Today on Middle Grade Mavens, Julie chats to Samone Amba, author of The Good Times of Pelican Rise, released on July 27 2021 by Affirm Press, and Illustrated by Lucy Zhang. 

The idea for this series came to Samone while she was shelving books in the middle-grade section of Beaumaris Library. Her creative license wants to add that a book fell on her head, like Henny Penny’s acorn or Isaac Newton’s apple, but that is simply untrue.

Samone is now a pre-service early learning and primary school teacher and will one day be teaching middle grade as well as writing it!

About the book: The Good Times of Pelican Rise: Save the Joey's

UGH! After-school care, again?

It's official: they've finally reached grade six, and Sunday Moon and her besties Ockie, Kirra and Lottie are Legends of the School! But no matter how legendary they are, as soon as the end of day bell rings they are MAROONED in after-school care at Club Koala. Day in, day out, with only the karaoke-loving grade twos and nit-infested preppies for company.

After the worst summer of bushfires ever, Sunday is determined to ditch the headstand competitions and use her time at Club Koala to make a difference. Sunday's parents might say NO! to getting a pet, but that won't stop Sunday from saving as many joeys as she can - with the help of her friends, a radio station, a whole bunch of wool from the op shop, and a LOT of animal memes.

Welcome to The Good Times of Pelican Rise ... a fun series that explores growing up, getting involved, hanging out with besties and using your voice to Be the Change.

By: Samone Amba, Illustrated by Lucy Zhang

Publisher: Affirm Press

Link to Buy

The Good Times of Pelican Rise, Save the Joeys by Samone Amba | 9781922419217 | Booktopia

To learn more about the Mavens, head on over to https://www.middlegradepodcast.com 

Or to find Julie online drop by https://www.julieannegrassobooks.com 

And for Pamela online find her at https://www.ueckerman.net 

Have a question or comment? Email us at [email protected]

To learn what books are in the pipeline, follow us on Instagram Middle Grade Mavens (@middle_grade_mavens_podcast) • Instagram photos and videos