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It’s the last day of February — and that means it’s time for our first TOP READS post for 2018!

On the last day of every month — from February to November — our team of young readers recommends their favourite reads from the month. You can read about this year’s Top Reads team members in an earlier post.

Grab your library card or dig up that forgotten Christmas book voucher at the back of your sock drawer … and check out these stories!

You’ll find a recommended list from our Top Reads Team on the last day of every month (February to November). If you’d like even more recommendations, browse all through all our Top Reads ever!

*All our Top Readers are kids aged 13 and under. No grownups allowed!

We’re thrilled to introduce you to the 2018 Top Reads team.

What is the Top Reads team? Members of this team are keen readers who stop by each month to recommend a favourite read for the month, and they’re all kids like you!

INTRODUCING:

Matthew, 10, VIC (July to November 2018)
Before I broke my arm, my main interest was cycling around my bush property.  Now, my main interest is drawing 3D words and phrases on A4 paper.  I like to stick them on the walls around my bedroom to motivate me.  Two of my favourite creations are ‘I can …’ and ‘I will …’

I love to read action books like Zac Power and the Treehouse series.  At the moment, I’m reading The Marvellous Land of Oz by Frank Baum.  Its keeping me interested because the characters make other characters.

Vivaan, 9, VIC (February to June 2018)
Vivaan enjoys non-fiction and fiction books with lots of action, as they are intriguing. When he’s not reading, Vivaan plays cricket with his dad and badminton. He likes discovering interesting new words using the Rocket Speller app on his iPad.

Matilda, 9, NT
Matilda likes to spend her time reading, writing, drawing and swimming.  When she’s not doing her other hobbies she likes to have adventures and spend time with family and friends.

Xavier, 9, NT
When he’s not reading, Xavier enjoys riding his bike, swimming and playing soccer and touch rugby. He is also obsessed with video games! When he grows up Xavier wants to be a scientist.

Lewis, 9, WA
Lewis loves reading, particularly entertaining/funny books and adventure stories. When he isn’t reading he loves soccer, swimming, music, star wars, Lego and playing with his younger brother.

Tirion, 9, VIC
Tirion’s hobbies are gymnastics, singing and dancing. Her mum started reading chapter books to her when she was 2 years old.  Tirion remembers Enid Blyton books like the Famous Five series and The Magic Faraway Tree. Spy and adventure novels are her current favourites. Tirion loves reading because it helps her wonder.

Céití, 8, WA
Céití loves spending time with her chocolate labrador Flynn. She enjoys all sorts of reading and writing, playing her violin, cooking and playing water polo. Her favourite series at the moment is Harry Potter.

Anishka, 8, QLD
Anishka loves writing poems. She started composing her own poems when she was 4 years old. She loves to play with her friends. She is also involved in raising funds for Heart Research and Foundation through ‘Jump Rope for Heart’.

Albie May, 6, NSW
Albie May loves funny books — like Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas (which is about a vegetarian piranha) as well as books with made up words in them.

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Look out for the first book recommendations for 2018 on the last day of February!

This is the LAST Top Reads for 2017 (and it’s only a tiny bit late — sorry — our editor has been off sick).

At the end of each month (from February to November) members of our Top Reads team recommend fantastic books. This year the list has included audiobooks, graphic novels, novels, joke books, picture books, and nonfiction titles.

A big thank you to everyone on our team for this year*, we’ve loved seeing your recommendations. (Keep an eye out in February when we’ll be introducing our 2018 team.)

Add these to your Christmas wishlist or visit your local library — get set for some great holiday reading …

You’ll find a recommended list from our Top Reads Team on the last day of every month (February to November). If February seems too far away, you can check out all the Top Reads posts ever.

*All our Top Readers are kids aged 13 and under. No grownups allowed!

ELLIE AND THE SECRET GARDEN
by Sophie, 6, VIC

One windy, cold night, Ellie was in her bed. She could not get to sleep. Just when she was getting to sleep, a big gust of wind came in through the window. She was so curious. She went to the door. She pushed the door open.

Just then, the wind carried Ellie away! The wind carried Ellie out of the door. It carried Ellie to the garden!

Then it stopped and put her down. Then it did the same again, but this time it didn’t carry Ellie away. Instead, it blew the ivy on the wall, and under the ivy, Ellie saw a door.

“Maybe it’s the secret garden.” Her mum had told her stories about it.

She tried to turn the handle. It was very stiff, but she could just turn it. The next second, she was in the secret garden.

When she got back into bed, it was morning.

Her mum and dad came in at 7:30am and said, “Time for breakfast.”

“Okay,” said Ellie, “but before that, I’m going to put on my school clothes.”

“Okay,” Ellie’s parents said.

Once Ellie got them on, she went down to the garden. She opened the door, then she shut the door behind her. Then she bobbed down and started clearing dead leaves and grass.

When she finished, she went inside and had her breakfast, then she went to school on the school bus. She told her friends about that garden, but they didn’t believe her. But her bestest friend knew that Ellie was telling the truth.

When it was home time, Sophie, which is Ellie’s best friend, asked her mum and Ellie’s mum if she could have a play at Ellie’s house. They said yes.

Sophie ran up to Ellie, but when Sophie saw Ellie, she was talking to some people and making new friends and asking them to be her best friends. It made Sophie feel sad.

When Ellie’s new friends had gone, Sophie went up to Ellie. She told Ellie how she felt. Then Ellie said to herself, ‘she is my best friend,’ then she stopped daydreaming, and said sorry to Sophie. Then Sophie told Ellie about the play. Ellie was so excited.

Sophie went in Ellie’s car. It was so fun. When they got to Ellie’s house, Ellie and Sophie went down to the garden.

She said, “Come with me, Sophie.” They tiptoed to the door. They opened the door, then they pushed the door shut. Sophie was amazed. There were roses everywhere. Sophie’s mouth dropped open when she saw them.

Ellie took Sophie away. She wanted to show Sophie lots more.

The End

This is Sophie’s first story for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR story, poem, artwork or book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

It’s that time again — the last day of the month means book recommendations from our Top Reads team*. Look for these titles in your library, bookshop, or on your best friend’s bookshelves. Or add them to your Christmas wishlist …

You’ll find a recommended list from our Top Reads Team on the last day of every month (February to November). If you’d like even more recommendations, browse all through all our Top Reads ever!

*All our Top Readers are kids aged 13 and under. No grownups allowed!

Spring brings the school holidays for most of our readers — though some states and territories are about to head into Term 4 already. Whether you are just finishing your holidays, or just starting them, it’s always a good time for some more reading. And you’re in luck, because the last day of the month means it’s time for our Top Reads team* to recommend some brilliant books!

You’ll find a recommended list from our Top Reads Team on the last day of every month (February to November). If you’d like even more recommendations, browse all through all our Top Reads ever!

*All our Top Readers are kids aged 13 and under. No grownups allowed!