Booklists

Seventeen-year-old Mandy, daughter of Starfire, is NOT like her mother. Starfire is gorgeous, tall, sparkly, and a hero. Mandy is NOT a sparkly superhero. Mandy has no powers, is a kid who dyes her hair black and hates everyone but her best friend Lincoln. To Starfire, who is from another planet, Mandy seems like an alien, like some distant angry light years away moon. Everyone thinks Mandy needs to go to college and become whoever you become at college, but Mandy has other plans. Mandy's big plan is that she's going to move to France and...do whatever people do in France. But then everything changes when she gets partnered with Claire for a school project. Mandy likes Claire (even if she denies it, heartily and intensely). A lot. How do you become the person you're supposed to be when you don't know what that is? How do you become the person you're supposed to be when the only thing you're sure of is what you're not? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

A beautifully illustrated and innovative book, full of fanciful whimsy that takes us to a place where we might think about ourselves and our society. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Richard Feynman was a Nobel Prize-winning physicist. Catherine is a science-loving, fifteen year old, just trying to survive school. When Catherine's father gives her a photo of the gifted scientist, she develops a crush on him. Eventually, Catherine has to deal with betrayal by both her father and her idol. Some teenage drinking and strong language, used in context. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

The thing I remember is that the chemist floor had a large, black scuff near the counter. I don't remember the knife. I remember something cold on my neck, which could have been a knife, or it could just have been his long, cold fingers. But it was the scuff I remember best. Adult themes require a mature reader. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Shaping the Fractured Self showcases twenty-eight of Australia's finest poets who happen to live with chronic illness and pain. The autobiographical short essays, in conjunction with the three poems from each of the poets, capture the body in trauma in its many and varied moods. Because those who live with chronic illness and pain experience shifts in their relationship to it on a yearly, monthly or daily basis, so do the words they use to describe it. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Welcome to the Island. Where your worst fears are about to come true. A week-long trip for six teenage friends on a remote tropical island is supposed to be the perfect holiday. When their guide dies of a stroke leaving them stranded, this trip turns into a nightmare because someone on the island knows each of the group's worst fears. One by one they are becoming a reality. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

This collection of poetry begins with a gentle petition of the reader to fill their hearts with poetry; to look within themselves, take the time to be silent, and listen to what they hear. This message continues throughout the poems as Thakur candidly shares her experiences as a Black woman and daughter of migrants living in the United Kingdom. In the poems is a proud daughter, mother, poet, and believer. She shares poems exploring the profound connections between people, and also the ways people can be careless with each other. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10, or above.

When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free. However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school's resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He's determined to find out what happened and tie off some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

It's been five years since Wendy and her two brothers went missing in the woods, but when the town's children start to disappear, the questions surrounding her brothers' mysterious circumstances are brought back into the light. Attempting to flee her past, Wendy almost runs over an unconscious boy lying in the middle of the road . . . Peter, a boy she thought lived only in her stories, asks for Wendy's help to rescue the missing kids. But, in order to find them, Wendy must confront what's waiting for her in the woods. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this is a powerful and gripping YA novel about one girl's struggle for justice. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Bri is sixteen and is desperate to be a rapper. In fact, she wants to be the best rapper of all time. But as a kid who is always in trouble, comes from a difficult home life and is African American, she has a lot o challenges to overcome in order to ever break into the rap world and get her come up. She has to walk a careful line between who she really is and who the public want her to be. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Phoebe's non-Indigenous mother, a busy event manager, and her father, an Aboriginal man and uni lecturer, have split up and she's moved to sleepy old Willunga with him and his new health-obsessed girlfriend. It's only a few kilometres from Phoebe's old friends and the city, but it feels like another world. Her new school is full of hippies, but some of the kids are cool and the local basketball team is tight, and before long Phoebe's fitting in. But as her mum becomes increasingly unreliable, Phoebe's grades begin to suffer, her place on the basketball team is under threat and her worries spiral out of control. Phoebe can't tell her friends and is worried her dad will get angry, but pretending everything is fine is breaking her heart. How can she help her mum without tearing her family apart? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Ollie causes massive power outages when he comes into contact with electricity. Moritz has an electric heart that keeps him alive. They are best friends, though they can never meet. But no matter how far apart these pen pals are, their letters keep them close. As Ollie and Moritz start to brave the outside world, they meet other teenagers living lives almost as unusual as their own. But before they can feel any real sense of belonging, a new danger threatens to destroy all the progress they've made. Can these teens find their place in a world that might never understand them? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Mystical fantasy tapping into Irish culture and music that deals with the interesting concept of time leaking from the real world into the fantasy world and the impact on both. A musical score ends each chapter. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

