Booklists

Dorothy and her family have moved from their farm to the city and life is very different. She struggles at school and dreams of writing and acting. With the help of her new Ruby Road friends and with the support of her family, Dorothy discovers that she can follow her dreams and also find an ingenious way to help the local suffragists in their fight for women's right to vote! Join Dorothy and her family at 11 Ruby Road in 1900, as Federation is dawning and a new century begins.

The infamous, Most Wanted Goosebumps characters are out on the loose and after you. For the first time ever, it's a Goosebumps Christmas! Kate Welles doesn't want to be special. She just wants to play the lead in her school's Christmas play. Her annoying "friend" Courtney is constantly getting in the way of that. Can you even call someone a "friend" if all they do is make fun of you and ruin everything all of the time? But Kate has to get along with Courtney or else neither of them will be allowed to take part in The 12 Screams of Christmas. Kate and Courtney's teacher decides they need to find a special place to rehearse. A certain house with a special history. The kind of place that Kate would normally be pretty frightened to go into. The kind of place that gives new meaning to the term: Christmas Spirit.

For Anna, the quest to find the most beautiful doll she has ever seen is the most important thing in the world. But it's only one of the adventures to be had growing up in 1960s Australia. Was it really such a short time ago that there were no computers, no mobile phones... no seatbelts? That milk was delivered to your front door every morning, and animals lived in tiny concrete cages at the zoo. Anna and her family celebrate birthdays and Passover, navigate friendships, illness, surprises and mishaps - all the lessons that come with growing up. And through it all, Anna never loses sight of her dream: to find an antique doll to love and treasure.

A new family arrive at a new house on a new street in a new neighbourhood. Being new can feel lonely, but on Kelly Street the neighbours are warm and welcoming, and small acts of kindness go a long way. Soon enough, strangers have become friends, and a new house becomes a home.

A cat and dog can't be friends. When a pampered cat is forced to share her home with a lost dog, sparks are set to fly. But if Ula the dalmatian can just keep Catvinkle talking, maybe she can stick around long enough for the sparks to fizzle. A heartwarming story about finding a best friend.

Nanny Piggins, the world's most glamorous flying pig, runs away from the circus and goes to live with the Greens as their nanny. The Green children, Derrick, Samantha and Michael, fall in love with her instantly. Who could not fall in love with a Nanny whose only job qualifications are her astonishing ability to be fired out of a cannon and her amazing ability to make chocolate cake, sometimes both at the same time?

Spies. Secrets. Sorcery. Natalie Palladino was a normal fifteen-year-old, at a normal school, about to face a normal maths test. Now her codename is Nomad, and she's training to become a secret agent for HELIX. No one can know that sorcery exists. No one can know that HELIX protects humanity from the Inductors. And no one can know that Nomad is a Witness, with a dangerous magical gift. The Inductors are hunting her. If they find her, they will kill her. But there's a traitor inside HELIX, and only a Witness can identify them. The problem is, Nomad hasn't mastered her powers. She can't levitate, fight or wield magic like her fellow recruits. If she's the only hope to stop a sorcerous bomb being detonated, the world is in trouble. The eleventh hour is coming . . .

Thirteen-year-old Alex lives on a drought-affected property in South Australia with his mum, his dad, his kelpie dog Tangi and colt Jago. For years it hasn't rained enough for them to put a crop in. And while all the farmers in the area are suffering, Alex's dad is struggling more than most. As the drought stretches on, Alex helps his mum with the farm work while longing for the father he once knew. When Bonnie moves in on the neighbouring property with her camel-training family, even feral dogs and a missing classmate cannot stop the newfound friends' passion to make a difference to the environment and their community. Will Alex's dad recover - and will the rains ever return?

Disasters seem to happen when Anna goes to visit her cousins every Saturday.

Peijing and Biju find themselves in a new and very different country with their mum, dad and grandmother. While all family members must come to terms with the new and strange place, the girls find friends and a community at school, something the adults do not have to help them adjust. The family are faced with many kinds of change and each member will respond in their own way to these changes.

Since his arrival at the Kingdom of Silk, Perry Angel has learned a lot about love. Apart from dressing up as Superman, Perry's favourite thing is drawing. But, then, something happens and Perrry's friends are worried he might never draw again. Mr Kadri from the Colour Patch Cafe understands that, sometimes, there are no words to describe feelings and announces a new category in the annual art exhibition.

Eleven-year-old Imogene (Impy) has grown up with two parents working at the Renaissance Faire, and she's eager to begin her own training as a squire. First, though, she'll need to prove her bravery. Luckily Impy has just the quest in mind- she'll go to public school after a life of being homeschooled! But it's not easy to act like a noble knight-in-training in middle school. Impy falls in with a group of girls who seem really nice (until they don't) and starts to be embarrassed of her thrift shop apparel, her family's unusual lifestyle, and their small, messy apartment. Impy has always thought of herself as a heroic knight, but when she does something really mean in order to fit in, she begins to wonder whether she might be more of a dragon after all.

At home Maggie is the odd one out. Her parents are preoccupied with the new baby they're expecting and her younger brothers are twins and always in their own world. Maggie thinks a new puppy is the answer but when she goes to select one on her birthday she breaks out in hives and rashes. She's severely allergic to anything with fur! Can Maggie outsmart her allergies and find the perfect pet?

Jack's life is pretty good until things get complicated. Nanna is getting wobblier, his face goes red when he thinks about Anna and Mum and Rob's wedding is taking over the world. Then, his Mum gets breast cancer and the world starts spinning while his mum and family go through the whole experience of her illness.

Twelve-year-old Amal loves learning and dreams of becoming a teacher. Then something unimaginable happens. After an accidental run-in with the son of her village's corrupt landlord, she is forced to work as his family's servant to pay off her own family's debt. At the opulent and corrupt Khan estate, Amal realises she will have to find a way to work with others in order to bring about change, and to achieve her dreams.

Amina and her best friend are starting year six and changes are happening around Amina which worry her. Her best friend now wants to change her Korean name to an English name and wants to hang out with one of the popular girls. Amina feels like she is losing her closest friend and wonders if she must also change to keep her friend. Events happening around her cause her to see both the challenges and rewards of being Pakistan American.

Amina lives with her family in Somalia, a country that has endured drought and civil war for decades. Amina's father is betrayed and arrested. His artwork is seen as 'un-Islamic' and Amina no longer knows who she can trust. Food is scarce, her mother is pregnant and her grandmother ill. Amina must find a way to survive.

Amira has a magpie. He is the most beautiful, strangest of creatures. Amira imagines her magpie flying across the world, to visit the family she left behind when she escaped her homeland. And as she flies, she flies with him and she is free. Amira's Magpie is a story of friendship, family and escape; of bravery and resilience in the face of hardship. It is the story of hope we find in small happinesses, even when it seems like all hope is lost.

Andromache Peters wants a normal life but this is almost impossible when your parents were famous adventurers who saved the world and nobody will let you forget it. Add to this the fact that her father has been missing for twelve of her fourteen years, her mother has retreated into her grief and Andromache has been expelled from yet another school. But when a mysterious stranger reveals to her that her father is not only still alive but trapped in a parallel world, Andromache is thrown into a daring journey across other universes to find and save the father she never knew. It's a journey so strange and dangerous that it will forever transform Andromache's life into anything but normal.

There are only two things that Jelly likes about the new house on Rosemary Street, the old apricot tree and the creek over the back fence. One night, Jelly and her cousins spot something in the creek's dark waters. At first, they think it's a bird but it's a baby angel with a broken wing. Jelly decides to keep it. But, she soon discovers that you can't just take something from where it belongs and expect that it won't be missed.

The gripping tale of a teenage girl who has been separated from her family in the typhoon ravaged city of Tacloban in the Philippines. Battling looters, rubble, water damage, and the underlying fear that her family has been lost to the typhoon, Angel is desperate to find them again.

For many refugees the alphabet represents the start of a new language and a new future, but Anisa's Alphabet is different. A poignant and highly imaginative telling of one girl's story which will appeal to children and adults alike. Come with Anisa, and see things through her eyes. In this picture book, Anisa takes the reader though the alphabet, describing her journey from an unnamed war-torn country to a refugee camp, then on to an overcrowded boat towards supposed freedom and security.

Adopted by an elderly brother and his spinster sister who live on a Canadian island, Anne delights in her new life and friends in this enduring classic.

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 the first apple falls from the tree, siblings Faith and Peter know that it is applesauce weather. And that means that Uncle Arthur should be here. It seems like he needs a little more time to grieve. This is the first year without Aunt Lucy after all. This is a heartfelt tale about the strength and love of family and the power of a good story.

Lodyma Darsey is the Witnesser of Miracles who investigates miraculous events and spins them into stories she tells at the night markets. Orphan Bastienne Scull is her ... apprentice? Foster child? Basti isn't sure but is making herself real useful standing in for Lodyma's lost family. Because ten years ago, after her husband and elder son died of a sickness that continues to sweep the land, Lodyma sent her younger son to live with the isolated mountain men, and he hasn't been heard of since. Basti and Lodyma might not be a proper family, but neither of them have anybody else until, one day, news of a miracle reaches them and, when Lodyma and Basti investigate, what they discover will change their lives.

Ariki is not like the other children on Turtle Island. She belongs heart and soul to the sea, where she plays all day with the dolphins and turtles. One day, a giant shark appears and the fishermen are too afraid to go out. Without fish the people will starve - and only Ariki can save the day!

Ten-year-old Vivian is determined to compete at the Olympic Games one day. So when Vivian discovers she has a talent for cross country running, she's excited her Olympic dream might come true. But then a family illness is uncovered and all of Vivian's plans begin to unravel. Can she keep her hopes alive? Or will she be stopped in her tracks?

When Belle touches the Beast's enchanted rose, memories flood through Belle's mind -- memories of a mother she thought she would never see again. And, stranger still, she sees that her mother is none other than the beautiful enchantress who cursed the castle and all its inhabitants. Shocked and confused, Belle and the Beast will have to unravel a dark mystery about their families that is 21 years in the making.

I can't let go of them - the good right things - because if I do I'll turn into a cloud and float away, and a storm will come and blow me to nothing. Eleven year old Aster attends a school for gifted kids, but she doesn't think she is gifted al all. If she was, her mother would not have left. Each day Aster must do a good right thing a challenge she sets herself, to make someone's life better. Nobody can know about her things, because then they wont count. Then she meets Xavier, who has his own special mission. When they do these together, Aster feels free but if she stops doing her good right things will everything fall apart?

A lovestruck merpig, a peppermint-stick Parthenon, a vegetarian spider and so much more! From R.A. Spratt, bestselling author of Friday Barnes and Shockingly Good Stories, comes this collection of twenty terrific stories featuring Greek myths and fractured fairytales as told by Nanny Piggins (the world's most glamorous flying pig), a mystery investigated by Friday Barnes (girl detective) and a series of tales so tall they will give you altitude sickness. This book will delight children from four to one hundred and four. Just the thing for reading at bedtime, when you're supposed to be doing your homework or when you've been chased up a tree by an escaped rhinoceros and you're waiting for the zookeeper to arrive.

A "Give Yourself Goosebumps" story. Rats! You're too old for a baby-sitter. But your mum hired one anyway. And that's the good news. The bad news is the baby-sitter works for a company called KidScare. So what do you do? If you like to play games, meet Dare. He knows some killer games -- but if you lose, you'll never go home again. Forget about playing nice! Or maybe you'd rather go to the Fun Zone. Look out! Will you drown in the Bottomless Ball Pit? Will you find your way out of the Tomb of the Unknown Rat? Just one bit of advice: Whatever you do, don't eat any of that stuff marked "Switch Cheese"! The choice is yours in this scary GOOSEBUMPS adventure that's packed with over 20 super-spooky endings!

A Goosebumps SlappyWorld story. Devin and his sister Violet are visiting their Uncle Jack for the summer. He lives in an old house by the seashore. Devin and Violet discover a locked trunk. A pirate's chest. They lift the lid slowly-and see that it's filled with antique jack-in-the-boxes. Huh? One box is hidden under the others, covered in dust. It plays an odd unpleasant song. Up pops a very ugly, mean-looking puppet. "Thanks for letting Sailor Jack out!" he rasps, bouncing on his spring. Devin and Violet now face new and troubling questions: Will Jack return them to their uncle? Just how much is a pirate's promise worth?

Harper McCoy has danced since she could walk. It is her passion and her talent. When her parents move her across the country, she needs to say goodbye to her friends and her dance team and start again. Her new dance team are not that welcoming and Harper wonders if she will ever be good enough for them.

Three different characters - Julian, the bully, oldest friend Christopher and classmate, Charlotte - give an insight into how August (Auggie) Pullman, a facially disfigured boy, touched and transformed their lives. A companion book to Wonder.

Eleven-year-old Jones Kirby has just moved to Sydney from her farm in country New South Wales. She's missing her alpacas and wide-open paddocks and can't get used to her family's tiny city apartment. She's also worried that her vision is blurry - she lost her eye to cancer as a toddler. Could it be another tumor? Enrolling at her new school, Jones meets shy, awkward August Genting. He loves fun facts, the library and knitting as much as Jones loves rock climbing and being outdoors. Who would have thought they'd become fast friends? At home, August's parents are fighting. And for Jones, the news from the doctor is not good. To cheer themselves up, the pair hatch a brilliant plan: the August and Jones Must-See Bucket List. Together, this brave duo will set out to meet a rare monkey, run across the Harbour Bridge and even climb Australia's highest mountain."

Augustin is a poor boy who lives in a barn. Celine is a rich girl who lives in a mighty palace. They are both adventurous. Their world's collide during a one of their daring adventures which lands them in a world of terrible trouble and dangerous secrets. David Metzenthen has combined fact with fiction to create a story of wonder, mystery and excitement.

Indonesia is the world's largest island country, with 17,508 islands, of which about 6,000 are inhabited. Find out what life is like in Indonesia. Discover Indonesia's ethnic diversity and how people live, work and play. Learn about the events that shaped this fascinating country.

Baby Business tells the story of the baby smoking ceremony that welcomes baby to country. The smoke is a blessing - it will protect the baby and remind them that they belong. This beautiful ritual is recounted in a way young children will completely relate to.

Stacey and Mary Anne are baby-sitting for the Pike family for two weeks at the New Jersey shore. Things are great in Sea City: There's a gorgeous house right on the beach, a boardwalk, plenty of sun and sand... and the cutest boy Stacey has ever seen! Mary Anne thinks that Stacey should leave Scott alone and focus on the Pike kids, but Stacey's in love. Looking for reasons to hang around his lifeguard stand takes up all of her time, which means Mary Anne has to do the job of two baby-sitters. Mary Anne doesn't like it one bit! How can she tell Stacey that Scott just isn't interested without ruining their friendship and breaking Stacey's heart?

Claudia and her sister, Janine, may as well be from two different planets. Claudia, who pays more attention to her artwork and The Baby-sitters Club than her homework, feels like she can't compete with her perfect sister. Janine studies nonstop, gets straight As, and even takes college-level courses! But when something unexpected happens to the most beloved person in their family, will the sisters be able to put aside their differences?

Claudia has always been the most creative kid in her class... until Ashley Wyeth comes along. Ashley says Claudia is a great artist, too, but thinks shes wasting her artistic talent with the BSC. When Claudia starts spending more time with Ashley and missing BSC meetings, it becomes clear that Claudia has to make a decision... one of them has to go!

Dawn Schafer is the newest member of The Baby-sitters Club. While she's still adjusting to life in Stoneybrook after moving from sunny California, she's eager to accept her first big job. On top of all that, Dawn wants to fit in with the other members of the BSC, but she can't figure out how to get along with Kristy.

Stacey McGill is moving back to New York. That means no more Stoneybrook Middle School, no more Charlotte Johanssen, and worst of all ... no more Baby-sitters Club. Stacey's friends are crushed when they hear that Stacey's moving, especially Claudia. Stacey was her first best friend. What kind of going-away present is good enough for someone so special? How will the BSC go on without Stacey?

