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Stella Street #1
45 + 47 Stella Street and Everything That Happened
In the tradition of the great detective novels, Henni keeps a journal of the events on Stella Street, recounted with a battalion of zany, 11-year-old truths and insights. When the Phonies move into 45 Stella Street, the neighborhood is in for a shake-up, explains Henni. Former occupant Auntie Lillie's open-door welcome becomes Mr. and Mrs. Phonies' magazine house of swanky new appliances. Keep Away! The Phonies, through their attorneys, launch an artillery of snottily outrageous letters at the friendly folks at 47 Stella Street, complaining about garbage, blocked driveways, and a magenta fence! Zev, Henni, Danielle and Frank feel as if the sun has stopped shining on Stella Street. When the kids are called in for questioning, they decide to do a little detective work of their own.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
22 people are currently reading
466 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Honey
49 books55 followersElizabeth Honey was a weedy child who always seemed to have a sore throat, so her parents didn't send her to school until she was nearly seven. The Honeys lived on a farm in the bush near Wonthaggi, Victoria. There were four kids and Elizabeth was number three. With her younger sister Mary, Elizabeth puzzled over jigsaws, played with the dogs, climbed trees and one way or another did a lot of pretending, on horses or tractors, in dress-ups or with glove puppets, round old trucks, cubbies, dams and hay sheds.
Following Swinburne art school, adventures overseas and a variety of jobs Elizabeth became an illustrator, then also a writer, for children. Her first book, 'Princess Beatrice and the Rotten Robber' was published in 1988.
She lives in Richmond, Melbourne in a house of books: picture books, poetry, art (Matisse particularly) zines and strange books. Fortunately, her retired graphic designer husband is also a bibliophile. They have two grown-up children and a granddaughter in Amsterdam. All her life Elizabeth has zoomed around on her bike - not a lycra rider, just a charging-round-the-place rider - and that vibrant bike city in the Netherlands has become an inspiration. She's also passionate about streets for people not cars, public parkland and place-making, and an abiding passion is habitat for wildlife, for the survival of our unique Australian animals.
Following Swinburne art school, adventures overseas and a variety of jobs Elizabeth became an illustrator, then also a writer, for children. Her first book, 'Princess Beatrice and the Rotten Robber' was published in 1988.
She lives in Richmond, Melbourne in a house of books: picture books, poetry, art (Matisse particularly) zines and strange books. Fortunately, her retired graphic designer husband is also a bibliophile. They have two grown-up children and a granddaughter in Amsterdam. All her life Elizabeth has zoomed around on her bike - not a lycra rider, just a charging-round-the-place rider - and that vibrant bike city in the Netherlands has become an inspiration. She's also passionate about streets for people not cars, public parkland and place-making, and an abiding passion is habitat for wildlife, for the survival of our unique Australian animals.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
September 28, 2014
I've always found it funny how, in certain respects, Australian children's writers have been better than "normal" writers at conveying Australian suburban life, and it doesn't come any better than this.
Unpatronising, with an enthusiastic first-person narrator and illustrations that don't detract from the text: Honey presents us with a funny tale that somehow manages to string together a tale of friendship with neighbour disputes and financial fraud.
Unpatronising, with an enthusiastic first-person narrator and illustrations that don't detract from the text: Honey presents us with a funny tale that somehow manages to string together a tale of friendship with neighbour disputes and financial fraud.
June 20, 2011
My all time favourite book as an 11 year old.
June 14, 2017
Rereading this book, I can say for sure that it is both marvellous and VERY Australian.
As an adult, I wouldn't describe it as being well written, but as the 11-year-old MC is the one writing it down, I would say that 12-year-old me thought it was just perfect. It has pictures, handwritten notes, copies of letters and such, which kept things interesting, and the way it was written there was never a dull moment! The stakes just got higher and higher! That said I never felt like it was too unrealistic. Except for .
The characters are great! I love how they are separate families in their own right, but when they come together they are like one massive family.
I love the way Stella Street really came to life in my mind. I think my favourite thing about the street is Donna's garden, it must look marvellous with .
All in all, this is a wonderful book that feels as relevant today as when it was published back in 1995. I think I need to go and buy myself a copy.
