Booklists

A classic allegory in which the animals take over Manor Farm from their drunken master and all seems to be perfect as everyone is equal under the Seven Commandments. Circumstances change as the pigs become more equal than the others. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Shakespeare's As You Like It can appear bright or sombre in performance: a feast of language and a delight for comic actors; or a risk-taking exploration of gender roles. This updated edition provides an account of what makes this popular play both innocent and dangerous. There is a section on recent critical, stage and film interpretations of the play, an updated reading list and a new appendix on an early court performance of As You Like It in 1599. Mapping the complexities of the play's setting - a no man's land related to both France and England, the edition also includes detailed commentary on its language and an analytical account of performance. The text is usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

An unconventional love story transposed to modern-day China where rural and urban worlds collide, following the trials and tribulations of the characters from court to country in their quest for love. Graphic (Manga) novel with authentic Shakespearean text. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A translation of the classic, Anglo-Saxon epic of warriors, dragons and monsters composed between the 7th and 10th centuries. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Gareth Hinds' Beowulf is a beautiful graphic novel, with some violent scenarios, remaining true to the classic Norse saga about Beowulf. He tackles a dragon with tragic consequences leaving questions about the real cost of his sacrifice. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Beautiful, clever, rich and single, Emma Woodhouse is perfectly content with her life and sees no need for either love or marriage. Nothing, however, delights her more than interfering in the romantic lives of others. But, when she attempts to arrange a suitable match for her protege, Harriet Smith, her carefully laid plans soon unravel and they have consequences that she never expected. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Arthur Pendragon frees the enchanted sword, Cliburn, from its rocky sheath and fights to save his kingdom from King Ulric. When Arthur marries Guinevere, Merlin the magician, agrees to help Arthur forget his true love, Vivianne, the Lady of the Lake. The legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table unfolds dramatically in this action-packed, graphic novel. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The epic battle between man and monster reaches its greatest pitch in the famous story of Frankenstein. In trying to create life, the young student Victor Frankenstein unleashes forces beyond his control, setting into motion a long and tragic chain of events that brings Victor himself to the very brink. How he tries to destroy his creation, as it destroys everything Victor loves, is a powerful story of love, friendship... and horror. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Nicki Greenberg's adaptation of The Great Gatsby brings to life the grand and crumpled dreams of F. Scott Fitzgerald's unforgettable characters. In the exquisitely realised setting of 1920s New York, a throng of fantastical creatures play out the drama, the wry humour and the tragedy of the novel. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

On a dark winter night, a ghost walks the ramparts of Elsinore Castle in Denmark. Discovered first by a pair of watchmen, then by the scholar Horatio, the ghost resembles the recently deceased King Hamlet, whose brother Claudius has inherited the throne and married the king's widow, Queen Gertrude. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

It is 2017. Climate change has devastated the Earth which is now a cyberworld in constant dread of war. Denmark has grown prosperous but the King has recently died. Young Prince Hamlet's grief over his father's death turns to something far darker when the ghost of his father appears to him. Graphic (Manga) novel with authentic Shakespearean text. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She has only one function: to breed. If she deviates, she will, like dissenters, be hanged at the wall or sent out to die slowly of radiation sickness. But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire - neither Offred's nor that of the two men on which her future hangs. This book contains potentially confronting mature themes and content, and is usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

The sudden death of Sir Charles Baskerville is blamed on a fearsome, ghostly hound that has haunted his family for generations. When the famed detective, Sherlock Holmes, is engaged to ensure the safety of the Baskerville heir, Dr Watson is surprised that his friend is dismissive of the matter. Watson is dispatched alone to the wild moors and, in the cold night, a savage and bestial howl can be heard. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A retelling of Gulliver's imaginative and wickedly funny voyages to unusual lands. This edition of the classic has detailed, historical information and beautiful illustrations. Occasional distasteful themes are true to the original text. Also see Gulliver's travels by Jonathan Swift, PRC ID 36630. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Two tribunes, Flavius and Murellus, find scores of Roman citizens wandering the streets, neglecting their work in order to watch Julius Caesar's triumphal parade: Caesar has defeated the sons of the deceased Roman general Pompey, his archrival, in battle. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A soothsayer warns Julius Caesar but Caesar, grown arrogant on military victory, assumes the people will acclaim his dictatorship. Staunch republicans, Brutus and Cassius, conspire to assassinate him. Civil war follows, as Antony and Ocatavius seek revenge. Graphic (manga) novel with authentic Shakespearean text. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Lear, the aging king of Britain, decides to step down from the throne and divide his kingdom evenly among his three daughters. First, however, he puts his daughters through a test, asking each to tell him how much she loves him. Goneril and Regan, Lear's older daughters, give their father flattering answers. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

