Booklists

Everything is made of something... but the way we make things, from the materials we use to the science and technology involved, is changing fast. Learn how nanotechnology is the way of the future!

Tamarra: A Story of Termites on Gurindji Country is a fascinating, illustrated science book that takes kids inside the life of termites through storytelling from the Gurindji People. Did you know there are four types of termite poo? Or that a warm paste made from termite mound is used to strengthen a Gurindji baby's body and spirit? Or that spinifex (which termites eat) is one of the strongest plants in the world? Created as a collaboration between over 30 First Nations and non-Indigenous contributors, the story and artworks explore how termites and their mounds connect different parts of Country, from tiny Gurindji babies and their loving grandmothers, to spiky spinifex plants growing in the hot sun.

One summer, Philippa's life is changed forever when she meets a furry, shadowy little creature called a nimbin, who adopts her and takes over her beach bag as its home. A delightful tale about a mythical Australian creature.

Feolf is a loyal knight who becomes a wolf on nights when the moon is full.

Narrated by a flea that jumps from dog to dog, inciting them to fight and causing chaos. As the dogs become increasingly unhappy and morose, the flea reassesses his actions and decides to attack a human instead.

Australian Rules football features in this story of Deet, a boy who decides to wreak havoc on the local football club.

The eleven Australians featured may not have used the word 'audacity' to describe their acts of bravery, for which they won awards and honours. But, each of them took risks in wartime, helping others against extreme dangers which could have cost them their lives. Stories of soldiers, prisoners of war, nurses, airmen and sailors are told, with the backdrop of the many wars involving Australia over the last one hundred years.

Georgie and Thomas are summoned to Allegoria to stop a machine that is ticking down to the end of the world. They enlist the help of a troupe of travelling daredevils.

Georgie Tanner must face an enemy that can take form in darkness, pull any weapon from its cloak and once it hits you, there's no hope. They say it can't be killed, unless you can kill a shadow.

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.

Two friends sink through a magical puddle into Allegoria, the world of the Great Magician. Georgie Tanner is always getting into some sort of trouble or other, but nothing has prepared her for this.

Crammed full of amazing photographs, graphics and information about the human body, its parts and how they work.

Discover an Australian classic, Blinky Bill and his wonderful adventures.

It is springtime, Wirrin's favourite time of the year. He will go hunting with his father, digging with his mother and gathering with his grandmother. People are coming from far and wide for the big corroboree and Wirrin will see all his cousins.

The year is 2120. Prince Alfred, a sickly boy of twelve, has never known life outside Buckingham Palace, but evil forces are at work and he must do battle with the king of the beasts, the Griffin...

Joe Spud is the richest twelve year old because his father reinvented toilet paper and became rich. He owns a racing car and a crocodile, but the one thing he can't buy is a friend. When he changes schools, he encounters twin bullies, a greedy lunch lady and new friends.

Strange things were happening when children would put their teeth under the pillow for the tooth fairy. In the morning they would find a dead slug, a spider, a slimy eyeball or much, much worse. Alfie is determined to find the culprit, whilst evading the social worker who has started visiting his home.

Things are not looking good for Zoe. Her stepmother, Sheila, is so lazy, she gets Zoe to pick her nose for her. The school bully, Tina Trotts, makes her life a miser, mainly by flobbing on her head. And, now, the evil Burt from Burt's Burgers is after her pet rat. I wonder what he wants it for.

Ben is bored beyond belief after he is made to stay at his Grandma's house. She's the boringest Grandma ever. All she wants to do is to play Scrabble and eat cabbage soup. But, there are two things that Ben doesn't know about his Grandma. They involve an international jewel thief and stealing the Crown Jewels.

Chloe is a lonely girl who has a difficult family life and a hard time at school. She meets the local tramp Mr Stink and befriends him. He is the one of the few people who have ever been nice to her. So when it gets cold and Mr Stink needs a warm place to stay, Chloe invites him to live in the garden shed unbeknownst to her parents. Chloe soon discovers that secrets are not so easily kept and have a way of leading to disaster!

Stella Saxby is the sole heir to Saxby Hall. But, awful Aunt Alberta and her giant owl will stop at nothing to get it from her. Luckily, Stella has a secret, and slightly spooky, weapon up her sleeve.

Meet the Meeks! Myrtle Meek has everything she could possibly want. But everything isn't enough. She wants more, more, more! When Myrtle declares she wants a FING, there's only one problem: What is a FING? Mr and Mrs Meek will do anything to keep their darling daughter happy, even visit the spooky library vaults to delve into the dusty pages of the mysterious Monsterpedia. Their desperate quest leads to the depths of the jungliest jungle where the rarest creatures can be found. But will they ever find a FING?

Daring thefts of priceless treasures are all over the news. The crimes have the pawprints of international jewel thief The Black Cat - Ben's very own Gangsta Granny - all over them. But with Granny gone, who on earth could pull off such daring heists? Can Ben crack the case?

Jack's Grandpa wears his slippers to the supermarket, serves up tinned tongue for dinner and often doesn't remember Jack's name. But, he can still take to the skies in a speeding Spitfire and save the day.

When Elsie, an orphan on the streets of Victorian London, hears about the mysterious Ice Monster - a woolly mammoth found at the North Pole - she's determined to discover more... A chance encounter brings Elsie face to face with the creature, and sparks the adventure of a lifetime - from London to the heart of the Arctic!

Tom is hit on the head by a cricket ball at boarding school and is promptly sent to hospital to recover from his injury. While there, he becomes involved with the adventures of The Midnight Gang, a gang of patients from the children's ward, who are under the strict control of the hospital's evil, children hating Matron and scarily deformed porter. Will the Midnight Gang accept Tom into the group and can they outsmart the wicked Matron and make all the gang's wildest dreams come true?

It appears there are more Worst Children in this world than was first expected. This is a collection of ten shocking short stories about children who are rude, disgusting and nasty. Children you are going to wish you never knew existed. Children you wish you would never have to meet. Stories that will make you snort with laughter and look at your classmates more carefully now.

A collection of short stories about disgusting children, naughty children, and unusual children. The stories include triplets who eat snot, ear wax and belly button fluff, a stuck up boy who thinks he should win everything and a girl who throws such loud tantrums, we can hear them in Australia all the way from England!

Are you ready to meet the World's Worst Children? Five beastly boys and five gruesome girls! Like Sofia Sofa- a TV super-fan so stuck to the sofa that she's turning into one! Or Dribbling Drew- a boy whose drool gets him into trouble on a school trip! And not forgetting Blubbering Bertha- a girl who bawls and tells terrible tales! Also featuring a special appearance from fan-favourite Raj!

Do you think your parents are embarrassing? These ten ridiculously silly parents are so annoying you will think yours are angels in comparison. Pinch your nose for Peter Pong, the man with the stinkiest feet in the world; jump out of the way of Harriet Hurry, the fastest mum on two wheels; watch out for Monty Monopolize, the dad who takes all his kids' toys; and oh no, it's Supermum! Brandishing a toilet brush, a mop and a very bad homemade outfit!

Think your teachers are bad? Wait till you meet this lot. These ten tales of the world's most splendidly sinister teachers will have you running for the school gates. Dr Dread teaches science and is half man, half monster... Watch out for the ghastly Miss Seethe. She is ALWAYS furious -- and she's on a detention rampage. And as for Phobe, he's a teacher with a real difference. He is bone - shakingly terrified of... children!

The Blunders are the most blundersome family in the blundering history of blunderdom. They live in Blunder Hall. When the Blunders are about to lose their home, how will they come together to save it?

"Dare you enter the world of MONSTERS? The beloved World's Worst series has captivated millions of readers. You've met the world's worst children, the world's worst parents, the world's worst teachers and the world's worst pets - but are you ready for the world's worst monsters? If you don't like ghosts, ogres, zombies, vampires, aliens, werewolves or mummies, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK. Laugh along to these ten terrifying tales of marvellous monsters, brought to you by David Walliams, and illustrated in glorious technicolour by Adam Stower.

