Devon Taylor
The Review Crew is a monthly free program run by Devon at Paradise Bookshop for local kids aged 10–15 years old. We meet after school on the last Monday of every month to read and review new books and help curate the Young Adult and Junior Fiction shelves. We have a lot of fun together and read a lot of books!
Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing reviews from Ruby, Henry, Roni, Poppy, Tully, Griff, Otis, Abby, Matilda and Jet.
Small Acts by Kate Foster and Kate Gordon (RRP $16.99)
Small Acts is a compassionate junior fiction tale told through the eyes of Ollie and Josh, two autistic pre-teens in the same grade 5 class. Encouraged by their classroom teacher, Mr Parham, both Ollie and Josh are inspired to make positive changes in their community by a video about the kind actions of others. Through each kind act they do, Ollie and Josh’s lives become more and more entwined, and they slowly become friends.
As a neurodiverse person, I feel that the autistic characters in this story are written in a very authentic manner and I relate to many of Ollie and Josh’s experiences. It’s rare that I find a book written by, about, and for neurodiverse people, and so, Small Acts is refreshing.
I would recommend this book for people between the ages of 10-13. Although the style of writing is fairly simple and easily-digestible, some topics covered are more suitable for middle-grade readers. Fans of Martine Murray (Molly and Pim and the Millions of Stars) would also enjoy this book.
Rating : 9/10
Review by Matilda, 14, They/Them
When The World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson (RRP $22.99)
I really liked the unique style of writing that was new for me. It felt really fresh and made me want to explore more of Jandy Nelsons’ work. It is a big read and for a five hundred page book the ending did feel a bit incomplete, though, it leaves room for your imagination to continue the story. It gets you thinking with its themes about identity, love, grief and how we move through life.
It is an explosion of colour and emotion, a bright novel at times and a reflective one in other moments. It brings to life a complicated past of the Fall children, the story’s protagonists as they embrace the unknown and find themselves working through the challenges life presents them.
The book has so much in it it is hard to find the right words to describe it but, it does feel like a harmonious song or a bright hazy spring day. It is for readers aged 14+ because of its mature content and themes. When The World Tips Over is a great new book to explore and, as I have learned, a book worth sticking with.
Rating : 8/10
Review by Abby, 14, She/Her
The Strange and Unlikely Tale of Montgomery the Mysterious Bird of Mystery by Antony Elworthy (RRP $16.99)
The Strange and Unlikely Tale of Montgomery, the Mysterious Bird of Mystery is a recount of a checkered career, from a stuntman to a deep-sea diver, but the most interesting (and the strangest) was a magician. The most famous act was with a white dove named Montgomery, but magic can change people… and doves.
Rating: 7/10
Review by Henry, 11, They/Them
Fern’s School for Wayward Fae: The Graveyard Gift by CJ Piper (RRP $16.99)
Ferns School for Wayward Fae is, at first, very stereotypical: “The child with magical powers is living in sadness when they get swept off to a magical school.” But as the story progresses the plot line improves greatly and this book becomes an amazing adventure riddled with twists and turns.
In this story, you will follow Rosemary, an inquisitive 12 year old that can see the future. She finally feels like she belongs when she is whisked away to a magical school, but a plot is being hatched and only Rosemary and her friends can stop it.
I would recommend this book for young readers from age 7 to 10, because it has short chapters and a simple story dynamic making it a great read for younger people.
Rating: 6/10
Review by Roni, 11, She/Her
All books are available to purchase at Paradise Bookshop.
For more information about the Review Crew, you can contact Devon on 5348 1288 or info@paradisebookshop.com.au
Devon Taylor is the co-owner of Paradise Bookshop in Daylesford.