As an adult, I wouldn't describe it as being well written, but as the 11-year-old MC is the one writing it down, I would say that 12-year-old me thought it was just perfect. It has pictures, handwritten notes, copies of letters and such, which kept things interesting, and the way it was written there was never a dull moment! The stakes just got higher and higher! That said I never felt like it was too unrealistic. Except for .
The characters are great! I love how they are separate families in their own right, but when they come together they are like one massive family.
I love the way Stella Street really came to life in my mind. I think my favourite thing about the street is Donna's garden, it must look marvellous with .
All in all, this is a wonderful book that feels as relevant today as when it was published back in 1995. I think I need to go and buy myself a copy.
June 7, 2015
I cannot quite place it, but there is something about this series that always makes me return to it and reread it for the fifty millionth time. You could say nostalgia, but there is just a lighthearted element of just this being purely fun to read, if that made any sense.
I love the characters and how distinct they are, I like reading about a book with an Australian setting (because it's nice to have a book set in a place where I can finally relate to it, and not feel so weird for not getting a lot of Americanisms and such)), the detective story and how it unfolds out, and especially how everything is retold through the eyes of an 11-year-old narrator and it sounds likes she's that age.
This is probably not the best review, because books like this, or anything I've read/love from Melina Marchetta (Looking for Alibrandi, Saving Francesca, On the Jellicoe Road, The Piper's Son) I can't really bring myself to write a review for them because I just struggle to articulate on how good these books are and why I get so emotionally immersed/attached to them, unlike other books.
Hmm, I guess I would definitely recommend this to anyone because it is a pretty fun and quick read (they aren't that long), and I can't guarantee that you will love it instantly the way I did, but I am still holding out for a slim possibility that you might.
I love the characters and how distinct they are, I like reading about a book with an Australian setting (because it's nice to have a book set in a place where I can finally relate to it, and not feel so weird for not getting a lot of Americanisms and such)), the detective story and how it unfolds out, and especially how everything is retold through the eyes of an 11-year-old narrator and it sounds likes she's that age.
This is probably not the best review, because books like this, or anything I've read/love from Melina Marchetta (Looking for Alibrandi, Saving Francesca, On the Jellicoe Road, The Piper's Son) I can't really bring myself to write a review for them because I just struggle to articulate on how good these books are and why I get so emotionally immersed/attached to them, unlike other books.
Hmm, I guess I would definitely recommend this to anyone because it is a pretty fun and quick read (they aren't that long), and I can't guarantee that you will love it instantly the way I did, but I am still holding out for a slim possibility that you might.
June 23, 2021
Trigger warnings: threats towards animals, violence.
I first read this book when I was 11 and now that there's a new book out in the series, twenty five years later(!!), I figured it was time to revisit the original.
This is still an absolute delight while also very much being a product of the 90s. It's a time when kids can just go out and roam the streets and generally cause mayhem all on their own. It's a time of corner milk bars and fax machines and going to the library to find out conversion rates.
Essentially, this is a story about pretentious rich neighbours moving into a street and the neighbourhood fighting back against them. And even now, 25 years later, it's a LOT of fun. The kids are hilarious and the big reveals around the Phonies are fantastic. All in all? I'm glad I picked this up again all these years later, and I can't wait to keep reading the series.
I first read this book when I was 11 and now that there's a new book out in the series, twenty five years later(!!), I figured it was time to revisit the original.
This is still an absolute delight while also very much being a product of the 90s. It's a time when kids can just go out and roam the streets and generally cause mayhem all on their own. It's a time of corner milk bars and fax machines and going to the library to find out conversion rates.
Essentially, this is a story about pretentious rich neighbours moving into a street and the neighbourhood fighting back against them. And even now, 25 years later, it's a LOT of fun. The kids are hilarious and the big reveals around the Phonies are fantastic. All in all? I'm glad I picked this up again all these years later, and I can't wait to keep reading the series.
August 3, 2014
This was it for me. This was the book that made me love reading.
January 14, 2014
Read this book three times now… it's a ridiculous and hilarious tale, made even better by the Aussie characters. Can't stop reading once you get to the end.
December 23, 2016
A childhood favourite, still as good to read as an adult!