London society supplied many inspirational ingredients for William Shakespeare, helping him become one of the greatest writers of the English language. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Morgan Lodhi has been the target of bullies since he was in primary school. He seems to just attract them. He becomes known across the school as Pig and everyone around him find it easier to either ignore the bullying or just join in. High school is a battle ground but it is not without some pockets of kindness. Contains scenes of bullying which some readers may find confronting. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Emelina Flores and her sister, Olivia, were determined to bring peace to the people of Ruina. But as the war for liberation raged on, what triumph and freedom meant to Em and Olivia slowly changed. As Olivia's violence and thirst for vengeance became her only ambition, Em was left to pick up the pieces. But it's not only Em who is upset by Olivia's increased violence. Other members of the Ruined army are beginning to see the cracks, and soon a small group of them defects from Olivia's army and joins Em instead. The two sisters are soon pitted against each other in an epic battle for the kingdom and the future, and only one will win. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

A war that will fuel her. A bond that will destroy her. Emelina Flores has come home to Ruina. After rescuing her sister Olivia from imprisonment in rival kingdom Lera, Em and Olivia together have devised a plan that will rebuild Ruina to its former glory. But just because Em and Olivia are out of Lera doesn't mean they are safe. Their actions over the past year have had consequences, and they are now targets of retaliation. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

When she died and came back as a Reboot, Wren 178 thought she'd left her human side behind. Then, Callum 22 came along and changed everything. Now, they have both escaped the Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation, ready to start a peaceful life. But, Micah 163, who runs the reservation, has darker plans to wipe out the humans. All of them. Some violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

After she was shot dead, Wren Connolly came back to life in 178 minutes as a Reboot, stronger, faster, able to heal and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are on return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot around. Callum 22 is slow and pesky but he makes Wren feel alive. When ordered to eliminate Callum, Wren risks her life to save him. Some violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents' brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped. But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge, Em sets off on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera's borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. But in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and 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.

Things are looking up for Josie Browning. Her boyfriend, James, is crazy about her, and she's scored a writing job at indi. Now the pressure is on for Josie to prove she's got what it takes to help plan indi's launch. Plus, she's battling with flatmates, frenemies and confusing feelings for travel writer Alex. High on the perks at indi, Josie's doing a pretty good job of faking her way in the industry - even though she still hasn't mastered her hair straightener. But when Josie is invited to a media junket, she accidentally sets off a string of lies that threaten to ruin her reputation, love life and career forever. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Josie Browning dreams of having it all. A stellar academic record, an amazing journalism career, and for her current crush to realise she actually exists. The only problem? Josie can't get through twenty-four hours without embarrassing her sister Kat or her best friend Angel, let alone herself. Josie's luck changes though when she lands an internship at the glossy fashion magazine Sash. A coveted columnist job is up for grabs, but Josie's got some tough competition in the form of two other interns. Battle lines are drawn and Josie quickly learns that the magazine industry is far from easy, especially under the reign of powerful editor, Rae Swanson. From the lows of coffee-fetching and working 10-hour days, to the highs of mingling with celebrities, scoring endless free beauty products (plus falling for her cousin's seriously gorgeous flatmate James) this is one year Josie will never forget. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Jose's life is turned upside down when a hurricane hits his tiny village in Honduras, causing mudslides which bury the town. He works against all odds to provide hope and leadership, and to help his family and neighbours survive. Some harrowing scenes. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Tracing the clashes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the Europeans who tried to move them from their land. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Life and love don't wait until you're ready, but what if finding yourself means losing everything you've ever known? Seventeen-year-old Alex Summers lives with a secret and the constant fear someone will find out. But when a new family moves to town, they bring with them their teenage daughter Phoenix Stone. When Alex falls for Phoenix, there is no warning. In a small town with small minds, girls don't go out with other girls, even if they want to. In fear there is bravery - you can either cling to the edge or have the courage to jump. But what do you do when you're left spiralling through the freefall? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

The atmosphere becomes very tense as relationships are tested among a diverse group of talented athletes at a training camp. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Natalie and Imogen are inseparable, and wildly different - Imogen is infuriatingly humble and incredibly intelligent, while Natalie is brave, jumping into danger and new adventures. Still, one thing ties them together: their love of the supernatural. Every summer they vacation at the famously haunted Harlow Hotel. Then, Imogen suddenly passes away from an undiagnosed heart condition, and Natalie is left to take on the summer before senior year alone. Without Imogen, Natalie throws herself into her senior project: she plans to spend her summer back at the Harlow Hotel recording fun fake footage. And her plans would be a lot less complicated if Leander Hall, her irritatingly attractive arch rival from school, wasn't working on his senior project at the very same hotel. But when strange things start happening at the Harlow, Natalie wonders, could there really be something to these ghosts after all? Usually read by students in years 9, 10, and above.

In 1941, Germany launched an airborne invasion of Crete, expecting to meet little resistance from the Allies. But, they were mistaken. Australian, New Zealand and Greek soldiers, and the people of Crete, battled for ten days and the bonds between the Anzac and the Cretans have lasted for generations. War violence included. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.