Booklists

Rachel Ettinger and Kyle Bonham led fairly predictable lives until Rachel's jokey picture of Kyle working at the Burger Barn wound up going viral. Suddenly he is insta-famous and everyone on the planet knows about Rachel's silly crush on him... including Kyle. Just as they think their lives couldn't get any more complicated, an innocent photo becomes a whirlwind adventure full of fangirls, haters, and French-fry bouquets that forces them both to questions whether fame -- and love -- are worth the price. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Xander Maze loves lists and his grandmother is #1 on his list of People I Love Most in the World. But now that nanna has stage 4 cancer, can a new list of 100 Remarkable Feats really save her life? Particularly when his list contains difficult things like #2 Make a Friend and #3 Make a Best Friend. A funny and moving book about defying the odds, not accepting the unacceptable and one boy's unconditional love for his nanna. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Alfie Monk is like any other pre-teen, except he's 1000 years old and can remember when Vikings invaded his village and he and his family had to run for their lives. When he loses everything he loves in a tragic fire and the modern world finally catches up with him, Alfie embarks on a mission to change everything by finally trusting Aidan and Roxy enough to share his story, and enlisting their help to find a way to, eventually, make sure he will eventually die.

Colin has an IQ around 200 and no social skills and Hassan understands people and social etiquette stuff so their friendship is the perfect balance. When the nineteenth of Colin's girlfriends (all called Katherine) breaks up with him, the boys decide a road trip is in order. When they end up in Gutshot, Tennessee, they meet a mother and daughter who provide all of the necessary ingredients for some problem solving to occur.

CJ was one of the popular, cool kids at his old school. Now, everything has changed. He is known as Callum, banished to the country to live with grandparents he has never met and who don't seem to want him there. Things are no better at school but worse still is the secret that Callum carries with him night and day.

School is over for Alex Delaney and he's waiting for his tertiary offer which is only seventeen days away. The waiting is killing him. He's not expecting much from January, just bodysurfing and TV, but mainly waiting. So, he's not ready for the girl who cuts past him on a wave. January is about to change.

What happens when the lights go off after what might truly be an end-of-the-world event? How do you stay alive? Who do you trust? How much do you have to sacrifice? Seventeen-year-old Pru Palmer lives with her twin sisters, Grace and Blythe, and their father, Rick, on the outskirts of an isolated mining community. The Palmers are doomsday preppers. They have a bunker filled with non-perishable food and a year's worth of water. One day while Rick is at the mine, the power goes out. At the Palmers' house, and in the town. All communication is cut. No one knows why. It doesn't take long for everything to unravel. In town, supplies run out and people get desperate. The sisters decide to keep their bunker a secret. The world is different; the rules are different. Survival is everything, and family comes first. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Katie and Matt are champion ocean swimmers who love a challenge that will test their training and skills to the limit. Effi and Christie live in a different world which is intense, funny, often overheated and far removed from the beach. When these two worlds meet, in a blend of love and loss, violence and prejudice, only the strongest will succeed in swimming against the tide. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Welcome to Castle Cove - a town cursed with missing girls, bad boyfriends, family secrets and some very steep cliffs. Last summer, Alice Ogilvie's basketball-star boyfriends Steve dumped her. Then she disappeared fro five days. Where she went and what happened to her is the biggest mystery in Castle Cove. Or at least it was. Because now, another one of Steve's girlfriends has vanished: Brooke Donovan, Alice's ex-best friend. And it doesn't look like Brooke will be coming back... Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Moose Flanagan lives with his family on Alcatraz, a high security prison housing the notorious Al Capone, in the 1930s. His friend's plan to make money out of this backfires with serious consequences. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

When Mia follows her sister halfway across the world to Alaska, she discovers that love can be found in the most unexpected and beautiful of places. Mia must find the courage to follow her heart in Alaska. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

RULE NUMBER ONE: I will not turn out like my mother. Mim wants to be anywhere but home -- in a dead suburb and with a mother who won't get off the couch. She's set herself rules to live by, but she's starting to break them. In nine days she'll turn seventeen. What she doesn't know is that her life is about to change forever. And when it does, the same things will look entirely different. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

A collection of interlinked stories set in the late 1940s in an Australian country town which focus on the four young Melling sisters. Each story links the girls and their friends together in a variety of domestic events and problems. The stories present a nostalgic feel for the post-war years. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Maeve Chambers does not have any special gifts. That is, until she finds a dusty old pack of tarot cards. She finds herself able to give readings with uncanny accuracy. When she reads for an ex-friend, a strange card appears and begins a series of events that ensure Maeve faces her inner demons and a power much older and more powerful than even the cards have proven to be.

For Marie-Laure, blind since the age of six, the world is full of mazes. The miniature of a Paris neighbourhood, made by her father to teach her the way home. The microscopic layers within the invaluable diamond that her father guards in the Museum of Natural History. The walled city by the sea, where father and daughter take refuge when the Nazis invade Paris. And a future which draws her ever closer to Werner, a German orphan, destined to labour in the mines until a broken radio fills his life with possibility and brings him to the notice of the Hitler Youth. In this magnificent, deeply moving novel, the stories of Marie-Laure and Werner illuminate the ways, against all odds, people try to be good to one another. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Samira wants to do well, her parents want her to do well, her teachers want her to do well, but the pressure is starting to tell. Can her friends rescue her when it all gets too much? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

All Arkie knows is that things are changing, the vacant block of land is being built on and everyone is talking about going to high school.

Lara Jean is having the best senior year. And there's still so much to look forward to: a class trip to New York City, prom with her boyfriend Peter, Beach Week after graduation, and her dad's wedding to Ms. Rothschild. Then she'll be off to college with Peter, at a school close enough for her to come home and bake chocolate chip cookies on the weekends. Life couldn't be more perfect! At least, that's what Lara Jean thinks... until she gets some unexpected news. Now the girl who dreads change must rethink all her plans -- but when your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?

Edie is a little bit different. She has a disability called cerebral palsy, so she talks slowly and falls over a lot. Edie is Excited with a capital E to star secondary school with best friend Oscar who is the fish to her chips or the banana to her custard. So, when they are put in different classes and Oscar makes new friends, Edie is devastated. But her shaky world is about to change. Edie gets an unusual part in the school play which sets off a series of events that change her life forever. Following her dreams to become an actress will result in a year that is Amazing with a capital A.

Twelve year old Alice Makin is living in a tiny flat in post-war London where many people's homes have been destroyed. Reggie and the man he calls his grandfather come to live upstairs. Alice and Reggie become friends and realise that they share a special talent for making things that they think happen. This is not their only connection and as the story unfolds Alice learns about who she really is.

Twelve-year-old Liam McKenzie patrols his suburban neighbourhood as the Masked Avenger - a superhero with powers so potent not even he can fully comprehend their extent. Along with his sidekick, Richie the Powerbeagle, he protects the people of Franklin Street from chaos, mayhem, evil and low tyre pressure - but can he save them from sadness?

The soldiers she saved called her the Angel of Waterloo. The husband she loved and lost called her Hen. The patients she treated in secret called her Auntie Love. She was Henrietta Bartlett, a surgeon's daughter, a survivor of the Napoleonic Wars. But now the battlefield is just a blood-soaked memory, and Hen dreams of peace, a home, and a society that allows women to practise medicine. On the other side of the world, the newly founded colony of New South Wales seems a paradise. But Europe's wars cast long shadows .. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Angela is the angelic twin and Diabola is the opposite, a pair of twins who can drive their normal parents, the Cuthbertson-Joneses, to distraction. Angela is perfect but, that Diabola, she could just be wicked or she may be a genius.

On 6 November 1939, Anna's father had to go away for a few hours. He left shortly after eleven o'clock and did not come back again. Seven year old Anna is locked out of the apartment and alone. She is hungry and scared, and unsure who she can trust or who she can turn to. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

As life for German Jews becomes ever more dangerous, Anna's parents make the desperate decision to send her to England. But the war follows her to Kent, and soon Anna finds herself caught up in a web of secrecy and betrayal. How can she prove whose side she's on when she can't tell anyone the truth? But actions speak louder than words, and Anna has a risky plan.

Life for Jonah and Manx means fishing for mullet at the lake, watching their school mates party on Friday night and wishing they had the courage to talk to Ella and Rachel. But, their lakeside town is being sold off and, now, life doesn't seem so simple. Manx holds a grudge against the wealthy blow-ins from the city and Jonah just wants his parents to stop arguing. One memorable night at the lake will change everything. A verse novel.

A strange assortment of misfits and losers live at number 33. Runaway Sam has disappeared there, Bohemia's mum is between boyfriends again and Old Isabel acts like she owns the place. The owner, Sleezy Steve, is always trying to squeeze in one more tenant. Maybe their concern for Bohemia, the most caring of them all, can teach these people to care. Strong language used in context and adult themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Luca Mason knows exactly who he is and what he wants: In six months, he's going to be accepted into the Australian Ballet School, leave his fancy private high school, and live his life as a star of the stage - at least that's the plan until he falls down a flight of stairs and breaks his foot in a way he can never recover from. With his dancing dreams dead on their feet, Luca loses his performing arts scholarship and transfers to the local public school, leaving behind all his ballet friends and his whole future on stage. The only bright side is that he strikes up unlikely friendships with the nicest (and nerdiest) girl at his new school, Amina, and the gorgeous and popular school captain, Jordan Tanaka-Jones. As their unlikely bonds grow stronger, Luca starts to wonder: who is he without ballet? And is he setting himself up for another heartbreak? Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Oscar Dunleavy, who used to make the world's most perfect apple tarts, is missing, presumed dead. No one seems too surprised, except for Meg, his best friend, and his little brother Stevie. Surrounded by grief and confusion, Meg and Stevie are determined to find out what happened to Oscar, and together they learn about loyalty and friendship and the power of never giving up hope.

Georgia and Julius meet in an adolescent mental health unit and in a flashback format we gradually find out about the events that led them to both be there. This novel explores highly believable political events in London and Nigeria and explores how Georgia and Julius both ended up in way deeper than they liked. This story is focused on social media and how its impact influences us all. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Nineteen-year-old twins, Justine and Perry, embark on a holiday to North America. Perry has a brain condition that can cause him to become distressed and behave in inappropriate ways, and after the death of their father, Justine has become his sole carer. This trip will mark a shift in their relationship, towards independence, and an opportunity for their absent mother to atone for past mistakes.

Bee Ballentine is starting her first year of high school at beachside Crescent Bay. Still reeling from the departure of her mother who left for an ashram in India, Bee talks to Buddha and begs for her first period not to arrive. She's not ready to become a woman yet, whatever that means. Although Bee has yet to find her group at school, her best friend forever is Leon Mckay, the hottest boy in Year 8. As long as Leon has her back Bee can survive the mean girls, her meddling step-mum Kath, her swimming nemesis, The Piranha.

Margaret Simon, almost twelve, likes long hair, tuna fish, the smell of rain, and things that are pink. She's just moved from New York City to Farbook, New Jersey, and is anxious to fit in with her new friends -- Nancy, Gretchen, and Janie. When they form a secret club to talk about private subjects like boys, bras, and getting their first periods, Margaret is happy to belong. But none of them can believe Margaret doesn't have religion, and that she isn't going to the Y or the Jewish Community Center. What they don't know is Margaret has her own very special relationship with God. She can talk to God about everything -- family, friends, even Moose Freed, her secret crush. Margaret is funny and real, and her thoughts and feelings are oh-so-relatable -- you'll feel like she's talking right to you, sharing her secrets with a friend.

Aristotle is angry and self-doubting, with a brother in prison. Dante is self-assured, with an unusual way of viewing the world. They would seem to have nothing in common. But, as the loners spend time together, a special bond develops. Through their connection, Ari and Dante learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be. Adult themes and language. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Lately, nothing is going right for thirteen year old Arnie. Ever since it happened, his family, especially his mother, has been behaving strangely. At school, he is accused of cheating and now Jacko has challenged him to a fight. He has to get his life sorted out and deal with what happened.

Lottie collects dead creatures and lovingly cares for them, hoping to preserve them, to save them from disintegration. Her father understands - Lottie has a scientific mind, he thinks. Her aunt wants it to stop, and she goes to cruel lengths to make sure it does. And her mother? Lottie's mother died long ago. And Lottie is searching for a way to be close to her. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Evie, Lucy and Gemma are all in hospital for different reasons, and find themselves in a ward together. Despite a rocky start, they gradually become friends. When one of them witnesses a crime from the window, all three band together to solve the mystery and help build each others happiness while doing so. A coming of age novel for anyone in that space between childhood and adolescence.

Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia's family, her land, and her name. Theo was crowned Ash Princess - a title of shame to bear in her new life as a prisoner. For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She's endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside. Then, one night the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn't always won on the battlefield.

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.

What is the colour of love or loss? After an unimaginable tragedy turns her life upside-down, Leigh embarks on a quest that is partly physical, partly magical, and entirely transformative. An artist by calling, Leigh's story is illuminated in colours of all shades and meaning. As she journeys into her family's past and discovers a cultural identity she never knew, she finds the answers she was looking for, and even answers she didn't know she needed. This book deals with issues of grief, suicide and healing. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Jen returns to Ardilla, a well-loved, old holiday home, and struggles to understand the changing relationships between families and friends. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Navigating school is difficult at the best of times, but Amelia has found herself branded with the worst nickname, Maggot. In her attempt to prove her classmates wrong and get away from her nickname and become popular, Amelia makes an even worse blunder.

In New Zealand during World War ll, eleven year old Bert desperately wants the war to continue so that he can join up and use guns. An abandoned derelict bakery becomes a prospective bomb shelter for the family and Bert enjoys his role in setting it up. But, when the shelter becomes home to a deserter, Bert soon learns that the secrets and danger of war don't always stay at the front line.

Henni is looking forward to the Easter holiday at Cauldron Bay with her best friend, Zev, and some of the younger kids from Stella Street. She becomes jealous when her beach holiday is invaded by troubled teenager, Tara.

A teenager is conscripted into the Vietnam War. He has to decide whether he will go, or whether he will dodge the draft by seeking asylum in Canada. The story also considers the effects of earlier wars on other members of the family and their influence on the younger characters.

Her friends live in fancy houses and their parents can afford to send them to the best summer camps. Vera's single mother can't afford that sort of luxury, but there's one summer camp in her price range - Russian summer camp. Vera is sure she's found the one place she can fit in, but camp is far from what she imagined. And nothing could prepare her for all the "cool girl" drama, endless Russian history lessons, and outhouses straight out of nightmares!

Emmy Award-winning ABC News chief national correspondent and Nightline co-anchor, Byron Pitts shares the heartbreaking and inspiring stories of six young people who overcame impossible circumstances with extraordinary perseverance. This book is usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Beatle normally doesn't go out on Friday the thirteenth but this is an exception. And, then, there's the attractive girl wearing sunglasses and reading a book. Not only is her name Destiny but her surname is McCartney, and since his real name is John Lennon, and for a whole lot of other spooky reasons, it seems destined that they will be together. But Beatle already has a girlfriend. Some language in context. Usually read by student in Years 9,10 or above.

In 1947, Bilal is shields his dying father from the truth about the violence that is threatening India and their formerly peaceful community. With determination and help from friends, Bilal persuades others to collude with him in this deception, even printing false pages of the local newspaper. Bilal just wants his father to die in peace but that means Bilal has a complicated relationship with the truth.