March 3, 2017
its a awesome book
March 7, 2022
like a warm cup of tea
May 7, 2025
3,7*, met dank aan Evi 😜
February 28, 2016
One of my favourite author's growing up, Honey does a fantastic job of carrying a mystery/thriller angle for the younger set, without making it too dark or complicated to understand. I love the train of thought narrative and the funny scrawled illustrations and the frantic pace and messy suburban life portrayed. Henny is such a great character - conveying the enthusiasm and righteousness that comes from having a loving community around you - and her rambling is both informative and believable, even 10 years after the first read. And of course, to top it all off, there's a dog. We love you, Briquette. 5 unabashed stars.
May 28, 2017
Definitely one of my favorite books by far. I mean, the humor missed no beats and while the central focus of the plot was definitely something strange to learn about as a child at the time I read it, I found it incredibly interesting nonetheless.
However, that one part about the fishing? I still don't get it. Why was everyone floored? Please, someone explain that to me ><
I loved Zev and his electrical hair and Henni was very relateable in the height department. These kids were clearly going places.
Overall, it was a great take on a gang of friends who tackle a mystery and actually end up doing a lot of good. It's a kinds, sweet book and we need more like it.
However, that one part about the fishing? I still don't get it. Why was everyone floored? Please, someone explain that to me ><
I loved Zev and his electrical hair and Henni was very relateable in the height department. These kids were clearly going places.
Overall, it was a great take on a gang of friends who tackle a mystery and actually end up doing a lot of good. It's a kinds, sweet book and we need more like it.
September 25, 2010
The copyright says 1995, but it's so contemporary that it could have been written yesterday.
New people move into Stella Street. These new people are oh-so la-di-dah pretentious and snooty. The children on the street (as well as some of the more childlike adults) can see right through these phonies; in fact, the new people are quickly nicknamed Mr. and Mrs. Phonie. What is really going on at the Phonie house? It's up to the children (and some of the more childlike adults) to find out.
New people move into Stella Street. These new people are oh-so la-di-dah pretentious and snooty. The children on the street (as well as some of the more childlike adults) can see right through these phonies; in fact, the new people are quickly nicknamed Mr. and Mrs. Phonie. What is really going on at the Phonie house? It's up to the children (and some of the more childlike adults) to find out.
March 12, 2012
A friend recommended this children's book to me, and I'd like to be able to say I liked it, but I didn't. Insufferable new neighbors move in next door and they are, well, insufferable, sure, no doubt about it, but then I thought everyone in this book was.
December 27, 2012
This was read to my year 6 class immediately after doing an in-depth study of Elizabeth Honey's novel "Don't Pat The Wombat". While entertaining, it didn't grab myself or the kids in the same way ...Wombat did. Reading both stories provided a great opportunity to analyse the author's style.
June 19, 2012
Childhood favorite book. Utterly hilarious!
This will definitely get the kids reading!
May be a little too young for adults, but enough comedy in it to keep you entertained
This will definitely get the kids reading!
May be a little too young for adults, but enough comedy in it to keep you entertained
September 11, 2012
Stella Street is really good it's about these kids trying to stop 45 Stella Street the Phonies
December 27, 2012
One of my fav childhood books!
April 4, 2013
My actual rating is ******************************************************************************************************************
This book is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This book is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 10, 2013
I love it, it is the best book my students say thak you for making this book
April 1, 2019
Childhood favourite re-read. Excellent book with friendship and community at its core.
November 17, 2019
This was one of my very favorite books as a kid, I read it several times and hope I can get my hands on a copy and read it again as a kid.
November 3, 2017
45+47 Stella Street is a book that Elizabeth Honey, who is also the author of Honey Sandwich, has written. It is a diary-like book, about the main character, Henni Octon, who is the tallest girl in her school, having all sorts of mischief with her friends, Frank and Zev, her sister Danielle, and Frank’s dog, Briquette. Old Auntie Lillie dies, and new neighbours, not at all like they expected, move in. The children call them ‘The Phonies’, and they take all kinds of risks to stop them from doing illegal activities.
The book has lots of humour, I like how Elizabeth Honey has attempted to write like a child, and I also like the little notes written by hand in random parts of the book. My favourite part is when the children (Henni, Danielle, Frank and Zev) try to catch the Phonies, because it is really funny, and interesting.