Kristy's mother got remarried and their family moved to the ritzy neighbourhood across town. The other members of the Baby-sitters Club think it's a good opportunity to get some new business, but the kids who live nearby aren't very friendly. They criticize Kristy's clothes and make fun of the BSC. And, worst of all, they laugh at Louie, Kristy's pet collie, who's getting old and not feeling well. These kids are total snobs but if anyone can put them in their place, it's the Baby-sitters Club!

Kristy's mum is getting married, and Kristy is going to be a bridesmaid! The only problem? Fourteen kids are coming to town for the wedding. Kristy, Claudia, Mary Anne, Stacey, Dawn, and Mallory think they can handle it, but that's before they spend a week changing nappies, stopping arguments, solving mix-ups, and planning activities. It's the biggest job the Baby-Sitters Club has ever had, but they'll work together to make sure Kristy's big day is a success!

Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacey are best friends and founding members of The Baby-sitters Club. Whatever comes up - cranky toddlers, huge dogs, scary neighbours, prank calls - you can count on them to save the day. Baby-sitting isn't always easy, and neither is dealing with strict parents, new families, fashion emergencies, and mysterious secrets. But no matter what, the BSC have what they need most: friendship.

It's the first day of a new school year, and while Mary Anne doesn't know what to expect from the eighth grade, she's looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. One thing she definitely doesn't expect is to meet Logan Bruno, who just moved to Stoneybrook! Logan has a dreamy southern accent, he's awfully cute... and he might be interested in joining the BSC. But the baby-sitters aren't sure if Logan would make a good club member, so they send him on a job with Mary Anne as a test. Logan and Mary Anne hit it off, but Mary Anne isn't sure of where their friendship could go. Life in the Baby-sitters Club has never been this complicated - or this fun!

When The Baby-sitters Club gets into a huge fight, Mary Anne is left to her own devices. She has to eat by herself in the school cafeteria, figure out how to make new friends, and deal with her overprotective father. But the worst happens when she finds herself in a baby-sitting emergency and can't turn to her friends for help. Will Mary Anne solve her problems and save The Baby-sitters Club from falling apart?

Poor Stacey. She just moved to a new town, is still coming to terms with her diabetes, and is facing baby-sitting problems left and right. Fortunately, Stacey has three new friends - Kristy, Claudia, and Mary Anne. Together they're the BSC - and they will deal with whatever's thrown their way... even if it's a rival baby-sitting club!

After the sudden death of their parents, the three Baudelaire children must depend on each other and their wits to outsmart a distant relative who is determined to use any means necessary to get their fortune. A story of misery.

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.

When Melodie Rose is abandoned on the steps of Direleafe Hall, she realises she must be a ghost. Strangely, she is not sad. With the three other ghostly girls who haunt the school and a gloomy crow on her shoulder, Melodie has never felt more at peace. Finally, she has a place to call home. So when the Lady in White arrives with plans to flatten the beloved school, Melodie Rose must act fast to save all she holds dear. But what can one powerless ghost do?

Three orphaned sisters are sent to ballet school for training and are determined to make their name famous.

Banjo Tully hasn't ever given much thought to climate change. But when he meets 'conservation nut' Mai Le - after the worst drought in living memory puts his future in jeopardy - Banjo sets out on an 800-kilometre solo horse ride. It's a journey that could not only save his family's farm, but also change the planet.

Sometimes, grown-ups tell scary stories to teach kids a lesson. And, sometimes, those scary stories turn out to be true. Sarah, Jay and Rene find out the hard way what sort of tale their Nan's Woordatj story is when they wander off into the bush, despite her warnings.

Batthew has a nose for trouble, and when the world's smelliest flower goes missing, he and best friend Lavender are on the case! Sent as a seed by his parents before they vanished on a scent expedition, the Titan Arum is a link to his family and his past. Now Batthew and Lavender have just three days to locate the flower before it withers and dies - along with any clues to the whereabouts of his parents. Will they find the flower or will the scent be lost forever?

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.

Battle of the Jade Horse Author: Alison Lloyd Hu and Ren are friends during the second century in China. Their families come from different social classes and each must make choices that may hurt their friendship. How will their friendship be able to survive?

When Annie's dad promises her a beach sports car, she imagines a bright red hotrod with racing car stripes. But, it will take a lot of work to turn Dad's battered old bomb into the car of Annie's dreams. Then again, hard work can sometimes make the rewards seem so much sweeter.

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.

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?

Everyone knows how much brainy Bri likes the spotlight (not!). So why did she ever agree to something that forces her to learn a new language, give a speech, help organise a party, and juggle drama at school and home? As the big event inches closer, Bri wonders if it's all worth it...

At just thirteen, Romola has changed school five times and always has trouble making friends. By chance, she meets Sebastian and they help each other resolve some serious feelings of injustice. Romola is having trouble with some friends who are being mean to her and Sebastian is missing his dad. If someone did something very hurtful to you and you had a perfect way to pay them back, would you do it? Romola and Sebastian have to make just such a decision.

Mup was an ordinary girl, so she thought, until the day her aunty died. That night she sees witches following the car home from hospital, and the next morning there are reports of a helicopter disappearing, which later reappears with one of its passengers missing - her dad! Now Mup, Tipper (her little brother) and Mam must set off on a rescue mission. Mup's life is suddenly turned upside down as she enters another world full of rhyming ravens, colour, witches, and wild magic. What other adventures await her as she begins this quest to find her father?

Jack is in Year 6 now and still loves his photography, surfing and crazy family. Things are going well for him, particularly at school where he isn't bullied any more. But, he notices that his best friend, Christopher, is starting to miss school, hiding out and avoiding everyone. When a football match turns ugly and Jack and Christopher witness some unfair dirty play, they know that, again, the bullying has to stop.

It's not eggsactly easy being Jimmy Baxter 'cause: -The real Jimmy's hiding inside - Ned Kelly's giving him the evil eye - Mum's stopped going to work and stays in bed - There's no eggs in the fridge - or anything else. AND there's new jobs, bad-at-school brains and a whole lot of trouble called Duke. But then ... there's Mac.

Ari and Malia are both students in Indonesia, but one comes from a wealthy family and the other from a farming family in a small village. Both of them find themselves tied up in moral and ethical dilemmas where their actions, while so clearly right to them,, will not be popular with family or friends. Knowing the right thing to do does not mean it is an easy choice.

Shannon has high hopes for sixth grade. She will be part of the popular group of kids and the oldest in the school, but this does not mean the year will be without challenges. She realises that it is difficult to keep up with what is popular, and people are not always clear or kind.

Beverly Trapinski has buried her beloved dog. One of her three friends has suddenly moved away without a goodbye. Her father is long gone and her mother does not seem interested in what Beverly does. It is August, 1979 and it seems that the only thing for Beverly to do is leave town. At age 14, she finds herself in a new town with a job clearing tables, but she knows this is not enough. If she can only open her heart a little, she will find that the small town is full of people who need a little more in their lives too.

Bill and Matty are the best of friends and neighbours which leads to exciting adventures and, sometimes, more than a little trouble. When Bill learns that his father is coming home from jail, his world is tipped upside down. Worries start to mount but Matty has an idea to help Bill. But life doesn't always go according to plan.

Billie's mum is getting married to a bald, old man. Billie doesn't fit in with her uncool stepfather and her posh stepsister and would rather live with her best mate, Archie. A funny book about Billie's valiant attempts to resist her new family.

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.

Meet 11-year-old Bindi. She's not really into maths but LOVES art class and playing hockey. Her absolute FAVOURITE thing is adventuring outside with friends or her horse, Nell. A new year starts like normal - school, family, hockey, dancing. But this year hasn't gone to plan! There's a big art assignment, a drought, a broken wrist AND the biggest bushfires her town has ever seen!

When seven strangers arrive at a small Australian caravan park to tell Hadley Boggs that her dad is the long lost heir to the kingdom of Ludrovia, she can hardly believe it. Soon Hadley jets off to an exciting new life where she is a princess and meets dancing goats. But then she discovers the president's secret deal to sell the country to a cheese loving billionaire. She knows she must act. But can she save Ludrovia before everything turns to fondue?

Annie has lived through a car accident but a damaged hand has left her musical dreams in tatters. Will she find the confidence to play again and to dare to dream of the healing powers of music? A new friend and a blackbird might make all the difference.

A collection of fact and fiction, some extracts and some complete works, with a common theme of birthdays. Illustrations by Quentin Blake add a lovely dimension.

Sam Green can't wait until his eleventh birthday. He is really looking forward to it and wishes it was his birthday every day. At first, it's quite exciting when his birthday happens again the next morning. And again. And again. But sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for ....

Tom is finding it hard to come to terms with the death of his father, a firefighter, who lost his life trying to save a child. Life just gets worse when a bully joins his class at school and Mum meets a new man. Tom wonders whether he can find the courage within himself to stand up to the bully, and to accept the many changes in his life.

Sometimes, 12-year-old Donte wishes he were invisible. As one of the few black boys at Middlefield Prep, most of the students don't look like him. They don't like him either. Dubbing him "Black Brother," Donte's teachers and classmates make it clear they wish he were more like his lighter-skinned brother, Trey. When he's bullied and framed by the captain of the fencing team, "King" Alan, he's suspended from school and arrested for something he didn't do. Terrified, searching for a place where he belongs, Donte joins a local youth center and meets former Olympic fencer Arden Jones. With Arden's help, he begins training as a competitive fencer, setting his sights on taking down the fencing team captain, no matter what. As Donte hones his fencing skills and grows closer to achieving his goal, he learns the fight for justice is far from over. Now Donte must confront his bullies, racism, and the corrupt systems of power that led to his arrest.

Mia rescues a dirrarn black cockatoo, and faces her biggest challenge yet when she chooses to care for the bird, knowing it is her totem animal. Mia feels powerless to change the things she sees around her, until she explores the fragile connections of family and culture and discovers her own inner strength.

Ghost, Cormac and Kate are junior recruits of the Black Lotus, an underground school for ninjas. When a powerful weapon is stolen, the three of them must battle through sixteenth-century Japan and present-day New York to stop a power-hungry shogun from destroying the city. Betrayal and the testing of friendships combine in a battle for world supremacy.

The Samurai Kids are finally back in Japan. But not at their ryu in the Tateyama Mountains. Instead, Sensei has taken them to the snowy lands of Ezo - the place of his birth. The place where Sensei must face his demons and right the terrible wrong that has tormented him. Will Niya have the courage to help Sensei as he promised? Is Sensei really a black Tengu?

Everyone close to Roxy has been cursed and the monster Tigon has been unleashed on her hometown. Lanternwood's only hope is for the ninja and samurai clans to join forces. Among the chaos, Roxy can't shake the urge to find the father she has never met.

Some things are too big for a boy to solve. Eleven year old Jesse is tackling many problems in life, especially fitting in to a new school. He must confront the school bully and try to come to terms with many other issues like whaling, poverty in Africa and, of course, parents. Luckily, he meets Kate who has curly black hair, braces, an infectious smile and needs Jesse's help.

Lottie is excited when a lost little girl arrives on her doorstep. Lottie, who only has Uncle Bobby in the world has always wanted a sister. Blossom isn't like other kids. She doesn't speak and is obsessed with her flower, refusing to go anywhere without it. Everything changes when Blossom gets sick and is taken away to hospital. Lottie with her friends must do whatever it takes to rescue her.

Winter has fallen in the world of story and Tuesday's typewriter lies silent. Far away in the Peppermint Forest, Vivienne fears she will never again feel the touch of the sun. When the mysterious Loddon appears in Vivienne's treehouse, he brings terrible danger. Without warning, Tuesday is swept up into the world of story as she has never seen it before. In this forbidding and unfamiliar place, and without her beloved dog, Tuesday becomes Loddon's captive and has to muster all her resources to survive.

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?

Livy has visited her maternal grandmother before, on her farm outside of Melbourne, Victoria - but, she was only five years old then, and she can't seem to remember much. Ten year old Livy returns from the USA to visit again, with her family and new baby sister Beth-Ann. Her grandmother shows her around, reminding her of all the fun they had last time she stayed, but only Livy seems to recall a 'wrong chicken'...

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".

Completely free for all children and families, the extraordinary collection of short stories, poems, essays and pictures has contributions from more than 110 children's writers and illustrators, including Lauren Child, Anthony Horowitz, Greg James and Chris Smith, Michael Morpurgo, Liz Pichon, Axel Scheffler, Francesca Simon and Jacqueline Wilson. Stories to make you smile, poems to make you laugh, and plenty of hope for everyone! Available from https://literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/9-12/book-hopes/

Evie lives on Turtle Place, and she's bored. She is making plans, actual plans, to build her own house. Only, it seems that everyone else that lives on Turtle Place has an opinion they'd like to share. Frog and Milo want to build something totally different. Mr Santos is grumpy, Mrs Katz is spying on her, her sister is the most annoying person in the world, and her parents don't believe in her. But she has a plan, and she dreams big.

Required to accompany her mother, who works at a hostel for the disabled, Shelley is more than a little unhappy. Eventually, she chooses to teach Ben, who is mentally disabled and very fearful of the water, how to swim.

Grandmother's bowl has been passed from mother to daughter over generations. It sits on the table each evening between Sachiko's family who are grateful for the food they eat. One day soldiers arrive and planes begin flying overhead telling the people war is coming to the seaside town. The family and community are suddenly devastated at the dropping of the atomic bomb, and the effects follow the survivors for years to come. Later, when father returns to the rubble, grandmother's bowl is found miraculously in one piece. This true story was put together over several interviews with the real owner of the bowl who wanted to tell her family story of resilience, devastation and the quest for peace.

At the back of the class there was an empty chair, but then one day a new boy arrives. Everyone wants to know more about this boy. He disappears at break times, he speaks no English and he is really good at soccer. Alexa and her friends learn that Ahmet has a big problem so they set about trying to help. They devise a plan, but what happens when they try to follow through with the plan?

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.

When Perry steps into a crumbling ruin while on holiday in France, he is not expecting to be transported back 1700 years to Roman times. While he hunts desperately for a way home, he must blend in as a slave, even if it means eating mice for dinner! Gradually, Perry is caught up in the fascinating world of grand Villa Rubia and a life he could never have imagined. But when he makes a new friend, he thinks he might already know her terrible fate. Perry is faced with an impossible choice: to find his way home or stay and guard his friend's life and risk being trapped in the past forever!

Tunde is different. His friends are different too. But there is something amazing about to happen to Tunde. Wings! And an impossible mission. Could he be the only one who could save the Earth? Luckily, he has the support of his friends and family but will they all be able to fly in the face of danger?

Eleven year old Gopal and his family leave their rural Indian village to find work in the big city, Mumbai. When a stranger promises Gopal a job, he jumps at the offer. But Gopal has been deceived. In a stuffy sweatshop, he and other boys are forced to work for no money, little food and without talking. Late one night, when Gopal shares kahanis, or stories, he realises that storytelling may help their survival, and escape.

The new boy is certainly strange. He is very polite and knows a lot of things in a very proper way. He is also amazing at soccer, but there is something odd about him. It could be the people who are always watching him and won't let him do things like eat chips. It could be that George just needs a chance to get away with the other kids and play if his minders only let him.

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.

A great evil has risen... and must be defeated. A murderer now leads the animals of the plains. The other animals believe he is the real Great Father, but the elephant Sky and baboon Thorn know the truth. While Sky leads her herd in a desperate search for Bravelands' rightful leader, Thorn is forced to flee his old troop to escape certain death. And the lion Fearless, once their friend, waits for his chance to strike down one tyrant, but may be led astray by another. The balance of Bravelands is about to shatter-unless predator, prey, and scavenger unite as one.

The code of the wild has been broken. The elephant leader known as Great Mother has been murdered. And Bravelands is on the edge of chaos. Now a young baboon, elephant, and lion must come together to discover the truth - before the fragile balance of Bravelands is destroyed forever.

A false leader has been destroyed - but Bravelands is still in grave danger. The animals of Bravelands believed Stinger's death would bring them peace; but no Great Parent has stepped forward, and now the animals are caught in a perilous state of imbalance. Thorn grapples with a burden he may not have the strength to bear, while Sky yearns for the comfort of the Great Spirit - and wonders if an unthinkable act has driven it from Bravelands forever. After an ally is put in grave danger, Fearless blames himself, and his desperate thirst for revenge grows stronger. Now, with a mysterious threat lurking in their midst, all members of the Great Herd must find the strength to walk the right path, or risk the end of Bravelands forever.