Since Ava lost Kelly, things haven't been going so well. Even before she gets thrown out of school for shouting at the principal, there's the simmering rage and all the weird destructive choices. The only thing going right for Ava is her job at Magic Kebab. Which is where she meets Gideon. Skinny, shy, anxious Gideon. A mad poet and collector of vinyl records with an aversion to social media. He lives in his head. She lives in her grief. The only people who can help them move on with their lives are each other. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Tessa needs to be perfect, the perfect daughter, with the perfect marks and the perfect body. But, there is a fine line between being in control and being controlled, in Tessa's effort to achieve perfection. Contains mature themes and some language in context. Usually read by student in Years 9,10 or above.

As Celine Rousseau escapes Paris to 1872 New Orleans, she is hoping for escape and a better future. What she gets is attraction to the glitzy underworld and the members of La Cour des Lions. New Orleans is not all it seems and with a serial killer following her footsteps and her heart betraying her head, Celine is entering a world that may be her downfall. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 or above.

Everyone thinks they know what Jacob O'Leary can and can't do, and they're not shy about telling him either. But, no one, not even Jacob, knows what he's truly capable of. When a shocking and mystifying crime leaves his small country town reeling, and fingers start pointing at a young Muslim boy at his school, Jacob is convinced the police have accused the wrong guy. He's determined to prove it, and himself, to everyone. Challenging book; usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Tiny is an eighteen-year-old girl living on the streets of Sydney, running from her small-town past. She finds short-term accommodation at Hope Lane - a shelter for the homeless - where she meets Nola, a high school student on volunteer placement. Both girls share their love of words through the Hope Lane writing group. Can they share their secrets, too? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

There are truths you can only tell a stranger, and this friendship is the strangest. Ollie and Moritz are best friends, but they can never meet, because if they ever did, one of them will most certainly die. As recluses from society, they develop a fierce bond through letters that become a lifeline. But when Moritz reveals the key to their shared, disturbing past, their friendship faces a test neither one of them expected.

In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerising storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her - from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world's most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it - in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations - and whose story inspires us to do the same. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Sixteen year old Rory (Aurora) is at the crossroads in her life. While her gang plans its next move in a racially motivated turf war, Rory refuses to reveal their names and takes the rap for an attack on the local immigrant community. She is sentenced to community care in an aged care facility. There, she meets resident and ex-boxer Jack, an encounter that leads her to Essam, a young migrant boxer, who will challenge her prejudices and force her to address the mistakes of her past. Some violence. Usually read by Years 9, 10 or above.

In 1985, Kirrali Lewis, a young Aboriginal teenager, leaves her home town in rural Victoria to begin a law degree in Melbourne. Adopted at birth by a white family, Kirrali doesn't question her cultural roots until a series of life-changing events force her to face up to her true identify. Her decision to search for her biological parents sparks off a political awakening that no one sees coming, least of all Kirrali.

Gideon always had a plan. His plans include running for class president, leading the yearbook committee and having his choice of colleges. They do not include falling head over heels for his best friend and next-door neighbour, Kyle. Kyle finally feels like he has a handle on life. He has a wonderful girlfriend, a best friend willing to debate the finer points of Lord of the Rings and social acceptance as captain. Then both Ruby and Gideon start acting weird...Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Grace was supposed to be spending schoolies with her friends, but they have become a little too judgemental for her liking, so she tags along with her brother Casper and his friends, Noah and Elsie. On their first night away, they meet Sierra, a mysterious girl with an interesting idea. She thinks that they should go and camp on an uninhabited island. The gang agrees, and the island time is one of interesting discoveries for all of them.

Year Twelve is not off to a good start for Amelia. Art is her world, but her art teacher hates everything she does; her best friend has stopped talking to her; her mother and father may as well be living in separate houses; and her father is slowly forgetting everything. Even Amelia. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

It all begins with a question: Where did we begin? Oliver Jeffers explores fire first, and the early humans who controlled that fire and grew brains and started to do things with them. A thought provoking look at what guides us and where we came from.

Bee isn't about to change just because her dad is going to remarry. However, when Jazz starts living with dad earlier than expected, Bee knows things will change whether she likes it or not. An unlikely source helps her come to terms with the situation.

This is what happens when your worst enemy, who used to be your best friend, threatens to become your sister. Bindy makes some tough decisions as she faces adolescence and the problems caused by her parents' new relationships. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Based on Matt Okine's award-winning stand-up show, this is a heart-breaking and hilarious story about trying to grow up when everything around you is falling down. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Sixteen year old Carly is interviewing Leah Cartwright for her local history project. Leah resists, determined to tell her own story of a lonely child on an isolated farm, whose only escape is in the world of books. Carly is drawn into the story about Leah's present, past, secrets, an unlikely boy who changes everything, and a rich imagination that rescues her from a grim reality. Includes some violence and adult themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Rosalind wants to talk, she really does, but the only place she can is home. At school or anywhere in public, no matter how badly she wants to, her words get stuck and refuse to come out. Unsurprisingly, this has had a big impact on her life and as a consequence, she has no friends. You can imagine how tough it is for her, then, when she starts in Year 7 at Manor High. Pretty much instantly she is the target of bullies and her life becomes even more miserable than it already was. But a new therapist, and her little brother's total faith in her, lead Rosalind to becoming Miss Nobody - an online voice for the nobodies, the victims, the sad kids. And, at first, this seems to be a real step forward in her fight to be 'normal'. But then Miss Nobody's fame starts to morph into something more sinister. Is Miss Nobody actually just as much of a bully as the real bullies?

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.

Camellia Beauregard is a Belle. In the opulent world of Orleans, Belles are revered, for they control Beauty, and Beauty is a commodity coveted above all else. In Orleans, the people are born gray, they are born damned, and only with the help of a Belle and her talents can they transform and be made beautiful. But it's not enough for Camellia to be just a Belle. She wants to be the favourite, the Belle chosen by the Queen of Orleans to live in the royal palace, to tend to the royal family and their court, to be recognised as the most talented Belle in the land. But once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it becomes clear that being the favourite is not everything she always dreamed it would be. Behind the gilded palace walls live dark secrets, and Camellia soon learns that the very essence of her existence is a lie, that her powers are far greater, and could be more dangerous, than she ever imagined.

Thirteen year old Nate Foster doesn't enjoy his life. He is nothing like his sporty brother, his strict parents seem to be close to divorce and he's bullied about his weight and sexuality (Nate is currently undecided). With his love of Broadway musicals, Nate grabs a chance to escape when he hears about an audition. As his naive plan disintegrates, Nate stays just one step ahead of disaster while keeping his sense of humour.

Sabine is an eighteen year old caught between two lives. Her life in Wellesey is the almost perfect world, a place of glamorous friends, all you could want and a doting boyfriend. Her other life in Roxbury is less than perfect and here she is considered by many as a rebel, out of place. Every twenty-four hours on the stroke of midnight, Sabine moves between worlds. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Inspired by the true story of Muslims who saved the lives of Jewish children in the Second World War. in 1942, in the Grand Mosque in Paris, 11-year-old Ruben is hiding from the Nazis. Already thousands of Jewish children have disappeared. But when the Mosque is raided, Ruben is forced to flee.

Crow was just a baby when she was tied into a boat and pushed out to sea. When she washes up onto a tiny island, there are just 3 clues to her origin; a birthmark in the shape of a feather, a ruby ring and a sea-soaked letter with just a few cryptic words remaining. 12 years later, when a mysterious fire appears across the ocean, Crow starts to wonder who she is and where she came from. Crow will set out on a remarkable treasure hunt, and discover what it truly means to be a family. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

With each year of drought the heat became worse. The lawns and crops withered and died. Buildings began to crumble and collapse, and more people left the city. George and his little brother, Beeper, become worried when their father fails to return from a trip to town for food and fuel. Fear for the safety of their dad quickly becomes a fight for their own survival in the hot and brutal conditions. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A young Aboriginal boy is travelling back to his home on the mission to attend the funeral of a cousin.

Birdie and her dad love being up in the sky in their Tiger Moth plane, Peggybelle. That is, until a terrible accident makes it a matter of life and death, and Birdie finds herself flying the plane alone.

Year 6 schoolgirls must deal with issues of bullying.

A gripping story of two boys whose lives are anything but carefree. Pascal and Kojo work on a cocoa plantation in West Africa and they desperately want to get back to their homes to see if their families are still alive. Global social issues of child soldiers and child labour are sensitively and realistically portrayed.

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

When Farren's father goes missing at sea, all he wants is for his older brother to come home from the war in Gallipoli. But, when Danny returns, he has changed from the person Farren remembers. This is a story of two brothers' struggle to make their way in a difficult world. Mature themes and very strong language used in context throughout. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Ash is drooling over a guitar when he meets Charlie Novak. One jam session later and Charlie convinces Ash to play in his band and Erin to be the keyboard player. Erin thinks Charlie is a fruit loop, with his weird hair and hyperactive rantings. Besides, she's a classical pianist and it'll never work.

Ten year old Subhi is a Rohingya asylum seeker, born in an Australian permanent detention centre, Life behind the fences is all he has ever known and Subhi needs the stories of others to build memories. One night, Jimmie appears from the other side of the wires, bringing a bone sparrow necklace and a notebook, written by her dead mother. As their tales unfold, Subhi and Jimmie might find a way to freedom but not until each of them has been braver than ever before. Usually read by Years 9, 10 or above.

When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother from the dead, she learns she is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy means that she's a bone witch. She puts all her energy into becoming an asha. But dark forces are encroaching, and in the face of danger, Tea will have to make a difficult choice about how to use her power.

Thomas escapes from hypocrisy and domestic violence with wild imaginings and sightings of Jesus. A deeply moving story of a Dutch family, ruled by a violent, bible-wielding father, who survive because of a special child and some very, strong women. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Will's sister, Estelle, has turned into a teenager and transformed the house into a war zone.

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

The compelling, inspiring, and comically sublime New York Times bestseller about one man's coming-of-age, set during the twilight of apartheid and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Ruby's younger brother has died and her family is torn apart. Ruby feels his death so personally that she has shut herself off from her usual world. When she meets Fox, an idiosyncratic but gentle loner, Ruby is drawn into his special, little community. Fox seems to understand what she's going through and offers her a chance to find peace. But, Ruby discovers that he lives in a terrifying, secretive cult community that is far from the ideal world she expected. Gripping, confronting read. Usually read by Years 9, 10 or above.

When Pierrot becomes an orphan, he must leave Paris to live with Aunt Beatrix, a servant in a household at the top of the German mountains. This is no ordinary time. It is 1935 and the Second World War is fast approaching. And, this is no ordinary house, it is the Berghof, Adolf Hitler's home. Pierrot is thrown into an increasingly dangerous world of terror, secrets and betrayal, from which he may never be able to escape.

Eleven year old Dan Hope has a list of things he wants to come true. He wants his sister, Ninja Grace, to go to university at the North Pole and only come back once a year. He wants his dog, Charles Scalleybones the First, to stop eating the planets from his solar system mobile and throwing them up on the carpet. He want to help Sherlock Holmes solve his most daring mystery yet. But, most of all, he wants his dad to love him.

It's a hot summer, and life's going all right for Jackson and his family on the Mish. It's almost Christmas, school's out, and he's hanging with his mates, teasing the visiting tourists, avoiding the racist boys in town. Just like every year, Jackson's Aunty and annoying little cousins visit from the city - but this time a mysterious boy with a troubled past comes with them. As their friendship evolves, Jackson must confront the changing shapes of his relationships with his friends, family and community. And he must face his darkest secret - a secret he thought he'd locked away for good. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Cymbeline Igloo doesn't know how to swim. He has NEVER been swimming. Ever. His mother won't let him near the water and he doesn't know why. After he tries (and fails) to swim on his own, he realises there is a bigger mystery to be solved. Cymbeline and his friends work together to find out why his mum has never taken him near the water.

Matt is having trouble on the football field. Real trouble. All the enjoyment has been sucked out of the game that was once his whole life and now his body seems to be seizing up. He is tired all the time and overwhelmed by thoughts that leave him sure he's second rate. Which is when Matt meets Cliff, an abandoned puppy that needs saving. Perhaps together, they can help each other discover how to be brave.

To find freedom, you must leave behind everything you've ever known. It is 1825. You and Ma have survived on the streets of London ever since the soldiers took Da away and you fled Ireland. Now, with Ma gone too, you find yourself facing life-and-death choices at every turn. Can you carry a secret treasure across the ocean and finally be reunited with Da? You'll be asked to betray your friends, survive storms at sea and attacks by bushrangers, and trust thieves. At every turn, the choice is yours. How far will you go for freedom?

Growing up with the famous Bali surf at his back door, sixteen year old Taj had an idyllic childhood, until ten years ago when his father was arrested for smuggling drugs. He's been on death row in Bali's infamous Kerobokan Prison ever since, leaving Taj in a weird limbo. When an execution date is set, Taj is left with one course of action, bust his dad out of jail and hightail it back to Australia. What follows is the desperate, dangerous rid of a father and son on the run. As events unravel and time runs out, Taj uncovers startling truths about his family, his girlfriend and the stranger he is rapidly falling for.

Jessie and Leslie are close friends who create a magical world for themselves, until a tragedy happens.

Karl and his wild young brother are taken in by their aunt, after their mother abandons them. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Sophie, the diarist, is sixteen and lives in a crumbling castle on the tiny island kingdom of Montmaray with her tomboy sister, her nearly perfect cousin and the completely mad King. She loves it. The war woes of Europe rage about them, sometimes terrifyingly touching their lives, as they struggle to survive. With love interests, humour, suspense and secrets. Usually read by students in Years 9,10 or above.

When thirteen-year-old Lora tells her parents that she wants to join Premier Castro's army of young literacy teachers, her mother screeches to high heaven, and her father roars like a lion. Lora has barely been outside of Havana - why would she throw away her life in a remote shack with no electricity, sleeping on a hammock in somebody's kitchen? But Lora is stubborn: didn't her parents teach her to share what she has with someone in need? Surprisingly, Lora's abuela takes her side, even as she makes Lora promise to come home if things get too hard. But how will Lora know for sure when that time has come?

All Gianna Zales wants to do is compete at the cross-country finals, but there is something standing in her way- a science project. She has less than a week to collect and document twenty-five leaves, and she'll lose her spot on the team if she can't pull it off. With a forgetful grandmother, a hearse-driving father, a mean-girl running rival, and new feelings toward her best friend, Gianna wishes life would just leave her alone to finish the project. Can Gianna Z get the stroke of brilliance she needs to make it all work out?

What happens when you mix teenage boys, a fight club and ethnic rivalries? You get war. Romeo Makhlouf knows the rules. Stick with your own kind. Don't dob on your mates or your enemies. Respect the family. But even unwritten rules are made for breaking. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Brothers, Suresh and Sandeep, end up as street kids in a city far from their home village. They become glass collectors, searching through the rubbish dumps and dirty alleys to find glass to sell in order to survive. But, when Suresh realises his younger brother isn't coping as well as he thought, he must find a way to save Sandeep and himself from a terrible fate.

A father keeps his family locked in a time warp, away from the 20th century. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Brontide is a coming of age story about four boys and their lot in life. Recounted through storytelling sessions at their school over a period of five days, these boys chronicle their lives. They are at times demanding, occasionally rude, always funny and unexpectedly profound. The boys like to challenge themselves and the rules, and soon realise that not everything goes to plan. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

The twins, Tennyson and Bronte, are very different in how they approach the world. This is best seen by the different reactions both have to the large, brooding and mysterious Brewster. While many in the school believe he is a dark and dangerous menace, Bronte befriends him and they begin dating. This is how both siblings notice the horrible scars on Brewster and suspect he is being abused at home. The truth is far stranger.

