Booklists

Alexander is a Jewish boy during World War II and is being held in a camp. To survive, he toughens up and vows to make friends with nobody. He is given the job of caring for the soldiers' horses, where he is ordered to break in the commander's new horse, who is scared and damaged. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Killed in an accident, 15 year old Liz is sent to Elsewhere. She struggles to understand what has happened and how family and friends continue without her. But, in Elsewhere, Liz meets the grandmother she never knew, makes friends and falls in love. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Luke Miggs wants more than small town life: the grind of chores on the family farm, playing lacklustre footy, beers with mates. Like maybe doing something about his crush on Amanda Hunt, a barmaid at the local pub who's smart, funny and ambitious. Or maybe playing footy in the big league. At eighteen it can't be too late, can it? There's his place in the Curlews, at least, although the team's little more than a bunch of battlers who play for the beers afterwards. If only they could take their footy seriously, like the reigning champions, the Little Reach Scorpions, who have dominated the competition for ten years. By the looks of this season, nothing is going to change. But when Adam Pride emerges from the night and tells the Curlews he wants to play for them, everything begins to change. A story of friendship, family, and coming of age, and how the choices of our past can come back to shape our future.

A run-down camp in the woods with no phone reception and 10 students with untested powers- what could possibly go wrong? Something is definitely not right at Camp Buttress and who is the ghost that keeps appearing and what is he trying to tell them? Fionn, Celine and their friends together with their teachers try to solve the mystery- and survive.

Black is...sisters navigating their relationship at summer camp in Portland, Oregon, as written by Renee Watson. Black is... three friends walking back from the community pool talking about nothing and everything, in a story by Jason Reynolds. Black is... Nic Stone's high-class beauty dating a boy her momma would never approve of. Black is... two girls kissing in Justina Ireland's story set in Maryland. Black is urban and rural, wealthy and poor, mixed race, immigrants, and more -- because there are countless ways to be Black enough. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Sam has always had things going on in his head that no-one else understands, not even his mum. Now she's dead, it's worse than ever. With his skateboard and a few belongings in a garbage bag, Sam goes to live with the strangers his mum cut ties with seven years ago, Aunty Lorraine and his cousins, Shane and Minty. As the days slowly meld into one another and ghosts from the past reappear, Sam has to make the ultimate decision. Mature read. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Hannah's world is in pieces and she doesn't need the counsellor to tell her she has issues. With a depressed mum, an injured dad and a dead sister, Hannah should feel terrible but, for the first time, she feels a glimmer of hope. Maybe it's because Josh is taking an interest in her or maybe it runs deeper than that. In a family torn apart by grief and guilt, Hannah's struggle to come to terms with years of torment shows how long old wounds can take to heal. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

It's not like any other day because on the other side of the world, nuclear missiles are detonated. When Fin wakes in his home in the Blue Mountains the next morning, it is dark, cold and snowing. There is no internet, no phone, no power and no parents. As the outage continues for days and then weeks, Fin and his brother struggle to survive and grow desperate. Contains mature themes and some language in context. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Lucy, Fin and Max have survived the missile attacks which have devastated Australia and its population, now they are fleeing Sydney on the promise of safety in a compound with people who will shelter and protect them. Not long after their arrival they find their safety may come at a price they are not willing to pay...It soon becomes evident that missiles and starvation aren't the only threats to their survival. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

It is 1939 in Nazi Germany. Death has never been busier and will become busier still. Liesel has just buried her brother when she picks up a book, partially hidden in the snow by his graveside. This is her first act of book thievery and the beginning of a love affair with books and words. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jewish man in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up and closed down. A sombre theme that includes some violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Ed Kennedy is nineteen. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. When he receives his first playing card with three addresses written on it, Ed becomes the messenger. A cryptic journey with laughter, fists and love. Adult themes and strong language, used in context, may offend some readers. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.