Booklists

As Lisa and Sol board the luxury ship MS St Louis in Hamburg Germany, they know they are heading for a safer place; a place where Jews don't have to wear a star or sit on a yellow bench. The passengers are optimistic for their fresh start in Cuba, but Hitler's propaganda has reached the country before them. The mood of the passengers darkens as their fate becomes less certain.

Cracker works for the US army and the fate of the entire platoon rests on her senses to detect bombs, traps and the enemy.

Thirteen year old Y-Tin is an elephant trainer. His life revolves around Lady and the other elephants in their small herd. But, this is Vietnam in 1975 and, now that the American forces are gone, the North Vietnamese threaten the Dega people of the Central Highlands. When the feared attack comes, Y-Tin is captured. He must risk his life and save his elephants by fleeing into the jungle.

Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Prankster, joker, raven, fool, King Oberon's right-hand jester from A Midsummer Night's Dream. The legends are many, but the truth will now be known as never before, as Puck finally tells his own story and faces a threat to the lands of Faery and the human world unlike any before. With the Iron Queen Meghan Chase and her prince consort, Puck's longtime rival Ash, and allies old and new by his side, Puck begins a fantastical and dangerous adventure not to be missed or forgotten. Filled with myths and faery lore, romance and unfathomable dangers,

In a world where everything is monitored and controlled, the ability to time travel intrigues three teenagers. As they experiment to enhance the ability within themselves, they discover a few limitations. They can only go into the future and then must return to exactly the same spot. Perfecting their skill places them and others in extreme danger, the least of which is being discovered by the authorities.

Layla Karimi has been cursed by the evil eye. Well, that's what Layla's superstitious grandmother tells her. And Layla reckons it makes sense as she's sort of Australian and sort of Lebanese: a 'halfie' who doesn't really fit into either world. And when all hell breaks loose at the first beach party of the summer, Layla finds herself caught between her friends and the Lebanese kids who call themselves 'the Cedar Army' (of which her cousin Sufia is the Queen Bee). One group has been wrongfully accused and Layla knows the truth that would clear their name. But will she speak up?

Jimmy might be small, but he knows what he wants and that is to be a world champion wrestler. His family are much too busy in their own lives to really hear what Jimmy has to say, and when he sets off on his journey to chase his dreams, it takes a while for people to notice. Jimmy certainly has his share of adventures and learns a lot of hard lessons before he finds his way.

Olive Garnaut is in Year 7 and likes things in pairs. But, even with her own perfectly symmetrical family, birthday and bedroom, Olive has only ever felt half. How extraordinary, then, that her twin sister, Pip, appears one day. But, Pip is visible only to Olive.

Celia and Alice share their secrets, hopes and increasing horror via email about the killer on the loose, abducting schoolgirls just like Celia. As the police scramble to investigate, who can the teenage girls trust.

Eight hours to stop an explosion ... Eight hours to fall in love. It's 2067, and the Graves family has transformed Mars from a lifeless rock into a chaotic patchwork of settlements. You can buy a one-way ticket to a new life - if you're rich. Enter Hunter Graves: handsome, ambitious, and with spectacularly bad timing. He shows up unannounced at the United Nations base just as an emergency evacuation sends everyone scurrying for safety. And he's left behind. Uh-oh. Also stranded: Cleo, a sharp-tongued stowaway with no intention of dying today, and even less patience for overconfident trust fund boys. But the enemy of your enemy is the jerk who might just help you survive, so here we are. Now, Hunter and Cleo have one shot to stop the explosion, escape alive, and deal with the inconvenient fact that they're falling for each other.

Our heroes are back. Kind of. First, the bad news: an ancient evil - you know, your standard consume-all-life-in-the-galaxy deal - is about to be unleashed. The good news? Squad 312 is standing by to save the day. They've just got to take care of a few small distractions first. Like the clan of gremps who'd like to rearrange their favourite faces. And the cadre of illegit GIA agents with creepy flowers where their eyes used to be, who'll stop at nothing to get their hands on Auri. Then there's Kal's long-lost sister, who's not exactly happy to see her baby brother, and has a Syldrathi army at her back. With half the known galaxy on their tails, Squad 312 has never felt so wanted. Shocking revelations, bank heists, mysterious gifts, inappropriately tight bodysuits and an epic firefight will determine the fate of the Aurora Legion's most unforgettable heroes - and maybe the rest of the galaxy as well.

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 year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the Academy would touch. And Ty's squad isn't even his biggest problem. That'd be Aurora Jie-Lin O'Malley, the girl he's just rescued from interdimensional space. Trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries, Auri is a girl out of time and out of her depth. But she could be the catalyst that starts a war millions of years in the making, and Tyler's squad of losers, discipline-cases and misfits might just be the last hope for the entire galaxy.