Josh appears a typical teenager, resentful of his parents' divorce and dad's new girlfriend. Despite a crippling fear of the water, he learns to swim so that he can take part in the Iron Kid Triathlon, Sensitive treatment of mental retardation. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Max, the talking buffalope, has an enquiring mind, a keen sense of humour, and a grumpy disposition. Orphaned by the villainous Neruvians, sold off as a slave to the callous Berundians, he escapes into the wilderness, is attacked by vicious lupers, and rescued in the nick of time by the jester, Alexander Darke. Alexander is young and fairly unsuccessful. Done out in a costume of many colours, he totes his caravan around, entertaining people with (mostly bad) jokes. Max settles in with Alexander and his elvish wife, Sarah. He makes himself indispensable and the partnership prospers. Word gets around, and a Royal Command Performance is arranged. They are top of the bill. But everything that can go wrong goes wrong.... hilarously. The hitherto lugubrious King Cletus is enchanted. Stars overnight, they see off their arch-rival, the bad comic Jonathan Jolly.

Butter is overweight and he knows it. He is unpopular at school and sits alone at lunch. Then he decides to eat himself to death live over the net. Suddenly he is the centre of attention with the coolest group at school - he knows it is only because of his site but he is no longer alone. Will he go through with his dare and will his new found 'friends' let him or make him. Contains mature themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In Zambia, time is running out as Bul-Boo and Madillo try to work out a way to save their friend, Winifred, from a terrifying fate. In desperation, they ask the advice of Ifwafwa, the snake man, who promises to think about the problem. Ifwafwa is wise and has a gift with snakes, but he does not like to hurry and Bul-Boo becomes impatient. Some adult themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

There are steps that must be done, and once done, another step awaits. The last step, after six years of minute planning by her grandmother, is a bus ride away. In A-ma-ri-lo her baby brother has to be waiting. In her imaginings, he is always waiting. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Isaac Itkin can't get away from his thoughts. As a lonely twelve-year-old kid with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), everything from studying to looking in the mirror becomes a battle between him and a swarm of unhelpful thoughts. The strict therapy his mother insists on doesn't seem to be working, but when a group of friends invites him to join their after-school role-playing game, the thoughts feel a little less loud, and the world feels a little brighter. But Isaac's therapist says that exposure to games can have negative effects on kids with OCD, and when his grades slip, his helicopter mother won't let him play anymore. Now Isaac needs to find a way to prove to himself, to his mother, and to the world that the way to quiet the noise in his head may have been inside him all along.

Saffy and Rose have a near death experience on the moors involving a party balloon. Indigo is trying to sort out everybody's love life including his own. More importantly, Caddy has found true love and is about to marry and live happily ever after. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Eleven year old Seymour meets Angie, who is older and beautiful, a dream girl. Seymour is unaware that Angie is a drug addict. Their friendship, and the revelation of this secret, changes both their lives. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

An intense story about the developing, close relationship between Justin, an Australian boy, and Rudi, a sensitive boy from Austria. Their emotional interdependence causes trouble in their peer group as others question the nature of the relationship. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Floss has a special bond with her penniless father with whom she shares a humorous relationship. By ignoring the teasing from her peers, she is able to discover true friendship.

Alton's girlfriend has dumped him, he has no money and no job, so it looks like a long summer holiday ahead. Then he is asked to drive his old, blind and sick uncle to play bridge. His parents are desperate for him to get in his uncle's good books, but Alton soon finds himself enjoying his uncle's company, as well as playing bridge.

One match, one chance, she thinks. Make it count. Skipping school to lead a group of friends - and enemies - on an adult-free excursion to an island in Sydney Harbour is Caro's idea of a twelfth birthday outing. Marooned overnight? She can handle that too. But the challenges multiply. They're not alone on the island, and Caro must save her friends from life-threatening danger.

Simon Snow might be the worst Chosen One ever, at least according to his roommate, Baz. And Baz might be evil and a vampire, but he could also be right. Most of the time, Simon can't make his wand work, he mostly can't find his mentor, and there's a magic-eating monster causing mayhem. Baz would be loving it, except he hasn't even bothered to come back to school for the final year. Carry On is a ghost story, a love story and a mystery. You think you've read this book before, but you haven't. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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 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.

It's 1979 and the sky is falling. Skylab, that is. Somewhere high above Frankie Avery, one of the world's first space stations is tumbling to Earth. And rushing back with it are old memories. Things twelve-year-old Frankie thought she'd forgotten. Things her mum won't talk about, and which her little brother Newt never knew. Only ... did he? Does he? Because as Skylab circles closer, Newt starts acting strangely. And while the world watches the sky, Frankie keeps her own eyes on Newt. Because if anyone's going to keep him safe, it's her. It always has been. But maybe this is something bigger than splinters and spiders and sleepwalking. Maybe a space station isn't the only thing heading straight for calamity.

Nothing's been the same for Beth Teller since she died. Her dad, a detective, is the only one who can see and hear her - and he's drowning in grief. But now they have a mystery to solve together. Who is Isobel Catching, and what's her connection to the fire that killed a man? What happened to the people who haven't been seen since the fire? As Beth unravels the mystery, she finds a shocking story lurking beneath the surface of a small town, and a friendship that lasts beyond one life and into another. Told in two unforgettable voices, this gripping novel interweaves themes of grief, colonial history, violence, love and family. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

When the Bat's away, the Cat will play. It's time to see how many lives this cat really has . . . Two years after escaping Gotham City's slums, Selina Kyle returns as the mysterious and wealthy Holly Vanderhees. She quickly discovers that with Batman off on a vital mission, Batwing is left to hold back the tide of notorious criminals. Gotham City is ripe for the taking. Meanwhile, Luke Fox wants to prove he has what it takes to help people in his role as Batwing. He targets a new thief on the prowl who seems cleverer than most. She has teamed up with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, and together they are wreaking havoc. This Catwoman may be Batwing's undoing. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

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

It's an ordinary morning at school in rural Kashmir when the silence of dawn prayers is ripped apart by gunfire. Freedom Fighters are raiding his village and Rafiq is the first boy to cross the chalkline into a life of brutality and violence. Rafiq's memory of his family has been all but obliterated by his forced training, indoctrination and terrorist actions and is unrecognisable as the boy who left the village. Includes violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Caden is both a high school student finding it harder and harder to fit in at school and keep friendships, and a member of an unusual crew aboard a ship headed to the Marianas Trench under the command of a captain who may or may not be trying to destroy them all. As these two narratives come together, Caden must make decisions with very real and substantial consequences.

Talented Mack loves being in her band at her city high school. She lives between houses - either with her dad and his annoying girlfriend or her easygoing mum. During the holidays, she also loves spending time with her beloved grandmother, riding horses and baking at her country farm. In this pick a path story, you get to make Mack's decisions for her. Potential romance and friendship, break-ups and make-ups lie in store - you have the power to choose, and then choose again!

Steven has to assume much of the responsibility for his little brother when his young mother can't cope. Steven's fears, and the memories that accompany them, are explained as he becomes closer to his mother. Some strong language in context.

Merrick Hilton has done a runner. On his postie bike. With his swag and a need to clear his head before the HSC. He plays his parents and hits the road. But there's no telling how he'll handle life's potholes when things don't go as planned. Thankfully Victor - an old bloke he meets on the road - knows a bit about broken postie bikes, and broken hearts. Will Victor, Merrick, and the dog survive road-kill, the kindness of strangers, a rave, mindless violence and unexpected romance? There's only one way to find out. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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.

Charlie Duskin is fleeing from failures, friends and running towards a father who won't 'see' her. Rose is suffocating in her small town, trapped by parents who couldn't chase their own dreams. When they get the chance to get to know each, other their lives will change forever.

Sam is thirteen and has recently moved from Sydney to Melbourne with her high powered, busy parents. She has started at a new school and feels lonely and isolated. Sam logs onto chat rooms for company and begins a friendship with Chatman, a charming seventeen year old. But, Chatman is not what he seems and the developing friendship takes a sinister turn. Addresses contemporary problems associated with the anonymity of chat rooms and internet predators. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

A story about the strength of one young girl separated from her family during the 2nd World War and sent to live with strangers in England. While the war drags on over years and Lisa dreams of seeing her family again she clings to the one gift her mother told her to never loose, her music. Lisa's piano playing would go on and brighten the lives of all those around her in the darkest of times and her story reminds us not just of the power of music, but of the amazing resilience and humbling kindness of the human spirit. For anyone who enjoyed The Diary of Anne Frank.

A young girl is thrown out of her home by her cruel stepmother onto the dangerous streets of Shanghai. She takes refuge in a Martial Arts Academy and becomes part of a new family. A secret mission changes her life dramatically. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

What happens when you've saved the world and now you have to go back to being an ordinary person? What happens if saving the world has left you with significant trauma and you find ordinary life hard to live? What happens if 15 years after saving the world the evil reappears and you are called upon once more to be the hero? Can you do it all again? Are you strong enough? Are you sane enough? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

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

It's 200 years since Cinderella found her prince, but the fairytale is over. Sophia knows the story though, off by heart. Because every girl has to recite it daily, from when she's tiny until the night she's sent to the royal ball for choosing. And every girl knows that she has only one chance. For the lives of those not chosen by a man at the ball are forfeit. But Sophia doesn't want to be chosen - she's in love with her best friend, Erin, and hates the idea of being traded like cattle. And when Sophia's night at the ball goes horribly wrong, she must run for her life. Alone and terrified, she finds herself hiding in Cinderella's tomb. And there she meets someone who will show her that she has the power to remake her world ...

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.

From Australia's best-loved storyteller comes the final book in the bestselling Matilda Saga This is the story of our nation, told in a single sweeping love story Jed Kelly has finally persuaded her great aunt Nancy to tell the story of her grandparents. The tale that unfolds is one of Australia's greatest romances, that of Clancy of the Overflow, who gave up everything for Rose, the woman he adored, and yet still gained all he'd left and more.

In a dead-end town like Barwen, sixteen year old Clancy feels like a freak. She has a dysfunctional family, a real interest in Nature Club and a big crush on the local hot girl. Then, her dad is involved in a smash that kills two teenagers and the family must deal with the hostile town. Clancy meets someone who might become a friend and Sasha starts to show what may be a romantic interest. This is the summer when Clancy has to figure out just who she is. Adult themes, language. Usually read by years 9, 10 or above.

Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people... In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal's office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash. Separated by distance - and Papi's secrets - the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered. And then, when it seems like they've lost everything of their father, they learn of each other. In a dual narrative novel in verse that brims with both grief and love, award-winning and bestselling author Elizabeth Acevedo writes about the devastation of loss, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the bittersweet bonds that shape our lives. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A celebration of friendship and following dreams. When Clementine and Rudy meet they forge a friendship that inspires them both. Clementine and Rudy may be from different backgrounds but together they tackle the difficulties each of them face.

Deserted by her father and kept in the dark about her brother's accident, high schooler Ashley Davies has her own secrets. When she enters a forbidden rock climbing contest to teach her bully a lesson, she ends up uncovering old wounds about her family's connection to another's heartache. Climb is a coming of age story of resilience, grit, and self-discovery.

Sin is dying. He has been poisoned by his blue blood. The traitor who poisoned him has escaped and is set on revenge. The Covert Operations Group (COG) tasks Sin, his friend Zonda Chubb and their frenemy Velvet Von Darque with recapturing the traitor WHATEVER THE COST. They must battle skypirates and the terrifying CLOCKILL to complete their mission. Can Sin survive long enough to save his friends, himself and the day?

A war torn country, a town that is burning. Ten year old Malik's mother has been missing for days, his home has become unrecognisable and the grandfather he hardly knows is insisting they leave on the final ship, to a country promising safety and a new life. When Papa meets two old friends, he makes a deal that could save them. But, this is only the beginning of the journey for Malik. If he is to escape, he will need all his courage, his sense of right and wrong, and a magic trick that he must practice until it's perfect.

For sixteen year old scholarship student Van Uoc Phan, magic has never been part of the plan. She is all work and no play; responsible and rational; quiet on the outside, the noise of her tumbling private thoughts kept neatly within. So, when she makes a wish about golden boy rower, Billy Gardiner, and it seems to come true, her sense of rationality as well as her sense of self are thrown into a state of flux.

Jimmy Jo becomes a great country and western singer and finds his family is not what it seems.

When Taylor is accepted as a finalist for a diverse writers' internship at Saturday Night Live, it turns her life upside down. And if Taylor wants a shot at winning, she'll have to come out about both of her secrets- being a comedienne and a lesbian. The only thing keeping Taylor from self-combusting is her pining for Salem's most bewitching actress - out and proud classmate, Charlotte Grey. So when Taylor finds herself sitting opposite Charlotte to discuss a school project, Taylor's simmering need to tell everyone exactly who she is and what she wants burns hotter than ever .

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.

With an embarrassing Dad, a pregnant Mum, a loser brother and knicker-chewing dog, Cassidy feels practically invisible in her family. When she starts high school and is forced to wear her gross big brother's old blazer and old-lady lace up shoes, Cassidy wonders if life can get any worse. But, when her school has a test and she is marked as gifted and talented, Cassidy starts to have a little faith in herself. Surely the school didn't mistake her picked-at-random answers.

Cassidy can't wait to enrol at Dance and Drama Academy summer school. She's always dreamed of discovering her hidden talent. But, with auditions looming, Cassidy is gripped by stage fright. As big brother, Liam, keeps reminding her, she does have a knack for embarrassing herself. Cassidy is terrified that her stage debut will turn out to be an all-singing, all-dancing disaster.

When Cassidy starts an online petition for a uniform change, she is thrilled to be invited to join the school magazine as a reporter. The editor is the very popular Year 10 girl. But, her plans go pear-shaped when her investigations mysteriously end up online. Cassidy must find out who is leaking her top-secret gossip.

Millions of Australians have been affected by war. Many servicemen and servicewomen have faced extraordinary dangers, while their loved ones waiting at home suffered months, and even years, of uncertainty. Yet, despite the difficulties, a strong sense of shared experience, friendship, and camaraderie often developed.

Nash finds himself pulled between his two parents after their divorce. This is not uncommon, however his mum is the local police officer and his dad is a retired boxer and former prisoner who finds himself needing to come up with a large amount of money very quickly. Nash finds his love and loyalty to his father tested as he is involved in his father's past mistakes and present schemes.

There is something strange about Coraline's new home. It's not the mist, or the cat that always seems to be watching her, nor the signs of danger that Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, her new neighbours, read in the tea leaves. It's the other house - the one behind the old door in the drawing room. Another mother and father with black-button eyes and papery skin are waiting for Coraline to join them there. And they want her to stay with them. For ever. She knows that if she ventures through that door, she may never come back.

Willow Chance is a twelve year old genius, obsessed with nature, diagnosing medical conditions and counting by 7s. It has never been easy for Willow to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents. Willow has led a quietly happy life until her parents die in a car crash, leaving her alone in a baffling world.

Mileva's family tree includes resistance fighters and patriots, and she was raised on the values of brotherhood and unity. Marko was born into a family where love is earned, not given, and was branded early on as a troublemaker and a lost cause. Despite their differences, the two grow to become best friends. Yet as the 1990s approach, Yugoslavia begins to crumble and ethnic tensions arise. No longer inseparable, their different cultural backgrounds force Mileva and Marko apart. Through tragic events Mileva struggles to make sense of her identity as she attempts to salvage all that is left of the life and love she once had. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

For McKay, living on the South Crongton council estate has become even tougher since his mum died. His dad is working all hours, his brother rides the streets at night, tempting trouble. And, after an heroic but misguided mission to help a girl, McKay is facing a crazy ex-boyfriend, power-tripping hood-rats and a violent gangster. He never asked for trouble. During one mad night of adventure and danger, McKay will find out who his true friends are and what it means to stick with family. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

How do you go from living a perfectly normal suburban life with your family to finding out your mother was once married to a powerful and violent warlord fairy and your sister is half fairy too? What happens when you are taken away to live with this man's family in the fairy world - how do you survive when you have no fairy powers or qualities to protect you. What happens when you meet the dangerous and cruel Prince of Fairies who seems to particularly resent you living in his world? And can you ever grow to love the man who is your father in the fairy world. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Jules' mother wins a cruise and, on board, he discovers it's full of older passengers. There's little choice of companionship other than Adrian, his dancing-obsessed cousin, the very beautiful Jenna, wheelchair-bound Suzi Q and bully, Barry Barnes. Falling madly in love with the unobtainable Jenna, Jules develops a strong friendship with Suzi as she steers him through his unrequited love, with unexpected results.