These ten tales of the world's craziest creatures will have you shaking with laughter. You'll never look at pets in the same way again! Marvel at Houdini, the magician's rabbit. Take a trip around the world with Zoom, the supersonic tortoise. Gasp at the chaos created by Griselda, a grizzly bear with a big secret. And RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! It's Furp, the monstrous goldfish! Good pets, bad pets, supervillain pets, pets as big as a house and pets that could eat you in one gulp - these are the most hilarious and horrendous animals around.

A network of tunnels leading under the park, a secret exit to an abandoned mansion and a hidden box of documents. It's all very mysterious. When shadowy figures start watching Kitty, David, Andrea and Martin, they know they've stumbled onto more than a forgotten piece of history.

In 1823, a young, lonely girl spends much of her time hiding in the Vienna Woods. She spies an old man, a composer, and they form an odd friendship which develops through their mutual love of music. A story of how she triumphs over difficult circumstances and how people can help each other.

Ziggy Truegood feels a threatening presence in her tiny town of Hushing Wood, which is deepened by a recurring nightmare she has. When Raffi, an exotic young boy, and his grandfather come to town Ziggy's fears intensify. Unfortunately, her own wise and knowledgeable grandfather is ill, unable to help her. She wonders are the pair there to save her or to hunt her?

Mimi has mysterious and powerful pastels and can draw a garden so beautiful and magical that real people are transported inside it. But, it would be very unfortunate if the ancient pastels were to fall into the wrong hands.

When Celeste travels to China to visit her grandmother, she uncovers an incredible family secret. And with this secret comes danger and adventure. If Celeste is to save her family and friends, she must learn to harness her rare and powerful gift as a ghost-hunter.

Peng meets Jax after he fell from the stars. Twelve years later, Jax stumbles across a hidden monastery, deep inside an ancient park and begins to discover his destiny, what it means to be a Peng Master. Contains some martial-arts style violence.

Annie moves to Tiger Bay where there are lots of secrets to be unravelled. Most mysterious of all is Madam Olenka, who lives in The Pearl, a grand, dilapidated hotel, above the township. Madam Olenka has not spoken to anyone in thirty years.

Ting Ting is a ghost-hunter in training. Her adoptive grandmother is Por, the famous ghost-hunter, and Ting Ting's teacher. When Por disappears, Ting Ting must bravely face a powerful spectral enemy. Will she be strong enough to save Por and the villagers?

Oriole's beloved Wishbird is dying and she must leave the forest to save him. But in the City of Soulless there is danger everywhere. Can Oriole and Boy save Soulless and the Wishbird, or will the city's darkness prove too great even for magic.

Zadie Ma is a girl who writes magical stories that sometimes come true. One day she starts to write about rescuing a poor unwanted dog called Jupiter. Can Zadie bring to life her most important story of all where she finds Jupiter, the dog of her dreams? This book will make you believe in the power of stories, courage and friendship, just like Zadie.

It's1941 and the war is changing Pearlie's life every day. Darwin is full of soldiers, there's a spy on the loose and people are turning against Pearlie's best friend, Naoko, just because she's Japanese. When everything falls apart, Pearlie must try to be brave enough to stand up for what's right and not let her old fears get the better of her. Meet Pearlie and join her adventure in the first of four exciting stories about a courageous girl in a world at war.

It's 1864 and Poppy, an eleven year old girl, is raised in Bird Creek Mission near Echuca by the rather stern Mother Hangtree. When Poppy's brother escapes to strike it rich in the gold fields, Poppy disguises herself as a boy and sets out to find him. Along the way, she befriends and is aided by a series of characters, including an Irish bullocky, a feral dog and the feared bushranger, Harry Power.

It's1942 and Pearlie is alone in Darwin. Not only has she been separated from her family but now Beake, the spy, is back and he's on the loose. He's out to get Pearlie but she has a daring plan. And when bombs fall on Darwin, Pearlie must fight to survive.

It's 1942 and Darwin is under attack. While bombs are falling, Pearlie is doing all she can to save her beloved pets and help the wounded soldiers. But, it's too dangerous to stay and, when Pearlie finally has to say goodbye, only the thought of being reunited with her best friend, Naoko, can cheer her up. But, Naoko has a problem of her own, a ghostly mystery that will truly test Pearlie's newfound courage.

It's 1941 and school is almost over, not just for summer but forever. Darwin could be bombed any day and everyone that Pearlie knows is leaving for a safer place. Animals and pets of all kinds are being left behind and Pearlie wants to rescue all of them. And she is fearful of what will happen when it's her turn to leave the home she loves. Follow Pearlie on her adventure in the second of four exciting stories about a courageous girl in a world at war.

It's 1864 and Poppy is on the road again, heading to the town of Wahgunyah. On the way, she meets a stranger, who seems to know something about her past and her special letter with the red tiger seal. But, the more time Poppy spends with this boy, the more difficult he becomes and Poppy wonders if she can really trust him.

It's 1864 and Poppy, disguised as a boy, has escaped from Bird Creek Mission to find her brother, Gus. Life on the road is tough. When Poppy is given shelter at Summerhill Homestead, she meets a new friend, Noni. Poppy must keep her identity a secret as she tries to find Gus.

It's 1864 and Poppy, disguised as a lost princess from India, has joined a travelling medicine show. They're about to enter the town of Beechworth, where her brother Gus told her he was heading months before. Poppy is so happy to think that she might find Gus at last. But when Poppy follows the clues, they lead her to the cemetery.

Lulu dreams that, one day, she will be the lion drummer in the Chinese dragon parade. But, through years of tradition, the drummer has always been a male and Lulu is told that girls cannot learn the drums.

A wordless picture book soaked in symbolism that shows the hardship, endurance and cost of forced migration. Migrants grapples with difficult themes that are left open ended to invite the reader to draw their own conclusions. Bright, detailed illustrations show the hope and courage of each individual character and why they take such a journey.

When shy twelve-year-old Josh Primm finds a singing crocodile in the attic of his new home in New York City, he never expects to find moonlight adventures, friendship and so much fun! But not everyone in the neighborhood takes kindly to Lyle the crocodile, and Josh has to find his inner courage and show everyone that Lyle is extraordinary. Josh and his parents must fight to keep Lyle as part of their family.

Find out what a fossil is, how they are classified and how to start a collection. The book provides photographs and annotations for over 500 invertebrate, vertebrate and plant fossils to make it easy to recognize and place a fossil in its correct genus. Includes a glossary to help with technical and scientific terms.

Jude never thought she'd be leaving her beloved older brother and father behind, all the way across the ocean in Syria. But when things in her hometown start becoming volatile, Jude and her mother are sent to live in Cincinnati with relatives. At first, everything in America seems too fast and too loud. The American movies that Jude has always loved haven't quite prepared her for starting school in the US and her new label of "Middle Eastern", an identity she's never known before. But this life also brings unexpected surprises there are new friends, a whole new family, and a school musical that Jude might just try out for. Maybe America, too, is a place where Jude can be seen as she really is.

Charlotte is a thirteen year old girl with aspirations of joining the Junior Olympic Equestrian Squad. She loves riding and knows she is good but nothing has prepared her for the dirty tricks that other competitors have up their sleeves.

Norman John Gillies was one of the last children ever born on St Kilda, five years before the whole population was evacuated forever. People had lived on these islands for over 4000 years, developing a thriving, tightly-knit society. Why and how did this ancient way of life suddenly cease in 1930?

Glister is sad - her mother is missing and Christmas just wouldn't be the same without her. Once Glister has ventured into Faerieland in search of her beloved lost mum, very strange things start to happen and her biggest challenge will be finding her way home again. Graphic novel format.

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.

Glister and her father live at Chilblain Hall, home to an orchard with a remarkable collection of trees. It includes the very special Butterworth Tree. It is said that when the Butterworth Tree blooms, a bumper crop of Butterworth relatives, from the past, present and future, will fall. Glister longs to have a big family. Graphic novel format.

