Your Kid's Next Read With Allison Tait and Megan Daley

Amelia Mellor reads from 'The Guinea Fowl Mystery', illustrated by Jess Racklyeft, one of four launch titles in the Your Next Read Gold series for readers 7+.

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
02:09 Amelia Mellor reads ‘The Guinea Fowl Mystery (Your Next Read Gold)’

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Award-winning YA author Will Kostakis joins Allison and Megan for a round-table chat about books for teens, trends in YA literature, and the evergreen ‘boys and reading’ debate. Plus, insights into Will's debut middle-grade novel 'Otis Ottley And The School In The Sky'. Note, this episode includes discussion of Young Adult themes.

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Sarah Armstrong reads from ‘The Wave’, her suspenseful new middle-grade survivalist novel.

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
02:16 Sarah Armstrong reads 'The Wave'

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Allison chats to author Carla Fitzgerald about her funny new middle-grade novel ‘How To Make The World Cup and Survive Grade Five’, why she’s a ‘reformed lawyer’ and why grade five is a sweet spot for storytellers.

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
04:18 New Books For Kids and Teens
16:46 10 minutes with Carla Fitzgerald
31:25 What's on For Megan and Allison

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A. L. Tait reads from ‘The Garden of Lost Girls’, her new cold-case crime thriller for readers 10+.

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
02:20 A. L. Tait reads 'The Garden of Lost Girls'

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From picture books to novels for teens, we look at books that explore the different and diverse facets of family life. Plus, Allison is celebrating the publication of her 13th middle-grade novel, 'The Garden of Lost Girls'.

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
03:35 New Books For Kids and Teens
11:09 Books about Families 2.0
39:25 What's on For Megan and Allison

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Beverley McWilliams reads from her new middle-grade novel ‘Bandoola: Inspired by the true story of a remarkable elephant’. 

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
01:51 Beverley McWilliams reads 'Bandoola'

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Allison chats with award-winning, bestselling author Kate Foster about writing ‘A River I Must Be’, why representation matters and why her busy author life is not for everyone. 

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
04:19 New Books For Kids and Teens
15:05 10 minutes with Kate Foster
39:10 What's on For Megan and Allison

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Ashleigh Barton reads from 'Eighty-Nine Questions For After', her wise, thoughtful middle-grade novel about finding answers to life's big questions. 

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
02:36 Ashleigh Barton reads 'Eighty-Nine Questions for After'

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Allison and Megan explore books for sporty kids, from books about sport to books that feature sport to books with enough pace and ‘space’ to appeal to kids who’d rather ‘run than read’.

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
03:41 New Books For Kids and Teens
13:49 Books for sporty kids
32:44 What's on For Megan and Allison

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John Stanton reads from ‘The Adventures of Squidape’, his debut middle-grade mystery. 

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
01:55 John Stanton reads 'The Adventures of Squidape'

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Allison chats with award-winning author Samantha Wheeler about her latest middle-grade novel ‘The Lost Island’, survival stories and connecting adventure and nature in stories kids love. 

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
05:43 New Books For Kids and Teens
17:51 10 minutes with Samantha Wheeler
42:47 What's on For Megan and Allison

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Lucie Stevens reads from 'Nanny Tobbins and the Midnight Plan', book #2 in her funny middle-grade fantasy series.

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
02:14 Lucie Stevens reads ‘Nanny Tobbins and the Midnight Plan’

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Allison and Megan dive into one of the big book questions of our time. Using their perspectives as, respectively, parents, authors, advocates, educator, and journalist to look at why Book Week exists, the role it plays in school and family life, and why it's actually not about the costumes.

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
05:43 New Books For Kids and Teens
16:10 Why do we have to do Book Week?
34:15 Quick Tip: Raising Readers
25:10 What's on For Megan and Allison

Read the show notes for all book references at yourkidsnextread.com.au/podcast

Rebecca Ahola reads from her debut middle-grade fantasy novel ‘Miles Thorne and The Forbidden Magic’.

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
01:31 Rebecca Ahola reads ‘Miles Thorne and The Forbidden Magic’

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Allison chats to award-winning (and awe-inspiring) author Maxine Beneba Clarke about her new junior verse novel ‘Sagittarius Rising’, finding ideas everywhere, and the power and the playfulness of words.

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
08:52 New Books For Kids and Teens
22:51 10 minutes with Maxine Beneba Clarke
47:57 What's on For Megan and Allison

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Cassy Polimeni reads from her junior fiction novel ‘Ella and the Call of The Wild’, illustrated by Hykie Breeze, book #4 in the 'Ella and The Frogs' series.

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
02:12 Cassy Polimeni reads 'Ella and the Call of the Wild'

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How do you find the right book for your young reader when there are so many to choose from? Allison and Megan share some tips for unearthing the gems and – in a Bookmail-a-palooza event – recommend 15 recent titles, from picture books to middle grade. 

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
06:13 How to find a great new read for your kid 
41:06 What's on For Megan and Allison

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Vincenzo Perrella and Dan Osborn read from ‘Old Bertie’, their new novel for readers 12+.

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
01:15 Vincenzo Perrella and Dan Osborn read 'Old Bertie'

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Allison chats to rising author Bethany Loveridge about her new junior fiction novel ‘Josie Mack and the Mega Division’, and encouraging creativity in kids. Plus Megan shares some Book Week tips.