Clio's family were potters, although her father came from another land and worked with horses. Clio only left the kiln for a short time, to check on her horse, but the consequences of what she saw would change her and her village forever. When raiders are spotter just off the coast, the Goddess asks for the unthinkable. Clio must face many obstacles, deal with grief, find new friends and save a village. Her grandmother creates a statue to save Clio's life, but will it be enough?

Martin is the runt of his family. Without a mother to protect him, his overbearing father and brothers reject him. Martin finds the courage to fight for personal fulfilment.

Natalie is living proof that love is a scam. She's traumatised by her parents' failed marriage and overwhelmed by her grandmother's expectations of good Lebanese girls - marriage, motherhood and exceptional tabouli-making skills. When her best friend decides to get hitched to a guy in the motherland, Nat's not exactly thrilled by the mammoth task before her: juggling cultural traditions, extra bridesmaid dresses and super-judgemental relatives. And to top it off there's the annoyingly good-looking best man and his constant need to mansplain all of the things. Natalie is in for the trip of her life. But can she save her friend from the cult of romance, without falling in love herself? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Patch is out of place at Mountford College- she wears the wrong clothes, she's not sporty or popular, she lives in a small flat above her dad's record shop a world away from the leafy suburb where she goes to school. And she has a secret long-term crush on basketball star Evie Vanhoutte. Evie barely knows Patch exists until an accident involving a bottle of ink and Patch's school uniform sparks a friendship that's equal parts exhilarating and terrifying, and very, very confusing. As if that weren't enough, Patch is also trying to deal with a jealous school bully, forgetting to be supportive of her transitioning best friend, Edwin, and worrying about how a potential new stepmother could throw everything off course. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Ditty was born to dance but she was also born Jewish. When her strictly religious parents won't let her take ballet lessons, Ditty starts to dance in secret. Keeping her two worlds apart will come at a huge personal cost.

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 Storm is a deadly force that surrounds the city and curses everyone in it. Vesper Vale and her ex-revolutionary father must evade both the storm and the queen's soldiers by using dangerous experimental magic. When her father is captured, Vesper must find a way to infiltrate the elite squad of soldier-sorcerers, lead by the powerful Prince Valca. When Vesper learns there's more at play within the deadly Storm, she must risk everything to fight - including her heart. This book contains adult themes, including depictions of death and violence. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Sorina is 16 and lives in the travelling city of Gomorrah - famous for it's talent shows, jynx-workers and criminality. She's the daughter of the 'Proprietor' and therefore due to inherit control over the city. This inheritance takes a deadly turn when members of her 'illusion' family start dying. Will Sorina find the killer before more of her illusions are taken from her and what will she do when she discovers the truth of how close to her the killer is? Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Jinx and MacKenna are thrown into survival mode as they fight their way across a war-torn country to rescue their little brother Charles. They will question themselves, their ideas and the integrity of everyone around them, before they get to the bottom of the political conspiracy that caused the civil war. Their only hope for survival, and rescuing Charles, might be following Dr. Doomsday's Guide.

Aaron has left school and is starting a job as assistant to a funeral director. Although uncommunicative, Aaron is a willing and capable worker. But, his home life is fraught. Aaron lives at a caravan park and is the sole carer of his guardian, who's on the verge of dementia. And, Aaron is frightened. He walks in his sleep and has nightmares he can't explain and memories he can't recover. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Laney Curtis is in Year 8 when her mother develops breast cancer rejecting chemotherapy because she is pregnant. This touching story describes Laney's struggle with the possibility that her mother may die. Also, Laney develops a plan to snare Andy Carter, a student at her school. Best suited to mature readers. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Deep in a Derbyshire valley live two girls, twins, so alike that even their family can't tell them apart. But tragedy is waiting. When the valley is sold to be flooded for a huge dam, the villagers are forced to leave their homes and the twins' lives change for ever. Deep secrets are uncovered and desires, love and grief rise to the surface.

When her mum suddenly disappears, Danni moves to a tiny Cornish fishing village with her Dad, where the locals treat her like a monster. As the village's dark, disturbing past bubbles to the surface, Danni discovers that she's not who, or what, she thought she was. And, the only way to save her family from a bitter curse is to embrace her incredible, new gift, however impossible it seems.

On the jumbled streets of the island of Lady's Crave live Hark and his best friend Jelt. They are scavengers: living off their wits, diving for relics of the gods, desperate for anything they can sell. But now there is something restless stirring beneath the waves, calling to someone brace enough to retrieve it. Something valuable. Something dangerous...

While stumbling through a harsh world of hopes and expectations, teenage journalist, Eddie Innocent, meets the stunning but strange Destiny. As they work together to solve a painful mystery, Eddie wonders if he's finally discovered the front page news story he's been looking for.

For as long as she can remember, Pepper Stark has wanted one thing: to join her father, the Captain, aboard the magnificent RMS Aquitania on a voyage to New York. She has never been allowed to set foot on her father's ship - until now. From the decadent food to the star-studded passenger list, travelling First Class on Aquitania is every bit as glamorous as Pepper had imagined. And most dazzling of all is American stage sensation Perdita West, wearing the world-famous Saffron Diamond around her neck. When the priceless jewel disappears mid-voyage, Pepper unexpectedly finds herself entangled in the crime.

Red Liston entertains the reader with diary entries about his teenage exploits.

A swim in the sea results in Libby catching an infection which paralyses her legs and leads to a different life. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Macy Cashmere lives with her mother, but her mother doesn't really know how to be a proper, caring parent. Her school has classified her as "disturbed" and she is in a special class due to her behaviours and her learning difficulties. Macy has only one good friend, Alma, but she has offended her. Macy will do anything to win Alma's affection again. Macy's brother has been taken by Child Protection Services and if Macy is to avoid the same fate, her mother needs to shape up and get a real job. Macy's world is fraught with danger and all she wants is to belong. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Amal is a typical sixteen year old. When she decides to wear a head scarf to school, her Islamic faith, personal strength and friendships are tested. An insight into contemporary Australian ethnic and religious issues. Strong language in context. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

This story follows one dog's quest to understand his mission in life when he finds himself reborn as a new puppy after living a short, previous existence. When he is introduced to his new owner, eight year old Ethan, the two are immediately inseparable and Bailey lives an adventurous full life with his boy learning how to be a good dog. However, just when he thinks he has life figured out, he again finds himself reborn as another puppy. Bailey is very confused and wonders - what is his purpose?

Cameron and his mum have been on the run for five years. His father is hunting them. At least, that's what Cameron has been told. When they settle in an isolated farmhouse, in the middle of nowhere, Cameron starts to see and hear things that aren't possible. Soon, he's questioning everything he thought he knew and, even, his sanity. Cameron must uncover the dark secrets buried in the past, before they tear him apart.

A mysterious bequest sends Rosy and Jaz on a race against time to identify thirteen strange and wonderful objects - which turn out to tell the story of medicine, from the superstitions of ancient Egypt to the modern-day ethical dilemmas of genetic testing. Can unicorns cure leprosy? What secrets of the brain did Michelangelo conceal in his Sistine Chapel paintings? Did a zombie discover the cure for scurvy? Does homeopathy actually work? Why did an Australian scientist decide to drink dangerous bacteria? Is grapefruit evil? Did the bumps on Ned Kelly's head predict his fate? And how exactly did parachuting cats save a village from the plague?

How to save a dragon: 1) Assemble equipment. Water, Weet-Bix, sugar, syringe, sticky tape, scissors. 2) Believe in everything. Pip never wants to go home. She likes to sit at the waterhole at dusk and remember Mika, her best friend. At home her mother's not the same since her boyfriend moved in. They don't laugh anymore and Pip has to go to bed early, turn off her light and pretend she doesn't exist. When she finds a half-dead creature at the waterhole, everything changes. She knows she has to save this small dragon and return it to where it comes from. But how?

Hero Rad is still very immature and finds himself kidnapped and sold into slavery. Quentaris is invaded and nearly all of the citizens are forced to wear slave neck collars.

Callie loves theatre. But, she can't really sing. Instead, she's the set designer for the drama department's stage crew and, this year, she's determined to create a set worthy of Broadway, on a school budget. But, Callie will need to learn about carpentry, try and sell tickets and help the crew work well together. But, once the actors are chosen, the offstage dramas don't help, and the two cute brothers who enter the picture just make things crazier. Graphic novel.

When a young boy visits his grandfather, their lack of a common language leads to confusion, frustration, and silence. But as they sit down to draw together, something magical happens-with a shared love of art and storytelling, the two form a bond that goes beyond words.

All her life, Safina's parents have dreamed of returning to Grandpa's native village in Crimea. But, exchanging their sunny Uzbekistan house for a squalid camp is more like a nightmare for twelve year old Safi. She wonders whether this strange land can ever become home. A compelling story about the Crimean Tatars' struggle to reclaim the land from which they were exiled in the Second World War.

When fiery Maud Mary Flynn is adopted, she leaves Barbary Asylum with high hopes of being cherished. Little does she know that the sisters who have adopted her require her for their family business, a shadowy extortion racket of the early 19th century that uses spiritualism to fleece the susceptible and tragic. Into this web stumbles Mrs Lambert, grieving mother of a drowned child.

Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. When until Will takes a job at the local fast food joint, she meets Private School Bo -- a hot former jock. Will is unsurprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back. Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant -- along with several other unlikely candidates -- to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she'll shock the hell out of Clover City -- and maybe herself most of all. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Musical lover Riley has big aspirations to become a director on Broadway. Crucial to this plan is to bring back her high school's spring musical, but when Riley takes her mom's car without permission, she's grounded and stuck with the worst punishment: spending her after-school hours working at her dad's game shop. Riley can't waste her time working when she has a musical to save, so she convinces Nathan - a nerdy teen employee - to cover her shifts and, in exchange, she'll flirt with him to make his gamer-girl crush jealous. But Riley didn't realize that meant joining Nathan's Dungeons & Dragons game... or that role playing would be so fun. Soon, Riley starts to think that flirting with Nathan doesn't require as much acting as she would've thought...

Cecilia grew up on a farm, with her six brothers, in rural Queensland. She despised her neighbours, the Kapernicky girls. When Cecilia returns as an adult, secrets which were deeply buried come to the surface. Contains adult themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

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

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.

Clem is thirteen years old, and her whole world is changing whether she likes it or not. From Santa, to boyfriends, her body, and her complicated relationship with her parents. Normally she would rely on her best friend Bridge to help steer her through, but it seems like even that friendship is changing too. As a new school year starts, and Clem and her friends head off on school camp, Clem finds herself in lots of tricky new situations.

Elise's life takes a turn for the worse. She's bullied at school and now feels embarrassed by her best friend, Franklin, who's decidedly uncool, and she's struggling to cope with new arrivals in her home. Elise receives a mysterious key left for her by her father. A key that unlocks one of the eight doors upstairs in the barn. As Elise begins to unlock her past, she starts to realise that she can take control of her future.

Eleanor is new in town. And she stands out instead of fitting in, with her mismatched clothes, her wild red hair and her chaotic home life. The day she sits in the seat next to Park on the bus, impossibly cool Park, she starts to learn what it means to fall in love. Set over the course of one school year, Eleanor and Park fall in love thanks to late-night conversations and a stack of mix tapes. They have nothing and everything to lose. They are more real than any other character you will ever meet. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

For ten year old Eli Book, the summer of 1976 threatens to tear his family apart. There's his distant mother, his traumatised Vietnam vet dad, his rebellious sister, his anti-war protesting aunt, and his tough, yet troubled, best friend, Edie. As tempers flare and his father's nightmares rage, Eli watches from the sidelines. But, soon, even he cannot escape the current of conflict.

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

Princess Theodosia was a prisoner in her own country for a decade. Renamed the Ash Princess, she endured relentless abuse and ridicule from the Kaiser and his court. But though she wore a crown of ashes, there is fire in Theo's blood. As the rightful heir to the Astrean crown, it runs in her veins. And if she learned nothing else from her mother, she learned that a Queen never cowers. Now free, with a misfit army of rebels to back her, Theo must liberate her enslaved people and face a terrifying new enemy: the new Kaiserin. Imbued with a magic no one understands, the Kaiserin is determined to burn down anyone and everything in her way. With more at stake than ever, Theo must learn to embrace her own power if she has any hope of standing against the girl she once called her heart's sister. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 & above

Meet the Outhwaite children. There's teenage Else, the violinist who abandons her violin. There's nature-loving Clancy. There's the inseparable twins, Oscar-and-Finn, Finn-and-Oscar. And then there is Sibbi, the baby of the family. They all live contentedly squabbling in a cottage surrounded by trees and possums...until a letter arrives to say they have inherited the old family home in London. Outhwaite House is full of old shadows and new possibilities. The boys quickly find their feet in London, and Else is hoping to reinvent herself. But Sibbi is misbehaving, growing thinner and paler by the day, and she won't stop talking about the mysterious endsister. Meanwhile Almost Annie and Hardly Alice, the resident ghosts, are tied to the house for reasons they have long forgotten, watching the world around them change, but never leaving. The one thing they all agree on - the living and the dead - is never, ever to open the attic door...Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Ever since the witch cursed Babs, she turns invisible sometimes. She has her mum and her dog, but teachers and classmates barely notice her. Then, one day, Iris can see her. And Iris likes what they see. Babs is made of fire. Iris grew from a seed in the ground. They have friends, but not human ones. Not until they meet Babs. The two of them have a lot in common: they speak to dryads and faeries, and they're connected to the magic that's all around them. There's a new boy at school, a boy who's like them and who hasn't yet found his real name. Soon the three of them are hanging out and trying spellwork together. Magic can be dangerous, though. Witches and fae can be cruel. Something is happening in the other realm, and despite being warned to stay away, the three friends have to figure out how to deal with it on their own terms. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Living one hundred years apart, two seventeen year old men are artists and share a love of painting. In 1915, Maurice enlists to fight in World War l and his story allows us to see the brutality and futility of war, as well as the friendship and loyalty that develops. A century later, it is Maurice's diary, preserved in a tin box, that saves his deeply-troubled nephew, Oliver, from entering a downward spiral. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Maddy is allergic to the world. She hasn't left her house in seventeen years. Olly is the boy next door. He's determined to reach her. A story about the crazy risks we take for love. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Since the death of his sister, Evie, Munro Maddux has been stuck. Flashbacks. Anger. Chest pains. A constant ache in his right hand. And a taunting voice he calls the Coyote. In an act of desperation, Munro heads off on a student exchange to Australia - the country of Evie's dreams. Forced by his new school to join a volunteer program, Munro discovers the Coyote is silenced in one place: Fair Go, an assisted-living residence in Brisbane's west. Munro gets to know his team of residents: designer Bernie; sleeping refugee Shah; would-be wedded couple Blake and Dale; comic creator Iggy; and self-defence tutor Florence. As this unlikely group shows Munro the sights, Munro's notion of what it means to be a big brother begins to change. But the burden Munro carries is not so easily cast aside. Will the Coyote triumph? Or can Munro find the fortitude necessary to mend his heart? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The controversial marriage of Otello, black football star, and Desmerelda, socialite and white pop icon, attracts jealousy and betrayal. The poor, street kids like Bush fight just as desperately for their family to survive. Realistic street language and drug references. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

In Nova City, there are the Extraordinaries - Shadow Star: a protector who can manipulate darkness in his quest to protect those who cannot protect themselves. His arch-nemesis is Pyro Storm: an Extraordinary capable of controlling fire who is bent on bringing Nova City to its knees. And then there's 16 year old Nicholas Bell: who isn't Extraordinary in the slightest. He's Shadow Star's number one fan, writing fan fiction of their adventures together. Too bad ADHD isn't a superpower, otherwise Nick would be golden. Instead of stopping villains, Nick must contend with starting his junior year, a father who doesn't trust him, and a best friend named Seth, who may or may not be the love of Nick's short, uneventful life. It should be enough. And it is...until a fateful encounter with Shadow Star forces Nick to realize his true destiny. He's tired of being ordinary, and he'll do whatever it takes to become something more. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

There have been fires before, but not like this. In 1978, as the hot wind howls and the grass dries, all who live at Gibber's Creek know their land can burn. But when you love your land, you fight for it. For Jed Kelly, an even more menacing danger looms: a man from her past determined to destroy her. Finding herself alone, trapped and desperate to save her unborn child, Jed's only choice is to flee - into the flames. Heartbreaking and powerful, Facing the Flame celebrates the triumph of courage and community, and a love for the land so deep that not even bushfire can erode it.