Strange things happen around Glister Butterworth. One day, a teapot is delivered to her home and when Glister makes a cup of tea to share with her dad, they find they have uninvited company. An unhappy writer, Phillip Bulwark-Stratton, is haunting the teapot and demanding Glister's help to write on his behalf. Graphic novel format.

Glister lives in her family home, Chilblain Hall, where the wind squeals through the gaps in the window frames and anything can happen. When the chairman of the village-in-bloom competition insults Chilblain Hall, the house gets in a huff and disappears. Graphic novel format.

Alex feels like a fish out of water in her new hometown - the sleepy little lakeside village of Boreen Point where she is reluctantly sent to live with her slightly eccentric aunt for her final year of high school. None of Alex's classmates could care less about the new girl, so Alex couldn't care less about them...or so she tries to tell herself. As a distraction from what is quickly shaping up to be a very lonely year, Alex spends her savings on a rundown little yacht and throws herself into restoring it. A curious discovery leads to the beginnings of a friendship, but it's Sam - the sailmaker's apprentice - and his mysterious ways that capture Alex's attention and force her to question what is real and what matters most.

Stick Dog and his team of strays are off on another outrageous canine caper. To snatch some breakfast treats for his hungry pals, Stick Dog will need to stop a moving truck, outfox a man on a telephone pole, and calm down a very caffeinated Karen. But that's not all. He'll also need to manage the greatest confrontation in history when his good friend Poo-Poo comes face-to-face with the ultimate enemy; a squirrel! With Stick Dog's smarts, daring, loyalty and patience he just might lead his buddies to the best breakfast ever.

Felix works for the general, but not for much longer! He escapes the generals camp and runs straight into Livia. When they realise, they are both heading to Rome, they decide to travel together, along with a sacred chicken, that has also left the general's camp. The journey takes them across several lands, with many adventures and new people, both good and bad. Will the sacred chicken help to get them to their final destination or will he be side-tracked by his love of cake?

Time is running out as Queen Eugenia prepares to crown herself as absolute ruler of Greater Gerander. Alistair and Tibby Rose travel on a daring mission into dangerous territory to stop her. Alice and Alex risk their lives by returning to the enemy stronghold. They must act now to restore Zanzibar to the throne or lose their homeland forever. But, Zanzibar has a secret and it may cost Alistair his life.

Alex, Alice and Alistair are triplets who think they are just three ordinary mice until Alistair mysteriously vanishes. Then, Alex and Alice learn a secret about their family, a secret which means Alistair's life is in danger unless they can find him first. So begins a hair-raising journey as Alex and Alice try to outrun enemy agents in a desperate race against time.

Alex, Alice and Alistair are triplet mice. With their country in danger, Alice and Alex are sent on an undercover mission, right into the heart of enemy territory. Meanwhile, Alistair and his friend, Tibby Rose, set out to rescue Alistair's parents from a remote island prison. But, someone is determined to stop them, someone who knows their every move. It seems there is a traitor.

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.

Rory has never been in a story before and he's not even sure how one works. Luckily, he and his friend Milly have a helpful voice on the page (that's me, the narrator) to guide them on an amazing adventure as they encounter an exciting plot, spectacular settings and some very funny characters. So, open the cover and discover how stories are made.

Sunaya's peaceful village life is turned upside down when a simple mountain mission turns into a death-defying quest for survival. Winter treks to summer pastures, mythical Ice-People that are scarily real, avalanches, ice falls, power plays, mysterious magic and surprising friendships - it seems not everything in life is set in stone ...

A family of rag dolls has survived on its own for forty years until now, but they may not be able to survive if their secret is betrayed.

New town. New me. Thirteen year old Samantha is rebranding herself 'SJ' and is determined that at her new school the real Samantha will be well hidden. SJ will be strong, confident and eczema free. But it's not easy hiding her skin condition. Will she ever learn to love herself?

An enchanting classic set in a boarding school. An orphan attempts to identify and come closer to her benefactor.

Harper Drew has an annoying brother, an absurd dad and a mysterious uncle. All she wants to do is fit in, but with her family, how is this possible? Desperate to get invited to Maise's party she will try anything, but with so much family drama, will she make it? Will it all be worth it? How can Harper Drew fit in?

Lana's dad and Guy's mum are going to get married but Lana and Guy hate each other. After trying to sabotage the wedding so they don't have to live in the same house, their problems are solved in an unusual way.

Fred has moved around her whole life, one small town after another, and never minded starting over. She's always had her mum, her dad, and her love of roller derby. On the track she's Fred or Dead, the star jammer, a gun at smashing through a line of bodies and scoring for her team. But Fred's life has fallen apart, and now she can't imagine ever putting her skates on again. On a road trip to Melbourne with her dad, Fred meets a bunch of people who think they know what's best for her. And although Fred tries to avoid it, roller derby has a way of barging back into her life. A true jammer could push through anything, but Fred doesn't know who she is anymore. What do you do when the thing that could save you is the thing that hurts the most?

Clem Timmins has lost it all, her house, her possessions and her clothes. Now living in a tiny flat with her dad, she has to go to a new school, far from what she knows. On Clem's first day, she meets Ellie and, to fit in, Clem reveals a secret she immediately regrets sharing. When Clem receives a letter she doesn't want to read, it becomes clear that she can't run from her past forever, especially when the truth appears right in front of her face.

Clem is slowly rebuilding her life after a house fire destroyed everything. She's about to start high school with her two best friends and she's finally settled into living with her dad in their tiny flat. But when her mum unexpectedly moves in, Clem feels like there's no space for her. Then she meets Matt, a funny and rebellious fourteen-year-old with family troubles of his own. When everything starts to unravel, Clem must decide which secrets to keep and which to share.

Having met in sick bay, Riley and Meg are intrigued by each other and little by little, as circumstances contrive to bring them together, become friends. Twelve year old Riley must choose between her popular group or the very unpopular Meg. There is a reason behind Meg's odd behaviour. She appears to be a loner, wears slippers and the same ratty t-shirt to school each day, spouts bookish quotes and carries a paper bag. On the surface, Riley appears cool and confident, hanging out with the popular girls and being noticed by the boys. Both girls are hiding secrets that unfold as the end of the year and graduation night looms.

Andrew Barton Paterson spent his early years in country NSW. He was sent to finish his education in Sydney, where he eventually worked as a lawyer. Paterson missed the bush and, using the pseudonym, the Banjo, after the horse he used to ride, began to write poems and stories that brought the bush to the city. He is famous for The Man from Snowy River and Waltzing Matilda.

Hyacinth is not at all pleased to move to London with her mother, partly because she still hopes her parents might get back together. Even her love of history does not make London more appealing, even less so when she opens her grandmother's farewell gift of a book titled A History of the Sewers of London (which she is bored enough to actually read), although she is puzzled, intrigued and a little anxious when the accompanying card foretells terrible danger, with no clue as to what it might be. She soon discovers a world of magic and strange creatures and places. All is definitely not what it seems and it is not at all certain whom she can trust. With her mother's life at stake Hyacinth must use all her skills to find the right path to prevent a catastrophe.

From Picasso, who changed the art world forever, to Malala Yousafzai, the brave teen who was shot for advocating education for girls, the 50 kids profiled in Never Too Young! will inspire and empower young readers. Some, like Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges, and Stevie Wonder, are prominent figures, while others are lesser known though their achievements are just as compelling. They come from a variety of historical periods and backgrounds, and have made an impact in politics, sports, the arts, science, and more.

Dolphins are our closest relatives in the ocean. They are warm-blooded mammals and give birth to fully formed babies that feed on milk from their mothers. Dolphins love to play and often swim with humans at the beach. Dolphins are usually friendly but they are wild predators and can be aggressive.

A contemporary fairy tale of a monster from the swamp.

