PREVIEW :: More Book mail!

Now, I know I just posted a little preview stack a few days ago, but the book people are BUSY right now, and I have been blessed with A LOT of #bookmail over the past week or two. So, I thought I’d share another little stack of books I’m looking forward to reading.

While we’re talking book mail and reviews, I just wanted to pop in a little overview of how I ‘work’ with this sort of stuff. I don’t receive a lot of unsolicited books in the post, meaning if publishers send me something it is generally a book I have specifically requested. I only ask for books if I think I will enjoy them, and that’s one of the reasons that you are really unlikely to see ‘negative’ reviews here on my blog – I’m generally pretty good at knowing what I’ll like, which also means I’m genuinely excited to read the titles I include in posts like this. I’m always happy to chat more about this sort of thing because I like to be completely transparent about it, so do let me know if you have any questions.
Now, on with the books (oh, and these have all been sent to me for free).

Tiger Daughter by Rebecca Lim (upper primary/YA)
Wen Zhou is the daughter and only child of Chinese immigrants whose move to the lucky country has proven to be not so lucky. Wen and her friend, Henry Xiao – whose mum and dad are also struggling immigrants – both dream of escape from their unhappy circumstances, and form a plan to sit an entrance exam to a selective high school far from home. But when tragedy strikes, it will take all of Wen’s resilience and resourcefulness to get herself and Henry through the storm that follows.
Out now from Allen & Unwin

The Broken Raven by Joseph Elliot (YA)
Book 2 in the Shadow Skye series.
In a world of shadows, hope can be found… Agatha and Jaime have rescued their clan and returned home to Skye as heroes. But when Agatha uncovers a threat to their people, she unwittingly releases a terrible power that could kill every living thing on the island. Jaime must race to Scotia to hunt an ancient blood magic, which may be their only chance of survival. Meanwhile, Sigrid, a Norvegian girl with an unusual gift, journeys to the court of Ingland where a dangerous alliance is forming – one that will soon turn its vengeful eyes to Skye. Sigrid will have to risk everything if she and the people of Skye are to survive the gathering shadows…
Out now from Walker Books

Alex and the Alpacas Save the World by Kathryn Lefroy (middlegrade/upper primary)
Alex is expecting a pretty boring summer. But when Mum takes her to visit her mysterious grandfather on his farm in Tasmania, weird things start to happen … Weirdest of all? Her grandfather’s pet alpacas … who can talk! When things go from strange to scary, Alex must use all her brains, brawn and bravery in order to survive the sinister forces threatening life as she knows it.
Out now from Fremantle Press

Ever Thing We Keep by Di Walker (upper primary/YA)
Trailing her orange suitcase, and a heart full of worry, thirteen-year-old Agatha is about to go home. She has been in and out of foster care for years now, but her latest new life lived with naval precision with Katherine, Lawson and their dog, Chief, has proved to be the salvation that Agatha needed. She has new friends, a sense of place, and space to breathe.
But when the social worker says it’s time to return to her parents, her world comes crashing down. “Home” has always made her anxious and ashamed—and she can’t understand why now she is being forced to go back.
Is it possible to find a way to love her parents without having to live with them?
Out in April from Scholastic Books Australia

Pepper Creek Ponies – A New Friend by Jess Black (middlegrade/mid-upper primary)
When Abby moves from the city to the country, she misses her old life. Despite her fear of horses, she visits Pepper Creek Pony Club in the hope of making friends. But Abby quickly learns that being a horse-girl is harder than she thought. Will Abby ever make a new friend?
Out now from Scholastic Books Australia
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That’s ALMOST all the recent book mail (I’m telling you – it has been amazing!) and a bit of a sneak peek of what I’ll be reviewing here over the next little while. Let me know if there are any titles you’re particularly excited about!
xo Bron