Not that long ago, the Scientist discovered that all sadness, anxiety, and anger disappeared when you removed your heart. And that's all it took. Soon enough, the hospital had lines out the door - even though the procedure numbed the good feelings, too. Everyone did it. Everyone except high school student June. But now the pressure, loneliness, and heartache are mounting, and it's becoming harder and harder to be the only one with a heart. One day, June comes across an abandoned heart in a jar. The heart in the jar intrigues her, it baffles her, and it brings her hope. But the heart also brings her Max, a classmate with a secret of his own. And it may rip June's own heart in two.

Isola Wilde sees lots of things others don't. But when a dead girl appears at Isola's window, full of threats, Isola needs help. Can her real-life friends and her brother-princes - magical creatures seemingly lifted from the pages of the French fairytales Isola idolises - protect her. Isola needs to uncover the truth behind the dead girl's demise... before the ghost steals Isola's last breath. Explores concepts for older readers. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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

A fruitless search is mounted for Grace. Kip, the last person to see her on the beach before her disappearance, may have harmed her or a dark and sinister stranger could be involved. Adult themes with strong and coarse language in context. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The Nest was the best thing my dad ever built, and he built it for me. He built it when we moved into the new house - him, me and Mum. I thought it was wonderful. Outrageous. But then Dad went there to hide from the world, and from Mum, and everything started to go wrong...

This glorious new edition of Newt Scamander's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (considered a classic throughout the wizarding world) features an extraordinary array of magical creatures, from Acromantula to Yeti via ten different breeds of dragon - all beautifully illustrated in full colour by the brilliantly inventive, Greenaway Medal shortlisted Olivia Lomenech Gill.

When Odette starts her list of things that aren't fair, living on the road with her parents and her exasperating younger brother is at the very top. But hundreds of miles later at her grandma's house, Odette discovers just how unfair life can really be. With so much that is out of her control, Odette tries to make things right again.

Angie is broken - by her can't-be-bothered mother, by her high-school tormenters, and by being the only one who thinks her varsity-athlete-turned-war-hero sister is still alive. Hiding under a mountain of junk food hasn't kept the pain (or the shouts of "crazy mad cow!") away. Having failed to kill herself - in front of a gym full of kids - she's back at high school just trying to make it through each day. That is, until the arrival of KC Romance, the kind of girl who doesn't exist in Dryfalls, Ohio. A girl who is one hundred and ninety-nine percent wow! A girl who never sees her as Fat Angie, and who knows too well that the package doesn't always match what's inside. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Sam has been saving his paper-round money for years to buy a boat. When a mysterious person doubles the money in his bank account, Sam could never imagine the trouble it would cause.

Despite the tumour-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But, when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

When the river rises and the city of Paris begins to disappear under water, Frederic decides to help those who can't help themselves. But as his heroic acts escalate, so does the danger. Frederic will have to battle an escaped zoo animal and fight off pickpockets and looters, but as the waters subside, can he find justice for his father and find out what courage really means?

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

Two years after a downward spiral took her as low as you can possibly go, Suzanne is starting again. Again. She's back in Brighton, the only place she felt she belonged, back with her best friends Caddy and Rosie. But they're about to leave for university. When your friends have been your light in the darkness, what happens when you're the one left behind? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 & above.

Juno and the Taris inhabitants must leave their dying island for a wider life Outside. It is two year old Hera who saves the Taris people from the injury and death prepared for them by an underground group of protestors. Despite the hate campaign, the young people are entranced by the fashions, the technologies and, best of all for Juno, the freedom from extreme control. Usually read by students in Years 9,10 or above.

What if there was a secret organisation of the leading medical experts that allowed young medical students to carry human experiments out - on themselves? This is the premise of this psychological thriller. Miri is a gifted 17 year old medical student who is willing to test her theories on herself. But, who really is in control? What is Miri up against, and what has she got to loose? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Since the disappearance of her identical twin sister nine years ago, 16-year-old Frankie has kept her distance from everyone. Despite the years that have passed, she spends her days scanning and searching for her sister. When the police fail to find an 11-year-old runaway, Frankie takes it upon herself to find her. Despite her best attempts to stay out of the public eye, this earns her a reputation as a 'finder'. Enter Elias - an extrovert with an extravagant sense of fashion and endless enthusiasm, who is looking for his birth mother. When Elias offers to employ a cash-strapped Frankie to track down his birth mother, she reluctantly agrees. What follows next is a journey of self-discovery as both Frankie and Elias uncover the things that truly define them. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Following a bullying incident at school, Audrey can't leave the house. She can't even take off her dark glasses inside the house. When her brother's friend, Linus, stumbles into her life, his friendly smile and funny notes gradually entice Audrey outside the house. With therapy and Linus' help, Audrey begins to feel she can do the things she'd thought were too scary. Finding her way back to the real world might just be achievable.

When Darcy Abbott is sent to live with her surly grandmother and her silent great-grandmother, she finds the silences and secrets at home, and the name calling and bullying at school, hard to endure. A school project sets her on a search for the truth about her great-grandfather, Darcy Charles Fletcher, one of hundreds of prisoners of war who died when the Montevideo Maru was sunk in World War II.

Ray has no time for romance. She's queen of the roller rink, writes found poetry, and has her eyes firmly set on her own independent future. Orion looks like the jock his father wants him to be, but really he's a hopeless romantic. When he spots Ray, it feels like the stars have aligned. But could the past stand in the way of love, and cross their stars forever.

The autobiographical highs and lows of a creative human's life in the world are captured in a collection of personal comics. Go on a journey of self discovery and appreciation with Noelle Stevenson. Usually read by students in year 9, 10 and above.

It's 1954 and Ingrid's family has hit hard times. Her father has gone, her two brothers have been fostered out and there's no money. When her mother asks her to do something she knows is wrong, something completely against her principles, Ingrid is desperate for help to make her own decisions and fight for what she believes in.

A German teenager is sent to a prisoner of war camp in the bush near Perth. From a position of pride and resistance he finds a new sense of self. Sixty years later another adolescent is escaping from the tragedy of a dead sibling and finds the ruins of the camp. As he reflects on his guilt he meets a girl and her grandfather on a pilgrimage back to the site of the POW camp.

Samuel is missing on his twelfth birthday, and his sister must delve into family history to find out why.

Bill's traditional Greek grandmother is very ill and leaning on him to resolve some family problems that are worrying her. Bill walks the family tightrope to clear the family of some problems.

When the Nazis attacked, Sophie FitzOsborne and the royal family of Montmaray escaped their remote island home. But, now that war has come to England, nowhere is safe. Sophie fills her journal with tales of wartime, while desperately waiting for news of her brother, last seen flying over enemy territory. But, hope springs up in surprising places, and love blooms unexpectedly.

As nations scramble to avert war, Sophie FitzOsborne and her eccentric family shelter in England. In keeping with high society expectations, Aunt Charlotte wants to marry off Sophie and Veronica. Toby is charming and lazy, Henry is driving the governess mad and Simon and Veronica's battle of wills continues. Sophie tries to keep her family together, when everything is falling apart. Usually read by students in Years 9,10 or above.

Lorenzo is special. He seems to be able to communicate with animals. Which is odd, because he sometimes has problems communicating with people. Lorenzo has a particular bond with the flamingos that live in huge flocks on the marshes around his home in the Camargue. Lorenzo also loves music, and routine, and every week he visits the local town market with his mother. That's where he meets Kezia, whose parents own and run the wonderful carousel that captures his attention. Kezia shows Lorenzo how to ride the wooden horse, or cheval, as her mother plays the organ and in time they become firm friends. Life is good. But then the war intrudes, the Germans finally arrive and everything that Lorenzo and Kezia hold dear is threatened, even the flamingos. Yet, where there is life, there is hope and even amongst the occupying soldiers there are kind souls.

One cold, winter morning, dad gets sick and goes into hospital. It's there that I meet Harry, with his scruffy hair and firefly eyes. From his window, we watch a wild swan on the frozen lake outside. There's something different about her, almost magical. Perhaps, if we can help her, everything else will begin to make sense.

17 year old Delilah's crazy life is about to get crazier. Ever since her father took off overseas, she's been struggling to run the family's cafe without him and survive high school. But after a misjudged crush on one of the cool girls, she's become the school punchline. With all that's on her plate she barely has time for her favourite distraction - spying on the beautiful Rosa, who dances flamenco at the tapas bar across the road. Only her best friend Charlie knows how she feels about Rosa, but he has romantic problems of his own. When his plan to win an older woman's heart goes horribly wrong, Del is the only one who can help himl. All this leaves Del grappling with some seriously curly questions. Is it okay to break the law to help a friend? How can a girl tell another girl she likes her without it ending in humiliation and heartbreak? And - the big one - is it ever truly possible to dance in public without falling over? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Two young women a century apart are mysteriously connected. While 21st century Lizzie abandons old friends and makes reckless choices, 20th century Evie's dreams are torn apart by WW1. Lizzie and Evie will discover strength and courage from unexpected places. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

When Claudia accidentally eavesdrops on the epic breakup of Paige and Iris, the it-couple at her school, she finds herself in hot water with prickly, difficult Iris. Thrown together against their will into a class production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, along with the goofiest, cutest boy Claudia has ever known, Iris and Claudia are in for an eye-opening senior year. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

1969. While astronauts are navigating to the moon, Sharnie is navigating her way through her first year in high school (just). She wonders if the world will change when man walks on the moon. However much Sharnie wishes things would stay the same, change is coming. She feels less included in the life of her older sister, Cas, who is growing up and growing away from her. Family life gets rocky as her patriotic dad discovers Cas has met a returned soldier and is intent on making a stand about conscription and Australia's involvement in the Vietnam war. At school, Sharnie's only friend Mia is also drifting away from her towards her nemesis, Ellie. She usually finds comfort at her grandma's but Grandma is becoming forgetful lately and Sharnie is worried. Although it is hard, will Sharnie be courageous enough to moonwalk, to find her own way?

Ben and Noah play in opposing teams in a footy-obsessed town. They each dream of playing on 'The G' and this is their make or break season. When an ugly sledging incident occurs in a match, Ben and Noah's worlds intersect and a fledgling friendship develops. But, their friendship seems impossible as Noah faces racial prejudice and Ben must decide whether to reject the racism, which is even coming from his own family.

Nella is a nature loving, fifteen year old, grieving her father's estrangement and her mother's mental illness. In a bid to restore the family, Nella goes to Phillip Island to bring her Dad home. But, she discovers he has a new partner, whom he plans to marry. Nella also discovers the friendship of an older girl, also with an intense love of nature, who helps Nella understand her relationship with her father.

It's tough being the youngest and Rose is feeling lonely. The family is busy doing their own things and Rose comes home to a quiet, empty house every day. School is no longer a peaceful place either because of her new, irritating teacher, Mr Spencer. Rose is having a difficult time with reading and is deeply disappointed when no-one has time to shop for a Christmas tree.

Margaret is running away to Foreverland. She hopes she can escape all the changes in her life by living in this amusement park. It's tricky but how else do you get to sleep in a Haunted House? She meets another runaway, Jaime, who is just like her and teachers her how to live in Foreverland. But their secrets and true lives are slowly shared, and they need to make some big decisions.

Seven year old Foster Sumner likes toy soldiers, tadpole hunting, going to school and the beach. Best of all, he likes listening to his dad's stories. But, when Foster's dad starts forgetting things. No one is too worried at first. Foster and Dad giggle about it. But, the forgetting gets worse and, suddenly, no one is laughing anymore.

A boy finds that he is drawn to the lives of foxes that live near his grandmother's home.

Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters by her best friend, Decker. By then, her heart had stopped beating and her brain had stopped working. Delaney is declared officially dead. Then, she starts breathing and the doctors are mystified. Outwardly, Delaney has completely recovered but she knows something is wrong. Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying.

A story of a mother pining for her homeland, an eccentric old lady and a very sensitive, teenage boy.

Frankie and Joely are best friends. It's summer and they escape the city and their mums for a country holiday. But, when Joely introduces Frankie to Thommo and Mack, her country cousins, it's soon clear that more than the heat is getting under their skins. Simmering jealousies and festering secrets test their friendship. Local boy Rory stirs things up even more and secrets start to blister. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Fifteen year old Robbie knows bad things happen in Walgaree. But, it's nothing to do with him. The Aborigines have always been treated this way. In 1965, racial tensions are at boiling point and something is headed to Walgaree that will blow things apart. Robbie must take a stand. Nothing will ever be the same. Based on true events in Australia when university students drew attention to racism and segregation.

During China's 'Great Leap Forward', Ming survived the famine that killed his parents. He now lives a hard but adequate life, working in the fields. As part of a Communist Party re-education program, a group of city boys arrives, unused to hard labour and village life. Despite his reservations and their differences, Ming befriends a boy called Li and, slowly, they form a bond over evening swims and shared dreams. As the bitterness of life under the Party begins to take its toll, Ming and Li begin to imagine the impossible, freedom.

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

Someone stole the Mona Lisa. Okay, it was over a hundred years ago, but a recently uncovered letter reveals that the thief forged a copy. That means that the painting in the Louvre now is a fake. And the real Mona Lisa could be anywhere! Friday Barnes needs to find the truth - and the real painting. She's going undercover as an art student, along with her partner-in-crime-solving, Melanie, and her staggeringly good-looking boyfrenemy, Ian. As they watch the comings and goings of France's most famous art gallery, they see some very strange things. Amid digital pickpockets, guerrilla graffiti and projectile perfume, Friday soon discovers that the Paris art scene is a hotbed of crime.

When Henni's stubborn old neighbour Willa insists on returning to her childhood home in the Netherlands for a wedding, Henni leaps at the chance to be her travelling companion. 'Lucky duck! Fantastic opportunity!' That's what everyone in Stella Street said. 'Oh boy, chance of a lifetime.' But during the long flight to Amsterdam, Willa reveals to Henni the real reason for her journey: a terrible family secret stretching back to the Second World War. As Henni makes friends with more and more of Willa's relatives, she must decide if they should know the truth. And is that the only mystery?