There is a lot of speech in the book, so that makes it be like a script for a play. The book also makes you think one thing at first, then your idea changes throughout the book. It is bursting with surprises, it makes you imagine more possibilities. Most of the time I can visualise the story, but sometimes it just makes me confused.
Even though the book has lots of strengths, it still has some weaknesses. It is quite confusing, and there are lots of problems which still are not solved, but that is partly a good thing, because it makes you think more. Another thing that makes it quite confusing is that some parts of the story are quite unbelievable, like when they travelled to places by themselves, for example, when they were on the taxi without their parents, the taxi driver did not ask them where their parents were.
I recommend this book, and for an overall rating, it would be 8 out of 10.
The book has lots of humour, I like how Elizabeth Honey has attempted to write like a child, and I also like the little notes written by hand in random parts of the book. My favourite part is when the children (Henni, Danielle, Frank and Zev) try to catch the Phonies, because it is really funny, and interesting.
There is a lot of speech in the book, so that makes it be like a script for a play. The book also makes you think one thing at first, then your idea changes throughout the book. It is bursting with surprises, it makes you imagine more possibilities. Most of the time I can visualise the story, but sometimes it just makes me confused.
Even though the book has lots of strengths, it still has some weaknesses. It is quite confusing, and there are lots of problems which still are not solved, but that is partly a good thing, because it makes you think more. Another thing that makes it quite confusing is that some parts of the story are quite unbelievable, like when they travelled to places by themselves, for example, when they were on the taxi without their parents, the taxi driver did not ask them where their parents were.
I recommend this book, and for an overall rating, it would be 8 out of 10.
March 12, 2023
Ich habe dieses Buch für ein kommendes Seminar zur Kinder- und Jugendliteratur gelesen und finde, dass immerhin der Text besser ist als die Illustrationen. Ich kannte Elizabeth Honey vorher nicht, aber wenn ich die Reviews der englischsprachigen Fans so ansehe, scheint sie ja eine Community zu haben. Da tut es mir fast leid, so eine geringe Sternenbewertung zu vergeben.
Das Cover hat mich enorm abgeturnt, not gonna lie, und die Zeichnungen IM Buch machten's nicht besser. Die Story selbst hat mich auch nicht abgeholt und so bin ich jetzt ganz froh, einen Haken hinter dieses Buch machen zu können.
Das Cover hat mich enorm abgeturnt, not gonna lie, und die Zeichnungen IM Buch machten's nicht besser. Die Story selbst hat mich auch nicht abgeholt und so bin ich jetzt ganz froh, einen Haken hinter dieses Buch machen zu können.
December 18, 2016
I received a copy of this title from Allen & Unwin for review.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Hanni and her friends love living on Stella Street - until the Phonies move in with their fancy car and constant complaints, threatening to turn the peaceful street into a nightmare address. When Hanni investigates (ie: snoops) on the Phonies, she discovers that there might be more to their luxurious lifestyle than meets the eye.
A typical Aussie classic kid's book. Review to follow shortly.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Hanni and her friends love living on Stella Street - until the Phonies move in with their fancy car and constant complaints, threatening to turn the peaceful street into a nightmare address. When Hanni investigates (ie: snoops) on the Phonies, she discovers that there might be more to their luxurious lifestyle than meets the eye.
A typical Aussie classic kid's book. Review to follow shortly.
January 27, 2023
Loved this first half of this book, thought it was one of the best young adult books I have read. However, once this kids started chasing after the phonies, I was kinda lost. I was not a fan of the second half, and thought it had a disappointing ending. However, I did enjoy the writing style of Elizabeth Honey.
January 18, 2021
A chance rediscovery in a street library - I first read this book aged 9 or 10. It still holds up almost 20 years later. Funny, warm, full of fun illustrations and enough to start a lifelong love of metafiction. A worthy addition to any young person's library.
February 24, 2021
I was given this book by my aunt who read this when she was a child. A book that invokes humour and nowadays also nostalgia. I might have struggled with some of the Australian slang but that certainly didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story.
June 29, 2024
This is such a cute, funny, and light read! I loved how it is written from the point of view of a kid. It’s a great way to get me started on reading books again.
3 stars for the story line, additional star for the author’s humor!
3 stars for the story line, additional star for the author’s humor!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews