7 brilliant kids’ books set in Australia

 

The book we sent our Cockatoo subscribers in January 2020 tells the story of a young boy and his family who have immigrated to Australia:

Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai

There are some fantastic middle grade chapter books and young adult books set in Australia which we think would make perfect reading for anyone who would like to explore more about life Down Under. Here are six to get you started:

Countdown to Yesterday by Shirley Marr (Usborne)

We sent this moving drama about the ups and downs of navigating a family breakdown and new friendships to our Cockatoo subscribers in April 2024.

James is stuck in the present and that's the last place he wants to be. His parents have suddenly separated, and he has to get used to living two completely different lives. Then during Science Week, James meets the enigmatic Yan, a girl who looks at the world with x-ray eyes, and he discovers that travelling back in time might not be impossible after all. But are his best memories as perfect as he remembers?

 

Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire by Nat Amoore (Rock the Boat)

Finding a million dollars in your back garden would be every kid's dream, right? That's what Tess and her best friend Toby thought, too. Bouncy castles at school. Sweets for their adoring fans. Wearing sunglasses indoors (because that's what millionaires do). There's a lot you can get with a million dollars... including a whole lot of trouble!

A high-octane adventure with an important message. Perfect for 8+.

You may also be interested to read our interview with the author, including her favourite funny book suggestions, here.

How to Bee by Bren MacDibble (Old Barn Books)

This original and moving chapter book was a highlight of our 2018 book subscription boxes and one we have continued to recommend to young bookworms at the many events we attend. Set in a dystopian near-future world where bees are extinct and fruit trees are pollinated by hand, by a team of young ‘bees’, the book explores themes around environmental crisis, family loyalty and adventure. Highly recommended and perfect for kids aged 9+.

 

The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell (Usborne)

This extraordinary tale, set in the Australian Outback, is a gripping exploration of friendship for readers aged 8 and up. 

When a young girl wakes up in the middle of the desert, she has no idea who she is. She's wearing one shoe, a silky black dress, and she's carrying a strange, heavy case. She meets Tarni, who is on a mysterious quest of her own. Together, the two girls trek across the vast and ever-changing Australian Outback in search of answers. Except both are also hiding secrets...

We sent this beautifully written dystopian mystery to our Macaw subscribers (aged 12+) in September 2023.  

In a near-future world impacted by climate change and a devastating pandemic, infected children are being cryogenically frozen to give the government enough time to find a cure that will save them. One hundred years in the future, in a post-pandemic, post-pollution, post-city world, Shelby finds the forgotten children in an abandoned city when she ventures out from her rural egg farm. The batteries are degenerating, and the children will die unless she wakes them. Can she work together with the children to locate a cure, and find a way to a better future.

Are you keen to supercharge your child’s love of reading but feel like you could be doing more to support them? We know that discovering, purchasing and recommending books that maintain your child’s enthusiasm for reading, helping them to reach their full potential, is time consuming. Why not let us take that off your to-do list? With a Parrot Street Book Club subscription your child receives a carefully chosen new children’s book and accompanying activity pack through the post each month. They receive a stream of varied and exciting books, whilst the book club-style questions and activities are perfect for sharing. Find out more here.