Is this the end? What happens when you ask a bunch of losers, discipline cases and misfits to save the galaxy from an ancient evil? The ancient evil wins, of course. Wait... Not. So. Fast. When we last saw Squad 312, they were working together seamlessly (aka freaking out) as an intergalactic battle raged and an ancient superweapon threatened to obliterate Earth. Everything went horribly wrong, naturally. But as it turns out, not all endings are endings, and the team has one last chance to rewrite theirs. Maybe two. It's complicated. Cue Zila, Fin and Scarlett (AND MAGELLAN!) making friends, making enemies and making history? Sure, no problem. Cue Tyler, Kal and Auri joining forces with two of the galaxy's most hated villains? Um, okay, yeah. That too. Actually saving the galaxy, though? Now that will take a miracle. The squad you love may be out of time, but are they out of luck? Find out in the epic finale to the bestselling and award-winning Aurora Cycle series!

On a planet with two moons there is the Below and the Skyland. Goddess of the Below is Nimhara and Prince of the Skyland is North. When North loses control of his glider and falls from Alciel to the Below, he is sure he will die. However, for Nimh, his arrival sparks certainty that he represents her destiny. And did we mention the cat? You're going to love the cat.

Having fled conscription and survived time alone in Istanbul, ten year old Abbas arrives in England to start a new life. His troubles have only just begun. Abbas' violent cousin sends him to boarding school, where he blossoms. But, Abbas is threatened with deportation and forced to work at night to repay his cousin. At thirteen, Abbas is homeless. But, he is determined to survive and continue his education. Based on true events.

It is the time of the Iran Iraq war and nine year old Abbas must urgently leave Tehran, because the army has lowered the recruiting age to eight. With his parents forced to remain in Iran, Abbas is alone in Istanbul, with minimal funds and no Turkish language, waiting for a visa to England. He relies on his intelligence, gut instincts and resilience to survive his dire circumstances. A memoir.

Each moment, we inhale and exhale sextillions of different molecules. Some of these molecules are undoubtedly the same molecules exhaled by Julius Caesar, the long extinct dinousaurs, and even some of the perfume molecules from Cleopatra. This book tells the story of our atmosphere, what it is made of, and how it came to be this way. Even though the science can be incredibly complex, the author clearyly explains just enough and in an entertaining way.

Margaret is running away to Foreverland. She hopes she can escape all the changes in her life by living in this amusement park. It's tricky but how else do you get to sleep in a Haunted House? She meets another runaway, Jaime, who is just like her and teachers her how to live in Foreverland. But their secrets and true lives are slowly shared, and they need to make some big decisions.

Short, succinct prose writing by 16 to 20 year olds that are culturally rich, authentic anthems of youth searching their lives through people, places and events around them, conversations clicking between the now and then of lives and the world they know.

Irian, Ulana and their Clan have made the cave their home ever since they used fire to drive off the Beast, a sabre-toothed tiger that had been preying on them. Protected by an ongoing fire at the cave mouth, they continue to keep the Beast at bay until one fateful night when the fire goes out! What happens next shatters the Clan and leaves Ulana badly injured and Irian too traumatised even to speak. Alone and adrift in their dangerous prehistoric world, they have little hope of survival. What saves them is a chance meeting with a prickly old woman called Trug. Grudgingly, she takes them on a strange, unexpected journey of discovery, flinging them into the many wonders and hard realities of ancient times. And that hazardous journey will eventually lead them full circle: back to the challenge of the cave, and the enduring reality of the Beast.

Dogboy is born and abandoned as a gift to the mountains. Raised by a dog, he is shunned by the village he lives in. His extraordinary gifts must be used for him to realise his dreams.

The earth appears safe again and must be recolonised but strange relationships have evolved and our futuristic Adam and Eve face many new dangers. Their computerised companions are wonderful. inspiring, resourceful and very funny.

Claire and her father encounter a storm in which a whale overturns their boat and Claire, with an injured knee, is left to fend for herself.

Stories of ordinary Australians doing extraordinary things during the Great War, 1914-1918. In 1914, Australia had a population of fewer than 5 million, yet 300,000 from all walks of life volunteered to fight. Through these stories, based on fact, the author has endeavoured to capture the essence of those who served Australia. As in life, not all were heroes.