An exciting graphic novel version of William Shakespeare's great tragedy that faithfully follows the original play. The use of Shakespeare's original language, some violence and adult concepts require mature readers. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

A brave Scottish general named Macbeth receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the Scottish throne for himself. He is then wracked with guilt and paranoia. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Set in a future post-nuclear world reclaimed by Samurai warriors, three witches plant the seed of criminal ambition in the warlord, Macbeth. Spurred on by Lady Macbeth, he embarks on a killing spree of former friends and rivals until, in a final confrontation, he realises too late that the witches have deceived him. Graphic (Manga) novel with authentic Shakespearean text. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Any three titles read from this series can be included as official Challenge books; up to five more titles can be included as your personal choice books. To see the individual book titles and their PRC ID numbers, go to the Series lists on the Booklists page, on the website. Or, you can search for a series name or the individual titles by using the Search function on the top left hand corner of the screen.

One of Shakespeare's greatest and, in recent years, most controversial plays. After borrowing a large sum of money from the Jewish money-lender Shylock, the merchant Antonio faces a devastating credit crunch when his fleet of ships is sunk in a storm. Shylock insists on the small print of his terms and conditions, seeking a literal 'pound of flesh'. Usually read by students in year 9,10, and above.

Antonio, a Venetian merchant, complains to his friends of a melancholy that he cannot explain. His friend Bassanio is desperately in need of money to court Portia, a wealthy heiress who lives in the city of Belmont. Bassanio asks Antonio for a loan in order to travel in style to Portia's estate. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In one of Shakespeare's funniest, most enduring stories, meddling fairies create unexpected love triangles among a group of teenagers. Hermia is in love with Lysander. Demetrius is in love with Hermia. Helena is in love with Demetrius. Add to the mix Puck, a fairy with a powerful love potion, and chaos is sure to follow. Now everyone's in love with Helena, Hermia is hopping mad, and the fairy queen Titania is in love with a man with a donkey's head! Using the style and visual language of manga, Kate Brown transforms Shakespeare's world into something new and vibrant. It's the perfect introduction to Shakespeare's work for reluctant readers and manga fans alike. Usually read by students in Years 9,10, or above

A Midsummer Night's Dream opens with Theseus and Hippolyta planning their wedding, which takes place in four days. Egeus enters with his daughter, Hermia, and her two suitors, Lysander and Demetrius. Hermia is in love with Lysander, but her father wants her to marry Demetrius. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In an enchanted moonlit forest in modern Athens, meddlesome fairies play havoc with the lives and loves of four young Athenian lovers and a troupe of amateur actors. Graphic (Manga) novel with authentic Shakespearean text. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The classic tale of Captain Ahab who has sworn vengeance on Moby Dick, the white whale that took his leg, told through the eyes of the sailor, Ishmael. Ahab's bitter hatred threatens to destroy everyone. Evocative drawings, the gorier practices of nineteenth century whaling and insightful notes on Melville's deeper themes compellingly invite readers to discover the full text. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In Much Ado About Nothing, Beatrice and Benedick trade insults and fall in love in the sunny Italian court of the Duke -- but the Duke's brother has devious plans to ruin the happy mood. Manga readers can now enjoy the wit and drama of these plays firsthand. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10, or above