Discover 100 of the planet's most magical islands - their wildlife, trees, diversity, people, treasures, and more - in this beautifully illustrated book. From islands that have been taken over by animals to disappearing islands, islands made of shells, artificial islands, and even islands that were once prison colonies, Amazing Islands is a whirlwind tour of some of the smallest landmasses in the world and celebrates island life in all its extraordinary diversity.

Whetstone is a wannabe thief. Lotta is a wannabe Valkyrie. A case of mistaken identity will bring the two of them together on a quest that will have you wondering what will happen next and whether they will both achieve their goals. Will one of them become a hero? What is a hero anyway?

In a small village where everyone knows everyone, a girl goes missing on Christmas Eve. While the rest of the town is in a frenzy looking for the girl, her brother, Ethan secretly knows she is safe, but needs help getting home. With the help of his new friend, Iggy, and an oddly hairy and peculiar stranger, Ethan will go on an incredible journey to ger his sister home.

When 11-year-old Malky and his younger brother, Seb, come into possession of Dreaminators they discover they can now share and control their dreams. But when they suddenly start losing control, Malky manages to wake up but finds that Seb is still asleep and trapped in their dream! With the help of a new friend and her eccentric grandmother, it's up to Malky to return to Dreamland and bring his brother back.

If you want to learn how computers work, this book introduces you to the world of computing with the Raspberry Pi, the small, inexpensive and super-cool microcomputer that teaches real tech skills. Use the Pi to create things while learning all about computers, from the inside out. Create music, using Sonic Pi to record your own songs. Combine Python and Minecraft to programme your own video game world.

In China, during the Cultural Revolution, Sunflower, a young city girl, moves to the country. Life is lonely and isolated until she meets Bronze, who, unable to speak, is ostracised by the village boys. The pair becomes inseparable. When Bronze's family agrees to take Sunflower in, she is overjoyed and Bronze has got the sister he always wanted. But, life is hard and Bronze's family can barely afford to feed themselves.

A book about a stone sitting still does not seem very interesting until you think about the world around it. The still stone plays a different part for each of the passing creatures over changing time, weather, and geography. You will not step over a simple stone again without thinking of the parts it plays in the world long after you are gone.

Sisters Laylah and Lizzy always loved the ancient myths, legends and fairy tales of Poland told to them by their grandmother. But when sinister things start happening on their holiday, they discover that some myths are more real than they could ever have imagined ....

Let your imagination wander and wonder. Science fiction, fantasy, humour and horror feature in twenty-five diverse, short stories by well-known and new Australian authors.

Ruben's dreams were of places that made no sense to him. Places that didn't exist. At least not anymore. Ruben lives in a safe place in a city that takes everything and gives nothing back. He begins to feel that he is in danger and ventures to Block City where he meets Koji. She too has been hiding from the dangers of the industrial city and its excesses. Ruben and Koji realise that if they combine their knowledge of how the city works they can find a way to escape . . . together.

Humorous description of the creation of da Vinci's Horse of Sforza statue. Danny da Vinci and his best friend, Mick Angelo, are apprentices in Uncle Leo's art studio when he is commissioned to make a giant, marble horse.

A Greek family run a deli in Newtown in Sydney, but Ya Ya, the grandmother, is homesick for Greece.

Tonight is the night. The family has to flee. Set in biblical times, a small family sets off across a desert in search of refuge from persecution in their own country. Beset by heat and thirst, and threatening tanks, they travel towards a refugee camp and safety, while they wait for asylum in another country. An ancient story becomes a fable for our times.

All the boys in Luke's art class see things the same way, except for Luke. When Luke visits an art gallery, he sees some amazing paintings and, whoever created them, sees things just the way Luke does. Luke feels as though he fits in.

Using maps, the author traces the history of one special Australian neighbourhood back two hundred years.

Covers the history of our continent from the Ice Age to the Apology, from the arrival of the First Fleet to the Mabo Judgement. Some of the subjects of the eighty mini-biographies of young Australians have become nationally or even internationally famous. Others were legends in their own families and communities.

Lucy's whole world is her home and her father and their life together.

Read the true stories about the childhood of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, compiled from memoirs and oral histories. Find out about getting bush tucker, going fishing, taking part in ceremony, playing games and having fun. The warmth of home, the love of family and the strength of community shine through every story. Eighty Elders, both past and present, have contributed their words or artwork.

Eleven-year old Killarney thinks school is boring. She'd rather be exploring the wilderness around her Tasmanian hometown or helping her hairdresser mum. When strange things start to happen-ear splitting screams in the dead of the night and missing items found under the house-Killarney is too busy solving the mystery to do schoolwork. Before long she discovers the culprit: a wild Tasmanian devil, denning under the house. When rumours about dangerous devils being spreading, Killarney is determined to protect her precious visitor, but can she convince an entire town these wild creatures are worth saving?

City boy, Flynn, goes to Mission Beach with his Dad to prepare Grandad Barney's banana farm for sale. Flynn has never been north before, even when his Grandad was alive. When Flynn meets local girl, Abby, and finds two lost baby cassowaries, he is determined to find out about Grandad's mysterious death, and why his Dad refuses to talk about. And, he wants to know why his Dad is so scared of cassowaries.

When Rose and Gran save a baby koala from a pack of blood-hungry dogs, Rose is so happy - caring for bush babies is her dream. But things change for the worse when Gran gets a letter from the bank. Then Uncle Malcolm mentions bulldozers and Rose realises it's not just her that's at stake.

Ten year old Isaac is always busy helping his mum run a caravan park on the Queensland coast. When he finds a sea turtle nesting on the beach he really wants to be a volunteer turtle tracker. But it is summer and will his mother find time for him to volunteer?

When Mouse's parents head away to Ireland she is packed off to spend the winter in South Australia with her Aunt Evie. But what Mouse thought was going to be a dull winter turns into an adventure she never expected. When Mouse makes friends with the local wombats she couldn't be happier but as she learns more about her new surroundings she finds out that others don't feel as kindly towards the cuddly wombats as she does. Desperate to save the wombats from farmers whose fences the wombats destroy, Mouse begins a journey that will change not only her life but the lives of people and wombats everywhere.

The school holidays have started and Eddy Popcorn is grounded until his homework is finished. Faced with no beach and no mates Eddy puts all his energy into writing a helpful book for kids 'Eddy Popcorn's guide to parent training'!

Charlotte, the spider, spins messages in her web to help save her friend, Wilbur, the pig.

Mr and Mrs Little are delighted with their second son, even if he is a mouse. A fantasy about Stuart, the mouse, and his relationship with his human brother and parents.

Margaret Anne is plucked from the orphanage to be the companion of a woman who wishes to travel without her husband. She can't believe her luck when wealthy Mrs Carstairs takes her aboard the great ship, Titanic, bound for America, where she can be reunited with her brother. On the journey, she falls in love with a brave cabin boy. But, one freezing night in April 1912, she finds herself caught up in an unimaginable nightmare.

Workhouse girl Rose Muddle is surprised to inherit a powerful amber pendant. But more shocking is the news that a second pendant, held by the treacherous Brotherhood of the Black Sun, could unleash darkness on the world. Along with her friend Rui, and Bahula the monkey, Rose is flung into a daring adventure to stop the forces of evil.

When Rose Muddle and Rui Singh travel to India to return a precious ruby, they learn they're being followed by an ominous and mysterious stranger. An evil individual who wants to steal the gem. As a dark curse falls across the land, Rose and Rui find themselves in mortal danger and must uncover a sinister plot before it is too late. Can they uncover the ruby' secrets before their shadowy enemies wreak their deadly chaos?

Obulejo's name means 'trouble tomorrow' in the Ma'di language, and there is plenty of trouble for sixteen-year-old Obulejo when his town is attacked by Rebel troops. Separated from family and close friends, Obulejo flees into the hills and then makes a terrifying journey, full of danger from wild animals and pursuing soldiers. Once across the border in a refugee camp, he is safer but has no future - until he joins a pioneering peace education program and begins to find ways to create a more helpful life for himself and others.

