Booklists

This verse novel tells the beautiful and tragic story of the lives of Japanese settlers in Manchuria during World War II through the eyes of twelve-year-old Natsu. After her father is conscripted into the Japanese army, Natsu and her little sister, Asa, are left orphaned and destitute, and her whole village is forced to flee the Soviet Army. Living in a constant state of fear and hunger, Natsu and Asa are left adrift in a hostile and unforgiving world, with nothing but their tenacious will to survive.

Darcy Wells is a literary genius who has spent most of her time living in the world of her books. There, she escapes the real world of her mother's hoarding and pretends her life is simple and ordinary. When a new property manager becomes more active in the upkeep of their apartment complex suddenly her home hangs in the balance. While Darcy is struggling to survive beneath the weight of her mother's compulsive shopping, Asher Fleet, a former teen pilot with an unexpectedly shattered future, walks into the bookstore where she works and straight into her heart. After spending her whole life trying to keep people out, something about Asher makes Darcy want to open up. Securing her own happily-ever-after will mean she'll need to stop hiding and start living her own truth - even when it's messy.

It's the Second World War and Himmler's Lebensborn Program is in full flight when eight-year-old Zofia Ulinski is kidnapped by the Germans. She has blonde hair and blue eyes, just like the other Polish children taken from their families and robbed of their names, their language, their heritage. But when Zofia is adopted into a wealthy and loving German family, it is easier, it is safer to bury her past, deep down, so everything is forgotten. Until the Polish boy arrives. And the past comes back to haunt her.

Princess Rani longs for a chance to escape her gilded cage and prove herself. Ria is a street urchin, stealing just to keep herself alive. When these two lives collide, everything turns on its head: because Ria and Rani, orphan and royal, are unmistakably identical. A deal is struck to switch places -- but danger lurks in both worlds, and to save their home, thief and princess must work together. Or watch it all fall into ruin.

Shiloh, a beagle, is owned by a violent, angry man. Shiloh's rescue comes when Marty appears.

Isola Wilde sees lots of things others don't. But when a dead girl appears at Isola's window, full of threats, Isola needs help. Can her real-life friends and her brother-princes - magical creatures seemingly lifted from the pages of the French fairytales Isola idolises - protect her. Isola needs to uncover the truth behind the dead girl's demise... before the ghost steals Isola's last breath. Explores concepts for older readers. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Set in middle America in the 1950s, Sarah and her father have hired a belligerent dragon of Russian heritage to clear their land. His arrival signals the beginning of a destiny that spirals beyond anyone's control. This story explores race, sexuality, gender stereotypes and how dragon power can be used for good or for evil. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

It's not easy when the Chosen One goes to your school. The one who fights the zombies or the soul-eating ghosts or whatever new thing there is. Mikey just wants to graduate and find the courage to ask Henna out before school gets blown up, again. Sometimes, there are problems bigger than this week's end of the world and you have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life. Mature themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

"Call me Bathsheba." The whales of Bathsheba's pod live for the hunt. Led by the formidable Captain Alexandra, they fight a never-ending war against men. Then the whales attack a man ship, and instead of easy prey they find the trail of a myth, a monster, perhaps the devil himself... With their relentless Captain leading the chase, they embark on the final hunt, one that will forever change the worlds of whales and men.

The monster showed up just after midnight. But, it isn't the monster thirteen year old Conor has been expecting. He expected the one from his nightmare, the one he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments for cancer. This monster is different, it's something ancient and wild, and tells Conor three stories. The monster wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor, it wants the truth. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Set in The Rocks, Sydney, in the early 20th century. When Frankie first meets his new neighbour, Mickey Collins, he's not sure what to make of the scruffy, tough-talking ratbag. But, when he forms a gang, Mickey soon proves he's quick on his feet and good in a fight.

