Booklists

While her friends are enjoying their summer holidays, twelve year old Carol is helping her parents move the grandfather she's never met into a home for people with dementia. At first, Carol avoids prickly Grandpa Serge. But, his crazy stories, about a healing tree, a green-glass lake and the bees that will bring back the rain and end a hundred years drought, begin to fascinate her. As the thin line between magic and reality starts to blur, Carol must decide for herself what is possible and what it means to be true to her roots.

School is over for Alex Delaney and he's waiting for his tertiary offer which is only seventeen days away. The waiting is killing him. He's not expecting much from January, just bodysurfing and TV, but mainly waiting. So, he's not ready for the girl who cuts past him on a wave. January is about to change.

Any three titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Twins, Lexi and Al Hunter, have almost nothing in common, except their parents and their birthday. At school, Lexi hangs with the cool crowd while Al hides in the library reading about history, battles and faraway places. When the twins stumble upon an old dictionary, their world changes. They are blasted into history to hunt down the words that threaten to vanish from our past and our present. Their lives and the future of the world are at stake. Now, more than ever, they need to depend on each other to survive.

Lexi and Al thought they had seen it all - time travel, epic battles, ancient cities on the point of collapse and vomiting rats. But, nothing has prepared them for the realisation that their missing grandfather is a word hunter too and has been lost in the past. Only Lexi and Al can save him. But,it will be very difficult to find someone in three thousand years of history.

Lexi, Al, Mursili, Will and Caractacus are back in new word quests and new adventures. There's all the behind-the-scenes information you have ever wanted to know about the words that make up the language we speak.

The final battle is coming, the grey-robes are armed and dangerous and ready for war. Lexi, Al and their friends are as ready as they can be. The journey so far has been harder than they imagined. They have fought ancient warriors, searched long-lost cities for clues, and trained night and day for the moment when they face their arch enemy. They hope it is enough to defeat him and save the English language forever.

What does it mean to be queer? What does it mean to be human? In this powerful #LoveOzYA collection, twelve of Australia's finest writers from the LGBTQ+ community explore the stories of family, friends, lovers and strangers, and the connections that form us. This inclusive and intersectional #OwnVoices anthology for teen readers features work from writers of diverse genders, sexualities and identities, including writers who identify as First Nations, people of colour or disabled. With short stories by bestsellers, award winners and newcomers to young adult fiction including Jax Jacki Brown, Claire G Coleman, Michael Earp, Alison Evans, Erin Gough, Benjamin Law, Omar Sakr, Christos Tsiolkas, Ellen van Neerven, Marlee Jane Ward, Jen Wilde and Nevo Zisin. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

A German teenager is sent to a prisoner of war camp in the bush near Perth. From a position of pride and resistance he finds a new sense of self. Sixty years later another adolescent is escaping from the tragedy of a dead sibling and finds the ruins of the camp. As he reflects on his guilt he meets a girl and her grandfather on a pilgrimage back to the site of the POW camp.

During the winter of 1922, the Exploration Vessel, Raven, became trapped in the Antarctic icepack, entombing the twenty-eight men aboard. The book tells their story of living on the ice, their ambition, courage, madness and, ultimately, their hope. It captures the terrible, fascinating beauty of Antarctica, both as it was then and as it is today.

Jamie Riley is on probation and has arrived in desolate Port Barren. It's a mysterious town with a number of dark secrets, a strange assortment of people and a number of unsolved crimes, Jamie's arrival leads to a number of unexplained events, culminating in a heroic journey through the desert, which brings the truth of these ghastly events to light. Includes adult themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Ella has been a regular member of the backstage crew for plays, she dreams of acting, but suffers from stage fright. She soon learns that some of her friends have much more serious problems to overcome.

Adventures on the high seas for an accidental stowaway with a mysterious and frightening past. But, it is yet to be established if the stowaway is Jules, or Julienne.

Now Paul Lelaud has turned fourteen years old, he can escape from his Nazi sympathising teacher, Monsieur Armignac. He desperately wants to do something to free France of the Germans so his Uncle Maurice takes him into the French Resistance.

The story of a girl and a horse. Callie has always wanted a pony of her own, when she is asked to look after Oscar she is delighted. But Oscar bites and kicks and is difficult to ride. Then, one day Callie meets Sarah who knows all about horses.

