Episode 247: 10 minutes with Samera Kamaleddine

May 13, 2026

In episode 247 of the Your Kid’s Next Read podcast:

10 minutes with Samera Kamaleddine

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.

Books we mention

Click on the titles to find out more or buy. See contact page for affiliate disclosure.

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Bookmail and TBR pile

‘Tearing Myself Together’ by Anna Whateley

‘Time to Go to the Park’ by Emma Boyd and Leila Rudge

‘Prickles’ by Phil Cummings and Jennifer Goldsmith

‘Frances Bloom: Dangerous Days’ by Katrina Nannestad, illustrated by Marina Zlatanova

‘Freddie Jones: The Mystery of The Ghostly Garden’ by Kate Foster

Other

Tristan Bancks Author Talk

10 minutes with Samera Kamaleddine

About Samera Kamaleddine

Samera Kamaleddine has considered herself a writer since she got her first creative writing certificate in kindergarten. She went on to become a journalist, writing about everything from friendship to body confidence for young women’s magazines.

Now, she’s the author of Half My Luck (Matilda Prize winner 2021), The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart (shortlisted for CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers 2024) and the Clueless series.

Find out more.

About Hykie Breeze

Hykie Breeze is an illustrator and graphic designer, born in Hong Kong and now fortunate enough to be living and working in Sydney (Dharawal country).

After nearly a decade in marketing and events management, Hykie moved into graphic design, before finding her way to illustration. As a lifelong bookworm, deciding to draw with the purpose of empowering kids to read on their own was one of the best decisions she has ever made.

Hykie is the illustrator for the Ella and the Frogs series, written by Cassy Polimeni.

The first in the series, Ella and the Amazing Frog Orchestra, was included on the CBCA Notables list for Younger Readers in 2025.

Find out more.

About ‘The Clueless Guide To Solving A Mystery’

Inspired by personal experience, this is a very fresh and funny MG series by CBCA shortlisted author Samera Kamaleddine.

I didn’t always live with seven old people and one middle-aged cavoodle called Christine …

Claudia Smith’s parents have left her to (temporarily) live with her grandparents at Boonside Heights Retirement Village while they’re away on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise.

The only good thing? The most popular kids at school, Yasmin and Zayn Bassal, have turned up to visit their grandmother.

The not-so-good thing? Orpheus McAdoo, the most annoying kid at school, is hanging around like a bad smell.

When the discovery of a mysterious note has the oldies in a fluster, Claudia sees an opportunity for the unlikely foursome to get together and solve the mystery. There’s just one problem …

They don’t have a single clue.

Find out more.

LISTEN TO THE FIRST CHAPTER HERE IN OUR FRIDAY FIRST CHAPTERS EPISODE.

Published by HarperCollins Publishers Australia