Aspiring filmmaker and wallflower Twinkle Mehra has stories she wants to tell and universes she wants to explore, if only the world would listen. So when fellow film geek Sahil Roy approaches her to direct a movie for the upcoming Summer Festival, Twinkle is all over it. The chance to publicly showcase her voice as a director? Dream come true. The fact that it gets her closer to longtime crush, Neil Roy-aka Sahil's twin brother? Dream come true x 2. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above. When mystery man 'N' begins emailing her, Twinkle is sure it's Neil, finally ready to begin their happily-ever-after. The only slightly inconvenient problem is that, in the course of movie-making, she's fallen in love with the irresistibly adorkable Sahil. Twinkle soon realizes that resistance is futile: The romance she's got is not the one she scripted. But will it be enough? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Louis has to adapt to moving from the city to a country, coastal town as well as dealing with the Year 8 bullies and the tragic Tilly. His dad's shop hasn't sold a single thing, his mum's lost her job and Louis wants to return to the city. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A Monster Calls meets Coraline, in this spellbinding story about the power of the imagination. The real world is a hostile place for twelve-year-old Bren, his schooldays stalked by vicious bully, Shaun, and his family life fractured at home. Ever since his sister Evie died in an accident, Bren's only safe space is Furthermoor, an imagined world of mechanised trees and clockwork animals, where Evie is still alive. In Furthermoor, no one can hurt Bren...until the mysterious Featherly arrives. Now Bren is forced to confront his deepest fears and decide if his place in the real world is worth fighting for. Enter a world as vast and dark as your imagination, in this unforgettable coming-of-age story about courage, friendship and finding your voice.

Set in a Melbourne in the near future we meet Piper who is a deaf teenager who's mother is determined that she pass a 'normal'. Piper starts to realise her isolation and lack of belonging due to her mother's beliefs. Climate change has left people unable to afford to drive their cars or buy tickets on public transport. Planes no longer fly. Due to corporate control, fresh food is hardly available and most people eat genetically modified foo. Piper has to navigate the usual teenage concerns, whilst discovering who she is as a young adult, experiencing her fist love and standing up to corporate greed.

Ash is used to taking hits on the field for his high school football team - until he takes one that doesn't just impact his body, but his whole reality. It starts with one small shift, but with every game, every hit, Ash finds himself pushed through a succession of universes almost-but-not-really like his own, until the small shifts in reality become significant shifts in Ash's own identity. As Ash experiences life from other perspectives, he starts to question the world he thought he knew, as well as the ones he finds himself catapulted into. For better or worse, the one thing Ash knows is that he's got to find a way to put things back.

Jamie is a sixteen year old maths whiz. His wild, older sister, Summerlee, has dropped out of school. Tensions at home run high. With Jamie's help, Summerlee wins millions in a lottery and cuts all ties with the family. But, money can cause big trouble. When their younger sister is kidnapped for a ransom, Jamie thinks he can use game theory, the strategy of predicting an opponent's actions, to outfox the kidnapper and get Phoebe back. It's a very risky strategy. Mature themes and language. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A boy tries to fit into American society after he has grown up in India. The story concerns the death of a parent and details a traditional Indian cremation.

Jim Bloggs, a lavatory assistant, is dissatisfied with his life and wishes to rise above his station, if only he had more education. Encouraged by his wife, Hilda, he explores options such as being a cowboy. He finally settles on being a highwayman but not everyone sees his trusty steed, and his quest to rob the rich and give to the poor, in a positive light.

Get even follows four high school students , Bree, Olivia, Kitty and Margot who have nothing in common however someone wants to get revenge on them. This fast pace revenge story has lots of twists and turns and chapter cliffhangers.

Stacey and Laney are twins - mirror images of each other - and yet they're as different as the sun and moon. Stacey works hard at school, determined to get out of their small town. Laney skips school and sneaks out of the house to meet her boyfriend. But when Laney disappears one night, Stacey can't believe she's just run off without telling her. As the days pass and Laney doesn't return, Stacey starts dreaming of her twin. The dreams are dark and terrifying, difficult to understand and hard to shake, but at least they tell Stacey one key thing - Laney is alive. It's hard for Stacey to know what's real and what's imagined and even harder to know who to trust. All she knows for sure is that Laney needs her help. Stacey is the only one who can find her sister. Will she find her in time? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Is Gilbert real or a ghost? Martin doesn't much care - at least he is helping to distract his brother from his illness. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Eva has been famous since before she was born. Every milestone, her first word, her first tantrum are all recorded and uploaded online for the whole world to see. All because her parents overshare her entire life on their super successful internet channel. And now they have posted about her first period. She has had enough. Enough of the stupid outfits, constant teasing at school and no privacy ever. She is taking back control of her life, even if it means taking down her own parents.

Lucy always knew that her idea of Prince Charming was different to that of other girls. And then she meets Kaelyn online and everything starts to make sense. Maybe her Prince Charming is a girl. An inspiring and uplifting memoir about falling in love and finding yourself.

Lu and Minyi have always known their places as princesses of the empire - Lu, her father's favourite, is destined to be the first female emperor, while Minyi, her mother's favourite, is resigned to live in her shadow. When their father names their male cousin Set as heir, their lives will never be the same again. Betrayal, manipulation and unlikely alliances plague the royal sisters. While Lu fights to reclaim her birthright, Minyi's hidden powers are awakened. The effect could be cataclysmic. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

In Cairo, fifteen year old Aaron makes a living gathering garbage. But, Aaron has dreams of a better life, which includes Rachel who looks after the ponies that pull the stinking garbage carts. Aaron's skill at sorting glass is the only thing that keeps him alive. His mother is dead and his stepfather and stepbrother bully him. Aaron makes a choice that changes his life. Usually read by students in Years 9,10 or above.

Kitty hates her mum's boyfriend, whom she calls Goggle-eyes. Yet, when he leaves, Kitty finds that she misses him.

Two years ago, Bridge, Tabitha and Emily made a pact never to fight, ever. Now, in high school, they are still friends but things are changing. Bridge meets Sherm, Emily is getting lots of attention from Patrick and Tab wants to save the world. A plan that quickly spirals out of control threatens their friendship.

With news of the death of her father on a distant battlefield, 14-year-old Angelique Lacroix must grow up very quickly to take care of her mother and her farm so that her brother who is also away fighting, has something to return to. The only way to do that however, is to travel across war-torn France with her flock of Toulouse geese. She learns heartbreaking but valuable lessons along the way about the nature of human beings when pushed to the brink of survival, and what she is prepared to personally sacrifice to save the ones she loves.

In a world where women have no rights, sisters Serina and Nomi face two very different fates: one in the palace, the other on an island prison where women must fight to survive. Serina has spent her whole life preparing to become a Grace - selected to stand by the heir to the throne as a shining example of the perfect woman. But her headstrong and rebellious younger sister has a dangerous secret, and one wrong move could cost both sisters everything. Can Serina fight? And will Nomi win? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Raised as a boy, twelve year old Grayson has never felt comfortable in her own skin and longs to be able to express her true gender identity. She is a loner, eating her lunch in the library, trying to avoid the class bullies. Home is not much better. Although she has lived with her aunt, uncle and two cousins for years, she isn't close to them. They don't know the real Grayson. No one does. But, when Grayson impulsively signs up for school play tryouts and then auditions for the leading role, things begin to change.

It's school holidays and Gracey is coming home to Cunningham, a remote country town. Everything looks different, even frightening. When her brother, Dougy, finds three aboriginal bones, a chain of events causes Gracey to reconnect with her Aboriginal heritage. Includes coarse language and adult themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Gracie Faltrain is back and she couldn't be happier. Her team won the Championships, she scored a few goals and a boyfriend, as well. Just as she's settling down to a new season of soccer, the stakes are raised. Coach has entered the team in the Firsts - a boys only league. To prove herself, Gracie has to fight harder than ever before. The other teams will do anything to keep her out of the game, and if she makes it, they'll do anything to see her lose. But Gracie is sick of losing. She's sick of seeing friends, like Martin and Alyce, unhappy. Gracie decides it's time to take control and even the score for everyone, on and off the field.

Three friends seem to be on the verge of juvenile delinquency, terrorising an old woman who then comes to their aid when one of them is threatened.

Jess is intrigued with her grandmother's life as a buffer girl in a cutlery shop in Sheffield.

So many ghosts are haunting the streets of Melbourne. When a plague of Lingerers, Moaners, Thugs and Weepers descend, Anton Marin and Rani need to work overtime to keep the people safe and send the ghosts on their way. When his long lost Aunt reappears through a portal to the Elsewhere, Anton is unsure if he can trust her, even more so when he realises her connection to the blood thirsty Trespassers, The ragged Sisters.

It's a great escape, but will Peter survive it? When Peter's family leaves for a trip across the border, he stays behind. So when the government builds a wall through the city, guarded by soldiers, tanks and ferocious dogs, he's trapped. Everyone says he might never see his family again. But Peter has a courageous plan

It's the first day of Grade Ten, and Winifred is going to reinvent herself. Now that her two best (and only) friends have transferred to a private school, Win must navigate high school on her own. Luckily, she isn't alone for long. In art class, she meets Oscar and April. They don't look or act like the typical teenagers in her town: they're creative, a little rebellious and seem comfortable in their own skin in a way that Win can only dream of. But even though Winifred is breaking out of her shell, there's one secret she can't bear to admit to April and Oscar, or even to herself - and this lie threatens everything. Win needs to face her own truths, but she doesn't need to do it alone. Through the healing power of clandestine sleepovers, op-shopping and zine publishing, Win finds and accepts what it means to be herself. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Astrid is popular, clever and an environmental activist. Hiro is rude, resentful, and doesn't see the point of school. When they meet, Hiro's wrangling shopping trolleys and doesn't recognise Astrid, who's wearing a lobster suit to highlight a threatened species. She wants to change the world, he wants to survive it. But, ultimately, both believe that the world needs to be saved from itself. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

The Drew children combine with Great-Uncle Merry and Will Stanton to seek the Greenwitch and locate the stolen grail.

A boy writes a story about a symbolic Greylands to explain his mother's mental illness and her eventual death. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Erin Vincent's parents are killed in a terriblecar crash when she is just fourteen. The book recollects how Erin, her seventeen year old sister and three year old brother are left to cope on their own. A really powerful book that gives an honest account of being a teenager, and dealing with usual teenage concerns and real emotions in the aftermath of losing both parents.

Layla Karimi has been cursed by the evil eye. Well, that's what Layla's superstitious grandmother tells her. And Layla reckons it makes sense as she's sort of Australian and sort of Lebanese: a 'halfie' who doesn't really fit into either world. And when all hell breaks loose at the first beach party of the summer, Layla finds herself caught between her friends and the Lebanese kids who call themselves 'the Cedar Army' (of which her cousin Sufia is the Queen Bee). One group has been wrongfully accused and Layla knows the truth that would clear their name. But will she speak up?

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

Selby has mastered the art of going unnoticed and seems happy avoiding most school work and friendship dramas in this way. All goes well until her school contacts Selby's parents and they are not happy. With the help of her tutor, Selby finds herself not just reading Hamlet, but trying to help him understand his misery and murderous inclinations.

A girl, who is mad about motor bikes, finds happiness in a run-down bike shop. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Anh Do, comedian and television personality, arrived in Australia as a baby in a boat full of desperate family members who suffered the perils of the sea. A mother's sacrifice, a father's heroism and their adventures in a new land are inspiring. Some strong language used in context. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

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

A mystery surrounds Harry's late father, a Vietnam veteran. Grandfather knows but he won't say, and no-one in Harry's family wants to have anything to do with Grandpa. Harry spends a lot of time recording Grandpa's memories of heroic action in World War ll. After Grandpa addresses Harry's class at school, the mystery is solved, leaving Harry devastated. Some adult themes and coarse language in context. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Seventeen-year-old Sophie hates Monday mornings, socks worn with sandals, and having to strategise like she's a battle sergeant every time she asks her parents if she can go out. But she especially hates being stereotyped because she's Lebanese. When New Guy, Shehadie Goldsmith, is alienated at her Lebanese school because his dad's Australian, she hates the way it makes her feel. Like she's just as prejudiced as everyone else. Like she could make a difference if she stopped pretending she's invisible. Like the attraction between them might be too strong to fight... But hate is such a strong word... Can Sophie find the strength to speak out - even if it means going against everything she's been brought up to believe? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Suburban Australia. Sweltering heat. A three bedroom blonde-brick house, a family of five with a beaten-up Ford Falcon. Vegemite on toast. Maxine Beneba Clarke's life is just like all the other Aussie kids on her street. Except for one, glaring, inescapably obvious thing. A challenging read. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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

Steven's obsession with Avery leads him into what seems to be a childish game. It is, in fact, a very dangerous game. The players include Steven's unsuspecting friend, Tala, Connor, who is rumoured to have been in juvenile detention and may be a dealer, and his sister, Jade, a very hostile goth, and Avery. Their journey of self-realisation has unexpected outcomes. Mature themes and strong language in context. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Juno and her family arrive at their new home But, when Hera senses danger, they move back to New Plymouth and Fairlands School. Juno is reluctant to return to Fairlands, where Hilto's son goes, and where the handsome Ivor makes her uncomfortable and confused. When Hera is taken by mysterious strangers, Juno must use her special mind powers to save her sister. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Endurance overcoming grief and the importance of family and friends. Heartland is a recovery centre for horses that have been rescued from neglect and physical cruelty. Amy and her mum try to rescue an abandoned stallion but disaster strikes.

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 left hand corner of the screen.

Nick and Charlie are best friends. Nick knows Charlie's gay, and Charlie is sure that Nick isn't. But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is discovering all kinds of things about his friends, his family ... and himself. Heartstopper is about friendship, loyalty and mental illness. It encompasses all the small stories of Nick and Charlie's lives that together make up something larger. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Charlie didn't think Nick could ever like him back, but now they're officially boyfriends. Nick's even found the courage to come out to his mum. But coming out isn't just something that happens once - there's Nick's older brother, and a school trip to Paris, not to mention all the other friends and family - and life can be hard, even with someone who loves you by your side. As their feelings get more serious, Charlie and Nick will need each other more than ever before. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Charlie didn't think Nick could ever like him back, but now they're officially boyfriends. Charlie's beginning to feel ready to say those three little words: I love you. Nick's been feeling the same, but he's got a lot on his mind - not least coming out to his dad, and the fact that Charlie might have an eating disorder. As summer turns to autumn and a new school year begins, Charlie and Nick are about to learn a lot about what love means. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above

"Nick and Charlie are very much in love. They've finally said those three little words, and Charlie has almost persuaded his mum to let him sleep over at Nick's house ... But with Nick going off to university next year, is everything about to change? Contains discussions about mental health, eating disorders, and sexual experiences. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

'The full-colour Heartstopper Yearbook is packed full of exclusive content from the Heartstopper universe - including never-before-seen illustrations, an exclusive mini-comic, a look back at Alice's Heartstopper artwork over the years, character profiles, trivia, and insights into her creative process - all narrated by a cartoon version of Alice herself. By the winner of the YA Book Prize, Heartstopper is about love, friendship, loyalty and mental illness. It encompasses all the small stories of Nick and Charlie's lives that together make up something larger, which speaks to all of us. Usually read by students in Years 9,10 or above.

Heartstream: The app that allows you to feel everything. Amy Becker is a star. She's used Heartstream to broadcast every moment of her mother's illness. It's the realest, rawest reality TV imaginable, and it's everywhere. On the day of her mother's funeral, she goes home to find a fan of hers in the kitchen. The woman has rigged the house, and herself with explosives - and she's been waiting to talk to Amy for a very long time. Amy is about to discover just how far true obsession can go. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Pete and his dad are running from the secret service. Pete is confused about his life and his dad's behaviour but knows they must hide when they hear a helicopter. A sensitive and empathetic story of mental illness. Adult themes and strong language. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

When Nishat comes out to her parents, they say she can be anyone she wants - as long as she isn't herself. Because Muslim girls don't like other girls. Nishat doesn't want to hide who she is, but she also doesn't want to lose her relationship with her family. And her life only gets harder once a childhood friend walks back into her life. Flavia is beautiful and charismatic and Nishat falls for her instantly. But when a school competition invites students to create their own businesses, both Flavia and Nishat choose to do henna, even though Flavia is appropriating Nishat's culture. Amidst sabotage and school stress, their lives get more tangled - but Nishat can't quite get rid of her crush on Flavia, and realizes there might be more to her than she realized.