Agatha has always been made to feel different because of the condition she was born with. Despite this, she patrols the sea wall with pride, even though there are some in her clan who question her right to be there. Jaimie is selected to be different. The clan choose a life path for him that may make him an outcast. He is a reluctant Angler, full of self doubt and afraid of the sea. When disaster strikes, the pair must embark on a terrifying journey to a land where forgotten magic and dark secrets lurk in every shadow. Everything has been taken from them What will they do to get it back?

Hayley, or Pig to her school mates, is a curvy, funny girl in a world of skinny, pretty girls. She wants to be a stand up comic, her friends want to find the right mascara and hot boyfriends.

There is a place inside of me a space deep down inside of me where all my feelings hide. In this powerful, affirming poem by award-winning author Zetta Elliott, a Black child explores his shifting emotions throughout the year. Summertime is filled with joy-skateboarding and playing basketball-until his community is deeply wounded by a police shooting. As fall turns to winter and then spring, fear grows into anger, then pride and peace.

In Jharia, India,Valli spends her days picking up coal and fighting with her cousins. Her family won't let her go to school and there's never enough food. When Valli discovers that her 'aunt' is a stranger who was paid to take her, she leaves Jharia and begins a new life, surviving on the streets of Kolkata. A chance encounter with a doctor may change her life but Valli must decide if she trusts enough to accept help. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

On Israeli's West Bank, a cat sneaks into a small Palestinian house that has just been commandeered by two Israeli soldiers. The house seems empty until the cat realises that a little boy is hiding beneath the floorboards. This is no ordinary cat and she wonders what to do. When the boy's teacher comes looking for him, tensions rise quickly and, as Israeli tanks approach, the cat realises she must diffuse the situation.

With the overthrow of the Shah in Iran, the very conservative, religious government controls every facet of life. Fifteen year old Farrin must keep quiet about her mother's political activities and lavish lifestyle. When Farrin meets funny, outgoing Sadira and they fall in love, the relationship takes a dangerous turn. It is against the law to be gay, the punishment is death. Some violence, usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Three teenagers flee their homes for different reasons and are desperate to get to England. They entrust their lives to a people smuggler and quickly learn that he can't be trusted. Follow each of their journeys as they seek asylum. Based on the true experiences of children caught up in the refugee jungle of Calais and striving to find a place for themselves in the world. Includes adult themes and violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The collected voices of children with a parent who is a soldier. Their stories are sad, scared, funny, angry and loving as they speak about how war has shaped their lives, and their feelings and experiences when a parent is away for long periods of time.

As the Taliban come back to power in 2021 Afghanistan, 15-year-old Damsa is fleeing from a forced marriage. She finds a brief reprieve in the Green Valley community - but when the Taliban come searching, everyone is thrown into danger. Who can escape when Kabul is shut down? This latest novel in the Parvana series is a compelling story of courage, heartbreak and resilience. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

This story depicts the injustice and brutality of life for a young girl under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Any three titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Any three titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

The gripping story of a young girl's journey in search of her family somewhere in war-ravaged Afghanistan, and of her courage and compassion in the face of many shocking hardships along the way. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Parvana, now fifteen, is found in a bombed-out school and held as a suspected terrorist by American troops in Afghanistan. She could tell the woman was watching her through the small window in the door. Parvana kept her back against the door and didn't move.

This beautiful graphic-novel adaptation of the Academy Award nominated film, inspired by Deborah Ellis's beloved novel, tells the story of eleven-year-old Parvana. When soldiers burst into her home and drag her father off to prison, Parvana is forced to take responsibility for her whole family, dressing as a boy to make a living in the marketplace of Kabul, risking her life in the dangerous and volatile city. By turns exciting and touching, Parvana is a story of courage in the face of overwhelming fear and repression. Readers will want to linger over this powerful graphic novel with its striking art and inspiring story.

Shauzia is a teenage girl living in a refugee camp on the borders of Afghanistan and Pakistan. She dreams of going to France to meet her friend, Parvana. Shauzia runs away from the camp and her journey is fraught with difficulties and dangers.

A disturbing but insightful collection of views from Israeli and Palestinian children, young adults who are surrounded by war. With honesty, they describe their life, families and feelings about the conflict and violence, and their hopes for the future. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Kaiulani details her lavish wardrobe, her pet peacocks, and her unusual friendship with the shy, sweet writer Robert Louis Stevenson. When she leaves her beloved islands to attend boarding school in 1889, Kaiulani makes the best of it.

Any three titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Thirteen year old Oliver is no ordinary New World vampire. Oliver believes that his own father, Sebastian, has been ordered to sacrifice him, and Oliver's brother, Bane, has been behaving very strangely indeed. He is yet to receive his demon to become an adult vampire.