The Great Spirit has returned to Bravelands, and the baboon Thorn hopes to guide Bravelands to peace as its Great Father. But a pack of rogue wolves has begun to target the Great Herd, threatening to shatter that peace before it's even begun. Torn between her desire to help the new Great Father and the urge to rejoin her herd, Sky must choose between duty and family, while Fearless frantically searches for Titan-even as he begins to suspect the rogue wolves of knowing the secret of the lion's whereabouts, and the motive behind his vicious crimes.

Thirteen year old Billy is passionate about his guitar and his favourite band.

"Spring Break is full of possibilities...but not for Olive. This year, Olive is leaving her friends and all of their exciting vacation plans behind to visit her dad at his new apartment in the city. Goober is thrilled to spend a whole week with their father and has a long list of activities for their time together. Olive, on the other hand, still remembers the hurt of their dad moving halfway across the world. She would rather spend time with her friend Bree or scrolling through her new phone to keep up with everything she's missing back home than catch up with him. As the week winds on, the normally easygoing Olive finds feelings of loneliness and resentment throwing her out of whack. Is there any hope of salvaging the visit-or will Olive's Spring Break be a Spring Bust?

During the Irish potato famine, Bridget's family has been turned out of their home and their only refuge is the workhouse, where living conditions are hard and the food sparse. For Bridget and her sister, Maeve, their one chance is to take a ship to a new country and become Australians. They must survive the journey then face the many challenges that await them in a new, far away land.

Twelve-year-old Lily Green has brilliant ideas. She loves concocting unusual beauty products -- sure, they're often disasters, but every inventor has to start somewhere! And her family's salon seems like just the place. If only it still had customers... When Lily accidentally mixes up a string of wild and wonderful gloop from the mysterious plants in her neighbour's garden, she thinks she's struck gold. Her products work like magic, and she's sure they'll save the failing salon. But are Lily's creations as enchanting as they seem?

Sarah loves to crack jokes, but no one at her new school is laughing, not even her first day buddy Hanh. Even worse, no one at Milsborough West Primary surfs and that's Sarah's favourite thing in the world! Sarah is a big fan of Aussie Rules football, but she has never played. Will coach Shawna let Sarah join the Flyers and be part of the team?

Matt Brock and his friend write a message on a banana which is to be shipped out from his dad's plantation. What a surprise when they receive a reply.

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.

The town of Bungawitta is so dry that the youngest resident, Glory-Alice, has only ever seen rain on television. The residents have to work out how to bring people to the dying town, where the sun always shines.

An Aboriginal boy is removed from his mother, despite her desperate efforts to disguise his fair skin by rubbing him with charcoal from a burnt stick.

The funny and moving sequel to, Swashbuckler. When the principal's prized rose garden is vandalised, Rex and Tony, get the blame. But it is a set-up, and Tony is ""making enquiries"". Rex discovers a dilemma, a new friend and even netball.

After a successful first competition, twelve-year-old Harper is eager to impress in Dance Starz. But not everyone is impressed with the new girl. Thanks to a chance conversation, Harper lands a part in the school musical to help polish her stage presence and make new friends but not all of the Dance Starz team are thrilled with her new distraction so close to their next big competition - especially since they are going up against their archrivals, The Belles. Can Harper figure out how to shine and find her balance, onstage and off?

A reissue combining two books, Callie's castle and Callie's family. Callie's castle is already on the PRC booklist with ID 67. You can read Callie's family using the ID number 1034. Callie is an ordinary child living in an extraordinary old house. She is bitterly disappointed when she is just one month too old at twelve to be able to go to Denmark with her dad as no-one can afford the adult fare she now needs.

When Jackdaw Hollow is orphaned by a lightning strike, he is taken in by the headmistress of Direleafe Hall. Even though he grows up with her love and care, he feels undeserving, as if the universe made a mistake in sparing him. As he searches for the reason he survived the storm, he befriends Angeline, a wildling girl who knows where her destiny lies - the circus. But when he goes too far in trying to find his own calling, will he lose sight of what's most important?

Olive and Willow are off on a two week summer camp. They plan to do everything together, but with so many new people and activities, the two girls are pulled in different directions. Willow is not as confident as Olive and relies on her for comfort. Olive wants to try all the things camp has to offer. This puts an enormous strain on their friendship which may not last the summer camp.

Danny has a difficult time at school. The school bully picks on him and Danny's friend, Captain Mack, still thinks that he is a POW and wants to return home.

Twelve year old Harley just wants a normal life, but it is her destiny to be a Legendary Hero in the Land of the Dead. Now it is time for Harley to travel back through the Portal of Doom and rescue her best friend, battle with a massive fish and solve a mysterious prophecy. This is an incredible adventure including a dangerous toilet and a perilous rescue.

With a lot of cardboard, tape and imagination, the neighbourhood has become transformed into a kingdom of magic, mayhem, heroes and villains. Everyone has a role to play!

Stella Rodriguez learns the hard way that caring for a black hole can be a rather complicated thing. They are fantastic at swallowing stuff - all the stuff she no longer wants around, like scratchy sweaters and her brother Cosmo's annoying toy. More importantly Stella finds that she can get rid of other things, things that remind her of her dad, who died recently, things that remind her to be sad. It's gets even more interesting when the black hole accidentally swallows something far too precious to lose and Stella has to go deep inside on an epic, interstellar adventure to save her whole world. Who knew that have a pet black hole could be so much trouble?

Hal Rifkind wonders why he can't have the easy life he craves - a room of his own, time to play video games with his best mate Arnie and most of all, surviving grade six. Instead he has to share his room with his twin baby sisters, is only permitted 15 minutes of video games on weekends and he has a year-long history assignment to complete.

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.

Brother and sister Ashley and Aiden share a special bond as identical twins. While much of the world has been drastically changed by environmental catastrophe, they live a privileged life thanks to the work of their scientist mother. When Aiden comes to Ashley's rescue he is hurt and their life gets turned on its head.

Cat seems to be the only one to be able to understand, calm, and even find her lilttle brother Chicken when he is having a meltdown. Since the death of their father, Cat takes on the role of a parent more and more as her mother spends more time at work. When a job opportunity arises for their mum, Cat and Chicken find themselves spending the summer with grandparents they've never met on an island they have never visited before. It might be terribly awkward or it might be a chance to come together as a family.

Having to stay with her Dad, his new wife and two stepdaughters when her mum goes to India is not as bad as Rose first thinks. Her stepmother is mounting a campaign against cats and a neighbour who has lots of them. Rose finds a solution.

Tessa has always been anxious, but it's become worse since her mother died a few months ago. To calm herself down she cuts out photos of missing kids from milk cartons and keeps them in a file. It helps her feel like she's not alone. Her friends are drifting away. Then worst of all, Tessa's dad announces suddenly that he's getting married - and that his fiance is pregnant. His fiance's parents gift them a house at the beach, and Tessa must move. As Tessa navigates new friendships with a group of misfit boys and a new stepmother, she realizes she must let go of old friends and old habits if she wants to regain control of her life.

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.

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.

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?

Adam, his sister Leila and their friend Zac live as Nons under the Permitted ruling class. But when Adam and Leila's father dies unexpectedly, their mother faces losing her permit to live in the Stone City and risks being sent back to where she was born, on the other side of the Wall. Before music loving Adam can implement his plan to save Mama, Zac is arrested for a bold prank that goes wrong, with repercussions for them all.

Yanni resents being a big brother but when his baby sister is stolen by an evil faerie, Yanni must race against time before she is lost forever. Battling goblins and dodging potentially fatal faerie trickery, Yanni, with the help of his cousin Amy, discovers that courage, trust and love can be powerful weapons against the darkest evil.

Lulu scales new heights with her enchanted recipe book and now is challenged by an international arch villain.

There are ten chooks in the chook house and Chris collects the eggs every day. When his favourite chook, Happy Harry, stops laying, Chris's Dad says that she's not pulling her weight and will have to go. Chris must work out a way to save her. Some derogatory language used in context.

Two years ago, Eloise's mother died and, over time, sadness has taken her voice. Her father, preoccupied with grandiose schemes that allow him to run from his own grief, ignores what is happening with Eloise's quietness. When Eloise meets Anna, a girl from another time, things begin to change as Eloise finds the peace and safety she needs to heal.

Spunky 12-year-old Clarice Bean Tuesday and her adventures at home and at school! 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.

The exceptionordinary, effervescent Clarice Bean is back with her trademark heart and humour in this beautifully illustrated story by former Children's Laureate Lauren Child -- a delightful summer read for the entire family!

Join the one and only Clarice Bean and 'Think Like an Elf' in this irresistible and spectacularly sparkling Christmas story from the inimitable Lauren Child.

Natasha is going to be one of the coolest kids in Year 6. Everyone wants to be her friend, including Olive. Olive tries her best but they always seem to clash, whats going on? Olive feels that her friends are starting to like Natasha more than her ... who could blame them, she is so cool. Olive is just well, Olive.

It's the first day back at school and I've already got three questions: 1. When is my family's disgusting diet going to end? 2. How will I finish my group project on time? 3. Why is my best friend Alex suddenly not talking to me? If that's not bad enough, the classroom is overrun with lizards. At least things can't get worse, right?

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.

Olive is a popular and happy year five girl with lots of friends, but when she finds herself on the outside of several groups formed to enter the school's talent show, she feels resentment and is hurt at being left out. With some good advice from her aunt, she decides she can do an act on her own and finds a new level of confidence in herself.

Penelope, known as Snot, thinks she has found the perfect man for her mum. Some strong language used in context.

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.

Penny takes her friend Kimi with her to visit her Dad and his girlfriend in Japan. During their trip, the girls each receive a strange and magical doll, a Daruma. Some strong language used in context.

Penelope is thrilled her mum has married her perfect man. But mum and the new step-dad have some surprises in store for Penelope that might not be so pleasant. Some strong language used in context.

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.

Gemma watches her dad as he sits alone in his tangled garden. She doesn't understand why he seems so sad. Gemma's dad is experiencing depression and Gemma wonders what she might be able to do to help him.

Harper and her fellow DanceStarz are bound for New York to compete in Nationals. This is what they have worked so hard for. Between preparing for the biggest opportunity of her life, competing against fierce rivals, and balancing new friendships with old, this trip may not be all that Harper has wished for.

The local community centre is about to be shut down. All the clubs and classes are held here for the kids after school. Erin has just moved in and has started exploring her new community. She quickly makes new friends at school and joins a cooking club held at the local community centre. The news of it closing is terrible for them all. Is there anything they can do to save it? Who and why would they be shutting down such an important centre to the community? Maybe Erin and her friends can get to the bottom of it!

Zoey has been homeschooled her entire life. So when her parents announce it's time for her to attend the local school, she's terrified about how she'll cope. In an attempt to fit in, Zoey develops an app called the Cool Code with a cute llama avatar that will tell her everything from what to say to what to wear based on pop culture algorithms she's uploaded. But when the app gives her ridiculous advice, awkwardness and hilarity ensues. With a few upgrades and a bit of debugging from the coding club, the app actually works. Zoey becomes really popular... and gets her pulled in all kinds of directions, including away from her real friends.

When lifelong friends Lola, Belle, Maisie and Sophia reunite at their beloved Corner Park Clubhouse for the winter school holidays, Lola has a great idea: they'll enter the local drama competition! It's the perfect way to spend as much time together as possible, and there are prizes for best actor, director and sets. As an artist, Lola's determined her sets will win - but there's just one problem. She can't figure out what to paint, or even how to get started. And that's because of something that happened at her super sophisticated art school last term ... something Lola can't discuss with anyone. Not her bestie, Belle, who's brought her new friend Matilda home for the holidays. Not Maisie, who's always busy with gym. Not Sophia, who's focused on her secret crush. And not even her cool older sister, Tally, who's at a conference in New York. With no-one to turn to but herself, can Lola figure out how to get her creativity back - before it's too late?

Liam is not your usual twelve year old boy. For a start, he is man-size and is always being mistaken for his father. This is Liam's opportunity and his greatest dilemma. Yesterday, he was just a kid, now he is stuck in space, perhaps forever, with hilarious results. But, the greatest lessons he learns are about fatherhood.

In the final volume in the Sisters Grimm series, Sabrina, Daphne, and the rest of the Grimms and their friends must face off against the Master to decide the fate of Ferryport Landing -- and the world. When Mirror fails to escape the barrier using Granny Relda's body, he turns to his plan B: killing all the Grimms so that the magical barrier collapses. In the meantime, Sabrina has gathered the other magic mirrors as advisors on how to deal with their mortal enemy. They tell her to join forces with the Scarlet Hand against Mirror, in exchange for offering all the citizens of Ferryport Landing their freedom. This final chapter is the end of the road for several beloved characters, but the conclusion is sure to satisfy devoted fans of the series.

James' family is changing, and he doesn't like it. He wants to travel back in time and live in one of his favourite memories, but which one will he choose? How will he choose? And can his new friend Yan really build a time machine? What would you do if you had six memories to go back to? How would you choose?

When Jackson's father becomes ill and cannot work, the family is struggling to pay the rent or buy food. When it seems they could lose everything and face homelessness, Crenshaw, Jackson's imaginary cat, comes back into his life to help them.

Jack is surprised but delighted when his big brother, Tom, invites him to go fishing. Of course, there's a catch. Jack is just the right size to fit through the shed window to borrow Dad's favourite fishing lure. There's also another job for Jack, he's to be the lookout to spot crocodile bubbles while Tom and his mate fish for barramundi.

"With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . .The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. Cuz tonight I'm delivering," announces dread-locked, 12-year old Josh Bell. He and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood, he's got mad beats, too, that tell his family's story in verse, in this fast and furious novel of family and brotherhood.

Olive is balancing the too-many things she wants to do with the too-few hours in the day to do them. When everything adds up, suddenly it's crunch time! It's no secret that Olive loves trying new things. Between taking guitar lessons, making a short film, joining Berry Scouts, and leading the charge on her school's dress code reform, Olive has her hands full! But she enjoys being busy, so staying on track with her jam-packed schedule should be no problem... right? As weeks fly by, it gets harder and harder for Olive to find time for her activities, never mind time for herself. Will she be able to accomplish her goals, or will all her sizzle turn to fizzle?

Lulu's best friend, Frenchy, wants Lulu to play cupid to her own dad and Frenchy's mum. Lulu cooks up the Cupid Cakes recipe. Disaster strikes when everyone starts falling in love with the wrong person.

With the Curiosities, a whole world of wonders and possibilities awaits... Miro wakes one morning to find the world isn't quite the way he thought it was. When the Curiosities choose Miro as the one they nest on, Miro is led to discover all the marvels waiting in the shadows where no-one else looks. Sometimes though, the Curiosities can make Miro feel alone and invisible in the darkness. But perhaps Miro isn't as alone as he thinks...

Sarah is unhappy as she has to help her Dad with a garage sale. When their neighbour sets ups his own garage sale, the battle is on to see who will get the most customers. Sarah is really embarrassed as she watches just how far Dad will go to win.

Danny, his brother and sister and their friend, Mark, get up to all sorts of hilarious, hair-raising mischief. But, Danny and his family must face the biggest challenge of all, life without their farm.

Danny loves his life with his dad in the little gypsy caravan. His dad never runs out of wonderful stories. When Danny discovers his father' s secret, he' s off on the adventure of a lifetime, involving an hilarious pheasant-snatching expedition, and a daring plot to get the better of the horrible Mr Victor Hazell.

Darcy Moon is an ordinary girl with ordinary problems. She's low on cash and low on the necessary street cred to fit in with the cool crowd. But, Darcy's life is about to take a great leap forward. When a freaked-out frog asks for help, it's up to her to fix the food chain, save the swamp and prove that money can't buy everything.