Paying homage to the rhythms, word play and humour of Banjo Paterson and C.J Dennis the author has looked to everyday Australian activities, landscapes and people for inspiration. The 65 poems are gathered in fifteen loose groupings including animals, leisure activities, and places. Best read to or with someone.

Chance is in Year 7 and thinks she has it all - a loving mother, dog Tiges, best friend and almost-sister next door. But when a reality TV team makes over her house, she discovers newspaper cuttings from the past that cause her to question the world as she knows it and everyone in it. Then she finds herself caught between two realities, identities and worlds. Face-to-face with the truth, Chance has a very difficult decision to make, which almost splits her in two. This powerful story explores what is true and what is fake in today's world. And while Chance is all about the truth, she ponders whether "Maybe being truthful was really just a big lie".

When Jayden is sent to stay with relatives that he hardly knows, he thinks things can't get any worse. But he's wrong. They live in the country, in a town with no skate park. What's worse, they are cactus freaks with a yard full of spiky plants. Then, when Aunty Nina and Uncle Trev buy a new cactus, things get really freaky. The cactus seems to be coming alive.

Cooper Jones longs for the time when life was simple, when all he needed to worry about was whether to change his undies or make do. Now, his life has become all too complicated. Set against the backdrop of a fiery summer, Cooper needs to realise that sometimes you just need to get a grip.

Tilda has been left by her papa in an orphanage in Adelaide. He promises he will come back to get her after he serves his country in the Boer War. A promise is a promise and keeps the hope alive in Tilda while she waits for his return. But as she waits, she notices that something isn't quite right at the orphanage. Sister Agatha is determined to get Tilda to admit that she is an orphan, and that her papa isn't coming back for her. Tilda holds on to her hope and with her best friend, Annie, tries to get to the bottom of this mystery before it's too late.

Tara Smith's parents are super strict with all their rules and routines, and Tara is a dutiful daughter. Rule #1: No friends her own age. Rule #2: keep her bracelet on, or else. But when she breaks her routine - and then loses her bracelet - she's in trouble. Now outed as an extraterrestrial after wielding fire and losing her humanoid form, Tara is captured by the government. She's given two options: get shipped far away where she won't be a danger to anyone or stay on Earth and join a school for other extraterrestrial girls like her. Things at the school aren't easy - especially for the girl whose only friends were textbooks. But Tara's goal to learn how to control her powers is soon sidelined by the discovery that the people she's called Mom and Dad all these years aren't her parents.

In this fun guide to coding for beginners, learn how to develop real coding skills by following step by step instructions and completing six exciting missions. Code your own website, app and game, and learn html, CSS and JavaScript.

The members of Duncan's family are sports mad and have heaps of trophies. Duncan is the odd one out and not good at any sport. Duncan's Dad says he can have a pet of his own if he kicks the winning goal for the football team.

Hard Boiled Egg has a mystery to solve in the fridge. It takes him through all the shelves as he tries to catch the Bad Eggs. A very punny story, written in simple text.

Two peas have the grooviest pad in town and hold the best parties. A funny book, jam-packed with tasty characters.

Most people know the words to the song Waltzing Matilda and that it was written by the poet Banjo Paterson. But, not many know the origin of the tune. In 1885, Christina Macpherson played an old Scottish marching tune and Banjo Paterson, who was visiting the family, liked it and wrote words to accompany the music. Banjo and the song became famous but Christina's role was forgotten until the 1970s.

This is a story about trees and fungi connected through a 'wood wide web' - told by one tiny fungal spore .A little fungus meets a baby cacao tree and they learn to feed each other. They cooperate with a forest of plants and a metropolis of microbes in the soil. But when drought strikes can they work together to survive?

The tale of a tiny worm, the bacteria that live inside her, and a tree being munched on by a grub. When a tree cries out in pain, some unexpected heroes come to the rescue. Nema and her gang of young nematodes (tiny worms) embark on a dangerous journey underground. The Xenos, a group of wise but deadly bacteria, hitch a ride. The story of how they help the tree is full of action, life-or-death challenges and microscopic warfare. It is a story of co-operation and ancient partnership, about events happening all over the Earth, in the hidden worlds beneath our feet.

With her home under threat from a warming ocean, Zobi, a brave rhizobia bacterium, teams up with a family of slow but steady zoox (zooxanthellae). As the coral bleaves, everyone begins to starve ... Can Zobi and the zoox work together to stave the day? A beautifully illustrated science-adventure story set on the Great Barrier Reef.

Eleven year old Jamie, a fearful boy, confronts his biggest fear, the class bully. Through his ordeal, he comes to realise that, while magic can't stop bad things from happening, intelligence and courage can.

In a world of shadows and ruin, a majestic feather drifts from the clouds to bring redemption and hope.

Peter, a young boy, and his father must flee their town when the enemy orders 'everyone out of their houses'. They take with them a treasure box which contains, 'no rubies, no silver, no gold' but instead holds a book 'about our people, about us'.

A story about an unusual friendship between a dog and a magpie. Magpie's wing is injured in a fire and she can no longer fly. She is looked after by Dog, who is blind in one eye. He wills Magpie to get better and enjoy her life again. The friendship continues until Fox arrives. Seeing the pair cosily together, Fox conspires to separate them.

The last of the thylacine, or Tasmanian Tigers, died in Hobart Zoo in the late 1930s. With actual images of this animal incorporated within the text and landscapes, you can almost feel its anguished cry for freedom. The verse is powerful and succinct urging a respect for what is no more.

A beautiful house in Venice, rich in history, revisits its past stories in the context of the present. It is a house that has shunned all inhabitants but eventually it welcomes a fragile cat and opens its heart to life.

Jenny's little brother, Davy, is very ill and her mother says that no one will be able to keep him alive. But, Jenny thinks that as long as she watches over Davy, nothing can happen. An emotionally charged story about a young girl's courageous stand, and the uncertainty and beauty of life.

Who lives in that cottage by the sea? I wish. I wish. I wish it was me. A ghostly tale of longing.

I am Vampyre, feared and despised. I live in darkness. I long for light. From the depths of his dark vampyre world, a young vampyre boy reflects on his joyous childhood, compared with his current life and his longing to join the light.

The children always played in the giant's garden, but when he returned after years away, he said 'What are you doing here' and the children fled.

It is after Henry VIII's death and King Edward is very sickly. Queen Mary will come to the throne, ousting Lady Jane Grey. Mary's executioners will be busy removing her perceived enemies. Even Princess Elizabeth, the future queen of England, is imprisoned in the Tower. Tilly Middleton, who lives in the Tower of London where her father works, finds she has an important role to play.

When Susannah and her brother are orphaned, she is forced to live on the charity of distant relatives in England while he seeks his fortune in America. When news arrives that her brother is dangerously ill, Susannah will stop at nothing, even highway robbery, to get the money she desperately needs to save his life. It is 1670, when times are hard and punishments harsh.

It is 1917 and Daffy Rowntree's brother has gone missing in action somewhere in Europe in the First World War, known as the Great War of 1914-1918. Daffy is determined to do something to help in the war effort and finds herself in the mud and horror of the battlefields of France amongst the dead and wounded. She drives an ambulance, transports the wounded from the trenches and searches for her lost brother.

In the 1580s, Queen Elizabeth's enemies plot against her, planning to kill her and place Mary, Queen of Scots, on the throne. Kitty Lumdsden's father, Sir Nicholas, is abroad, working on secret projects for the Queen and her brother is mixing with suspicious characters. As Mary's supporters come closer and become more powerful by the minute, Kitty fears that they'll all be thrown into the Tower.

Orphaned children of the King and Queen must fight to rescue the people of the star lands, now flooded by the evil Emperor Flood.

Asa and Rollo are the royal children of the Star Lands. Emperor Flood, the court magician, has usurped the power of their parents. With loyal friends and their shape-shifting abilities, they must pit themselves against Flood to reclaim the kingdom.