Living in the commission, Lexie is left to fend for herself. Her mother is mostly absent, out searching for something to help her forget the tragic death of Lexie's dad. After witnessing the aftermath of a shocking incident, Lexie finds solace in the most unlikely of places, a troubled old man called The Creeper. A chance, life-saving encounter on the commission's roof seeds a friendship between the two and when they enlist the help of Lexie's friend Davey, the three set off on a epic journey; one that will change their lives forever. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Will Thompson is a bit of a misfit. He verges on dyslexia, provokes numerous family problems and has something of a bizarre view of life. He rises to a degree of fame, if not notoriety, when he and two of his friends take on the state to stop the closing of the Goongara Learning Centre.

A gritty, compelling book, set in Melbourne in the early 1900s. Charlie becomes a runner for an underworld crim, Squizzy Taylor, to support his mother and train to become a professional athlete. Some coarse language used in context.

Dan and his brother, Eddie, take off for the coast, in search of their lost mother, in search of a better life. But, it's a long road they face and Dan must use all his wits to get them there in one piece. When they are taken under the wing of a group of would-be soldiers, marching over the mountains to join up for the Great War, Dan and Eddie's journey becomes something quite unexpected.

Six months ago, Zoey's life went off the rails. After the tragic loss of her brother, she partied her way to oblivion, estranged her best friend, Cass, and pushed away her now ex, Finn. But when her destructive behaviour reaches dangerous heights, Zoey realises she needs to pull herself together and get her old life back, including her ex. There's just one complication: Finn is now dating Cass. Now, it's the last week of summer and Zoey, Cass and Finn are setting out on the road trip of a lifetime to see their favourite musician, Gray, perform live, joined by Finn's infuriatingly attractive bad-boy cousin Luc and his vibrant younger sister Jolie. Zoey thinks this is her chance to put things to rights and convince Finn they should get back together. But she wasn't counting on her friends' lingering resentment, Luc's disarming sincerity, and Jolie's infectious love for life to turn her plans upside down. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A look at some of the traditions from which Indigenous art has come, with an emphasis on the continuous links between Indigenous art, place and The Dreaming. It shows the extraordinary diversity that has always been a feature of Australian Indigenous art.

When Margot's fiance, Harry, went missing in action, she found herself left with a secret which could ruin her life and her family's reputation. Three years later, Harry has returned. Can Margot deal with her devastating secret and reveal the truth to a man she still loves?

The story of Jandamurra and the struggle for justice by the Bunuba peoples in the late 19th century.

Australia's greatest river system now and then, with many stories about the people who lived on or in the Murray Valley. Includes archaeological finds, Aboriginal legends, riverboat traders and dam engineers.

The end of a long and dangerous journey for the Manth people as they leave the ruined Mastery to seek a new homeland. Sometimes violent and cruel but always compelling. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

It is five years later, and Kestrel's people have been enslaved. It is a strange set of circumstances that will lead to the overthrow of the Mastery. Sometimes violent and cruel but always compelling. 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.

Kestrel hates the rules of Aramanth and, in defiance, climbs the wooden tower known as the wind singer. This brings the wrath of the Chief Examiner against her family and Kestrel and her twin brother must travel on a terrifying quest.to save their beloved father. Sometimes violent and cruel but always compelling. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Petula has avoided friendship and happiness ever since tragedy struck her family and took her beloved younger sister Maxine. Worse, Petula blames herself. If only she'd kept an eye on her sister, if only she'd sewn the button Maxine choked on better, if only...Now her anxiety is getting out of control, she is forced to attend the world's most hopeless art therapy class. But one day, in walks the Bionic Man: a charming, amazingly tall newcomer called Jacob, who is also an amputee. Petula's ready to freeze him out, just like she did with her former best friend, but when she's paired with Jacob for a class project, there's no denying they have brilliant ideas together - ideas like remaking Wuthering Heights with cats. But Petula and Jacob each have desperately painful secrets in their pasts - and when the truth comes out, there's no way Petula is ready for it. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Anna has high expectations for herself and her future. She is hardworking and focussed, but while she would like life outside of studying to stay in the shadows, her family's dark history summons her to the country and to the grandparents she has never met. Anna discovers secrets she never knew existed and answers to questions she never thought to ask. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Sixteen stories, which centre round family life, are written by well-known and unknown writers. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A beautiful illustrated graphic novel that follows Cinzia - a printer's apprentice - as she tries to prove her mentor, Mestra Aronne, has been wrongfully imprisoned. She crosses paths with Elena, the daughter of nobles who force her to remain hidden away, and the two become unexpected allies. This is a powerful story of friendship and explores the power of individuals making a change to make the world a better place.