It's a tale as old as time, but not quite as we know it...Prince Rhen of Emberfall has been cursed to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year until a girl falls in love with him- a challenge made all the more difficult when he transforms into a bloodthirsty monster hell-bent on destruction. Harper's life has been far from a fairytale- her mother is dying, her father has disappeared and she and her brother have resorted to a life of crime in Washington, DC to try to repay the debts their father created. Despite her intelligence and determination, she's used to being overlooked because of her cerebral palsy. When she's pulled into the magical world of Emberfall, she's quick to ensure she's taken seriously- but will she be willing to help break the curse in this modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast?

Children around the world have very different experiences of family and potential. Through poems, illustrations, novel excerpts and short stories 28 of the very best children's authors convey the obstacles that many face and strive to overcome with varying levels of success. Conceived and edited by a fifteen year old Australian school girl, this book demonstrates the power of the individual in making a difference.

Ariel, lives in a settlement called New Horizon. His community is heavily controlled, with strict rules and a constant emphasis on obedience and loyalty. The residents are told that the world outside is dangerous, filled with threats like the Hollow Ones, which are emotionless, masked humanoids that once were people but now serve a mysterious power. Ariel is a loyal follower of the settlement's ideology until a tragic event forces him to flee. He embarks on a dangerous journey across a devastated landscape, where he meets other children who are also on the run.

Cassie and Claire are best friends and do everything together. But, Claire always likes things her way. Cassie's fed up and now they've fallen out. They must find a way to mend the rift.

When her parents announce their impending separation, Natalie can't understand why no one is fighting or at least mildly upset. And now that Zach and Lucy, her two best friends, have fallen in love, she's feeling slightly miffed and decidedly awkward. Where does she fit in now? And what has happened to the version of her life that played out like a TV show - with just the right amount of banter, pining and meaningful looks? Nothing is going according to plan. But then an unexpected romance comes along and shakes things up even further. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

John and Philippa discover they have super-human powers as young djinn. Mum sends them off to urbane, snobby Uncle Nimrod to learn their full powers in exotic Egypt. This places them in extreme danger. Incidental strong language in context.

John and Phillipa must retrieve the Solomon Grimoire, an object that gives its user power over all djinns. They travel from New York to Istanbul, only to walk straight into a sinister trap. John must embark on an epic journey and still may not be able to save Phillipa. This text includes representations that may be contrary to some religious beliefs.

After several mysterious deaths, John and Philippa try to discover the secret of a powerful talisman before it falls into the hands of the malevolent cult of the Nine Cobras and Guru Masamjhasara. They face great danger on their harrowing journey through Nepal and northern India.

John and Phillipa are trying to determine why the valuable jade collections in museums all over the world are disappearing. An aging curse has been placed on their father and another wicked spell has awakened the terracotta soldiers of China. The twins must stop the mysterious terracotta warriors, rescue their parents and save the world before it's too late.

When a collection of Incan artifacts goes missing, the Blue Djinn of Babylon dispatches the twins and Uncle Nimrod to recover them. Along the way, though, John and Philippa encounter their friend Dybbuk, who was drained of his djinn powers but is determined to get them back.

A modern fable about five fakirs who have been buried alive, an evil djinn, and a pair of globe-hopping twins who just can't get a moment's rest.

As volcanoes begin erupting all over the world, spilling golden lava, the twins must go on a hunt for the wicked djinn who wants to rob the grave of the great Genghis Khan.

Any five 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 of the screen.

Jameela lives with her family in a war-torn village in Afghanistan. Life is hard but when her mother dies and her father remarries, Jameela has to face a greater horror. To survive she draws on the strong sense of self that her mother gave her. Based on the story of an actual devout Muslim girl and life in post-Taliban Afghanistan.

When her best friend's sister is snatched, Rae is determined to find answers. She travels to the royal court and unexpectedly begins serving the new princess. This alliance draws her deep into a dangerous quest for answers about the Snatchers. As each strand of the web is unravelled, Rae slips further into danger.

Alison finds herself dealing with the death of her Auntie Mim and the change in her relationship with her best friend, Katie. When she falls in love with Jason, life begins to get very complex.

Nam-Huong escaped from Vietnam and lost her grandfather on the long terrible voyage. She finds it hard to release her pent up grief, until her teacher falls ill.

Do you want to understand racism and racial justice in Australia? Then this book is for you. Created especially for Australian high school students, it covers three actionable, tangible areas for change - Self, School and Society.

Following a bullying incident at school, Audrey can't leave the house. She can't even take off her dark glasses inside the house. When her brother's friend, Linus, stumbles into her life, his friendly smile and funny notes gradually entice Audrey outside the house. With therapy and Linus' help, Audrey begins to feel she can do the things she'd thought were too scary. Finding her way back to the real world might just be achievable.