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
04:06 Quick Tip: Book Week
08:40 New Books For Kids and Teens
21:12 10 minutes with Bethany Loveridge
40:01 What's on For Megan and Allison

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Shara Curlett reads from ‘Protector of Beyond’, the first book in her new middle-grade fantasy series

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
02:05 Shara Curlett reads ‘Protector of Beyond’

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International bestselling author Amie Kaufman joins Allison and Megan for a chat about trends in young adult fiction, why genre fiction works so well for teens, and what makes a book feel quintessentially Australian – even when it’s set in space. Plus, we’re highlighting a new opportunity to join our team.

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
07:01 Let's Talk YA with Amie Kaufman
52:22 What's on For Megan and Allison

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Jol Temple reads from ‘Witless Protection’, the second book in the hilarious Mega Rich Guinea Pigs series for readers 8+, written by Kate & Jol Temple.

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
01:53 Jol Temple reads ‘Mega Rich Guinea Pigs: Witless Protection’

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Allison chats to bestselling author Sally Rippin about the latest exciting addition to the incredibly popular Billie B Brown universe. Plus, the Your Next Read series has two new titles and Megan introduces a new family member.

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
09:32 New Books For Kids and Teens
19:22 10 minutes with Sally Rippin
48:19 Quick Tip: Remember that books are as portable as a digital device
51:07 What's on For Megan and Allison

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Alison Rocca reads from her new middle-grade novel ‘Joey and The Junjardy’, illustrated by Brenton E McKenna.

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
01:46 Allison Rocca reads 'Joey and the Junjardy'

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Megan takes us behind the scenes of creating teaching notes, including how parents can use them at home to create discussion around books. Plus, weathering the ebbs and flows of life with ‘kidults’, morning dances and the magic of Kylie. 

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
08:16 New Books For Kids and Teens
20:18 Teachers’ Notes 101
37:53 What's on For Megan and Allison

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Award-winning author Cristy Burne reads from ‘One Day Soon’, her moving middle-grade verse novel about Motor Neurone Disease.

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Allison chats to award-winning author Peter Carnavas about his new 'classic bedtime story' 'Kid', writing quiet stories that make noise and putting the 'warm' in heartwarming. Plus, Megan has many thoughts about protein.

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
06:41 New Books For Kids and Teens
18:02 10 minutes with Peter Carnavas
38:37 What's on For Megan and Allison

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Bestselling author R. A. Spratt reads from her hilarious new middle-grade novel ‘The Epically Awesome Odyssey, as told by Nanny Piggins’.

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
02:08 R. A. Spratt reads 'The Epically Awesome Odyssey, as told by Nanny Piggins’

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Allison chats to author Meg Caddy about their new YA historical thriller ‘A Flash In The Dust’, seeking out the unwritten stories to create a 'unicorn' novel, and tapping into underlying menace. Plus, Megan is raving about some new non-fiction books.

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
05:43 New Books For Kids and Teens
14:14 10 minutes with Meg Caddy
36:01 What's on For Megan and Allison

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Katrina Macdonald Roe reads from her new middle-grade historical fantasy novel ‘The Stolen Bairn’.

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
01:46 Katrina Macdonald Roe reads 'The Stolen Child'

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Allison and Megan celebrate 250 official episodes by taking stock of what’s changed since episode #1 (and what hasn’t), and Team YKNR takes steps to help shape the future of reading in Australia.

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
10:12 New Books For Kids and Teens
22:25 Taking Stock, Taking Steps
37:59 What's on For Megan and Allison

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Olivia Muscat reads from her delightful middle-grade novel ‘Annie And Maeve Are Definitely Not Friends’.

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
01:58 Olivia Muscat reads Annie and Maeve are definitely not friends

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Allison chats to award-winning author Deborah Kelly about her new junior fiction series ‘Poppy & Pipsqueak’, ensuring all kids see themselves in stories, and challenged books. Plus, Megan’s got a book recommendation to help streamline gluten-free family life.

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
06:42 New Books For Kids and Teens
19:17 10 Minutes With Deborah Kelly
36:36 Quick Tip: Try An Audio Book This Week
39:41 What's on For Megan and Allison

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Angourie Rice reads from ‘My Wonderful Disgrace’, her darkly funny YA novel, co-authored with Kate Rice.

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
01:53 Angourie Rice reads from ‘My Wonderful Disgrace’

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Learning HOW to read and learning to LOVE reading are two different things and both take effort. Megan and Allison explore different ways to instil the will to read in our kids – with some quick ideas you can try today.

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
07:33 New Books For Kids and Teens
18:06 The Skill and Will of Reading
32:32: Quick Tip:  Talk About Books in the Home 
36:20 What's on For Megan and Allison

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Jacqueline Harvey reads from ‘Grand Opening’, book three in her bestselling middle-grade series ‘The Girl And The Ghost’.

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
02:29 Jacqueline Harvey reads from ‘The Girl And The Ghost: Grand Opening’

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Allison chats to author Samera Kamaleddine about her new middle-grade novel ‘The Clueless Guide To Solving A Mystery’, the role of inter-generational relationships in her writing, and what she does in her day job to encourage kids to read. Plus, Megan has many thoughts on kids and public transport.

00:00 Life, Parenting, Quality Waffle
09:13 New Books For Kids and Teens
17:52 10 minutes with Samera Kamaleddine
37:48 What's on For Megan and Allison

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Brenton Cullen reads from his debut middle-grade novel 'The Prime Minister Problem'.

00:00 Settle in for Friday First Chapters
00:00 Brenton Cullen reads 'The Prime Minister Problem'

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Taking inspiration from the 2026 CBCA Book Week theme ‘Symphony of Stories’, Allison and Megan take a deep dive into books about music, including recommended titles from picture books to YA and beyond, plus ideas for bringing the theme to life. 

00:00 Quality Waffle
03:37 Book Mail for This Week
09:45 Books About Music
39:22 What Else is Happening This Week

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