A gang of children robs houses. Gunna, a member of the gang, finds that one of the houses draws him back and that it is for a reason. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Beneath the earth, a malignant force lies waiting, greedy for freedom from its ancient prison. As the Old Kingdom falls once more into a realm of darkness and terror, the people look desperately to the Abhorsen, the scourge of the Dead, to save them. Yet Abhorsen Sabriel is lost, missing in Ancelstierre.Only Lirael has any chance of stopping the Destroyer. Final book in the Old Kingdom trilogy.

A collection of thirteen short stories providing an eclectic mix of Garth Nix's writing spanning several years. Included are an Old Kingdom story, an Arthurian legend, a war story, a western, a traditional tale with a twist and a very funny, choose-your-own-adventure spoof.

The icon-maker and angel-summoner Liliath, long believed dead, has woken from her century long sleep to pick up the threads of a plan that has already destroyed one kingdom and may yet destroy another. To succeed, Liliath must bring together Agnez the musketeer, Simeon the doctor, Dorotea the mage, and Henri, one of the Cardinal's clerks...and take them into utmost danger. Set in an alternative seventeenth century where angels can be summoned to do the bidding of those with a talent for magic, Angel Mage is an action-packed story of angels, heroes, gunpowder and high magic. Usually read by students in Year 9, 10 and above.

Clariel, the daughter of one of the most notable families in the Old Kingdom, dreams of a simple life. But, there's a dangerous Free Magic creature loose in the city, her parents want her to marry a killer and a plot is brewing against the old King Orrikan. Clariel finds hidden sorcery within herself, yet it is magic that carries great dangers. She must avoid the temptation of power to escape marriage and save the King.

Yet another adventure for Arthur Penhaligon in his quest to find the third part of the Will and face the forces of the Trustees. During his adventure, he encounters a variety of creatures and enlists the help of a number of friends.

In a land where sunstones provide the only light, Tal tries to save his family from social oblivion.

Lirael is no longer a shy Second Assistant Librarian, she's now the Abhorsen-in-Waiting, with a new hand, one of gilded steel and Charter Magic. When she discovers Nicholas Sayre lying unconscious, she uses her powers to save him. But the attack has left Nicholas tainted with Free Magic, so together they embark on a dangerous journey to seek help at Lirael's childhood home, the Clayr's Glacier. Ferin, a young woman from the distant North, is travelling to meet them, bearing a warning from Lirael's long-dead mother about the Witch With No Face. But who is the Witch, and what is she planning? Lirael must save the Old Kingdom from this great danger- and it must be forestalled not only in the living world but also in the cold, remorseless river of Death.

Arthur Penhaligon's quest is to find the second piece of the Will and face the force of the lower house. He must save himself and the world. Arthur must embark on a number of underground escapades and he is racing the clock.

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.

Arthur Penhaligon has defeated four of the seven Trustees but his week is getting worse and worse.

Eighteen-year-old art student Susan Arkshaw arrives in London in search of her father. But before she can question crime boss Frank Thringley he's turned to dust by the prick of a silver hatpin in the hands of the outrageously attractive Merlin. Merlin is one of the youngest members of a secret society of booksellers with magical powers who police the mythic Old World wherever it impinges on the New World - in addition to running several bookshops, of course! Merlin also has a quest of his own: to find the Old World entity who arranged the murder of his mother. Soon they become involved in an even more urgent task to recover the grail that is the source of the left-handed booksellers' power, before it is used to destroy the booksellers and rouse the hordes of the mythic past. As the search for the grail becomes strangely intertwined with both their quests, they start to wonder... Is Susan's long-lost father a bookseller, or something altogether more mysterious?