In this classic story, Mowgli, the human child lost in the jungle, escapes the vicious jaws of the growling tiger, Shere Khan, and is adopted by Father Wolf and the pack. Lovable old Baloo the Bear and Bagheera the Panther teach Mowgli the law of the jungle and his extraordinary adventures begin.

Kim is an eleven year old Irish boy who is orphaned and lives amongst the poor on the streets in India.

After playing two hundred and forty-one games for his beloved Sydney Swans, Brett Kirk played his final game of AFL in 2010. Many know him as the courageous co-captain who helped his team win the grand final in 2005. What many people don't know is how he came to be such a tireless captain, honest teammate and admired role model, in both life and sport. Brett with his wife, Hayley, speaks about his life, and the challenges and triumphs that made him.

The lady of Palenque is the thirteen year old daughter of King Hanaab Pacal. She embarks on a gripping and pivotal journey to meet her husband-to-be, who is a stranger to her. A keen observer and storyteller, the princess records her own steps into adulthood, as she faces countless obstacles along the way.

Precocious ten year old Princess Victoria, who keeps a diary about her daily life in the Royal Household, also pieces together the family tree and discovers she is next in line for the throne.

Ten stories of different people who might be best avoided! Conniving characters that come in all shapes, sizes and disguises.

Lily's had a charmed life and is off to London to pursue her dream of becoming a great actor. But, Lily finds that things don't always go her way at the London Drama Academy. Lily's got a secret that she's not sure how to handle. A room in one of the deserted towers makes a perfect refuge but Lily can't stay locked away forever. When she meets the mysterious Ronan Carver, everything starts to change.

Marie Kondo presents the fictional story of Chiaki, a young woman in Tokyo who struggles with a cluttered apartment, messy love life, and lack of direction. After receiving a complaint from her attractive next-door neighbor about the sad state of her balcony, Chiaki gets Kondo to take her on as a client. Through a series of entertaining and insightful lessons, Kondo helps Chiaki get her home, and life, in order. This insightful, illustrated case study is perfect for people looking for a fun introduction to the KonMari Method of tidying up, as well as tried-and-true fans of Marie Kondo eager for a new way to think about what sparks joy. Featuring illustrations by award-winning manga artist Yuko Uramoto, this book also makes a great read for manga and graphic novel lovers of all ages.

Bill's traditional Greek grandmother is very ill and leaning on him to resolve some family problems that are worrying her. Bill walks the family tightrope to clear the family of some problems.

All 16-year-old Connor is trying to do is avoid his ex-best friend when he stumbles upon a trapdoor to a secret chamber under his school. But when Sally Rodgers breaks into the same secret chamber looking for an ancient being, things take an unexpected turn and Connor's life will never be the same again. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Newbie gods Connor, Sally and Locky want to change the world, no biggie. When their first attempted miracle doesn't quite go to plan, they find themselves at odds with their families, the media and each other. To make matters worse, they're drawn into a centuries old conflict between the gods of Love and Fear that just might destroy the world they're striving to make better.

Danny Shine is in year seven. He isn't the most popular guy at school but he manages to stay out of trouble. That is, until Danny discover his name is on the Loser List in the girls' bathroom. When he gets caught trying to cross his name off the loser, Danny is sent to detention. He thought he had problems before but detention places him in a whole new world of trouble.

How is carbon dioxide related to climate change and what can we do to help the Earth? Dr Karl explains how we can help to reduce emissions and who the major players are in the changes taking place in our world. Companies and governments have known about the impacts of carbon dioxide on our planet for years, but what steps have they taken to reduce the carbon our atmosphere holds? The answers to these questions and many more can be found in this easy to read text giving us insight into climate change science!

The only child of Holocaust survivors who fled to Australia in 1950, Karl has always forged his own destiny in an idiosyncratic way. Before he became one of the world's favourite scientific storytellers, he ambled through a convoluted cacophony of a career. In Dr Karl's memoir, you will learn that it's okay to not take a linear path through life, and that by following our curiosities and our passions, we can bend the universe to our liking.

Settle in for some cutting-edge scientific snippets and comb through some of the greatest scientific conundrums of our age. Find out what's killing half the bacteria on Earth every two days, why mole rats don't get cancer, why scientists are running around naked in the Antarctic, how a toilet seat helped to end the First World War, and lots, lots more.

A teenager is conscripted into the Vietnam War. He has to decide whether he will go, or whether he will dodge the draft by seeking asylum in Canada. The story also considers the effects of earlier wars on other members of the family and their influence on the younger characters.