Asa and Rollo decide to try to find out the fate of their parents. Flood captures Northseeker and the children are separated. They follow the ship to Flood's Castle Crag, where the final mystery awaits.

Asa and Rollo, are in trouble as pirates called tide stealers raid their stronghold and steal the moonstone star, the royal symbol of the Star Lands.

Believing he was descended from Achilles and Hercules, Alexander set out to better their heroic deeds. For eight years, he led the Macedonians, mostly on foot, defeating huge armies and proving to be either a brilliant warrior or a ruthless invader.

The year is 325 and the powerful Han Dynasty is no more. Kai is 465 years old, a teenager in dragon years. His search for the person predestined to be his dragonkeeper leads him to a Buddhist novice, Tao. But, Tao, believing his path lies elsewhere, has no interest in caring for a difficult dragon. Tao must listen to the voice within himself and learn that no journey ever reveals its true purpose until it's over.

Tao and Kai's journey has been long and at last they have arrived at the Dragon Haven but what they find is not the sanctuary Kai has described. Will they be unwelcome or made to leave. It seems they will be forced straight back into the clutches of the murderous nomad leader Jilong, who is intent on vengeance. They need to Kai safe. Being a Dragonkeeper is so much more difficult than Tao could have imagined. But when things are at their worst, help can come from the most unexpected places. And the least powerful can become a mighty force. Perhaps there is a place for dragons in this world after all.

Ancient China, Han Dynasty. Ping and Kai have travelled far but their journey is not yet over. When a hidden message from Danzi makes the way clear, Ping knows that once again the journey of a thousand li begins with a single step.

A slave girl saves the life of an ageing dragon and escapes her brutal master. Pursued by a ruthless dragon hunter, the girl and the dragon make an epic journey across China carrying a mysterious stone that must be protected.

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.

In this sequel to Dragonkeeper, Ping is entrusted with raising the young purple dragon, Kai. Kai is the last dragon in the kingdom and Ping learns there are many who want Kai for money or the healing properties of his body parts.

Ramose has been kidnapped by tomb robbers. He will need all the luck of the gods if he is to return as Pharaoh.

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.

Someone tries to kill Prince Ramose. If they think he is dead, he will be safe. He lives in disguise, but will this pampered, selfish prince survive.

Ramose is on the run. He has been living in disguise, travelling back to the royal palace where he hopes to regain his place as heir to the throne of Egypt. Ramose may be close to becoming Pharoah but his journey could end with the sting of a scorpion.

Everyone has turned against Ramose and someone is trying to kill him. He must escape from the rebels. He needs to find someone willing to help him.

Tao is learning to be a dragonkeeper but, with no one to teach him, there are dangers at every turn for him and his dragon, Kai. Tricks by unseen spirits, attacks by giant seven-headed snakes and a ghost who turns blood into ice, all test Tao to prove he is worthy.

I don't want to come to Australia. I have just started grammar school. My best friend Sally goes there too. But it looks like there could be another war and Dad has convinced Mum to go. Because we're migrants, the voyage is costing Mum and Dad only 10 pounds each! My brother and I are travelling for free. It's a long way to Australia. What if we never come back to England?

Historical novel based on the medieval Children's Crusades. Stefan, a charismatic, religious leader, has convinced Gabriel that only children will be able to liberate the Holy Land from the Infidel. Together, they raise an army and make the arduous journey over the Alps. The power of Stefan's promises dim as they suffer many misadventures.

Looks at endangered animals and what wildlife organisations are doing to increase the animals' chances of survival.

A book full of wonders, from snakes that can fly to eggs that can talk, from eels discharging 500 volts to lizards spurting blood from their eyes. Lots of interesting facts and fascinating information about how animals adapt to their environment in bizarre and unexpected ways.

In the past, Aboriginal people had to hide their children to help them escape from the authorities coming to take them. Includes strong, distinctive illustrations and Aboriginal English with phrases in Yankunytjatjara.

Three children interview great Aussie Rules footballer and role model for indigenous kids, Adam Goodes, who plays for the Sydney Swans.

Raised in Beagle Bay mission, Magdalene had been exposed to her traditional culture by her elders. Her account of the coming of the missionaries, and the resulting destruction of law and culture, is interwoven with the poetry of Nyulnyul stories.

Presented in comic strip and storyboard format, the eleven segments cover the origins of Robin Hood, the outlaws who became his Merry Men and his benefactors.

Full of mystery and adventure, the stories of the Egyptian pharaohs and their ancient gods are steeped in thousands of years of history. includes nine stories of Ancient Egypt, retold in comic strip style.

Nine classic tales of Chaucer, including The Knight, the Miller, the Reeve, the Wife of Bath, the Franklin, the Clerk, the Summoner, the Pardoner and the Nun's Priest, are presented in comic style format. Chaucer is also represented as a character, who greets and farewells the readers.

Eight Greek myths are retold in colourful, comic strip style. Read about Theseus, conqueror of the dreaded Minotaur; the mighty Heracles and his twelve tasks; the tragic lovers, Orpheus and Eurydice; Perseus, the Gorgon-slayer; the musician Arion and his rescue by the dolphins; Pandora and her little box of horrors; the feather-clad fliers, Daedalus and Icarus; and the weaving contest between Ariachne and the goddess Athene.

A comic book style is used to retell Greek myths for children.

Flossie is just nine years old when, in 1939, Britain declares war on Germany and her father leaves the family home to join the army. Flossie is left to bring up her baby brother and to face a whole host of new experiences on her own. Her diary becomes an outlet for relaying all the news from at home and abroad.

Experience life as an ancient Roman through the rise and fall of Rome, through the eyes of a gladiator, dormouse and berry-nibbler.

Find out about some great inventors from hundreds of years ago through to the present time. Follow their successes and difficulties and decide who is your favourite inventor. Includes a wide range of inventions from steam engines to mobile phones.

The segments cover 28 short, exciting, retold incidents from Homer's 'The Iliad', including the Greek/Trojan War, the Trojan Horse, and the characters of Helen of Troy, Paris, Achilles, and 'The Odyssey' including his battles with Cyclops, the Sirens and the Scylla.

Ottilie is back! The first and only girl to be chosen to be part of the Narroway Hunt. But there are new challenges ahead for her. The dredretches are getting worse, and they are getting inside the walls of Fort Fiory! Ottilie and her friends are trying to find out more about the hunt, only to find out that witchcraft may also be involved. No one is safe anymore and they need all the hunters they can get. Will they let the girls at the Fort fight too? Only Ottilie could convince them, but will they listen?

Ottilie Colter and her brother, Gully, have always fended for themselves. So when Gully goes missing one night, Ottilie sets out to find him - and soon makes a horrible discovery. Gully has been forcibly recruited by the Narroway Hunt, a secretive male-only organisation that hunts savage, blight-spreading monsters called 'dredretches'. Disguising herself as a boy, Ottilie infiltrates the Hunt - but quickly realises that taking her brother home won't be easy. Trapped in the heart of the dredretch-infested Narroway, it's impossibly dangerous for them to leave. But as she trains to become a Huntsman alongside her brother, hoping for a chance to escape, how long can she keep her true identity a secret?

In a strange mansion miles from anywhere, an orphan named Almanac and a twelfth daughter named Etta find themselves working - and bickering - side by side in the largely deserted rooms. But soon they realise that the house and its inhabitants are not quite what they seem, and there's more at stake than just their jobs. Can they solve the puzzle of Her Perilous Mansion before it's too late?

When Penny's father is arrested for thievery, she is convinced that he has been framed. But by whom? Together with the magistrate's son, a traveller and a magical scribe's apprentice, Penny soon uncovers more crimes - and it's always the rich being burgled and the poor being blamed. The town is in uproar, and a mysterious inspector arrives, but can they be trusted? How will this plucky foursome untangle the truth and put things right?

Eleven year old Becket Rumsey is all at sea. In the middle of the night, his dad has run away with him and his brother, Billy. They've left everything behind, including their almost-mum, Pearl, who gives great hugs. Their father tells them they need not contact Pearl, not even to say goodbye, and that they're starting at a new school after their holiday. Becket just wants is his family to be whole again. With lots of stories, one thousand paper cranes and a snail, Beckett is determined to make his wish come true.