Lirael has never felt like a true daughter of the Clayr, abandoned by her mother and ignorant of her father's identity. She doesn't even have the Sight, the ability to See into the present and possible futures, that is the birthright of the Clayr. She must undertake a desperate mission against an ancient evil that blocks the Sight of the Clayr and threatens to break the boundary between Life and Death itself.

Arthur Penhaligon must complete his quest to save the Kingdom he is heir to.

Arthur Penhaligon is not supposed to be a hero. He is, in fact, supposed to die an early death, but he is saved by a key shaped like the minute hand of a clock. Arthur is safe but his world is not and Arthur must do what he can.

After the Newington Emerald is stolen at the height of a conjured storm, eighteen year old Lady Truthful Newington goes to London to search for the magical heirloom. But, as a well-bred young lady cannot hunt the metropolis for a stolen jewel, she has to disguise herself as a man. Lady Truthful is soon caught up in a dangerous adventure where she must risk her life, her reputation and her heart. Her father's life and even the fate of England may depend upon her recovering the Newington Emerald.

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.

For many years, Sabriel has lived outside the walls of the Old Kingdom, away from the random power of Free Magic and away from the Dead who won't stay dead. But, her father, the Mage Abhorsen, is missing and, to find him, Sabriel must cross back into that treacherous world where monsters stalk and fear prevails.

'The discovery of a sorcerous map leads left-handed bookseller Merlin into great danger, requiring a desperate rescue attempt from his sister, the right handed bookseller Vivian, and art student Susan Arkshaw who is still struggling to deal with her own recently discovered magical heritage. The map takes the trio out of this world to a place maintained by deadly sorcery and guarded by monstrous living statues. To unravel the secrets of a murderous Ancient Sovereign, the booksellers must investigate centuries of disappearances and deaths.

Following their adventures in the Border Sea, Arthur and Leaf head for home. But, only Leaf gets through the front door. Arthur is blocked because someone or something has assumed his identity and is taking over his life.

Arthur Penhaligon has wrested five keys from their immortal guardians, but acquiring the sixth key will be the greatest challenge he has faced to date. Will is one step closer to discovering the secret of his identity, the identity of The Architect, the complete Will of the House and the fulfilment of his fate. But, Superior Saturday has been planning how to thwart him for a thousand years.

In the Old Kingdom, a land of ancient and often terrible magics, orphan Terciel learns the art of necromancy from his great-aunt Tizanael. He is the Abhorsen-in-Waiting, and Tizanael is the Abhorsen, the latest in a long line of people whose task it is to make sure the Dead do not return to Life. Across the Wall in Ancelstierre, nineteen-year-old Elinor lives a secluded life. Her mother is a tyrant, who is feared by all despite her sickness and impending death . . . but perhaps there is even more to fear from that. Elinor does not know she is deeply connected to the Old Kingdom until a plot by an ancient enemy of the Abhorsens brings Terciel and Tizanael to Ancelstierre. In a single day of fire and death and loss, Elinor finds herself set on a path which will take her into the Old Kingdom, into Terciel's life, and will embroil her in the struggle of the Abhorsens against the Dead who will not stay dead.

The compelling, inspiring, and comically sublime New York Times bestseller about one man's coming-of-age, set during the twilight of apartheid and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A prospecting holiday turns into a struggle for survival for two children when their car crashes in an isolated place in the bush, killing their uncle.

Dale and Tomias, live in the outback. They have a deep love for the wild, ancient land that is their home and move easily between their Aboriginal and white cultures, until someone turns up to spoil their last year at the community school.