Felipe is fat. And he doesn't need anyone to remind him, which is, of course, what everyone does. He's been waiting for summer: a break from the classmates who tease him incessantly. His plans include catching up on TV, finishing his TBR pile, and watching YouTube tutorials. But then Felipe's mom invites Caio, the neighbour kid from apartment 57, to spend 15 days with them while his parents are on vacation. Felipe is distraught because A) he's had a crush on Caio since, well, for ever, and B) Felipe has a list of body image insecurities and absolutely NO idea how he's going to entertain his neighbour for two full weeks. Suddenly, the days ahead of him that once promised rest and relaxation end up bringing a whirlwind of feelings, forcing Felipe to dive head-first into every unresolved issue he has had with himself - but maybe, just maybe, he'll manage to win over Caio, too. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Samuel Johnson and Hilde Hinton, along with their late sister, Connie, have raised more than ten million dollars for cancer research. In this book, they have written a collection of simple stories about ordinary Australians who have faced extraordinary circumstances. All of these regular people, people you would meet on the street, have found reasons to stay positive and focused on believing in the power of kindness and positive thinking. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

A witty and dry account of a teenage boy's struggle to get by in his teenage years and his quest for normalcy. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

When Melati Nelson wins a scholarship to an elite Melbourne high school, she buries her bad girl past. But after the school unfairly punishes her, a defiant Mel steals a diary from the school counsellor's office, only to discover a coded cry for help. The diary belongs to Devi, a young Indonesian girl who is being held by traffickers. Mel races against the clock, in a desperate journey that takes her from Melbourne to Java, to work out Devi's identity and where she's being held. Before long the pieces fall into place and Mel must put her own life on the line to save a girl she's never met. A gripping and original novel that explores privilege, responsibility, and the difficult and dangerous choices we are sometimes forced to make.

Vicky was the daughter of a great warrior, Kathleen, who had escaped the clutches of the queen. She was protected by gargoyles and the people who loved her mother. After an unexpected turn, she needs the help of those people more than ever. She is sent to the school her mother went to: Corvis, and finds new friends and secrets to her past. Can she repair the wrongs that have been made in the past and will she have to do it all alone?

Hayley tends to her bees and follows the rules in the only world she has ever known. Until she witnesses the impossible: a drip from the ceiling. A drip? It doesn't make sense. Yet she hears it, catches it. Tastes it. Curiosity is a hook. What starts as a drip leads to a lie, a death, a boy, a beast, and too many awful questions.

Stanley is not surprised when a miscarriage of justice sends him to Camp Green Lake Juvenile Detention Centre. Nor is he surprised when he is told that his daily labour is to dig a hole, five foot wide and five foot deep, and report anything he finds in it.

Morrigan Crow and her friends have survived their first year as proud scholars of the elite Wundrous Society, helped bring down the nefarious Ghastly Market, and proven themselves loyal to Unit 919. Now Morrigan faces a new, exciting challenge: to master the mysterious Wretched Arts of the Accomplished Wundersmith, and control the power that threatens to consume her. But a strange and frightening illness has taken hold of Nevermoor, turning infected Wunimals into mindless, vicious unnimals on the hunt. As victims of the Hollowpox multiply, panic spreads. And with the city she loves in a state of fear, Morrigan quickly realises it's up to her to find a cure for the Hollowpox, even if it will put her - and everyone in Nevermoor - in more danger than she ever imagined.

Rudra is an Indian-Australian boy at a crossroads, poised to step into the world of adulthood and to discover his cultural heritage and how that might truly define him. A wonderful exploration of dual heritage, cultural identity, family and the power of storytelling. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A friendship between a young adolescent girl called Possum and Olga, a Dutch World War II refugee, reveals past and present histories, connections and relationships. Grief and loss are sensitively handled and resolved. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

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

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

It's the summer holidays and thirteen year old Frankie Jones has a dilemma: she can go to London with her mum, but that means seeing Jack again, an old crush who has hurt her in the past; or she can go on a beach holiday with her dad, but that would involve hanging out with Dad's new girlfriend as well. In this pick a path story, you get to make Frankie's decisions for her. Make or break the rules and find romance or heartbreak along the way. When you get to the end you can go back and choose again!

While her friends are enjoying their summer holidays, twelve year old Carol is helping her parents move the grandfather she's never met into a home for people with dementia. At first, Carol avoids prickly Grandpa Serge. But, his crazy stories, about a healing tree, a green-glass lake and the bees that will bring back the rain and end a hundred years drought, begin to fascinate her. As the thin line between magic and reality starts to blur, Carol must decide for herself what is possible and what it means to be true to her roots.

A gang of children robs houses. Gunna, a member of the gang, finds that one of the houses draws him back and that it is for a reason. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages. When Linus is summoned by Extremely Upper Management he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they're likely to bring about the end of days. But the children aren't the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Eighteen-year-old Amir Azadi always knew that coming out to his Muslim family would be messy, but he wasn't expecting it to end in an airport interrogation room. Now, he's telling his side of the story to the stern-faced officer. Amir has to explain why he ran away to Rome (boys, bullies, blackmail) and what he was doing there for a month (dates in the Sistine Chapel, friends who helped him accept who he is, and, of course, drama) . . . all while his mum, dad and little sister are being interrogated in the room next door. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Biz knows how to float. She has her people, posse, her mum and the twins. She has Grace. And she has her dad, who tells her about the little kid she was, and who shouldn't be here but is. So Biz doesn't tell anyone anything. Not about her dark, runaway thoughts, not about kissing Grace or noticing Jasper, the new boy. And she doesn't tell anyone about her dad. Because her dad died when she was seven. And Biz knows how to float, right there on the surface - normal okay regular fine. This book explores issues of mental health. It is usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Stella may only be seventeen, but having read every self-help book she can find means she knows a thing or two about helping people. She sure wasn't expecting to be the one in need of help, though. Thanks to her father's gambling addiction, Stella and her family now find themselves living at Fairyland Caravan Park. And hiding this truth from her friends is hard enough without dealing with another secret. Stella's birth mother has sent her a letter. As Stella deals with the chaos of her family, she must also confront the secrets and past of her 'other' family. But Stella is stronger than she realises. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

It's the brightest day of summer and it's dark outside. It's dark in your house, dark in your room, and dark in your heart. You feel like the darkness is going to split you apart. This book deals with issues of grief, suicide and healing. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

With every step down the road, and every bus stop he passes, Isaac moves further from his father and a life of fear. When he is given a chance by a kind cafe owner, Isaac feels he may have a chance at a new life. He decides that he will trade kindness for kindness with those he encounters as a way forward from the cruelty he has left behind. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Sarah is experiencing prejudice. She resents fitting in with the Aussie ways while honouring her Chinese traditions. Things become really complicated when Sarah starts hearing the voice of a ghost. Contains language that may offend some readers.

Harry and his family head out to the country for Uncle Frank's fourth wedding. Family tensions are high and there is mystery about his uncle's experiences in the Vietnam War. Harry also has his own scars and issues to deal with around the death of his brother. A story about finding truth in unlikely places and moving on.

This is the well-known story of Juliet Capulet and her love for Romeo, and the increasing helplessness Juliet feels as she realises that unlike young men her age, her life will effectively be determined and controlled by others, who see her having an arranged marriage of alliance and becoming a breeder of sons. I am Juliet closely follows the well-known and loved plot of the play, and also Rob, the 13-year-old boy who is the first to play the role of Juliet on the Elizabethan stage. He is overwhelmed by 'all those words' that Shakespeare wrote. But Rob realises that the story of love and tragedy is a somewhat simple one and the words are there for their extraordinary beauty and meaning. He will be Juliet and let the power of the words sing.

This is the story of how Elly Pickering's life falls apart, piece by piece, after the catastrophic loss of her mobile phone. She simply can't survive. If it wasn't for FacePlace, she might as well be stranded on a desert island.

Elly Pickering has a juicy secret. A secret her PR mum won't let her tell anyone because if the kids at Oldcastle High knew that mega-star Jake Blake (yes, THE Jake Blake, teen sensation and all round heart-throb) was coming to Oldcastle to film his latest movie, they might just explode with excitement. Elly is determined to get on set and to get more than a glimpse of her Hollywood crush. But now thanks to an unfortunate incident involving a car, a red handbag and the paparazzi, it looks like Elly's lost a lot more than her opportunity to be close to Hollywood royalty. She's lost her dignity, her job and her best friend. How can she get everything back to normal?

Cristian has lived his entire life in the grip of a repressive dictatorship. The country is governed by fear. When the secret police blackmail him, Cristian has an impossible choice. Save the life of his sick grandfather by informing on his family, or risk his life - and all of theirs - by resisting? At 17, Cristian dreams of being free but doesn't know where to turn. In this climate of constant suspicion, can he trust his best friend, his girlfriend or even his family? Closely based on the real events of the Romanian Revolution of 1989, this is a powerful, heart-breaking thriller from the author of Salt to the Sea, winner of the Carnegie Medal.

Andy buys a racecourse from a tramp for three dollars.

The Ark's fandom has given her everything she loves - her friend Juliet, her dreams, her place in the world. Her Muslim family doesn't understand the band's allure, but Angel feels there are things about her they'll never understand. Jimmy Kaga-Ricci owes everything to The Ark. He's their frontman, and playing in a band with his mates is all he ever dreamed of doing, even it only amplifies his anxiety. The fans are very accepting that he's trans, but they also keep shipping with him with his longtime friend and bandmate, Rowan. But Jimmy and Rowan are just friends, and Rowan has a secret girlfriend the fans can never know about. Dreams don't always turn out the way you think and when Jimmy and Angel are unexpectedly thrust together, they find out how strange and surprising facing up to reality can be. This book explores issues of mental health. It is usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

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

Seth Parrot lives in a dung-covered house with his brother and not so ex-hippy parents. Seth dreams of muscular girls and knows lots of quirky facts, more from reading teenage girls' magazines than from listening to his eccentric dad.

How do people decide on a path, and find the drive to pursue what they want? Ida struggles more than other young people to work this out. She can shift between parallel universes, allowing her to follow alternative paths. One day Ida sees a shadowy, see-through doppelganger of herself on the train. She starts to wonder if she's actually in control of her ability, and whether there are effects far beyond what she has considered. How can she know, anyway, whether one universe is ultimately better than another? And what if the continual shifting causes her to lose what is most important to her, just as she is discovering what that is, and she can never find her way back? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Ghosts are always trouble, so Cara pretends she didn't inherit the ability to see and speak to them. She ignores their problems in favour of diligently completing homework and preparing for college. When she discovers the body of the school golden boy and her personal arch nemesis, she realises she can no longer pretend. Cara has to own up to her powers and set out on a journey that could be deadly.

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

Stan Walker is one of Aotearoa's most famous singers. But nothing ever came easy for Stan. What were the chances of success for a kid whose parents had both been in jail? Whose world had been filled with drugs and violence and things no kid should even know about? In this young readers' edition of his bestselling autobiography, follow Stan's journey of overcoming impossible odds to achieve his dreams and make peace with his past. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, and above.

Simon's life revolves around his love of music. He listens to it, he plays it, he writes it, and performs it. When he wakes up one morning completely deaf after a ministroke, his world nearly falls apart. Angry and confused, he refuses help, refuses to learn to sign, and tries desperately to hold on to music. It is only when he meets G, a girl his own age suffering from a different form of deafness caused by severe tinnitus, that he begins to seriously consider a full life, even a life with music. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

What does a teenage boy do when he has no friends? When everyone who knows him sneers? When he is laughed at to his face? The answer is simple. That boy chooses his own path. That boy makes his own way in life. That boy grows stronger. He finds his secret place and there- alone, in the dark- he grows even stronger. Ben Gardner is such a boy. Ben Gardner could be you...

Ethan's parents are in jail, his aunt works too hard, the new kid, Joshua, has a scar on his arm, a firestorm threatens the suburb, while wildflowers bloom along the school fence. For Ethan, Audrey and their friends, it's time to choose what's important and what to leave behind.

Lil and her sister Mella have always been close. But one day, after a fight, Mella goes missing. Four months later, and no sign of Mella, a mysterious girl named Alice turns up in Lil's life. In the midst of the worst storm in Welsh history, Alice and Lil work together to bring Mella home.

Year 12 is finished. Some students can't wait to escape their small town, others don't want to leave. Alba is unsure whether to pursue her drawing talents or stay working in the bakery. When Doomsday enthusiasts flock to the town to survive an apocalypse, Alba's childhood heartthrob, Daniel, arrives. Compared to figuring out her heart, Armageddon might be the least of her problems. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Michael turns fifteen and his brother dies. He copes with mourning in his hometown of Western Sydney, a region subject to harsh and suspicious perceptions, and filled with cultural and ethnic diversity. Through a powerful poetic experience, Michael grows by seeing deeply into the values that surround him and he rises above the distress of poverty and families under stress.

As Scarlet Bergen leaves her home to be trained in her psychic Solitaire abilities at the Arcadia Institute she can't forsee how much her life will change. As she delves into the mystery surrounding her mother, more truths and conspiracies will be uncovered.

Indigo dreads returning to school where his sensitive nature makes him a target for bullies. Enter Tom, from America, who is living with his English grandmother to avoid dealing with his divorced parents and Indigo's feisty sister, Rose. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Caleb is an Atypical, an individual with enhanced abilities. Which sounds pretty cool except Caleb's ability is extreme empathy-he feels the emotions of everyone around him. Being an empath in high school would be hard enough, but Caleb's life becomes even more complicated when he keeps getting pulled into the emotional orbit of one of his classmates, Adam. Adam's feelings are big and all-consuming, but they fit together with Caleb's feelings in a way that he can't quite understand. Caleb's therapist, Dr. Bright, encourages Caleb to explore this connection by befriending Adam. As he and Adam grow closer, Caleb learns more about his ability, himself, his therapist-who seems to know a lot more than she lets on-and just how dangerous being an Atypical can be. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

A beautiful adaptation of Elizabeth Acevedo's famous spoken-word poem with captivating illustrations.

When she is asked to get involved in a social issue of her own choice, as part of a school project, Bel chooses to write to an Australian boy who is a prisoner on death row in Thailand. When he writes back, she learns more about the controversial issue of capital punishment but her involvement puts her at odds with her politician father and everyone else who loves her. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Jonny has a faulty heart and his time is running out. Niamh has just lost her twin brother in a tragic accident. As their fates collide, soon Jonny is on the mend, but desperate to know more about his donor. When he tracks down Niamh, he only intends to find out about her brother, the first owner of his heart; but he doesn't plan on falling in love...A stunning, tear-jerking novel about grief, guilt, and the unpredictability of love.

Teenage years can sometimes feel like a battleground. There are so many confronting issues from fears of failure, confidence, self-worth or identity to the inevitable friendship challenges. This survival guide from 32 influential and witty women will include advice you will need to survive the battle. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

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

Fourteen year old Kat Jones' life has been on hold since the death of her mother. When Kat is woken by an intruder looming over her bed, she is saved by her neighbour, Edwina, whom she believes betrayed her dying mother. And Kat certainly doesn't want Hercules, the world's ugliest guard dog, in her life. But, to stop the prowler, Kat will need to accept Edwina's help, develop friendships and learn to trust again.