The disappearance of bees heralds huge changes on the Bell estate. Without bees, there won't be honey or, more importantly, cross-pollination of the fruit and vegetables, which Mr Fisher and his family sell in order to survive. Darius comes up with a complex plan that involves an enthusiastic teacher. But, Darius must deliver fabulous costumes to the school principal so that the school can win a highly contested parade.

The Bell family's ancestors were showered with honours, gifts and grants of land. In exchange, they have bestowed a Gift, every twenty-five years, on the town. Now, it's Darius's father's turn but there is no money for an impressive gift. When an earthquake reveals a glorious cave, Darius thinks he might have found the answer.

It's the last summer of the 1970s, and as 12-year-old Toby heads to the coast on a longed-for summer holiday, he finds himself almost invisible to his newlywed father and step-mum. Toby's loneliness lifts when he meets Tara, the daughter of the local shark fisherman, who is dealing with family issues of her own. A terrifying incident on the old wharf begins a dramatic chain of events within the small coastal town -- revealing secrets and creating ripples through both Toby's and Tara's families. A lyrical novel of the joys of childhood, friendship, facing truths, the trials of growing up... and the days of in between.

Max has a plan. A plan to help out his favourite uncle one last time. Dad will probably ground him and he won't be able to go to Thomo's go-kart party but Max knows exactly what he has to do. In fact, he's dead certain.

Twelve year old Sid Jones loves playing creepy games in the graveyard with her best friend Zen. She is not expecting to accidentally release a 300 year old pirate and his shouty ghost parrot from the dead. This leads Sid to the Halfway House, which is a mysterious inn full of lost souls trapped there by a sinister landlord. The ghosts need Sid's help to escape. But someone else is watching and they are not happy.

When the Fallen Star struck, some dinosaurs survived, but grew alert. They learnt to speak. To dream. To wage war. As the last dinosaur kingdoms continue to fight, Eleri, the disgraced son of a prince, is banished to the merciless Deadlands for saving an enemy soldier. To survive the dangers of the scorched desert he joins a herd of other young exile. But when Eleri and his fellow misfits discover the horrific truth behind the war, the unlikely heroes must do all they can to save their kingdom from a secret plot that could destroy them all.

This was meant to be Alice's year to shine. But things are already going wrong. School. Friends. Family... Through her letters to Greta Thunberg, Alice finds herself opening up about her life..and starts to believe that she can make a difference - a big one.

Patricia is called Sweet Pea by everyone except for Daisy Mae, the eccentric old lady who lives in between Sweet Pea's two houses. When her parents decided to separate, Sweet Pea's mother thought it would be a great idea for her dad to move in two doors up and decorate her new bedroom at dad's exactly the same as the one she's always known and loved at home. It probably wasn't as great an idea as her mum thought. With the town gossiping about the reasons for her parents' divorce, a few too many misunderstandings with her best friend, and trying to succeed at the secret mission crazy old Flora Mae has given her, Sweet Pea might not be feeling too sweet at all.

Derek is on a mission to go viral. After all, what is more super cool than being an internet hit? The only problem is thinking of a super cool viral idea, nothing is working out as expected. But Derek is not one to give up, he is determined to achieve viral victory- even if it's the last thing he does.

Zack is busy with Creepy, Steve and his ghoulfriend, Sally Cadaver. He doesn't have time, or the guts, to deal with the new kid at school, a giant Zombie called Mutant, who teams up with Mike Magma, the school bully. Will Zack and his friends survive a dodgeball game against Mike and Mutant?

Twelve-year old Zack is a Minecraft Zombie with four great friends, an annoying younger brother, endless tests at Scare School and a Zombie sweetheart to impress. When his biggest schoolyard rival dares him to touch an Iron Golem, Zack needs to find out whether he has the guts to touch the Golem and impress the girl.

+++++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.

Up until now, middle school hasn't exactly been a joyride for Greg Heffley. So when the town threatens to close the crumbling building, he is not too broken up about it. But when Greg realises this means he is going to be sent to a different school to his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, he changes his tune. Can Greg and his classmates save their school before it is shuttered for good? Or is this the start of a whole new chapter for Greg?

Jillian James burning ambition is to belong to the popular Princess Group. They accuse her of being a dork because she sits next to Nigel. In a rocky ride through year five, Jillian learns that being a Princess isn't the only thing in life worth achieving, and that true friends can come in different shapes and sizes.

'The ship was a towering fortress looming over the pier. Anton stared enviously at the emigrants lining up in front of the wide gangplank. Heading off on a voyage to a land of peace and plenty. Leaving the land of broken buildings and crushed hopes behind. Looking forward to sunshine and steaks. How he wished that he was one of the lucky ones.' Loosely based on Paul Jennings' journey to Australia as a 'ten pound Pom', the story of Anton, who escapes from an orphanage and successfully stows away on a boat headed for the land of 'sunshine and steaks' has a timeless reality of its own. It is a tale of loss, guilt, mistaken identity and taking risks but also surprisingly heartwarming and heartbreaking.

The true story of one girl's journey growing up autistic, and the challenges she faced in the 'normal' world.

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.

Ron is a gentle, well intentioned boy who always seems to do the wrong thing at the wrong time or the right thing at the wrong time or the wrong thing at the right time, until he befriends Charlie, a guinea pig, and Isabelle, his new neighbour.

Ish's dog is gone. Vanished in a country town. Mum's on holiday, Dad's in Sydney and Ish and his bossy sister, Molly, are staying with Gran. There are no clues, only something mysterious and ghostlike in the town's graveyard. Then, a bully from the local school starts to blackmail Ish. He thinks things can't get any worse. But, he's wrong.

Twelve year old Daisy has just died in a car crash. But, in a twist of fate and through a heavenly bureaucratic mistake, Daisy ends up in the body of a dog. She may now be inhabiting a dog's body but, inside, Daisy is still very much Daisy - bouncy, loyal, positive and energetic. Daisy's only thought is to somehow reunite with her parents, who she knows will be missing her. This is how she meets Pip, a boy who is homeless and on his own journey.

Archer B Helmsley is a dreamer who lives in a house full of curiosities and his overprotective mother. His famous grandparents vanished while exploring an iceberg in Antarctica. Archer is lonely until he meets Oliver, more of a worrier than a warrior, and Adelaide, a mysterious Parisian girl with a wooden leg. Together, they plan to embark on a rescue mission to Antarctica. If only Archer's mother would let him leave the house.

Karolina is a doll, and when the dollmaker of Krakow needs her the most, she leaves her Land of the Dolls to enter the human world and give him what he needs - love, friendship and courage. This a holocaust story that represents Polish fairy tales, kindness and love and the beautifully imperfect magic that only the very best humans have the potential to weave.

Chiyo Tamura is a young Japanese girl who is afraid of shaming her family through her impulsive actions. When her sister is chosen to marry a wealthy and important man, she is sent away from her simple country life to an exclusive boarding school for wealthy young girls, and is told to emulate the manners of the wealthiest of them all, Hoshi. But when Chiyo is invited to attend a special event that includes the arrival of the Friendship Dolls from America, she must face many personal challenges in order to protect the dolls from a jealous Hoshi but still retain the honour of herself and her family. A story that teaches the value of friendship and of being true to yourself, in a time where prejudice can cause division and strife.

In 1941, eleven-year-old Macy James lives near the Oregon coast with her father, the curator of a small museum. Miss Tokyo, one of 58 exquisite Friendship Dolls given to America by Japan in 1926, is part of the museum's collection and one of Macy's most treasured connections to her mother who recently passed away. However, when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbour, Macy discovers the ugly side of prejudice and fear in many of her neighbours, as they demand the doll and all it represents, be destroyed and she is the only one left standing up for Miss Tokyo, her mother's memory and the hope of forgiveness.

Mackenzie and Tahlia have lived with their grandfather since their parents died. Lately, Grandpa hasn't been himself and people are starting to notice. They try to hide his irrational behaviour but Mackenzie must make some difficult choices to protect those she loves.

Ellyse is bursting with excitement. She's been invited to try out for a new youth soccer academy, along with her friends, Hu and Jamie. But, that's not the only thing. Cricket season has started again and there's both the school and club competitions to play. Ellyse is certain she can do it all. That is, until she finds herself in danger of disappointing everyone around her. But, Ellyse doesn't want to have to choose between cricket and soccer.

Dr Boogaloo was no ordinary doctor. Not at all like the one you might visit if you had a sore tummy. No, Dr Boogaloo was a very different type of doctor. He treated folks who suffered from rather unusual complaints. And how did he treat them? Why, with the most powerful medicine known to mankind...Music! Blue was no ordinary girl. For starters, her name was Blue. But what was truly extraordinary about Blue was the fact that she hadn't laughed for 712 days. Not a hee hee, a ho ho or even a tiny tee hee. According to Dr Boogaloo, music can cure anything. But no laughter was definitely a case for alarm. Can Dr Boogaloo compose a cure before Blue loses her laughter forever?

All Aventurine wants to do is explore the world outside of her family's mountain cave. However, as a young dragon, her tough scales haven't fully developed yet, so the outside is too perilous (or so her family says). She is determined to fly on her own and prove them wrong by capturing the most dangerous prey of all- a human. But when that human tricks her into drinking an enchanted hot chocolate, Aventurine is transformed into a puny human girl- no sharp teeth, no fire breath, no claws. Still she's the fiercest creature in these mountains, and now she's found her true passion-chocolate!

It seemed a good idea at the time. An overnight stay at a dairy farm to do an outside broadcast sounded like a lot of fun. Skye and I were having a great time but, if you asked Coco, it was the worst two days of her life. She really earned her new nickname, Drama Queen.

From the masterful pen of multi-award-winning Meg McKinlay and dynamic new illustrator Andrew Frazer, Drawn Onward explores shifting perspectives and the inner voice. The text is a palindrome that takes readers from the glass half empty - 'There is no light on the horizon and it is foolish to think you can change anything at all' - to the glass half full- 'You can change anything at all. It is foolish to think there is no light on the horizon.'

Set in Bondi, a boy moves from the country to the city following the death of his father.

Frankie's dream of owning a horse becomes more of a nightmare when it turns out to be a shaggy disobedient pony. Now she will never fit in with the girls in her new town, especially Violet. If only her new friend Shannon, the horse whisperer, can help her then all of her dreams may come true.

Without a saddle or a bridle, all that's left is the truth. Kai thinks he doesn't care about horses- until he meets Monty, the little Brumby who the dream riders rescue and bring back to The Pocket. But Kai has to go back to the city, so Kai's sister finds a way for Monty to come too. There's a lot for them to learn together about friendship and fitting in. And when Monty faces his biggest challenge yet, Kai needs to draw on everything he's got to make sure Monty doesn't have to do it alone.

Sticks and Ranga live on the same street, go to the same school and love skateboarding and PlayStation. When new kid James arrives in his wheelchair, Sticks isn't sure they can be friends. But, Sticks quickly discovers that while Cerebral palsy stops James from doing some things, it hasn't dulled his sense of humour, and he's pretty brainy, too. The one thing James can't do is skateboarding. But, a beat-up old couch, a couple of skateboards and a steep hill might solve the problem.

I remember when rain stopped, When day by day the water dropped, All across a sun-bleached land, Drought spread its withered, deadly hand.

Meet Stevie Louise. She is an entrepreneur (that's like a business person), an entertainer (obviously), and an extrovert on the inside (wait, is this a thing?). Stevie has a BRILLIANT PLAN. She's going to have fun, make money, and most importantly, make sure the Brooke Street kids stay best friends forever. Then a new neighbour arrives and threatens to derail all Stevie's plans. And then real disaster strikes. But the show must go on. After all, Stevie is a professional.

Welcome to Ngambaa Country on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. I am Aunty Shaa and this is the story of the Koala Brothers, the Dunggiirr Brothers. This is the story of our Country. We live the story of being saved by Dunggiirr and we do a ceremony to keep it alive. It is this story and memory we share with you in this book.

Ethan is supposed to be doing regular teenage things. He is not supposed to be in hospital getting a brain tumour removed by Gemini, a high-tech android doctor. But just as the operation begins, the building is hit by an unusual bolt of lightning.

I felt like a visitor from another planet instead of a normal human being who actually belonged on planet Earth. Daniel has moved and has to start at a new school. And to make matters worse, his mum is his new school principal! As if things are not bad enough, when his dad goes overseas, his mum starts to act really strange and does some really embarrassing things. Daniel wonders if this has anything to do with an illness that she had a long time ago. His mum needs help and it looks like Daniel has to be the one to save her.

Eddie and best friend Flo are spending the Easter holidays on the Romney Marshes with Aunt Budge and all his animals - Butch the dog, Bunty the hamster and pirate goldfish Dan and Jake. When the terrible Rancid Twins arrive in town, set on uncovering the secret mystery of the smugglers' treasure, Eddie and Flo are drawn into a thrilling new adventure. Eddie must use his ability to speak to animals to enlist the help of two elegant alpaca, a friendly sheep called Doris and a famous film-star rabbit to save the day and reveal a treasure of epic proportions.

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'!

Skunk and Badger both find themselves in difficult situations with careless friends and family. Skunk suggests they go on a rock finding expedition to take their minds off their troubles, and to try and find a very special rock to complete Badger's collection. A simple camping trip gets complicated quickly by Skunk's giant backpack and a very special chicken with a very big secret.

Mirror, mirror on the wall...what makes a princess excellent?' The magic mirror is the thread that connects the worlds of ten very different Princesses after an enchantress flings her magic mirror into the universe. Ten short stories. Ten very unusual Princesses. Ten Princesses who are brave enough to be themselves. The answer to the question is not what you expect it to be.

Eleanor finds her grandmother's diary in the old schoolhouse where she did her lessons.

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.

It's the end of the year and everything is changing at Bilby Creek. Elizabella and her gang are about to become seniors, cousin Isabeth comes to stay and Toddberry (or "Todd" as he insists on being called now) gets a girlfriend! Not to mention huge news from Minnie which could turn everything upside down. With all that going on, there may be just enough room for another Elizabella prank or two before the curtains close on Year Four... After an excursion to the theatre, Elizabella is determined to put on a play at school. And while Mr Gobblefrump agrees, he insists on a budget of exactly zero dollars. Can she pull it off? With a little help from her friends, you never know. Good luck, Elizabella - or "Break a leg" as they say!

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.

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.

Cat and Fanny live in Sydney but more than one hundred years apart. Cat has started a new school and is struggling with the commitment needed for her early morning swim sessions. Fanny, who dreams of being a champion, is struggling to get more time in the pool. A mysterious switch in the cool water of Wylie's ocean baths leads them to adventures and a new understanding of themselves.

When Jake Green meets a spooky old bloke in a dark alley one evening, a series of unfortunate events is set in motion. Jake is given a box containing a severed finger, which summons a grim reaper to drag him to the Eternal Void, and now they are running for their lives - even though Stiffkey, the spooky old bloke, is already dead. Now that he can see and speak to ghosts, Jake finds himself the leader of a strange little gang - Stiffkey the undertaker, Cora - the hockey stick wielding poltergeist, and Zorro the ghost fox. They have one mission - get the finger to the Embassy before the baddies can find it and use it to unleash hell on earth while keeping ahead of Mawkins, the grim reaper. Will they make it in time and avoid everlasting damnation in the void?

For Emilio Garcia Lopez, it's an ordinary school day in Mexico City. But, when his police-officer cousin arrives, flanked by a tall man in the uniform of the Federal Police, Emilio's long nightmare begins. Emilio's mother has been kidnapped in broad daylight by unidentified criminals, who appear to know a great deal about her business and who have mistaken her for a wealthy businesswoman.

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.

The last book in the series about the Baudelaire orphans. Includes a fearsome storm, a suspicious beverage, a herd of wild sheep, an enormous birdcage and a truly haunting secret about the Baudelaire parents.

The three Baudelaire orphans go to live in the penthouse of the trend-following Jerome and Esme Squalor, who adopt the children because orphans are "in." Despite the Baudelaires' resourcefulness, both Olaf and the Quagmires elude the authorities due to the obtuseness of adults who, until it is too late, deny that terrible things can happen.

