Dusty in the Outwilds (Rhiannon Williams, HGCP)

Dusty, real name Willa Dust, might just be the most intuitive, smart and brave 12-year-old you’ll ever get caught up in an extraordinary adventure with. Dusty has always heard about her mysterious aunty Meg but has never found out the truth as to why she disappeared. When Dusty finds a strange photo of Meg, and her dad and uncle remain secretive, she decides to try to find out the truth. Along with her best friend Gus, his little sister, and some homemade spaghetti, they head ‘out wild’, where they think Meg could be. The Outwilds prove to be a place with astonishing animal and plant life, where stories and beasts they’ve heard about growing up are made real. Dusty proves heroic as she faces obstacle after obstacle, all the while trying to come to terms with the way adults deal with situations, and questioning why there are so many secrets in her family. The reader can’t help but back this plucky explorer and hope her search to find her aunty, as well as uncover answers to her questions, is successful. Fans of Karen Foxlee and Jessica Miller will enjoy this otherworldly tale by Rhiannon Williams and revel in the striking illustrations by Martina Heiduczek. For explorative readers ages nine and older.

Katie Haydon is a library officer in Geelong and a former assistant editor of Books+Publishing.

Category: Daily newsletter Review Junior Reviews