The Sunbird
By Sarah Haddad
$19.99
The Sunbird is the children’s edition of the adult novel of the same name, adapted for middle grade readers. This small but profound book is the story of Nabila Yasmeen, a young Palestinian girl whose life is turned upside down in the wake of the Nakba (‘the catastrophe’ in Arabic). The story is told to a young boy at a March for Palestine in 2025 from the perspective of Nabila as an older woman.
Nabila loves to play outside and collect fossils, inventing imaginative games for herself and her best friend Kahlil. She longs to start school, often watching classes from the window. At the beginning of another day of harvest, bombs begin to fall, and Nabila is forced to survive amidst destruction, violence and displacement.
The Sunbird is a moving, lyrical book that is sure to touch young readers’ hearts and connect them to what is occurring in Palestine through a narrator who is not unlike them. The book also includes an author’s note with further reading on the events of the Nakba and a glossary of Arabic terms utilised in the book.
Age 8+
Bird Deity
By John Morrissey
$34.99
Bird Deity is a delightful yet eerie fusion of cosmic horror and speculative fiction, written in an impressively restrained prose. Morrissey examines the follies and fallacies of the colonial project through his world-building of an alien planet populated by the mysterious parasapes. Our protagonist is David, a scout who has spent a decade plundering the planet for a powerful corporation, whilst remaining ignorant to the planet’s inhabitants. When his mentor vanishes, he begins to question his place on the planet. As the mystery unfolds, a researcher asks for his guidance, as she believes there are more to the parasapes than they may have thought.
Through his masterful handling of language and plot, Morrissey delves into the psyche of David and his contradictions. His encounters with the land and the parasapes build a sense of dread, which is interspersed with vivid dreams and snapshots of the lives of the parasapes. Even for those who are not sci-fi readers, this book utilises genre in an effective way to examine power, history, and the human psyche.
Reviews by the Sun Bookshop – sunbookshop.com
The Boy and the Dog Tree
By Fiona Wood
I really enjoyed The Boy and the Dog Tree by Fiona Wood.
The story is about Mitch, who feels lonely and lost when his life suddenly changes. I felt sorry for him, especially when he had trouble at school and missed his parents. It felt very real and easy to understand.
My favourite part was Argos, the mysterious dog from the tree. He is not just a normal dog—he feels wise, kind, and a bit magical. I liked the way he helped Mitch, but also taught him to be brave on his own.
The story is simple, but it has a strong message about friendship, courage, and finding where you belong. It shows that even when life is hard, you can grow stronger.
Departure(s)
By Julian Barnes
Departure(s) by Julian Barnes is a quiet and thoughtful book about life, love, memory, and death.
The story is not really about what happens. It is more about what things mean. It shows how life slowly turns into memories—moments become stories, and stories stay with us.
The book also talks about getting older. The body becomes weaker, and illness and death feel closer. But the mind keeps going. It still remembers, asks questions, and tries to understand life.
Jimmy the dog shows a different way of living. He lives in the moment and does not worry about death, unlike people who often overthink.
The book also shows that stories and memories are not always right. Sometimes what we feel is more important than what really happened.
Reviews by Aryani Siti
My Body is for Kindness
By Aryani Siti.
Illustrated by Tyson Chiceri
My Body is for Kindness is a thoughtful and accessible children’s book that introduces young readers to the importance of kindness, respect, and personal boundaries. Through simple language and clear examples, the book explores different parts of the body and how they can be used in positive and caring ways.
One of the book’s key strengths is its ability to support early conversations around respect and boundaries. Topics that can sometimes be challenging for adults to explain. By presenting these ideas in a gentle and age-appropriate manner, the book serves as a helpful tool for parents, caregivers, and educators alike.
The illustrations are clean and engaging, complementing the text without overwhelming young readers. The writing is straightforward and easy to follow, making it suitable for early learners and ideal for shared reading.
Review by Deborah Sugirthakumar