On a stormy night off the coast of southern Australia, a ship transporting a cargo of exotic animals tosses and turns in enormous seas. Rhino senses they are in grave danger... Not far away, ten-year-old Evie and her grandfather shelter in their crumbling, once-grand old home. They know too well how deadly storms can be. When all is calm, Evie treks over the dunes to the sea and makes a discovery that will change her life, and Rhino's, forever. Will the tragedies of their pasts finally be put to rest?

Evie is a girl with a special talent! She can talk to the animals! But whens she sets the school rabbit free she gets into big trouble. She promises her dad she won't talk to the animals anymore. But one day 'missing' posters for all the animals in her neighbourhood start popping up all over the streets. With the help of Granny Flora, Evie uses her magical gift to find out who is behind the disappearances.

The summer of 1899 is hot in eleven year old Calpurnia Tate's sleepy, Texas town. She begins a nature diary and, intrigued by an invasion of large, yellow grasshoppers, spends more time with her remote and cantankerous grandfather, an avid naturalist. When they are about to make an amazing discovery, the reality of Callie's situation catches up with her. She's a girl, expected to cook and clean and sew.

Anahita Rosalind Ghorban-Galaszczuk (yes, that really is her name but you can call her Ana) is discovering that life is absurd. As if dying of cancer at the age of 12.5 isn't bad enough, she still has to endure daily insults from her nemesis, Alyssa (Queen Mean) Anderson. Ana's on a wild roller-coaster of life and death, kindness and cruelty, ordinary and extraordinary. And she's got a few things to do before she exits . . .

Girls Stuff TV is going extreme. Jetboating sounds good, now add TV cameras, sound crew and a co-host who would love to see Mickey take a swim. Mickey's commitment to the show is tested as she tries to keep her head above water.

Kipp Kindle and his friends Tobias Treachery and Cymphany Chan live in Huggabie Falls, the weirdest town on Earth. Weird things happen all the time - that's normal. But when an extremely weird thing happens Kipp and his friends know that something is wrong. They embark on a fast-paced, action-packed, hilarious adventure to find out what is making everything turn normal, and to return the weirdness to Huggabie Falls.

A star ballerina doesn't want to wear glasses with her tutu or dance with the only boy in ballet class who is new and who has become the teacher's favourite.

Sam is staying with his crime reporter father as he recovers from a knee operation when he is woken shortly after 2am by loud voices arguing in the flat above. Curious he opens the window to hear more clearly when suddenly a man-sized shape falls the six floors to the garden below. Sam goes to his dad's room to wake him, only to discover that he is gone. Fearful that it may be his father lying in the garden he struggles on his crutches downstairs only to discover that there is no one there. But someone is watching Sam and now Sam is in danger too.

Family. Listening. Sharing. Learning. Connecting. Heart and home. Family. Family is a thoughtful contemplation for all to learn the different ways that family makes us whole. This beautifully illustrated children's picture book shows everyone that "family" can be about heart and home; an endless sky; stories and songs. It "learns" us how to be with each other and with Country. Families come in all shapes and sizes, and this remarkably simple story teaches us all, that family can be many things.

Set thirty years ago, a dustman's large family all had various ways of entertaining themselves, despite the family's lack of money.

Mrs Pavlich tries to convince Sophie that being famous isn't a job but Sophie and several other students don't think this is right. After all, they have seen plenty of people who are famous for doing nothing in particular. When Sophie gets a chance to go on her favourite TV game show, Mega Match, and gets close to winning, she has to make a choice.

At the back of Jack's school is a special place. He can't tell anyone except his mate, Lizard, about all the things that can happen there. When Jack meets the mysterious Birdman, he learns secrets about the past that he just can't tell anyone.

Ferris Wilkey's summer is full of surprises. Her little sister, Pinky, has vowed to become an outlaw. Uncle Ted has left Aunt Shirley and is painting a mural in the basement. Ferris' grandmother Cherisse sees a ghost who has wild, impractical, illuminating plans. How can Ferris satisfy a ghost with Pinky terrorising the town, Uncle Ted sending her to spy on her aunt and her father battling an invasion of cheeky racoons?

Without mistakes, there wouldn't be stories. Rufus doesn't make mistakes, he makes fatal errors. But when Rufus and his cousin, Abigail, become dangerously entangled in the world of the mischievous and immortal feylings and their battle against greedy goblins with an evil plan, any move he makes might be his final fatal error - or his most spectacular beginning.

Lori discovers a love for basketball even though she is not very good. She decides that she wants to put in some practice and become a more important part of her year 5 basketball team. When another girl in her school also shows the same interest, Lori is not sure if she is trying to take something from Lori, or if her intentions are good. For fans of basketball and graphic novels.

Figgy and Nana love to talk about their future. Nana wants to be President of Ghana. Deciding on a career isn't as easy for Figgy but, then, she lands the role of a lifetime as an actress in a film. When Figgy's Mama shows up, sick and expecting a baby, and Nana's father takes him away, Figgy has more important things to think about, and some growing up to do.

Figgy has two problems. One is her name. Nobody in the whole country has that name. The other is that her Grandma Ama is ill and needs special medicine. Figgy can't do much about her name but she can do something for Grandma Ama. She will go to America and bring back the medicine and Kwame, her special goat, will go with her.

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.

Figgy and her friend Nana win scholarships to attend school in Ghana's big city Accra. The city is exciting and full of adventures and new friends, but Figgy and Nana also find a city that is sad and scary.

Charlie, Masa and Alf are best mates - loyal and adventurous. They're the Fighting Stingrays. In between school, swimming and fishing on idyllic Thursday Island, they have a ripper time role-playing bombing missions and other war games. But when Japan enters World War II, the Fighting Stingrays are told that one of their own is now the real-life enemy. Drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse in the Torres Strait, their friendship and loyalties are tested as the threat of invasion looms closer.

'Diva TV' is down to five contestants, the cameras are rolling and tensions are high.

For years, Audrey has always believed she is destined to be alone. Even her younger sister calls her 'Nerd Girl'. However, her life is about change forever following her family's relocation to a vineyard in outback Australia. Upon arrival, Audrey meets a mysterious boy named Finch, who seems to understand her like no one else. There's just one problem, no one in the town even knows Finch exists.

Since returning home from her adventures in the Arctic, April has really struggled to fit in. Her mind and her heart are back in the ice and snow with her unlikely polar bear companion. She remains bound to Bear despite the distance. When April finds out that when an animal resembling Bear is shot, she must return and make sure her friend is safe. The Arctic, however, is no safe place for anyone.

In search of Serendipity, Tuesday and her faithful dog Baxterr find themselves on a very dangerous mission. They enter the magical world where stories come from, a mysterious and unpredictable world, full of real danger and heart-stopping adventure. Tuesday will need all her wit, courage, perseverance and imagination in order to get to The End and be reunited with the people she loves.

Living a normal life on Firefly Lane, Mori and her friends are safe and have never had to question anything or wonder about how their lives came to be. This all changes when Ilana moves into town - a girl that seems so perfect yet acts so strangely sometimes. Mori and her friends become curious about Ilana and what her background is. Secrets are revealed and decisions must be made.

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

Ella meets an emotionally unstable pixie and discovers she is the only one who can save the magical kingdom of Magus.

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.

Simon and his classmates have to take part in a science project that involves taking care of a six pound bag of flour - a pretend baby.

Henry Khoo's family treats him like a baby. He's not allowed to go anywhere without his sister/chaperone/bodyguard. His (former) best friend knows to expect his family's mafia-style interrogation when Henry's actually allowed to hang out at her house. And he definitely CAN'T take a journey halfway around the world all by himself! But that's exactly his plan. After his family's annual trip to visit his father in Singapore is cancelled, Henry decides he doesn't want to be cooped up at home with his overprotective family and BFF turned NRFF (Not Really Friend Forever). Plus, he's hiding a your-life-is-over-if-you're-caught secret: he's the creator of an anonymous gossip cartoon, and he's on the verge of getting caught. Determined to prove his independence and avoid punishment for his crimes, Henry embarks on the greatest adventure everrr. . . hoping it won't turn into the greatest disaster ever.

Two bank robbers find more than they bargained for when they encounter a group of school children visiting a farm.

Maggie has grown up without her father. He is alive but obsessed with finding the creation of Dr Frankenstein. When her father is forced to come back and care for Maggie, she becomes mixed up in his latest quest to find the monster. The adventure takes Maggie from continent to continent where she meets extraordinary people, both kind and cruel.

A book about the journey of life, from our wide-eyes of childhood through the tangles and brambles, into our end.

When Chloe visits her Grandma Poppy, she learns just how close the Second World War came to destroying her family. In 1941, Poppy lived in Darwin, far from the war. When Japan attacked, everything Poppy held dear was threatened. Her brother was taken prisoner-of-war and her home town became a war zone. Poppy and her mother fled to Sydney, only to find that the danger followed them there.

Sixth grade isn't as great as Rex thought it would be. He's the only kid who hasn't had a growth spurt, and the bullies won't let him forget it. His closest friend is unreliable, at best. And there's a cute girl in his class who he can't stop thinking about. With so much going on, everything is a blur - including Rex's vision! So when he discovers that he needs glasses, and his family can only afford the ugliest pair in the store, any hope Rex had of fitting in goes completely out of focus.

The painting of Spring was as bright as a sunny day and the tiny yellow flowers which covered the fields were dancing with the breeze. When Lucy comes closer, she hears a voice calling from the other side and reaches through the painting.

For almost two years, Lord Teddy Bleedham-Drye has been plotting revenge against the Fowl Twins. Teddy plans to give them exactly what they deserve, permanent death. When Teddy mounts a deadly attack on Myles from his weaponised jet, Beckett and Specialist Lazuli Heitz succeed in disarming the dircraft and causing an accident that kills Lord Teddy. But does it really? Ghosts, clones, missing mums and fairy magic all come into play in this explosive and utterly ridiculous showdown between the twins and their worst enemy.

What do you do when your cranky-pants grandad builds a time machine and accidentally deleted the whole family? If you're Frankie Fish, you race against the clock to fix it! Twelve-year-old prankster Frankie must team up with his grumpy grandad to save the family after the old man accidentally stops himself from marrying Nanna- and wipes out the whole family. It's all down to Frankie and Grandad to put the past back together again. But can a young prankster and an old crank ever get along? And will Grandad's wonky time machine ever get them home?

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.

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.

Ten year old Frankie Foster wants to help, she loves fixing people's problems. But, her help is not always welcome because she can cause the odd total disaster and end up causing chaos.

Frankie thinks there is something wrong with her friend, Skye. She is determined to find out what is wrong and help her. She has an idea that writing some horoscopes (like those in the newspaper) might cheer her up. Will what they predict in their horoscopes and will they come true.

Frankie Foster loves to help people and wants to be a social worker or maybe an aromatherapist when she grows up, She is happy when her mum suggests that a friend's daughter, Emelia, stay for a while as her mum has to go to hospital. Frankie finds out that agreeing to look after Emelia is a lot more work that she imagined and leads to some trouble with her best friends. Wherever Emelia goes, trouble seems to follow. Will Frankie be able to sort out her problems with her friends and keep her promise to help Emelia?

Frieda, her sickly mother and her father travel from Germany to Australia, looking for a better life. Nervous and excited about Adelaide, a drought-stricken town with hordes of flies and barefoot children, Frieda is keen to make friends. But, as the First World War takes hold, the Germans are now seen as the enemy. Rumours begin to circulate that Frieda's father is a spy. Frieda has her own battles to fight. She begins to wonder whether she should change her name and hide all trace of her culture.

In eighth grade, Shannon has found her interests and a strong friendship group which shares these interests. She is doing well in school and should be happy, but it seems like things are always changing and it is impossible to keep up with what everyone likes and who everyone likes. Shannon must learn to manage her fears of failure and try to find some solid ground.

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.

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.

At her school, Lara has a mission to help other children make and keep friends. Lara gives advice and rules for friendships, and is even writing a manual about it. When a new girl comes to school, everything starts to unravel. As Lara embarks on a competition to find a best friend for the most difficult client ever, she comes to see the true value and importance of friendship.

Mia Tang is only ten years old. Her parents have moved their family from China to the USA in search of a better life. Only what they have found is hardship and discrimination. When Mia's parents get the opportunity to run a motel, Mia helps out on the front desk, cleaning and getting to know the longer term residents of the motel. Through kindness, her family starts to create community. But the big question - will Mia ever be allowed to use the motel's swimming pool?

With a canteen war, puppy smuggling and Redhill's first theme park to organise, it will need all of Max the Funny Kid's talents to solve this new adventure.

Grab your gaming gear and laugh your head off with the super-popular Funny Kid series! Every kid wants to laugh, but Max is the boy who can make it happen. A new video game has thrown Redhill Middle School into chaos. Will Max get the screen time he needs to dominate? Max is the funny kid and he's trying to beat Redhill's mystery pro gamer! Toilet snoozes, student protests, parent-teacher nights that go horribly wrong and an epic courtroom battle against Max's baby sister are just some of the things in store for Max and his friends in this Funny Kid adventure.

Every kid wants to laugh, but Max is the boy who can make it happen. These school holidays Redhill is in chaos as Max and his friends are locked in an epic prank battle ... with each other! Max is the funny kid and his pranking powers are being put to the test! A movie-theatre ninja, toilet turbulence, shopping-mall disasters, cling-film mazes and an unimaginable Kid-Free Zone are just some of the things in store for Max and his friends in this brand-new Funny Kid adventure.

Every kid wants to laugh, but Max is the boy who can make it happen. As he and his classmates head off on a camping trip, the new boy, Tyson, decides to play some jokes of his own. Max is the funny kid...and now there's a prank war to be won! Monsters in the lake, smuggling ducks, dig-your-own toilets, capsizing canoes, absolutely not falling in love and beans that give you the runs are just some of the things in store for Max and his friends in this brand-new adventure.

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.

Every kid wants to laugh, but Max is the boy that can make it happen. When Max and his friends holiday at a ski resort for the rich and famous, Max realizes that everything he could ever need to be happy is all here in one place. He is determined to fit in quick smart. Max is a funny kid, but will his jokes work in the snow?

Pip is lonely and bored. She goes to virtual school on her G-Glasses. She only has a talking cat and parrot to hang out with, and she can't leave her LivingSpace due to the extreme heat and floods outside. Until the day that Pip explores a glowing ring in a lab and finds herself in a warehouse, in 2019. She meets boy-inventor Rahul -- who is also lonely and bored. Together, Rahul and Pip are no longer lonely. But they have a whole load of new problems like hiding talking animals from Rahul's parents and finding a way back to the future. And -- just maybe -- saving the world...

Discovering another app on their babysitter's phone, Liam sends the brothers travelling through time. Landing in earlier versions of their home town, they find themselves in the Stone Age, Roman times, the Middle Ages and prehistoric times with dinosaurs. To return to their own time , they're going to have to solve riddles whilst dodging woolly mammoths, jousting knights and every kind of disgusting bodily fluid you can think of. Can they survive the dangers, solve the riddles and get back before the phone battery dies, and they're stranded in another time forever?

When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But, George knows she's a girl. She secretly calls herself Melissa and loves to read her hidden stash of magazines, with ads for lipstick and perfume. George desperately wants to win the role of Charlotte in her class production of Charlotte's Web so that her mum will finally see her as a girl, and accept that she's transgender. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George comes up with a plan, not just to be Charlotte but to let everyone know who she is, once and for all.

George Parker and Chase Landon-Bond may attend the same Boarding School but there the similarity ends. George is scientific, cautious and a pyjama wearing nerd. Chase is popular, rich, carefree and impulsive. After his latest haircut goes seriously wrong, George sparks interest from the unlikely Chase. He sees George's potential in helping him complete a rescue mission. George doubts his abilities to help Chase but finds himself, time and again, getting the two of them out of tricky situations.

Running. That's all Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) has ever known. But Ghost has been running for the wrong reasons--it all started with running away from his father, who, when Ghost was a very little boy, chased him and his mother through their apartment, then down the street, with a loaded gun, aiming to kill. Since then, Ghost has been the one causing problems--and running away from them--until he meets Coach, an ex-Olympic Medalist who sees something in Ghost: crazy natural talent. If Ghost can stay on track, literally and figuratively, he could be the best sprinter in the city. Can Ghost harness his raw talent for speed, or will his past finally catch up to him?