Adam Butters discovers that before he was adopted his name was Ace, and that is a great name for a superhero. This amusing, heart-warming and heart-breaking story tells how Adam tries to find his birth mother and show her how she could love a him as a superhero. Things never go as planned and Adam has his work cut out for him.

Tiger is an ordinary, tubby, tabby cat who likes to sleep. Tiger's owner, James, is disappointed because he wanted a fun pet, like a wolf. One day, Tiger licks a toxic sock and is transformed into SuperCat. With his brand new powers and his best friend James, SuperCat must try to save the world, and all the chips, from the dastardly Count Backwards.

Do you have the courage to be a ranger in danger? You're going to Africa as a ranger in training and you can't wait! Rampaging elephants, charging rhinos, and hungry man-eating crocodiles! Is Diablo the evil poacher? Can you stop him? Read on if you dare! You the reader decide your destiny with over 20 possible endings. Written in conjunction with real wild life ranger Sean Willmore.

You're going to Scandinavia. You can't wait. Viking treasure, snarling wolverines and unexplained deaths of whales. Is the enigmatic Erik a real Viking as he claims, and can he be trusted? It's up to you to find out, if you're prepared to risk all.

From real-life stories of rangers around the world. Do you have the courage to be a ranger in danger? You're going to South America as a ranger in training and you can't wait! Stinky skunks, gigantic tarantulas, Mayan ruins, and flesh-eating piranhas... Someone's threatening the last Pinta tortoise in the world. Can you save him and stop the evil mastermind, Hernando? Your fate is in your hands.

You're off to India, they need your help. But danger awaits! Circling vultures, ferocious leopards, giant snakes, and ruthless poachers... Will you identify the mysterious villain, King Cobra? Or will he find you first?

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.

You're off to the top end of Australia in disguise. Bring on the danger! Massive crocodiles, hungry sharks, wild pigs and uncharted shipwreck...Can you capture the crocodile hunters, before they stalk you? And who is the mysterious Rapscallion? You the reader decide your destiny with over 20 possible endings. Written in conjunction with real wild life ranger Sean Willmore.

You're off to the Pacific islands. You can't wait. Gigantic whales, man-eating sharks and mysterious shipwrecks. Someone's after the super smart dolphin, Flip, with its huge dorsal fin. It's up to you to save it from captivity and the evil clutches of Takama. You the reader decide your destiny with over 20 possible endings. Written in conjunction with real wild life ranger Sean Willmore.

If you've wanted to create a YouTube video, then this book is for you. Find out how to shoot with a phone or camera, edit your clips and add effects.

This museum is open all hours. It houses an extraordinary collection of plants, from tiny algae to fascinating carnivores. Gloriously coloured fungi and lichens are here, too. Find out why some plants are green and others are not, how some plants live in water while others are suspended in mid-air, and how some plants feed on flesh. Plants give us some of our biggest, smallest, oldest and smelliest forms of life on Earth. Experience a virtual museum through this fascinating and beautiful book.

There's something fishy going on at St Halibut's Home. Life has been perfect since the orphans buried their matron even though it was an accident. Tig, Stef, Herc and Pamela just have to make sure that no one finds out that they are on their own. However, stolen cakes, explosions and a very grumpy goat means that things change quickly from all is good to explosions and all sorts of trouble.

Mandy has been picked on at school for as long as she can remember. She can't believe it when cheeky, daring Tanya wants to be her friend. But, Mum thinks Tanya is not a suitable friend and, when Tanya shoplifts, there is trouble ahead.

The story of Dolphin, a young girl, living with her mother's depression and a sister, Star, who is on the verge of adulthood. Both cope with living in a very dysfunctional household but their eccentric mum has real difficulties.

Em and her siblings are devastated by their dad's departure. Em escapes to a fantasy world with the help of a reindeer glove puppet.

Verity is devastated when Mabel, her adored cat, dies. School lessons about the Ancient Egyptians lead Verity to attempt to honour Mabel with an Ancient Egyptian mummification. Verity's mum died during childbirth and her dad and grandparents have avoided speaking to her about it, but now it is time to talk.

Miss Beckworth insists on calling her by her proper name, Charlotte, and makes her sit next to Jamie Edwards, the most stuck-up, boring boy in the class. Now they have to do a project on Victorian times. Charlie learns a lot about friendship, teachers and how lucky she is not to be living in Victorian times.

After being caught stealing on the streets of London, Beth is sent to Australia as a child convict on the First Fleet. Through Beth's story, we discover the unbearable hardships those first convicts suffered, not only on the long journey to Sydney Cove but also in the two years of near-famine following their arrival. A story inspired by the life of the youngest female convict with the First Fleet.

You may have heard the name of Caroline Chisholm but her devotion to the poor and needy is a part of Australian history that is not often told. 'Caroline' is an inspiring retelling of the life of one of Australia's most famous women. Her selfless devotion to people in need changed the lives of many for the better and she is an inspiring hero deserving of recognition.

Inspired by a true story, a young soldier smuggles his dog onto his troop ship when he leaves to fight in World War I. Together they face the triumphs and tragedies of the Western Front.

Molly and her father have emigrated to Australia to try their luck as gold prospectors in Ballarat, Victoria. Life on the diggings is hard and Molly misses her mother, who died before they left England. A Chinese teenager, Chen, shows Molly and her Papa how to pan for gold and helps them when their food and money run out. Not everyone on the goldfields is friendly, however. Chen and other Chinese diggers are often bullied and the police lock up miners who haven't paid the exorbitant gold licence fee. Before long, Molly, Papa and Chen are caught up in a protest that will become known as the Eureka Rebellion - a legendary battle that will profoundly affect them all.

In eighteenth century London, two children, Elizabeth and Tom, are so hungry, they steal a loaf of bread from the bakery. They are caught and transported to Australia aboard a convict ship. Their time on board is harrowing and the voyage is certainly not smooth sailing. By the time they arrive in New South Wales, Tom is ill with fever and his fate unknown.

William was only 16 years old when he enlisted for the First World War. Like many other under-age boys at the time, he was accepted into the Australian Imperial Force and sent to the battlefields of France. His letters home from the front reveal how, for the boy soldiers, the 'great adventure' became a tragedy.

John, a convict child, is transported to the penal colony of NSW. Starving and alone, he is taken in by Australia's first schoolteacher, Isabella Rosson. In her simple classroom, John learns to read and write. He never forgets Isabella's lessons, the power of words and the hope for a brighter future.

Jason's grandfather fought on the Western Front, his father fought at Kokoda and now Jason has received his conscription letter, called up to Vietnam. His training and war experience in Vietnam are explored through pictures and letters.

In 1980, Rose Birk and her stepdaughter, Nellie, write letters and attend meetings to help improve the lives of women and children in Adelaide. This action soon changes their lives and they become part of a bigger movement which changes Australian history.

Well-presented factual information and stunning photographs about Australian reptiles. Includes a comprehensive glossary, a quiz section and suggested books to read and web sites to view for further information.

Jack loves soccer. When a tagging game at recess goes horribly wrong, his dreams of training with his favourite soccer stars during their school visit turns out to be just that, dreams.

Employed as the new boot girl at Grave Hall, Lucy Goodly is in a tough situation. Who will take care of her well-meaning, but gambling parents? How will she get back to her beloved home, and what is REALLY going on at Grave Hall? This is book one in the Goodly and Grave trilogy, featuring magic, exotic animals, adventure and kidnapped children.

Lucy Goodly is a magician. Not a very knowledgeable one, and rather young too, but she is learning. Still in the employ of Lord Grave (and Boot Girl of Grave Hall - for all appearances), she and the members of MAAM (Magicians Against the Abuse of Magic) are investigating the thefts of magical items and soil from churchyards. Can Lucy and Lord Grave solve the mystery and stop a seriously magical plot?