Oliver is no ordinary New World vampire. He dreads his special destiny, which will free vampires but wreak destruction on the world of humans. Another nail biting instalment in this gripping series. Puberty will see Oliver bond with his otherworldly demon to become an adult vampire.

Thirteen year old Oliver is no ordinary New World vampire. Oliver knows that the time is now at hand for the Anointment, where he will be given strength to receive his demon and become an adult vampire. For him, this will be no ordinary rite of passage from childhood to adulthood.

Thirteen year old Oliver is no ordinary New World vampire. He awaits a special destiny which will free vampires but wreak destruction on the world of humans. This is another gripping instalment which will keep you on the edge of your seat. He has not yet received his demon to become an adult vampire.

This is the definitive ending to the Oliver Nocturne series, tying together story lines and details from the entire series and revealing the true nature of Oliver's destiny, published by the author as he originally envisioned it. Now, the series is complete.

Oliver has a fairly normal childhood, for a vampire. He sleeps during the day, eats blood angel cakes for breakfast and goes to school at night. He meets Emalie and, soon, they are on a quest to uncover the dark truth of his origins and his special destiny. He is yet to receive his demon to become an adult vampire.

True story of an eleven year old girl growing up in Nazi Germany who despite her youth is aware of the evils of propaganda and is proud of her family's survival skills and resilience.

Just when Nax - a hotshot pilot with dreams of becoming a member of the Ellis Station Academy - thought things couldn't get any worse, the entire galaxy turns against him. After being kicked out of Ellis Academy's training program in under 24hrs, he and three other washouts are framed for a deadly terrorist attack. After escaping (barely) with their lives, Nax and his fellow failures are living life on the run when they uncover a terrible plot with galaxy-wide implications. They may not always get along, but they're the only ones left to step up and fight. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

One hundred years ago, the world celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal, connecting the world's two largest oceans. Creating a path of water where a mountain had stood is one of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken. But, thousands lost their lives, and those who survived worked under the harshest conditions for only a few silver coins a day.

It's been three months since Henry disappeared and Chloe wants answers as badly as Mason wants her to just back off and leave him alone. The evidence mounts and friendships are tested in this gripping YA thriller set in the Southern Highlands of NSW.

A duck strikes up an unusual and unlikely friendship with Death.

Twelve-year-old Gladys Rand may not have many friends, but at least she has her empire. From her table at the back of the cafeteria, Glad arranges favors for her classmates in exchange for their friendship. She solves every problem, handles every situation, and saves every butt. But the jobs keep getting harder, and when Glad decides the problem that most needs fixing is her parents' relationship, she finds herself in way over her head. She'll have to call in all her favors and use all her skills to help the person who most needs it- herself- in this quirky, touching, and laugh-out-loud novel from Janice Erlbaum.

Ever since the witch cursed Babs, she turns invisible sometimes. She has her mum and her dog, but teachers and classmates barely notice her. Then, one day, Iris can see her. And Iris likes what they see. Babs is made of fire. Iris grew from a seed in the ground. They have friends, but not human ones. Not until they meet Babs. The two of them have a lot in common: they speak to dryads and faeries, and they're connected to the magic that's all around them. There's a new boy at school, a boy who's like them and who hasn't yet found his real name. Soon the three of them are hanging out and trying spellwork together. Magic can be dangerous, though. Witches and fae can be cruel. Something is happening in the other realm, and despite being warned to stay away, the three friends have to figure out how to deal with it on their own terms. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

How do people decide on a path, and find the drive to pursue what they want? Ida struggles more than other young people to work this out. She can shift between parallel universes, allowing her to follow alternative paths. One day Ida sees a shadowy, see-through doppelganger of herself on the train. She starts to wonder if she's actually in control of her ability, and whether there are effects far beyond what she has considered. How can she know, anyway, whether one universe is ultimately better than another? And what if the continual shifting causes her to lose what is most important to her, just as she is discovering what that is, and she can never find her way back? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A compilation of prize-winning stories from the annual ""Tim Winton Young Writers Competition"".

Teddy Sharpe is Hollywood famous. But he's just been dumped by his girlfriend and is stuck in an airport far from home. He accepts an invitation from Bennett Caldwell to stay at her house. Teddy has just auditioned for the movie adaptation of Bennett's book and is hoping to get the lead role. What he didn't expect was the fall in love with Bennet and her family. If only the internet would stay out of their relationship, things might go smoothly for the two of them.