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.

Butter O'Bryan lives in a very small castle with his father and three aunts. Butter has been told there are ghosts at the nearby isolated Howlers Beach, but are there? How can the children Butter plays cricket with on the beach simply vanish? Who are these children and why do they refuse his help? Butter is certain they're hiding a secret and he's determined to uncover it.

Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California because her little sister, Maya, is sick. Cat isn't happy about leaving her friends for Bahia de la Luna, but Maya has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty air that blows in from the sea. As the girls explore their new home, a neighbour lets them in on a secret: There are ghosts in Bahia de la Luna. Maya is determined to meet one, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. As the time of year when ghosts reunite with their loved ones approaches, Cat must figure out how to put aside her fears for her sister's sake and her own.

Minnie has never known any other home than her mostly quiet and comfortable community on the island she has lived her whole life. Despite Minnie having to endure some terrible pains due to a mysterious condition, her life is good and made safe by her caring servant who also happens to be a giant. Every child on the island has a giant servant who stays with them until the time comes when they must say goodbye- something Minnie is dreading but her giant, Speck, is dreading even more as this means she will be turned to stone and used for building material. To avoid this, Minnie runs away and sets off a series of events which has giant consequences for all on the island.

As well as being a skater, Niki is a huge gamer and plays with a team in an online eSports league. The other girl geeks don't know much about gaming but Niki's enthusiasm is contagious! When the country's biggest eSports event opens up a junior comp, Niki can't wait to play. She signs up and meets her online friends for the first time - they're all boys and are shocked to discover she's a girl! An unexpected event occurs, which sees Niki in danger of not being able to play in the tournament. Will her girl gang come to the rescue and turn this game from off to on?

Hamsa's teacher has announced that their class will be doing their very own hackathon. A hack-a-what? thinks Hamsa. She doesn't know anything about tech or coding! Things get worse as Hamsa is split up from her best friends and put with Eve, the new girl, shy and studious Maggie and skateboarder Niki. Ugh - they're destined to fail! The girls need an idea - and fast. Can Hamsa and her team come up with the goods or will things fall apart as she plays it too cool for school?

A gifted student, Nia longs to attend high school so she can follow her dream and become a writer. She has notebooks filled with stories she's created about the mythological Dewi Kadita, Princess of the Southern Sea. But her family has barely enough money for food, let alone an education, so Nia's days are spent running their food cart and raising her younger brother. Following a miraculous escape from a bus accident, Nia is gifted with good-luck magic. Or at least that's what everyone's saying. Soon their family business is booming and there might even be enough money to return to school. But how long can her good luck last? When a secret promise threatens everything she's hoped for, Nia must find a way to break the mould and write her own future.

She stands, motionless, as the cold breeze bites her cheeks. She stands for hours, but the girl on wire knows that she must begin. A story about courage and confidence while growing up.

Ten year old Inge Maria comes to live on a tiny island in Denmark with her grandmother. She is strict and the villagers too think that girls should not run wild or speak too much. Inge tries to fit in but her fun loving mischief and mishaps start to change the way the villagers feel.

Chaya can talk her way out of anything, except stealing the Queen's jewels. Even if she had the best reasons the King did not want to know. She ends up escaping on the back of an elephant and leads her friends on a jungle adventure, where leeches lurk and revolution is stirring. This is where Chaya's most dangerous idea takes shape. Maybe she can leave her village a thief but return a hero.

For the first ten years of her life, Freja and her mother Clementine have roamed the Arctic in search of zoological wonders. Happy, content, together. Freja and Clem. Clem and Freja. But now, everything is changing, and Clementine must send Freja away to live with her old friend Tobias, a bestselling crime writer and, quite possibly, the most absent-minded man on earth. Tobias is not used to life with a child, and Freja isn't used to people at all, but together they stumble into an Italian adventure so big that it will change things forever.

Move over Diva competition, hello Girls Stuff TV. Mickey Farrell is coming to your screen.

Book 5 in the Diva series. Skye and Mickey discover they are the hosts of a new television program, Girls Stuff TV.

Nothing good was going to happen to Clara Bloom ever again. It was the end of the world! Her parents were separating and how was she going to cope? Little does Clara know that the crisis is much bigger than she thinks. For a person who hates getting into trouble and hates seeing others get into trouble Clara finds herself facing a whole lot of trouble! A mysterious illness has struck down every single man and boy in the city. Clara's Dad is away on a camping trip and she must break all the rules in a desperate mission to rescue him. With her friends, Izzy and Arabella, and a little help from social media, Clara realises that girls are in charge and it is up to the girls to find a way for everything to go back to normal.

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

For a person who hates getting into trouble and hates seeing others get into trouble Clara finds herself facing a whole lot of trouble! A mysterious illness has struck down every single man and boy in the city. The city, now in the grip of a strange virus, is known as Girltopia. Clara's dad is safe and her mum is working hard at the Department of Health to find a cure for the virus. The race is on and social media is the key to keeping everyone connected and informed. Clara starts receiving strange messages from a mysterious group called The Girlhoods. Times are hard and even more difficult for Clara and her bestie, Arabella, who have a secret to keep. Someone's life depends upon it! Girltopia is the story of a new and different world, where Clara has tough decisions to make about who to trust and who to protect. It is up to Clara to save them all!

Girltopia is a city run by women and girls and it's an amazing place. There's hardly any crime, transport is free, and lots of girls are getting a taste for change. Clara and her friends are now part of The Girlhoods, a rebel group who suspect that someone is behind the release of the virus that has affected the men and boys.

Fourteen clever, funny tales, featuring a host of crazy characters. While Ginger and her dog organise the ultimate party, Wilton the worm meets Aristotle the nose germ in an unexpected location and Ben tries to save the world by not eating his vegetables.

School has changed since I went on 'Diva TV'. Now, even my best friends hang together without me.

It's been a year since Kate and Tom became conductors on the Great Intercontinental Railway, and life has changed completely! Delivering animal passengers to their rightful habitats using their very own secret steam train, The Silver Arrow, is exciting and magical and fulfilling. Until one day a new and mysterious train almost rams them off the track! Its name? The Golden Swift. Kate catches a glimpse of the conductors. They're children, like them, and they're dropping animals off at all the wrong stations! Kate is determined to catch up with their rivals and confront them. Her actions will lead to an adventure bigger than she could have dreamed of, racing through the highlands of Western Scotland, diving down deep into the oceans on a magical submarine, meeting a talking tortoise, and finding out about a whole new way to offer endangered animals safe and lasting homes.

Matthew likes everything to be very clean and stays safe in his room to keep away from germs. He watches his neighbours but hates going outside. When a toddler goes missing Matthew is the last person to have seen him alive. Can Matthew overcome his fears, turn detective and solve the crime?

"It is the start of 2020 and Harper is excited about her final year at Riverlark Primary. But one by one things go wrong. Her best friends are made school captains and don't seem to have time for her anymore. Her parents take jobs overseas, so she is bundled to stay with her grandmother, who she hardly knows. Then Covid arrives bringing more things to worry about. Harper's special year is turning out to be nothing like she hoped it would be. And then there is the ghost. Who is the boy in the library? Why is he here? Will he help Harper find a way to be happy with her goodbye year?"

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.

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.

THE GOOSEBUMPS MOVIE captures the chills, thrills, and giggles of Scholastic's original bestselling series. Zach, 16, has just moved from NYC to a creepy small town. He soon realizes his new neighbor, Hannah (also 16), is in danger. When he tries to rescue her, he accidentally unleashes the monsters created and brought to life by her writer father, R.L. Stine. Now it's up to Zach, Hannah, and Stine to get the monsters back in their books where they belong. Can they stop the monsters... for good? Packed with over 45 pictures from the movie!

They're baa-ack! Make way for the bestselling children's series of all time! With a fresh new look, Goosebumps is set to scare a whole new generation of kids. So reader beware--you're in for a scare! In this retelling of the film, Zach has just moved from NYC to a creepy small town. He quickly becomes convinced his new neighbour, Hannah, is in danger. But when tries to rescue her, he accidentally unleashes the monsters

Eleven year old Grace knows only one world of her mum, dad, twin brothers and the strict religious community they belong to. Her relationship with God is central to her life but Grace is also stubborn, outspoken and independent. When her dad is thrown out of the church for asking questions, Grace is torn between staying in the church and keeping her family together.

Grace Marshall is eleven years old. She is curious, creative and dreams of becoming a magician, Grace the Amazing. Her only friend is her art teacher, Pamela. When she discovers Pamela is dying, Grace is determined to find a miraculously magical cure and, along the way, she asks the big questions about life, love and friendship.

Life is never dull with Grandma Cadbury, especially at a beach resort.

Ollie's dad is missing but Grandma Dangerous is on the case. She has a hot air balloon, thirty packets of biscuits and a pooch with magical powers (she says). But as they sail through the skies, Ollie realises they're no just on a rescue mission. Grandma is on the run.

A Priceless artifact has been stole from Russia- and Grandma Dangerous wants to find it. Nothing will stand in her way. Can Ollie and Grandma return the treasure and get back home, before the Politsiya catch them?

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.

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.

Gilly is a foster child who lives in the hope that her beautiful mother will come and claim her.

Best friends Ray, Matty and Lurch are planning their best-ever prank to swap all their neighbours' pets. They think they will be legends but their efforts backfire.

Be careful what you wish for ... The same evening Josh Undehill went missing, the black horse appeared on the hill above the house. Ella knows that words are powerful. So she should have known better than to utter a wish and a curse on the same day. Who is Gus, the boy with the impish grin, who seems to appear in answer to her wish? What does the black horse want? And what of her grandmother's warning of creatures that dwell in the lake?

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.

Gus Able and her family are on the run, from her mum's ex-boyfriend and from desperate ghosts who want her mum's help. When they end up in a small town running an old drive-in movie theatre called the Starlight Gus hopes this is the fresh start they need. Despite living in a smelly old caravan, the Able family work hard to make the Starlight a success, but the current owner seems to be working against them. Gus wonders if this new town could be the forever home she's been wanting for so long.

A late night stomach bug seems to stay with Raina long past the regular time period, and the doctors tell her nothing is wrong. Raina has growing fears about all sorts of areas of her every day life and these fears will not go away. Neither will her stomach bug. This is a biographical graphic novel about how our mind and body seem to work against us sometimes, and how talking about our problems can bring people together and lead to solutions.

Introducing Candice Phee: twelve years old, hilariously honest and a little... odd. But she has a big heart, the very best of intentions and an unwavering determination to ensure everyone is happy. So she sets about trying to 'fix' all the problems of all the people (and pets) in her life.

Michael has spent his life trying not to stare at his grandfather's scars. His grandfather's gruff manner and upsetting appearance always kept Michael from getting close. One summer, Michael must stay with his grandfather and he finally gets the courage to look directly at his grandfather and ask him to tell his story.

Danny finds caring for his disabled dad very draining. Day to day tasks are repetitive and boring. But, all of that changes when Danny's neighbour goes away and asks him to feed the tropical fish. Danny discovers a secret in his neighbour's house that will change his life forever. He doesn't know much about sea creatures but he's sure that what he finds is extremely rare and magical.

More than an approaching cyclone hangs over Jeremy's family. His parents are struggling to save the farm during a drought and he spends his time squabbling with his younger sister, fishing with his best mate and failing to stay out of trouble. Includes some colloquial language within context.

Through letters written to loved ones, three characters reveal their most intimate thoughts about the conflict in World War II. Franz, a young Nazi soldier, has begun to question the rightness of the cause. Helga is a Russian girl, bent on joining the resistance. Susanna, a Jewess, has been separated from her husband and children, and condemned to the cruelty of a concentration camp.

Harriet dreams of being a poet. Paul Picklebottom is constantly making her life difficult. Luckily, her best friend, Melly, is always there to comfort her. But, Harriet gets into a pickle when she finds out her best friend has a secret that she won't share.

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.

Harriet spies on all the people in her neighbourhood and writes notes about them in her book.

Hope lives with her mum in the Pyrenees. It's always been just the two of them until Frank, a free-spirited traveller, arrives with Harry, his stubborn rescue donkey. Hope and Frank form a close bond and she feels lost when Frank decides to move on. Frank was more than just mum's boyfriend and understood Hope better than her mother does. Hope promises to look after Harry and, slowly, another special bond is made.

Harry Kruize is feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders. His father has left, starting another family elsewhere and he is the target of bullying at school, leaving him friendless and lonely. A term-long class assignment involving the writing down of personal wishes and documenting how they might be fulfilled allows Harry to tell his innermost feelings. He has six seemingly impossible wishes ranging from a normal family life, a dog, a friend, a certain bully to stop using him as a punching bag and to be an author. All of these will never happen or will they?

Liam just wants to go out running with his mates. It's not long till the Junior Great North Run. But, Mam needs him to help old Harry clear out his house. Harry knows a thing or two about running. He says when he was a lad, he ran twenty-one kilometres, from Newcastle to South Shields. This is the story of that day. Sweltering heat, clattering boots, briny sea air and the heavenly taste of ice cream.

The soldiers came at night. 'Run" her father shouts "And don't stop". Hasina races into the forest to hide with her cousin and brother. When they emerge some days later everything has changed and her family has gone. Hasina must fight to save her family amid the escalating conflict that threatens her world and her identity.

A gothic fairytale about an unusual family, comprising a grieving mother, an exceptional child, a grandpa who is an eccentric apothecary and a domineering aunty. The arrival of a three legged baby from a giant blue egg is the tonic that Mama needs and a delightful distraction for Martha, who is trying to find her own special talent in the world.

No matter how much Olive longs for a pet rabbit. it is never going to happen. Not when she lives in an Australian country town where most people think they are a pest. So imagine Olive's shock when she unexpectedly finds not one, but one hundred and one rabbits. And one of them can talk. How Olive will hide and protect the rabbits will be her greatest challenge and adventure. She is also preparing for the Year 5 play. At least she has her costume ready. But the old top hat she found in the local op shop is very odd and strange.

When Georgia and her brother, Ned, are sent for a holiday on their relatives' farm, they are not happy. Ned makes friends with his cousin so Georgia explores the farm on her own, discovering an old homestead which she thinks will make a cool hideout. But, Georgia is not alone and is befriended by a mysterious girl, Lily, who is not what she seems. The children soon discover they are playing with fire.

He's hearing voices . . . from another world! Tommy Frazer's dad just got married. Now Tommy's got a new mom. And he's going to a new school -- Bell Valley Middle School. Tommy doesn't hate school. But it's hard making friends. And his new school is so big, it's easy to get lost. Which is exactly what happens. Tommy gets lost -- lost in a maze of empty classrooms. And that's when he hears the voices. Kids' voices crying for help. Voices coming from behind the classroom walls...

Sammy Baker, 12, is a quiet kid who wishes he wasn't so shy and timid. He is frightened but eager to prove he can be brave. On Halloween night, he follows his friends to the Barlow House, an abandoned mansion on the edge of the woods. Just past midnight, he feels a cold tingle at the back of his neck. The cold seeps down, a heavy chill he has never felt before. Sammy doesn't realise that his body has been invaded by a ghost known as The Haunter. The Haunter takes over Sammy's brain and gives him instructions that he has to obey. But The Haunter's commands become more and more dangerous. And then life-threatening. And to his horror, Sammy realises The Haunter's goal-to turn Sammy into a ghost, too!

Once there was a girl whose life was filled with wonder at the world around her. Then, one day, something happened that made the girl take her heart and put it in a safe place. However, after that, it seemed that the world was even emptier than before. It takes another little girl to demonstrate that life is there to be lived.

Stacey wishes she could be more like her friend, Twyla. Twyla is confident, Stacey isn't. Twyla is daring, Stacey isn't. When a gypsy gives Stacey a gold heart pin, everything changes and Stacey starts behaving like the person she has always wanted to be.

Henry Hoey Hobson arrives at his sixth school, a small, Catholic school, to discover he is the only boy in his grade. There are three male misfits a year below him. Fatherless, friendless and non-Catholic, Henry earns a reputation as a vampire when ill-fitting braces make his mouth bleed.

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?

