unstoppable power of friendship.

YOUNG ADULT BOOKS

Schoolies week: that strange in-between time when teenagers move from school into the adult world. It's a week when anything is possible, and everything can change.

Grace is questioning everything she thought about herself, and has opted not to join her clique of judgemental friends for schoolies, instead tagging along with her brother Casper and his friends.

Casper, an artist, is trying to create the perfect artwork for his uni application folio.

Overachieving, anxiety-ridden Noah is reeling from a catastrophe that might have ruined his ATAR result.

And Elsie is just trying to figure out how to hold their friendship group together.

On the first night of the trip, they meet Sierra, a mysterious girl with silver-grey hair and a magnetic personality. All of them are drawn to her for different reasons, and she persuades them to abandon the cliched schoolies experience in favour of camping with her on a remote, uninhabited island. On that island, each of them will find answers to their questions.

But what does Sierra want from them?

An empathetic and suspenseful coming-of-age story from the author of All That Impossible Space.

The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker by Lauren James

What if death is only the beginning?

When Harriet Stoker dies falling from a balcony in a long-abandoned building, she discovers a world of ghosts with magical powers – shape-shifting, hypnosis, or even the ability to possess the living.

As she learns more about their community, Harriet is willing to do anything to unleash her own power, even if it means destroying everyone around her.

But when all of eternity is at stake, the afterlife can be a dangerous place to make an enemy. Because who knows what grudges people have been holding onto for millennia, just waiting for a reckless girl to give them the chance to get vengeance.

The Other Side of the Sky by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

A magnetic and addictive tale of star-crossed love, inexplicable magic and an impossible choice. Science and faith collide in this tale of magic, destiny and the changing truths found through love by the award-winning authors of the bestselling Starbound trilogy.

Two worlds, two hearts and a choice that will shape their fate forever.
Prince North's home is in the sky, in a gleaming city held aloft by intricate unknown technology. But North believes his sky island is sinking. Its engines are failing, and the key to saving his home is to venture to the place the engines were first created.

Nimh is the living goddess of her people on the surface, responsible for providing answers, direction - hope. But in the midst of the surface's worst crisis yet, a mist that spreads madness and poison, doubts have arisen among the people about Nimh's divinity. She must find a way to manifest her power - before she is overthrown, and all is lost.

North's and Nimh's lives are entwined - though their hearts can never be. Linked by a terrifying prophecy and caught between duty and fate, they must choose to either save their people, or succumb to the bond that is forbidden to them.

YOUNG ADULT NON-FICTION

It's time to reclaim poetry.

Collected by international poetry sensation Nikita Gill, SLAM! You're Gonna Wanna Hear This is a joyful celebration of the ground-breaking poets making their voices heard in the spoken word scene.

Empowering, inspiring and often hilarious, SLAMs are a platform for well-known and emerging talent from all walks of life where every style of poetry has a home.

With poets such as Raymond Antrobus and Dean Atta guest starring alongside up-and-coming poets in the SLAM scene, this is the perfect introduction to world of modern poetry.

Each poet will introduce their poem, tell you a little bit about themselves and give you a tip for preparing brilliant poetry for SLAMs.

Words have the power to empower others.

In his own words, slam poet and social advocate, Solli Raphael shines a spotlight on the concerns teenagers face today, exploring the powerful link between writing and shaping the future.

Following on from the success of Limelight, this new collection of poetry illuminates the social interests of Solli's generation in a thought-provoking style, including a mix of traditional poems and brand-new performance poems. It covers topics from connection to bullying and pinpoints climate change as a key concern with poems like Solli’s Greenpeace collaboration piece ‘Let’s Make More Minutes Count!’.

Spotlight also contains five non-fiction chapters with advice, tips and plenty of activities for kids and teens. Solli encourages readers to find their voice and learn the forms and occupations of writing, as well as discusses how to use and gain a platform, with ways to instigate change and become a wordsmith themselves. He shares his experiences, ideas and advice on how the reader can create a sustainable future and discover ways to help create change, while looking at trends such as veganism and zero waste.

Everyone can be proactive in shaping the future so let’s stand in solidarity.

September 2020 New Release Books