NEWS & EVENTS
Sat 19th Sept
THE WHEELER CENTRE
176 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne B
Times: 10-10.45am + 1-1.45pm
Tues 22nd Sept
THE WHEELER CENTRE at Warrnambool Library
8 Kepler St, Warrnambool
Time: 10.30 - 11.30am
Sun 27th Sept
ELTHAM BOOKSHOP
Venue: Mummery Room, Edendale Community Farm, Eltham
Time: 3 - 4.30pm
Call 03 9439 8700 to book
Thurs 8th October
Parkside Marquee, Brisbane Powerhouse
Time: 11.30am
NEW RELEASES
A charming story about all kinds of families, unexpected best friends – and one pesky ghost.
Lottie Baker has her dad, Bill and her dog, Pog. That’s more than enough family for any ten-year-old girl, isn’t it? Besides, their house is already way too crowded without trying to squeeze anyone else in.
But then Lottie meets a runaway ghost called Martha May Claringbold, who is not too young and not too old. Martha doesn't want to live in the graveyard anymore because it's dark and smelly, and terribly dull. She wants to live in Lottie's room because once upon a time Lottie's room was her room.
And Martha may be just the one to help Lottie’s secret wish come true.
“Filled with heart, humour and wisdom: a thrilling adventure that reminds readers of the true meaning of family.” - Isobel Quast, 11 years old.
Published 15th September 2026.
Reviews of Lottie, Pog and the Runaway Ghost:
"Lottie Baker lives with her adorable but smelly dog, Pog, and her loving but distractible dad, Bill. Lottie often has to drag her dad away from his sculptures to remind him it’s time for dinner, and he’s not great at remembering to do laundry, but that doesn’t matter – they have friends and neighbours who help out when they need it, and Lottie knows her dad loves her more than anything in the world.
Then Martha, a ghost girl with a fondness for rhyming cockney slang, moves into Lottie’s bedroom because she’s sick of haunting an empty cemetery. Martha decides that what Lottie needs is a mother, and so she becomes determined to reunite Lottie with her mum, a famous singer who travels the world performing for adoring fans. But Martha’s grand plan is complicated when Bill brings home a girlfriend! Suddenly, Lottie’s not just dealing with a ghostly roommate, but also a lot of complex feelings about reconnecting with one parent who she barely sees and losing another, whose attention she doesn’t want to share.
This book is Sally Rippin’s love letter to blended families, and it’s a beautiful reminder that love takes many forms. There’s also great representation for neurodivergence, both in kids and adults, and it’s treated with love and understanding, while acknowledging that it can be isolating for kids who pick up certain skills, such as reading, slowly. It will be a comforting read for any kids going through a change in their own family – whether that’s a split or welcoming in a new parental figure – as well as a fun story about friendship and ghosts!
Recommended for readers aged 8+." - Bella Mackie Readings Bookshop.
"We know that Sally Rippin is one of Australia's leading authors with an impressive backlist of so many great
books for younger readers. And her latest Middle Grade novel is top notch, a fast moving story about family, friends, ghosts and more. What I love about this novel is that while it has a warm and cosy vibe, Rippin writes about families today, the core of the novel focusing on a beautiful relationship between a single dad and his young daughter. This is a brilliant read for readers aged 8 plus and this is an excellent class read aloud and text for class focus. Congratulations Sally Rippin - this deserves to be read widely." (Five stars) - Paul's Book Trail
Billie B Brown and her friends have started a new Secret Mystery Club – but can they follow the clues to solve their first case? Find out in Spooky House, the exciting new graphic novel starring Billie B Brown, for fans of The Baby-sitters Club and Paws!
There’s nothing Billie loves more than a good adventure with her best friends! So she starts the Secret Mystery Club, and they take on their very first case: who lives in the spooky house at the end of the street?
But when Billie discovers that a witch lives there, her friends don’t believe her. Can she convince them she’s telling the truth while keeping the club together?
Filled with friendship, fun and neighbourhood adventures, this graphic novel reimagining of the beloved and bestselling Billie B Mysteries series will surprise and delight readers aged 7+.
Join the Secret Mystery Club to help solve all their cases:
-
Spooky House - Out now
-
Code Breakers - Coming soon!