Nine year old Sam is always in trouble. He has a kind heart but more challenges than most children his age. After getting into trouble with the police, Sam thinks things can't get any worse. But, it seems that this is just the beginning.

Ware is looking forward to a summer with his lively grandmother instead of the loud and sweaty recreation centre where he is usually sent. However, after his grandma has an accident he finds himself sent back to the dreadful rec centre. Then he meets tough but secretive Jolene who brings him to an abandoned chuch which becomes a place of refuge, but this special place is threatened and Ware promises to save it. Can he be this hero in the real world?

Twelve-year-old Louie lives with her brothers, Bert and Teddy, and their Hungarian grandparents, in the Majestic Boutique Hotel, an old-world establishment surrounded by magnolia trees and an aura of peace. But when Louie finds an old rose-gold locket covered in mysterious writing, she learns that it isn't just the magnolias her grandparents have carefully cultivated at the Majestic -with their peace and tranquility comes secrets they would prefer remain buried. As Louie and her brothers attempt to discover the truth, they are thrown back in time to 1944, into the middle of their grandparents' experiences in Nazi-occupied Budapest. The old locket holds the mystery of the young heroes of Budapest's secret Jewish underground, and the history Louie's grandparents want to keep hidden. And until it can be revealed, there can be no peace for anyone - in the past, present or future.

Summer in London is hot, the hottest on record, and there's been a murder in The Tri: the high-rise buildings which is home to resident know-it-alls, Nik and Norva. Who better to solve the case, armed with their curiosity, home-turf knowledge and unlimited time - until the end of the summer holidays anyway.

Author Onjali Q Rauf shares some of her favourite books and characters as she leads readers on a journey to better understand how our own actions, and the actions of others, can have great and positive effects on others. Navigating our world can be an adventure where even small acts of kindness can have an enormous impact.

Penny has to cope with the saddest moment in her life, involving her pony, Manny. Everyone is willing her to come back and compete in the next event. Hopefully, a horse called Darling will encourage her.

Matt befriends an abused horse, Elvis, that touches the lives of his family struggling to stay together. Some coarse language and cruelty to animals in a realistic story of a father's efforts to overcome his own shortcomings for love of his children.

Nell is surprised when her mum wants her to stay with her family in the country. While unpacking her bags she is startled by a large wild horse and a mysterious girl, which leads Nell on a mystery and a chance to discover secrets about herself.

The Baudelaire orphans are on the run after being accused of murder. They find themselves at Heimlich hospital, along with Count Olaf and his troupe, who are working to perform a 'cranioectomy'.

As Oak and Alder start school together, they can't imagine ever becoming friends. But the two of them soon discover a series of connections between them -- mysterious, possibly even magical puzzles they can't put together. At least not without each other's help.

Marinka lives with her grandmother Baba Yaga. Baba Yaga's job is to guide people through The Gate into their next life. Their house has a gate made of bones and chicken legs. A couple of times a year, the house stands up in the middle of the night and walks to another location. This sounds exciting, but Marinka longs to stay somewhere long enough to make real friends. Based in Slavic folklore, this novel is about finding your own way in life even when you think your destiny might be decided.

Wilson Schlame loves to make Jack Johnson feel like a total loser. And Jack's had it. That's how he ended up down at the beach. In a creepy, old abandoned house. In the dark. Trying to hide from Wilson. But everything is about to change. Because Jack just dug up the coolest book. It's called 'Flying Lessons'. It tells how humans can learn to fly. Poor Jack. He wanted to get back at Wilson. But now that Jack's learned how to fly, things down on earth are getting really scary...

Maddie tries to be nice to everyone. Even weird, chicken-obsessed Tahlia. But she'd way prefer to hang out with the cool girls at school. The only problem is that they don't seem interested in her, at least not until Year 6 camp. That's when Maddie has a decision to make: how far will she go to be popular? Will she be able to live with the guilt when she finally has everything she's been hoping for?

When an everyday dad accidentally becomes Prime Minister it throws his family into a new world. One with new rules, and a new school. This is a challenge on its own. When he disappears, his daughters need to cover for him and get the opportunity to make some big decisions regarding their future.

Twelve days. Five kids. Many special effects. One giant mystery. Hayley Whelan has spent her whole life dreaming of making a horror movie - and not just the type of movie that kids make on their dodgy second-hand iPhones. When her grandma passes away, she inherits the money for a proper, grown-up camera. But before Hayley even calls 'Action!', strange things start happening... Someone is sabotaging Hayley's movie - but who? Why? And can Hayley finish her movie in time for the premiere? From Australia's brightest new middle-grade talent comes this love song to movies, friendship and the summer holidays.

Pablo is homesick. He's only twelve years old, but he's lived in more countries than he can count. After his parents divorced, he and his mother have moved from place to place for years, never settling anywhere long enough to call it home. And along the way, Pablo has collected more and more fears: of dirt, of germs, and most of all, of the ocean. Now they're living in the Philippines, and his mother, a zoologist who works at a local wildlife refuge, is too busy saving animals to notice that Pablo might need saving, too. Then his mother takes in Chiqui, an orphaned girl with a cleft lip -- and Pablo finds that through being strong for Chiqui, his own fears don't seem so scary. He might even find the courage to face his biggest fear of all... and learn how to make friends with the sea.

Lily's life seems to revolve around her half-brother, Adam, who has autism. She has little time for friends or activities. Her stepfather doesn't acknowledge that Adam needs to attend a special school and Lily has yet to get over the grief of losing her mother in a car accident. When Adam meets Nori, a young dolphin with cancer, they bond instantly. But, Lily wants to get real help for Adam and help Nori to regain her freedom, without betraying her family.

Left behind in Melbourne after his parents have to leave for Beirut unexpectedly, 12 year old Akeal finds himself, along with his six siblings, being held to the whims of an atrocious babysitter. Through the bold plans of younger sibling Huda, Akeal then finds himself roped into a courageous adventure with Huda travelling abroad as "unaccompeed" minors.

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.

Five year old Cody was asked, "How can you tell if someone is a boy or a girl, or both, or neither?' Cody's response was profoundly pragmatic. 'Well, it's not their hair or their clothes. It's actually in their heart. You can't just tell. They have to tell you.' This is Cody's story of opening her heart to her mum.

I am a non-stop ball of energy. Powerful and full of light. I am a go-getter. A difference-maker. A leader. Step inside the mind of the confident narrator of this book! He is proud of everything that makes him who he is. He's got big plans, and will see them through. He's creative, adventurous, smart, funny. A good friend. A superhero. Sometimes he falls, but he always gets back up. And other times he's afraid, because he's often misunderstood. So, slow down, look and listen as he shows you who he really is ...

Happy-go-lucky Jack is good at photography, jokes, collecting detentions and grafting onions onto potato plants. He also shows students that they can win against bullying.

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.

Susie is devastated when her friend moves away and an old lady comes to live in Kim's old house.

Chet Roscow is ten and feeling lonely living with his Uncle Jerry in a new town. When news stories about shark attacks on the coast come out, everybody thinks it is a great joke. On the east coast of America in 1916 no one had heard of anyone being attacked by a shark before. Chet and some friends trick each other by pretending to be sharks. But when Chet is attacked by a real shark in the creek he has to find someone who believes him, before it is too late.

Christmas has brought the Caddy children their fondest wish, their father. However, he is not the father they knew, having been deep in the Malaysian jungle as a prisoner of war. As he mends, news comes that their mother may not be dead. This sends team Caddy off on another adventure, only to find themselves drugged and held captive in a derelict and icy castle.

Ida B and her parents have a great life on the orchard and homeschooling Ida B. But then, life goes to a million miles beyond wrong and Ida has to return to school.

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.

Rudger is Amanda's best friend. He doesn't exist but nobody's perfect. Only Amanda can see her imaginary friend. That is, until the sinister Mr Bunting arrives at Amanda's door. Mr Bunting hunts imaginaries. Rumour says that he eats them. And, he's sniffed out Rudger. Soon, Rudger is alone and running for his imaginary life. A boy who isn't there will have trouble surviving without a friend to dream him up.

Lillian Velvet lives a lonely life with her cold grandmother. When she turns 10, she is given a mysterious jar filled with gold coins. Instructions, 'Don't spend all your coins', ' Don't go outside!' and 'don't let anyone in!' Lillian begins her adventure and meets some interesting people who all seem to be connected.

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.

Tim Chambers has a secret. It all begins when there is a report of a sighting of a Tasmanian tiger and Tim has a plan that could make him famous. He has the best of intentions but things don't go at all according to his plan.

The Rylance family is stuck. Dad's got writer's block. Ethan promised to illustrate a group project at school, even though he can't draw. Sarah's still pining for a puppy. And they all miss Mom so much more than they can say. Enter Inkling. Inkling begins life in Mr. Rylance's sketchbook. Then one night the ink of his drawings runs together - and leaps off the page! This small burst of creativity is about to change everything. Ethan finds him first. Inkling has absorbed a couple of chapters of his math book - not good! - and the story he's supposed to be illustrating for school - also not good. But Inkling's also started drawing the pictures to go with Ethan's story, which is amazing! It's just the help Ethan was looking for! Inkling helps the rest of the family too. For Sarah he's a puppy. And for Dad he's a spark of ideas for a new graphic novel. It's exactly what they all wanted.

Crushes. Humiliation. Drama. Middle school. This is the story of two totally different girls - quiet, shy, artistic Emmie and popular, outgoing, athletic Katie - and how their lives unexpectedly intersect one day, when an embarrassing note falls into the wrong hands ...

The stage is set. Take your seats. It's 1870 : in the Royal Opera House in a freezing city by the sea. Above is a chandelier, shaped like a galleon. It sparkles with the bright light of seven hundred and fifty candles. These lights are in memory of a vessel and its passengers who vanished without a trace. Oh no. It is falling. It splinters into a thousand tiny pieces. Celeste finds herself in the gutter of Time where she must play a terrifying game called the Reckoning to save those she loves.

Grandfather tells the story to the villagers of his first adventures in the cave when he was eight years old.

Martin is eleven years old and thinks these summer holidays could not get any worse. His father drives him to the island where he spent this own summer holidays with his brother and in the care of an aunt. While Aunt Lenore and her brother Ned are not your average elderly and dotting relative. Everything about the Island of Beyond is not what you would expect. This includes tree climbing and canoeing new friend Martin makes named Solo. Martin learns about friendship and family and secrets this summer.

Mickey Farrell dreams of winning her country's singing competition but, when she is up against sneaky Coco Lamont, it's a real challenge.

A Goosebumps SlappyWorld story. Livvy and Jayden are the stars of their school's robotics team. Livvy is especially enthusiastic because her own mother works in a robotics lab and experiments with Artificial Intelligence. To impress her mom, Livvy and Jayden build a robot. Livvy wants to name their robot "Francine," but Jayden thinks that's too silly for their creation. Desperate to win, Livvy and Jayden "borrow" an Artificial Intelligence module. They soon realize they've made a terrible mistake. Francine has too much brain power. She's alive! And using this newly gained brain power to dream up a deadly contest!

A retelling that captures all of the magic and excitement of the original in a dreamily illustrated graphic novel that the whole family can enjoy. New readers of J.M. Barrie's classic tale won't be missing out on anything from the original novel in this faithful full colour rendition while returning readers will adore the new full colour illustrations that bring the tale to life as never before.

Can you walk and talk at the same time? How about Jabberwalk? Can you write and draw and walk and journal all at the same time? If not, you're in luck: exuberant, blue-cheesy cilantro man Juan Felipe Herrera, Poet Laureate of the United States, is here to teach you everything he knows about being a real-life, bonified, Jabberwalking poet! Jabberwalkers write and speak for themselves and others no matter where their feet may take them - to Jabberwalk is to be a poet on the move. And there's no stopping once you're a Jabberwalker, writing fast, fast, fast, scribble-poem-burbles-on-the-run. Scribble what you see! Scribble what you hear! It's all out there - vamonos!

An orphan child full of mischief, Jack lives with his crotchety widow aunt in eighteenth-century England. His naughtiness knows no limits, and when one day he goes a step too far, Aunt Constance decides that she's had enough: from now on, his bachelor uncle can take care of him. Uncle Edmund is in no way prepared for a boy with boundless energy and an impish streak - and anyway, he's off to the Himalayas to search for rare plants! But Aunt Constance is absolutely determined, and Jack's uncle has no choice - he will have to take the boy with him.

Indiana Jones meets Mission Impossible (meets a squabbling family from the suburbs). Jake Atlas, Tomb Robber, Treasure Hunter and Trouble-Maker is a schoolboy with terrible grades and even worse behaviour. He has a way of causing trouble that drives people nuts especially his sister Pan. Now he and Pan are members of a super high-tech treasure hunting team searching for a lost tomb in the deserts of Egypt so they can save their parents from being turned into mummies by an evil cult.

Jamie Rambeau is a happy 11-year-old non-binary kid who likes nothing better than hanging out with their two best friends Daisy and Ash. But when the trio find out that in Year Seven they will be separated into one school for boys and another for girls, their friendship suddenly seems at risk. And when Jamie realises no one has thought about where they are going to go, they decide to take matters into their own hands, and sort it all out once and for all. As the friends' efforts to raise awareness eventually become a rooftop protest against the binary rules for the local schools, Jamie realises that if they don't figure out a way forwards, they might be at risk of losing both their friends forever...

A young, orphaned boy keeps to himself, tending his herd of cattle and remaining apart from others in his small Turkish village. When a stray dog follows him home, Jamil finds that he can't get rid of it. A challenging read.

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?

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.

Jehan has lost his home and family in a devastating flood in Pakistan. Lost and stuck in a tree he hears a dog barking. Jehan rescues the dog, Lali, and he's no longer alone, but she keeps paddling away from him, swimming further into the floodwaters. So Jehan is forced to follow her, but will the dog's quest lead them to safety, and to their families? Or to more danger?

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a cat? Peter is about to find out. Waking from a serious accident, he finds himself transformed into a snow white cat and is forced out onto the streets of London. But the life of a street cat is tough and Peter is struggling to survive. Then he meets Jennie - kind and streetwise, she befriends Peter and together they embark on an epic adventure. Will Peter have what it takes to survive this new world?

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.

With the start of eighth grade, Jo March decides it's time to get serious about her writing and joins the school newspaper. But even with her new friend Freddie cheering her on, becoming a hard-hitting journalist is a lot harder than Jo imagined. That's not all that's tough. Jo and her sisters - Meg, Beth, and Amy - are getting used to a new normal at home, with their dad deployed overseas and their mom, a nurse, working overtime. And while it helps to hang out with Laurie, the boy who just moved next door, things get complicated when he tells Jo he has feelings for her. Feelings that Jo doesn't have for him...or for any boy. Feelings she's never shared with anyone before. Feelings that Jo might have for Freddie. What does it take to figure out who you are? Jo March is about to find out.

Best friends Jodie, Rania and Deyana can't believe what they have found in the school library. A mysterious book that writes itself, just for them. Jodie's life is difficult enough. Her father is in a new relationship and Jodie is trying to get used to having a stepsister. The advice the book is giving Jodie is so confusing. She is perplexed about the ghostly writer and what it wants.

To escape the turmoil and tragedy brought by war, a family leaves their home and everything they know to embark on a very long journey,

My name is Julia. This is the story of the summer I spent living in a lighthouse. The summer I almost lost my mum, and found a shark older than trees. Don't worry though, that doesn't spoil the ending ... Julia has followed her mum and dad to live on a remote island for the summer - her dad, for work; her mother, on a determined mission to find the elusive Greenland shark. But when her mother's obsession threatens to submerge them all, Julia finds herself on an adventure with dark depths and a lighthouse full of hope...

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.

When Julius Zebra finds himself shipwrecked on the shores of Egypt with his trusty companions, little did he know he would soon finds himself mistaken for an Egyptian horse God, Heter. While he enjoys all the perks, there is a downside. What happens when the Egyptian people realise he is not really Heter but a Zebra? Follow the adventures of Julius, Brutus and their friends to see if they escape.