Shane's family lives on a remote station. Most of the Aboriginal people have been driven off but Red and her grandfather remain. All risk losing their homes when a big company wants to combine five stations. Strong language used in context. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

A sequel to, The Barrumbi kids, in which a trip to Barrumbi changes everything. Dale is warned in a dream that his brother, Sean, is in danger. He doesn't know that what happens to Sean will have a devastating effect on the whole community. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Tells of the life of Thomas Edison, one of the greatest inventors, responsible for the phonograph, the first medium for recording music, motion pictures and the light bulb. Edison's life and work are of interest, especially as he was profoundly deaf.

Black parachutes fall from the sky. Young soldiers and a dog are on a rescue mission in a remote part of Afghanistan. But, the mission ends in chaos. Eighteen year old Corporal Mark Hollis and Prince, the dog, embark on a perilous journey. To get back to base, they must navigate an unforgiving landscape and avoid capture or death at the hands of the Taliban. Mark and Prince must depend on each other to survive. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A classic adventure and tragic love story told in verse, about the betrayal of heroic Bess and her dashing highwayman.

Set in Hamilton College, the story is presented through the eyes of David and follows his realisation that there are dark forces at work in his school. David befriends a newcomer, Simon, who doesn't fit in and faces bullying and intimidation. When David and Simon discover that bullying resulted in the death of a student a number of years earlier, they set out on a quest for justice.

Adele loves being one of the popular girls at Keziah Christian Academy. She knows the upcoming semester at school will be great with her best friend Delia at her side. Then Delia dumps her for a new girl with more money, and Adele is forced to share a room with Lottie, the school pariah, who doesn't pray and defies teachers' orders. As they share a copy of Jane Eyre, Lottie's gruff exterior and honesty grow on Adele, and together they take on bullies and protect each other from the vindictive and prejudiced teachers. When a boy goes missing on campus, Adele and Lottie must work together to solve the mystery, in the process learning the true meaning of friendship. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The two halves of this book combine to bring together a collection of Dreaming stories and stories reminiscent of the author's childhood on Stradbroke Island.

Alice Dyson knows exactly how she'll be spending her final year of high school: with her head down, concentrating on her textbooks and homework. She's focused on the future, and nothing is going to get in her way. Until a bizarre encounter with the school's most notorious troublemaker derails all her plans, turning Alice into the unwilling centre of attention and her life into one enormous complication. And even worse? Now Teddy Taualai won't leave her alone. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, and above.

The summer is finally here, and Pearl Nash is on a mission to save her slowly disintegrating friendship with a whirlwind end-of-year road trip. However, suddenly Pearl ends up stuck in the middle of the desert beside Obi Okocha, a boy with an irritating attitude. Add a breakdown, multiple arguments, an AWOL nana and a kiss; the perfect ingredients for a perfect disaster. Or is it? Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

The door creaks open and standing in the entrance is my absolute worst nightmare. Perfect hair, perfect teeth, perfect brain. Perfect sneer. Evelyn Tait. Taking Down Evelyn Tait is a story about family, friends and embracing who you are. Even if that person is kind of weird. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

This #LoveOzYA anthology - the first to focus entirely on horror - unites a stellar cast of Australia's finest YA authors with talented new and emerging voices, including two graphic artists. The stories in this wide-ranging collection dig deep and go hard. While some are straight-up terrifying rollercoaster rides, others are psychologically rooted in our society's deepest fears and concerns: acceptance and fitting in, love and loss, desire and temptation, and the terror of a world threatened by catastrophic change -- and even collapse. From body horror to the supernatural, hauntings to transformations, and the everyday evil of humans to menacing outside forces, Hometown Haunts will have you glued to your chair... until you leap out of it! Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

This collection of trash-inspired poems will have you thinking about what you use, what you re-use, what you throw out and how your choices about refuse impact you and the world around you. Lost buttons. Buried treasure. Wanton filth. Are we taking enough responsibility for our choices?