Claudio falls in love with Hero and their marriage is agreed upon. Beatrice and Benedick despise love and engage in comic banter. The others plot to make them fall in love with each other, by a trick in which Benedick will overhear his friends talking of Beatrice's supposed secret love for him, and vice versa. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In Norse Mythology, Gaiman takes the Norse myths and gives them new life; from the genesis of the legendary nine worlds, he delves into the exploits of the deities, dwarves, and giants, and culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and the rebirth of a new time and people. Gaiman stays true to the myths while vividly reincarnating Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin's son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki, the son of a giant, a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

William Shakespeare's Othello takes place in 16th-century Venice and also Cyprus. Othello who is a noble black warrior in the Venetian army that secretly married a beautiful white woman called Desdemona who is the daughter of a prominent senator named Brabantio. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

An argument in a street in Venice fuels grudges and passionate jealousies. Military heroism and love; the nature of appearance and reality; the dangers of isolation, jealousy and betrayal are explored. Masks may hide some characters' true motives but the real emotions of Othello and Iago are dramatically revealed. Graphic (Manga) novel with authentic Shakespearean text.Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Set in medieval times, Richard III seizes the English crown by plotting the murders of his brother, his nephew and niece, the sons of his brother King Edward IV and poisoning his own wife. A scheming and seductive rogue is portrayed in one of the bloodiest chapters of the British monarchy. Graphic novel llustrated by Patrick Warren. Graphic (Manga) novel with authentic Shakespearean text. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Richard, Duke of Gloucester, is determined to gain the crown of England from his brother, the Yorkist King Edward IV. He woos the widow, Lady Ann at the funeral of her father-in-law, King Henry VI. She yields to his advances and marries him. Usually read by Students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Romeo and Juliet fall in love at a party. But they come from families which hate each other. They are sure they will not be allowed to marry. Nevertheless, helped by Friar Laurence, they marry in secret instead. Unfortunately, before their wedding night Romeo kills Juliet's cousin in a duel, and in the morning he is forced to leave her. If he ever returns to the city, he will be put to death. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Shakespeare's most famous love story of revenge, violence and tragedy. Romeo, a rock star, falls in love with Juliet and Verona becomes a street in Tokyo's highly fashionable Shibuya district. The star-crossed lovers are caught up in a feud between two Yakuza, Japanese mafia, families which erupts into violence and killing. Graphic (Manga) novel with authentic Shakespearean text. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Any two books from this series may be read as Challenge books and up to five more can be read as personal choice books. Go to the online booklists for the PRC ID of the individual books in this series.

Baptista Minola has two daughters that he wants to find husbands for. His younger daughter, Bianca, is sweet and quiet. There are many men who want to marry her. His older daughter, Katharina, is known for being wild and angry, and Baptista is worried no one will marry her. However, Baptista announces that Bianca cannot get married until Katharina gets married. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 & above.

Prospero, robbed of his dukedom, has been marooned for many years on a wild island with his daughter, Miranda. He applies his magic skills to contrive a shipwreck and take revenge on his usurping brother and the faction who exiled him. But, it is the power of love that finally triumphs. Graphic (Manga) novel with authentic Shakespearean text. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

The Tempest opens in the midst of a storm, as a ship containing the king of Naples and his party struggles to stay afloat. On land, Prospero and his daughter, Miranda, watch the storm envelop the ship. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 & above.

In the 1930s in Alabama, a black man is charged with the rape of a white girl. The explosion of racial hatred that follows is viewed through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, whose father, Atticus, defends the man. The conscience of a town, steeped in prejudice, violence and hypocrisy, is pricked by Atticus' stamina as he struggles for justice. Some adult themes; usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Duke Orsino of Illyria is in love with Olivia, but his advances are rejected. A shipwrecked Viola arrives on his shores, and with the help of a Captain, disguises herself as a boy, calling herself Cesario, and enters Orsino's service. Orsino takes to Cesario, and sends 'him' to woo Olivia for him. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 & above.

As the snow begins to fall, a man is forced to take shelter at the dark, foreboding Wuthering Heights. This house is haunted by memories and the dangerous story of Cathy and Heathcliff, who fell violently in love but could not be together. Cruelly separated by social class, fate, the actions of others and their own bitterness, Cathy and Heathcliff are united in an all-consuming passion that lasts beyond death. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.