Embark on a Christmas escapade with eleven-year-old Juniper Lane. In her quest for help, she turns to a mysterious woodsman in her local park, suspecting he might be none other than Santa himself. In an unexpected turn, Juniper finds herself exposed to the enchantment of the North Pole. Accompanied by a neighbor who has always believed in Santa, a young reindeer in training, and a cunning crime boss determined to steal Santa's magic, Juniper's journey unfolds with Eoin Colfer's characteristic enthusiasm and cheerfulness. With vibrant, festive illustrations, this enchanting tale is beautifully wrapped, promising to ignite the Christmas spirit within the entire family. Celebrate the holiday season with a narrative filled with hope, magic, and the quest to rescue Santa Claus.

Mr Mosely isn't a purebred dog but he's just the dog that Corey and his family want. He is loyal, protective and loving. And, he is much more than that. He might well be the one thing that holds them all together.

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.

The last day of seventh grade has Jaime and Maya wondering who their read friends are. Jaime knows something is off with her friend group. They've started to exclude her and make fun of the way she dressed and the things she likes. At least she can count on her BFF Maya ... right? Maya feels more and more annoyed with Jaime, who seems babyish compared to the other girls in their group. It's like she has nothing in common with Jai anymore. Are their days as BFFs numbered?

Penny has moved to Australia from China and her English is very limited. She misses her friends and her cousin is determined to make her life miserable at their school. When Penny's grandmother gives her a magic Chinese pouch, Penny has just one wish to make things right.

The Caddy kids, Kick, Scruff, Bert and Pin, are home alone and they're having the best time ever. Until a stranger arrives with news. This is the story of how four loud, grubby urchins from the Australian outback find themselves in London for the first peacetime Christmas after years of war. But their new guardian hates children. He prefers the company of the hundreds of snakes in his house, the Kensington Reptilarium.

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.

After a tumultuous school term, a family holiday with sunshine, sleep-ins and Portuguese tarts is just what Kensy and Max need. And Granny Cordelia is adamant: there are to be no investigations while on vacation. But when strange incidents start piling up, the twins are torn between their loyalty and their nose for adventure. As all leads point to the annual E-Prix championship, Kensy and Max find themselves drawn into the middle of a menacing plot. High-powered sports cars are not the only dangers on the streets of Sintra. Someone wants Wolf Motors and the Formula E car race to go up in smoke, and they won't let anything - or anyone - get in their way.

In 1911, Kerenza's da (father) can no longer get work as a miner in Cornwall. She doesn't want to leave her village and take a ship to Australia but Kerenza can be brave for her dad's sake. Where he sees a farm, Kerenza and her Mam see endless mallee scrub, flies and hard work. It's almost too much to bear but the Mallee has its own beauty, and family and new-found friends might just make it her home.

Flick adores her big brother and often sits with him in the evenings solving riddles he shares with her. She knows she will miss him when he goes on holiday to South America. Then, something happens, an earthquake! Right where her brother is meant to be. Flick is desperate to find him, when she uncovers a clue in his bedroom, she begins to unfold new mysteries about her brother that could possibly lead to his whereabouts. Will she find him in time? A compelling story that shares the special relationships between siblings and friends.

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.

A Kind of Spark is a story about courage, friendship and what it means to be different. Bullied by her teacher and abandoned by her best friend, Addie lives every day knowing what it is like to be different. When she learns about the witch trials that happened in her hometown, she knows there is more to the story of these 'witches', just as there is more to her. Can she make the town see that being different is not something to be feared; can she challenge the way they see her?

Chloe Silver is good at looking at the bright side. But staying positive has been difficult since her parents divorced and she had to start at a new school. When Chloe is given the chance to try out for the exclusive It Girls Club, things are finally looking up again. Then Chloe is assigned a science project with offbeat Lucy Tanaka and brainy Theo Barnes. Together they create an experiment that tests how people react to different acts of kindness, officially forming the Kindness Club. Lucy and Theo are fun to be around, and their new club means a lot to Chloe. But the It Girls don't want to share Chloe with anyone else. Can she find a way to be kind to all of her friends, and still stay true to herself?

Ms Skye thinks kids can change the world with a Kindness Project. Nicolette wants to but how can she when Layla treats her like she's invisible and DJ picks on everything she says? Leaf thinks Nicolette can be a superhero. So maybe if they work together they just might do it.

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.

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.

Lampie's job is to help her dad. He's unable to light the lamp in the lighthouse, so she has to do it for him. One stormy night she runs out of matches and the light goes out. A ship is wrecked on the rocks and Lampie is in disgrace. She is sent to be a maid at the Admiral's Black House. She arrives to the rumour that there is a monster at the top of the tower inside the house but what she finds is intriguing, but no monster. Along with a cast of mermaids and pirates, and set against a winswept coastal backdrop , Lampie has to fight to grow up and find her place in the world.

Soledad has always been able to escape into the stories she creates. Just like her mother always could. And Soledad has needed that escape more than ever in the five years since her mother and sister died, and her father moved Sol and her youngest sister from the Philippines to Louisiana. After her father leaves, all Sol and Ming have is their evil stepmother, Vea. Sol has protected Ming all this time, but then Ming begins to believe that Auntie Jove - their mythical, world-traveling aunt - is really going to come rescue them. Can Sol protect Ming from this impossible hope?

Conner Bailey thinks his fairy-tale adventures are behind him - until he discovers a mysterious clue left by the famous Brothers Grimm. With help from his classmate Bree and the outlandish Mother Goose, Conner sets off on a mission across Europe to crack a two-hundred-year-old code. Meanwhile, Alex Bailey is training to become the next Fairy Godmother ...but her attempts at granting wishes never go as planned. Will she ever be truly ready to lead the Fairy Council? When all signs point to disaster for the Land of Stories, Conner and Alex must join forces with their friends and enemies to save the day. But nothing can prepare them for the coming battle ...or for the secret that will change the twins' lives forever.

Conner learns that the only place to fight the Masked Man's literary army is inside his own short stories! When the twins and their friends enter worlds crafted from Conner's imagination, finding allies no one else could have ever dreamed of, the race begins to put an end to the Masked Man's reign of terror. Can the twins finally restore peace in the fairy tale world?

The Masked Man is on the loose in the Land of Stories, and it's up to Alex and Conner Bailey to stop him . . . except Alex has been thrown off the Fairy Council, and no one will believe they're in danger. With only the help of the ragtag group of Goldilocks, Jack, Red Riding Hood, and Mother Goose and her gander, Lester, the Bailey twins discover the Masked Man's secret scheme: he possesses a powerful magic potion that turns every book it touches into a portal, and he is recruiting an army of literature's greatest villains! So begins a race through the magical Land of Oz, the fantastical world of Neverland, the madness of Wonderland, and beyond. Can Alex and Conner catch up to the Masked Man, or will they be one step behind until it's too late?

Alex and Conner Bailey have not been back to the magical Land of Stories since their adventures in The Wishing Spell ended. But one night, they learn the famed Enchantress has kidnapped their mother. Against the will of their grandmother (the one and only Fairy Godmother), the twins must find their own way into the Land of Stories to rescue their mother and save the fairy tale world from the greatest threat it's ever faced.

When the twin's grandmother gives them a treasured fairy-tale book, they have no idea they are about to enter a land beyond all imagining: the Land of Stories, where fairy tales are real. But as Alex and Conner soon discover, the stories they know so well haven't ended in this magical land; Godilocks is now a wanted fugitive, Red Riding Hood has her own kingdom,and Queen Cinderella is about to become a mother! The twins know they must get back home somehow. But with the legendary Evil Queen hot on their trail, will they ever find the way?

In this highly anticipated finale, Conner and Alex must brave the impossible. All of the Land of Stories fairy tale characters - heroes and villains - are no longer confined within their world! With mayhem brewing in the Big Apple, Conner and Alex will have to win their biggest battle yet. Can the twins restore order between the human and fairy-tale world?

Lani Scrub has a plan: study hard and become a world-renowned scientist like her hero, Kit Galway, who wrote The Meaning of the Universe. The plan is ruined when Lani's mum decides to 'find herself' by joining a nature-loving community called Passing Waters. Lani should have known things were up when they got backyard chickens. At Passing Waters Lani fails every test thrown her way - despite coaching from nine-year-old nature kid Lentil and a chef/astronomer named Meadow. Turns out failing is hard, and what's worse is their tree change is making her question the meaning of the universe ...And when the community's future is threatened, will Lani Scrub pitch in to save the day?

April has a once in a lifetime chance to spend six months in the Arctic circle with her scientist father and no one else. She hopes this time alone with her father will help reconnect them after the sad death of her mother, but the work of a climate scientist in an age of melting ice caps is never ending. Bear Island has not had a polar bear in decades due to the loss of ice, but as April finds herself wandering further and further on the island, she meets an unlikely, unhealthy and unforgettable new friend.

Layla is Griffin's best friend and he is determined to help Layla with her problem. She doesn't have a special person to take to senior citizen's day at school. The search for a suitable person leads to a new friendship.

Toby and his mum and dad are leaving their family farm after the death of Toby's younger sister Leah. Together they sort through all of their belongings and put things aside to sell or throw out. Toby doesn't want to leave the only place he's called home. As his last day on the farm approaches, Toby has a plan to say goodbye to all the things and places that mean something special to him and Leah. With the help of his best friend, Trigger the dog, he learns what it means to take your leave.

Alice loves the bush where she lives. She has a deep connection to a lyrebird who visits her 'every other day' and develops a close friendship to an elderly neighbour who loves the bush as much as she does. An amazing surprise discovery motivates her to make decisions about her future.

Left and right are all around us. From our hands and feet to our eyes and ears, the notion of left and right is inescapable. Left and right control how we travel and play sport, and even how we eat. The vast extent of how this deceptively simple subject shapes our lives is revealed in the Left And Right book!

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.

Lenny Spink is a watchful, caring, and sharp older sister to Davey, her sweet, charming and unusually big younger brother. She is ever mindful of the challenges and moods of her single parent mother, the curious lives of the various characters in her neighbourhood, and the dark reality which comes with her brother's rare disease causing him to grow at an unhealthy and alarming rate. The regular arrival of 'Burrell's Build-It-at-Home Encyclopedia' give Lenny and Dave a window to a broader world and feeds their imagination and curiosity.

What if Anna and Elsa never knew each other? When a magical accident erases Anna and Elsa's memories, not only of magic but of each other, the sisters are separated for protection. But when Elsa unexpectedly finds herself as a young queen, mysterious magic begins to happen and questions of her past start to form. Will the sisters ever be reunited?

George is having trouble with some boys at school, his dad has lost his job and so his mum has started working all the time. They had to sell their house and move into an apartment. But, moving into the apartment block does bring one good thing - Safer, an unusual boy who lives on the top floor. He runs a spy club and is determined to teach Georges everything he knows.

Zofia and Tom could not be more different. While one is bold and seemingly fearless the other is shy and nervous. When their worlds are brought together they have to learn to trust and conquer their fears.

Ellie and Davey have lost their mother and have been sent to live with a grandfather. In his attic, they discover somethingthat beloged to their mother, This leads to an adventure, involving unscrupulous seal hunters and mysterious caves.

Edinburgh is a city filled with magical creatures. No one can see them.... except Ramya Knox. As she is pulled into her family's world of secrets and spells, Ramya sets out to discover the truth about Hidden Folk with only three words of warning from her grandfather: Beware the Sirens.

Lilli's family is moving from the bush to the city and Lilli is sure she'll be horribly lonely. She'll miss the mangoes, she'll miss her cousins and, most of all, she'll miss her Nan. But, Nan sends a special friend south with Lilli, a secret Shadow to look after her. And, Lilli discovers life in the city isn't so bad after all.

Moses Aaron tells the story of how he met Lily, a cancer patient in the Children's Hospital, and how he told her stories throughout her treatment.

Lily loves all things dark and mysterious. So, when she discovers a magic mirror in a locked room, it seems like a dream come true. With a new friend who needs her help and an older brother who needs to get a life, Lily will require all eleven fingers at her disposal, plus a hefty slice of Grandad's chocolate cake, to fix a long-forgotten mystery that's very close to home.

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.

When Gavin arrives at his grandmother's house, she is nowhere to be found. Thoughts of the football match he is missing and seeing his mates seem insignificant as he realises that he has to find her and soon. Heavy snow is falling and it is getting dark. A trail of footsteps in the snow provides a vital clue and help comes in an unexpected way.

Vithy is in war-torn Cambodia searching for his only remaining family member, his older brother.

Charley and her brother, Alex, are walking their dog, Manfred, on the beach when they meet two old men staring out to sea. They meet by chance and discover how the men are involved in their mother's past and where the name for their dog really came from.

When a country class from remote Mullin have the opportunity to visit Manly beach, three very different outsiders discover themselves and each other. Noah, Lottie and Jack have to learn to value themselves, as they confront bullies, grief, mental illness, and poverty. This trip to the beach could be the beginning of beautiful friendships.

Courtney can't believe she is stuck in Mixton Bay for the summer with no friends, TV or pizza. When Courtney finds a mystical 'Book of Spells' with her name on the box, you could say that Courtney's boring holiday starts to get a whole lot more interesting. With the help of her new friend, Justice, and a special cat, Courtney's life is about to change forever.

The inspiring true stories in this book, prove that no matter who you are or how old you are, nothing is out of reach when you decide to try. Reading each story motivates you to turn your thoughts into action: your dreams into reality. The best way to understand confidence and learn how to harness its secret powers is to see it in action for yourself. From Bali to Brazil, South Africa to Seattle, Australia to Afghanistan, these girls are pursuing their passions, struggling and stumbling, but along the way figuring out how to build their own special brand of confidence. The girls you meet in this book are change makers. We can all learn from their bravery and resilience.

LIly requires regular hospital trips to treat a body which is failing her. This frustrates her greatly and also fuels her worry that the baby her mum is about to have will be easier to love and push Lily to the shadows. It is these shadows in her family home where Lily encounters the monstrous replacement parents who have a terrible plan for Lily. It is with great surprise that Lily discovers several animal companions to help her defeat the monsters in the shadows.

Sophie falls asleep wearing a locket which belonged to her great-great-great-grandmother and is magically transported to 1858 to learn the truth about Charlotte Mackenzie, how she came to be in Australia and what happened to the family's priceless sapphire.

Whether it is on the netball court, stuck between best friends arguing or parents fighting Lola always caught in the middle. How can she choose sides? Now that Lola has been made captain and her team looks like making the State Finals she has even bigger problems and choices to face. Her doctors say she might have to stop playing the game she loves and Lola's mother agrees that netball is not good for her health Lola feels like she's losing from all sides! Will she always be stuck in the middle or will she find a way to stand up for herself?

Flip Little is extremely proud of his family history - the official lightkeepers of Elston-Fright; the lighthouse keepers. When the light is missing, it is up to Flip to restore the protection the lighthouse has always offered to the people of the town. But, the light is not the only thing that goes missing! There are mysteries and secrets to uncover, and magic and magical beings to combat. But will help come from the most unexpected place? Can Flip and his friends Corpse and Girl save their friend and restore the lost magic before it's too late?

This story was going to begin like all the best stories. With a school bus falling from the sky. But no one saw it happen. They were all too busy. Talking about boogers. Stealing pocket change. Skateboarding. Wiping out. Braving up. Executing complicated handshakes. Planning an escape. Making jokes. Lotioning up. Finding comfort. But mostly, too busy walking home. Jason Reynolds conjures ten tales (one per block) about what happens after the dismissal bell rings, and brilliantly weaves them into one wickedly funny, piercingly poignant look at the detours we face on the walk home, and in life.

Looking After Your Mental Health provides an informative and thoughtful exploration of mental health targeted at pre teens. It provides helpful, frank and sensitive discussion on a wide range of topics, from navigating friendships and relationships, to coping with changes at home, to safe use of the internet and the potential impact of social media. Looking After Your Mental Health is an introductory guide to mental health self care.

Though Rio is still a boy, he has been caring for his mother for as long as he can remember. When she has to go to the hospital for an extended period, Rio must go to stay with a grandmother he has never met in a small seaside town far away from home. Here he makes an unexpected connection to his mother and a new community when he finds a remarkable drawing of a grey whale in his mother's old bedroom.