This illustrated collection of inspirational ideas about peace is based on the lives of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates of the 20th and 21st centuries, among them Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Theresa and Malala Yousafzai. A must for anyone interested in exploring this essential issue of our times, this child-friendly exploration of what peace means to you and me is a book for every bookshelf.

The summer holidays have finally arrived and Scout can't wait for her adventure in the big rig with Dad. They're on a mission to deliver donations of dog food to animal rescue shelters in rural Victoria and NSW in time for Christmas. But there are so many sad and lonely dogs at each shelter looking for a new home. Scout thinks she has a great idea to find the perfect owners for these pups. But with reports of bushfires in the area, it's not just the dogs who will need rescuing.

If you enjoyed the award-winning Light Horse Boy and Lighthouse Girl, you will also enjoy In the Lamplight. This book draws on Australian war history with the protagonist being Rose, a young English girl turned nurse who cares for and falls in love with Jim - the Light Horse Boy. On the long journey back to Australia they experience the appalling loss of life due to the Spanish flu epidemic. But that is not the only challenge they face together.

136,000 Australian horses were sent to fight during the First World War. Just one came home. From the high country in Victoria to the desert sands of Egypt, from the waters off Gallipoli to the battlefields of France, This is the extraordinary story of Sandy, the only returning warhorse.

In 1914, best mates, Jim and Charlie, abandon the Australian outback for the excitement and adventure of the war to end all wars. Jim is not quite old enough but he lies about his age. Jim and Charlie think joining the Light Horse Regiment is a bit of an adventure and that the war will be over in a few months. But, they quickly discover the brutal realities of life on the frontline.

Scott, Rudy and AJ think helping a bunch of trapped aliens is cool - until the aliens start fighting.

Scott's snoopy sister stumbles into Halycrus and it's all danger from there.

Vicious swine hunting above ground. Strange aliens underground. Scott wonders about what kind of a world he has tumbled into.

Somehow Scott, Rudy and AJ want to help the Halycrusians but they have slipped through the wrong portal. They don't even know which world have they landed in.

Eddie Woo is a super sleuth with a mind for maths and a nose for adventure. Join Eddie and his BFFs, Rusty and DT, as they find clues, crack codes and race against time in a hunt for treasure that is both exciting and dangerous.

A cryptic message, a coded menu, ciphers, skateboard spills.... Eddie Woo and his best friends Rusty and DT are on a mission to save a friend's home, thwart the plans of evil smugglers and come first in the Triple Threat Quest.

A year after they defeated the evil Lester Smythe, Callum, Sophie and Jinx are having problems with two bullies who are targeting them at school. The friends do not back down and take on the bullies. But could the bullies' evil power be the work of Lester Smythe again.

When Luke brings home a truckload of traumatised brumbies, some with horrific injuries, Jess agrees that something must be done. Jess, Luke and their friends must foil the runners and save the wild mountain horses from their cruel fate.

At the start of the summer holidays, the unthinkable happens when Jess's beloved pony, Diamond, has a terrible accident. She blames her best friend for the pony's accident and Jess feels she's now lost two good friends.

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.

When Shara and her friends decide to protest against a wild horse race, it sounds fun, even heroic, but they don't plan on the tangle of heartbreak that follows. The police are on her doorstep, her friend Corey is in hospital and both her beloved horses have been taken from her. Shara will need the whole town on her side before she can put things right.

After a harsh childhood spent in foster care, Luke finally feels at home on Harry's farm, working with horses. But, when Harry dies, Luke has a bitter falling out with the people around him and takes off, leaving everything behind. Luke is searching for brumbies and finds himself camped by the river with three Aboriginal elders.

Finally, the day has come when Jess can bring home Opal, her once in a lifetime horse. But, there's something wrong with the little filly and even the vet is not sure what the trouble is. Jess gets the chance to join an outback droving trip with her friends and, although it's wonderful being out in the bush, she can't stop thinking about Opal and whether she'll survive. Even when there are distractions like Luke.

Thanks to their governess, Miss Penelope Lumley, Alexander, Beowulf and Cassiopeia are much more like children than wolf cubs now. Yet the Incorrigibles still manage to ruin Lady Constance's ball, nearly destroying the grand house. While it is being restored, they take up residence in London where clues about their, and Penelope's mysterious past, are discovered in the most unexpected ways.

Conniving Lord Fredrick has discovered three wild children, apparently raised by wolves. They are trophies, whom he names Alexander, Beowulf and Cassiopeia Incorrigible. They howl, chase squirrels and gnaw on shoes. Enter fifteen year old Penelope Lumley, charged with taming them in time for a Christmas party at Ashton Manor. She comes armed with a cherished book of poetry and her favourite fiction series.

When an invitation to speak at her former school, the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, arrives, Penelope Lumley hopes to show off the three Incorrigible children to Miss Mortimer. But, when Penelope is asked to demonstrate the academic progress of her three wolfish students so the board can judge the true worth of their education, the future of her school and of her job as governess hang in the balance.

Lord Ashton is about to be a father and the wolfish curse on his family must end. Penelope takes the three Incorrigible children to Brighton, where she hopes an old sailor will help to reveal the curse. But, the Babushkinov children, the wildest creatures ever seen, are also at the beach. Penelope and the Incorrigibles wonder if it is more than mere coincidence that these untamed children have also turned up in Brighton.

When Lord Fredrick's long-absent mother arrives with the noted explorer Admiral Faucet, gruesome secrets tumble out of the Ashton family tree. And, when the Admiral's prized racing ostrich gets loose in the forest, the hunt is on. But, governess Penelope is worried that, once back in the wild, the children will forget about books and poetry, and go back to their howling, wolfish ways, and not want to return to Ashton Place.

For fans of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events and Trenton Lee Stewart's Mysterious Benedict Society, here comes the final book in the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, the acclaimed and hilarious Victorian mystery series by Maryrose Wood.

The Queen Mum, as she was affectionately known, led an exciting and glamorous life that was changed forever when her husband unexpectedly became King shortly before World War II. Despite his death in 1952, she was rarely out of the spotlight.

Find out what's being done to stop pollution harming life on earth, why rising sea levels mean maps will need to be redrawn and how dramatic changes are affecting the weather, the environment and our way of life. Includes stunning photographs, charts, maps, web links and a glossary of terms.

Come face to face with the fiercest, wildest, most incredible creatures that ever roamed the earth, all captured in deadly detail. Find out why dinosaurs look the way they do, where they lived and explore their habitats.

Twelve year old Dylan Webber lives in a small country town in outback Western Australia. When he discovers a talent for folding and flying paper planes, Dylan aims for the World Junior Paper Plane Championships. He is determined to create a plane to compete with the world's best. During his quest, Dylan makes unlikely new friends, clashes with powerful rivals and comes to terms with his family's past.

In this compellingly honest collection of stories, Avi introduces seven boys seeking acceptance, guidance, or just someone to look up to. Luke sees the ghost of his father. Paul takes a camping trip with the grandfather he's just met. And Ryan has some surprising questions for his potential stepfather. Each story shines a different light on the question, 'What's the most important thing a father can do for his son?'

Simon lives with his cousins in Australia. He sees a star-like creature that moves at night and becomes involved in a life and death struggle.

Sam, Lin and Jerry must save their pet water dragon when their natural habitat, the drain behind their homes, is being cleaned up. But, two of the water dragons have disappeared.

Powerful and exciting: here are seven inspiring stories about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from history. Amongst these are Patyegarang, a Darug woman who worked with a British officer of the First Fleet, teaching him words from local Aboriginal languages - together they made the first written record of any Aboriginal languages; Mohara Wacando-Lifu, a woman of Torres Strait Islander, Niue Islander and Papua New Guinea heritage and the first Indigenous woman to receive the Royal Humane Society's Gold Medal for bravery; Yarri and Jacky Jacky, who led the rescue of sixty-nine people during the Gundagai floods of 1852.