A sixteen year old boy struggles with a serious condition, his sudden and violent temper triggered by situations of conflict or frustration in every day life. To avoid gaol, he must engage in strategies for anger management, including going to stay with his grandfather in an isolated Tasmanian forest. The road is hard and not always successful but the bond between them grows. Contains coarse language that may offend some readers. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Link has experienced three years of bullying at the exclusive Osney School in London before he decides enough is enough. However, he agrees to stay on for one more team building activity on a desert island at the request of his parents before being allowed to leave. Things go from bad to worse however, when the plane goes down and Link is alone with his worst tormentors and no adults to modify their predatory behaviour. With no practical experience, Link must rely on nothing but the knowledge of how to survive, gleaned from novels and pop culture, to try to turn everything around and rescue himself from the bottom of a brutal teenage hierarchy. Usually read by students in Year 9, 10 and above.

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

When her parents announce their impending separation, Natalie can't understand why no one is fighting or at least mildly upset. And now that Zach and Lucy, her two best friends, have fallen in love, she's feeling slightly miffed and decidedly awkward. Where does she fit in now? And what has happened to the version of her life that played out like a TV show - with just the right amount of banter, pining and meaningful looks? Nothing is going according to plan. But then an unexpected romance comes along and shakes things up even further. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

He's Luke. She's Leia. Just like in Star Wars. Just like they're made for each other. Only this isn't a film, this is real life. This is where monsters from the past come back to take revenge. This is where you are sometimes the monster. And, where, the things we build to protect us can end up doing the most harm. Mature read. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Holly Fitzgerald has inexplicably woken up inside the body of an LA teenager called trinity Byrne in 1980 - trapping Trinity in Holly's forty year old body back in Melbourne 2020. Mind. Officially. Blown. Holly finds herself navigating a brand new body, family and cute boy next door - not to mention rock band that might just make it, and potential kidnapper. Meanwhile, lies intersect with truth, hurtling both Holly and Trinity towards a dangerous fate as the connections between them grow deeper and stranger than either of them could have ever imagined. "

Louise is overshadowed by her talented twin, Caroline, and she has to struggle with her own identity throughout her life. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

When Jacqueline was a little girl living in France, World War 2 began. Her father is sent to fight while her mother becomes brave and fierce. She protects her little girl and tries to keep the family together and strong.

A story told from two points of view: Jake, then Lily, telling two sides to similar events. They know that together they are a powerful force, but that they have to learn how to stand alone as well.

Young orphan, Tree, fervently wishes to set up a home for himself and his brother away from the orphanage in this story about identity, belonging and the transfiguring power of love.

Jameela lives with her family in a war-torn village in Afghanistan. Life is hard but when her mother dies and her father remarries, Jameela has to face a greater horror. To survive she draws on the strong sense of self that her mother gave her. Based on the story of an actual devout Muslim girl and life in post-Taliban Afghanistan.

Helene has been inextricably ostracised by the girls who were once her friends. Her school life is full of whispers and lies. Her loving mother is too tired to help. Helene has one consolation, Charlotte Bronte's Jayne Eyre, where she can identify with Jane's tribulations and ignore her tormentors. On school camp, an encounter with a fox brings hope for Helene, and then comes Geraldine.

When twelve-year-old Clancy and her fourteen-year-old sister, Tash, kidnap their grandfather from his aged-care home, it's almost by accident. But they soon set out on an intrepid adventure, in search of a better place for Pa to live. Along the way they face many challenges, and Clancy becomes increasingly sure that their journey is being guided. Is the ghost of their grandmother accompanying them on their quest?

We first meet Marc Jarvis and his best mate, Travis, as stereotypical sports-playing, girl-ogling sixteen year olds. As the book unfolds, we see beyond the exterior as Marc makes sense of his feelings and attitudes. His views about people, loyalty, friendship, love and its loss are challenged.

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.

Ashleigh is fifteen and her life makes her angry. Through a school project she meets Joyous, whose positive take on life helps to teach her to 'work things round a little'.

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

Juno lives in an enclosed society, a scientific experiment, struggling to survive by clinging to conventions and rules for the common good. Juno yearns for knowledge and freedom, bringing her unfavourable attention and death threats. Duplicitous and political intrigue surround her. A sensitive and rich story that explores the human condition, our wants and needs. Some strong language used in context. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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

Set in post-war Britain in 1949, fourteen year old Henry has no friends and misses his war-hero father. He resents his stepfather and stepsister, and escapes by going to the cinema, his passion. When Henry develops an old camera film, he uncovers a mystery and events spiral until Henry's life resembles the drama of the big screen.

Thirteen-year-old Aidan can't breathe in his crowded family home. Running is his only respite from four loud sisters and involved, touchy-feely parents. Then his mum makes an announcement: she's having another baby. Only, this time it's not for her; she will be a surrogate for gay couple Justin and Atif. Aidan is incensed. As if his family wasn't embarrassing - or big - enough already. But he's also scared. Aidan thinks he might be gay, and he's really struggling to accept this possibility. He's definitely not ready to come out, but what if being around Justin and Atif exposes him as gay? If only he was just like everyone else.

After a break-in at their London home, Kat Wolfe and her veterinary-surgeon mum decide it's time to move to the country. Dr Wolfe's new job in idyllic Bluebell Bay comes with a condition: they have to adopt Tiny, a huge, near-wild Savannah, who resists Kat's best attempts at cat whispering. When she starts a pet-sitting agency to make pocket money, her troubles escalate. The owner of her first client, an Amazon parrot, vanishes from his fortified, gadget-filled mansion, leaving a half-packed suitcase and a mysterious parcel. The only person who shares Kat's conviction that he's the victim of foul play is Harper Lamb, the American daughter of a palaeontology professor. A language and coding whizz, Harper is laid up with two broken legs thanks to her racehorse. What starts out as mystery-solving holiday fun quickly turns deadly for Wolfe and Lamb. When all clues point to an army base, can they count on their unruly animal friends to save the day - and their lives?

When a landslide on the Jurassic Coast reveals a rare 'dragon' dinosaur, best friends Kat Wolfe and Harper Lamb are thrilled, especially when stars and scientists come flocking to sleepy Bluebell Bay. But after they begin investigating a suspicious death, events spiral quickly out of control for detectives Wolfe and Lamb. Worse still, Kat's wild cat is in trouble. Can they solve the mystery - and save the cat's life - before it's too late?

Drawn from the author's life experiences, this is the story of sixteen year old Vess who is returning to school after her cancer treatment. She is trying to stay positive under very difficult circumstances.

Joel lives with his Gran, struggles at school and has few friends. He loves fishing and hits on the idea of advertising in the newspaper for a father so he can go fishing with him and fix everything.

When Kid Kabula decides to ride his bike at top speed through the centre of the local mall, he doesn't realise how dangerous that's going to be. Fats Charvetto, leader of the meanest bikie gang in town, wants to know exactly who knocked him flying. Stevie, the local refundable collector, dobs in the Kid and a turf war starts.

After a pandemic wiped out most of the human race, The Key took power. Under their rules, touching is forbidden, and books are banned. Break the laws, and face execution. Elodie, a young nurse, has been brought up to believe that The Key govern to keep people safe. Elodie obeys the rules she trusts the system. At least, Elodie used to - Aiden, a constant rebel, knows there is another side to The Key, a truth beneath the surface. Aiden wants to be free but freedom means questioning their motives. Aiden is on his last chance - When Elodie and Aiden's lives collide, the fallout will be devastating. Especially when they realise that rather than playing protector, The Key are playing God. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Kids Like Us is the delightful, heartwarming story of Martin, a teenager on the autism spectrum, who falls for Gilberte-Alice, a 'normal' French girl. While spending summer in the French countryside with his mother, Martin mistakes Gilberte for a character in a novel he is obsessed with - Marcel Proust's masterpiece In Search of Lost Time. He gradually realises she is not Gilberte, the fantasy girl, but a real person named Alice. Falling in love, in all its unpredictability, teaches Martin that he can in fact connect, and can get out of his bubble. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Dylan Kane has never met his father. But, he has met Kirsty Beale's step-father, a brute of a man, a bully, a living-room thug. KIrsty's family is tormented by his cruelty and she is desperate to live a normal life. Dylan and Kirsty's brother hatch a plan to make him stop. A gripping and powerfully moving story of a family stretched to breaking point and a portrait of a killer. A confronting, controversial topic with inherent violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

When Dev, Joel's foster dad, takes him away for an unexpected holiday, little does he know what adventures are in store. Not only does a ute run them off the road, but Joel's jailbird dad is determined to track them down.

Emily's dad is accused of killing a teenage girl in the woods. He has admitted to manslaughter, believing he was in a flashback from his army days. Emily is convinced of his innocence as she tries to untangle the events of that night. Things become even more uncertain when she comes into contact with Damon, the boyfriend of the dead girl. What really had been happening in the woods at night, what dangerous games had they been playing? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Renowned detective Hercule Poirot has been secretly summoned to an exclusive estate to solve the mystery of who killed Frank Devonport. With 2 confessions and an unexpected second body, Poirot will have to piece together a tangled web of clues before the real killer can be identified.

This is the breaking, the shattering, the smattering of every limit ever accepted or imposed... Kindred, Kirli Saunders debut poetry collection, is a pleasure to lose yourself in. Kirli has a keen eye for observation, humour and big themes that surround Love/Connection/Loss in an engaging style, complemented by evocative and poignant imagery. It talks to identity, culture, community and the role of Earth as healer. Kindred has the ability to grab hold of the personal in the universal and reflect this back to the reader. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

What does it mean to be queer? What does it mean to be human? In this powerful #LoveOzYA collection, twelve of Australia's finest writers from the LGBTQ+ community explore the stories of family, friends, lovers and strangers, and the connections that form us. This inclusive and intersectional #OwnVoices anthology for teen readers features work from writers of diverse genders, sexualities and identities, including writers who identify as First Nations, people of colour or disabled. With short stories by bestsellers, award winners and newcomers to young adult fiction including Jax Jacki Brown, Claire G Coleman, Michael Earp, Alison Evans, Erin Gough, Benjamin Law, Omar Sakr, Christos Tsiolkas, Ellen van Neerven, Marlee Jane Ward, Jen Wilde and Nevo Zisin. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

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

Kiss the Dust is the compelling story of the flight of a Kurdish family fleeing Iraq. Twelve year old Tara tells the tale as her family rush into the mountains carrying everything they can. As refugees, they struggle through camps always wondering what will come next, where will they go and how they will settle as a family again. Tara's life is turned upside down as she struggles with the pressures of helping manage a myriad of problems.

Darkus Knightley's father was London's top private detective until he went into a coma four years ago. Now, he has woken up to discover his thirteen year old son has inherited the family talent. With a bestselling book seemingly making people do terrible things, and clues pointing to the involvement of a shadowy organisation known as the Combination, Alan needs the help of his tweed-wearing, brainiac son to investigate.

The Kaiser murdered Theodosia's mother, the Fire Queen, when Theo was only six. He took Theo's country and kept her prisoner, crowning her Ash Princess - a pet to toy with and humiliate for ten long years. That era has ended. The Kaiser thought his prisoner weak and defenceless. He didn't realise that a sharp mind is the deadliest weapon. Theo no longer wears a crown of ashes. She has taken back her rightful title, and a hostage - Prinz Soren. But her people remain enslaved under the Kaiser's rule, and now she is thousands of miles away from them and her throne. To get them back, she will need an army. Only, securing an army means she must trust her aunt, the dreaded pirate Dragonsbane. And according to Dragonsbane, an army can only be produced if Theo takes a husband. Something an Astrean Queen has never done. Theo knows that freedom comes at a price, but she is determined to find a way to save her country without losing herself. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 & above,

There are lights on the horizon. Electricity. A return to civilization. Finn and Kas have been living in isolation, in hiding and by their wits for three years. Now they hope that at last they will find a life without danger, without threat and without the virus. But the tracking device beneath Kas's skin begins to buzz-she can't ignore that she is a Siley, a slave , and will never be free. When the search parties arrive they discover their new reality is a world divided by fences where they can't be together. But after everything they have been through, they are not about to play by the rules. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Six months ago, Zoey's life went off the rails. After the tragic loss of her brother, she partied her way to oblivion, estranged her best friend, Cass, and pushed away her now ex, Finn. But when her destructive behaviour reaches dangerous heights, Zoey realises she needs to pull herself together and get her old life back, including her ex. There's just one complication: Finn is now dating Cass. Now, it's the last week of summer and Zoey, Cass and Finn are setting out on the road trip of a lifetime to see their favourite musician, Gray, perform live, joined by Finn's infuriatingly attractive bad-boy cousin Luc and his vibrant younger sister Jolie. Zoey thinks this is her chance to put things to rights and convince Finn they should get back together. But she wasn't counting on her friends' lingering resentment, Luc's disarming sincerity, and Jolie's infectious love for life to turn her plans upside down. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A realistic and harrowing story of children's courage in the face of domestic violence, with a positive outcome.Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The last time Lex was happy, it was before. When her family was whole. and friends didn't look at her as if she might break down. Now, she's just the girl whose brother killed himself. Lex tries to block out the night Tyler died but regret and their last goodbye haunt her. As Lex learns to grieve and recover, she discovers that a ghost doesn't have to be real to keep you from moving on. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Laurinda is an exclusive school for girls. At its secret core is the Cabinet, a trio of girls who wield power over their classmates and some of their teachers. Entering this world of wealth and secrets is fifteen year old Lucy Lam, a scholarship girl, who has sharp eyes and a shaky sense of self. As she watches the Cabinet at work, and is courted by them, Lucy finds herself in a battle for her identity and integrity.

When it comes to drumming, Leah Burke is usually on beat - but real life isn't always so rhythmic. An anomaly in her friend group, she's the only child of a young, single mum, and her life is decidedly less privileged. And even though her mom knows she's bisexual, she hasn't mustered the courage to tell her friends - not even her openly gay BFF, Simon. With some messy dynamics emerging in this once tight-knit group of friends, senior year suddenly gets even more complicated for Leah, as she realises she's falling not for the guy who's taking her to prom, but for the girl who's dating her best friend. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above

Set in South Africa, orphaned Sam has to leave his affluent life in the city, his computer, his trendy clothing and his pride, to live with his aunt in a village at the back of beyond. He has to sleep on the floor in a one-roomed hut, sharing with his aunt and cousins. Sam must work out where he belongs.

Twelve-year-old Gladys Rand may not have many friends, but at least she has her empire. From her table at the back of the cafeteria, Glad arranges favors for her classmates in exchange for their friendship. She solves every problem, handles every situation, and saves every butt. But the jobs keep getting harder, and when Glad decides the problem that most needs fixing is her parents' relationship, she finds herself in way over her head. She'll have to call in all her favors and use all her skills to help the person who most needs it- herself- in this quirky, touching, and laugh-out-loud novel from Janice Erlbaum.

John Sumner is a young boy crippled after contracting polio and growing up during World War I. He learns about taking risks and letting go to experience life.

Life is pretty good for sixteen-year-old Abby. Okay, her grandma has dementia and she accidentally kissed her cousin's cousin on the weekend, so not everything is perfect. But everything is manageable with her best friend Ella by her side. The arrival of new girl Chloe and her inclusion in the friendship group throws up some challenges for established relationships but when tragedy strikes Ella's family, Abby has to re-evaluate her own feelings and work out what friendship really means.

It's Matt's fifteenth birthday and he receives a card from his mother, whom he grew up believing to be dead. Feeling betrayed by both his parents, he begins writing letters to Leonardo da Vinci to help sort out the mess in his head. Through the connections he makes between his own life and that of Leonardo, Matt unravels the mystery and discovers his mother's secrets. Includes complex issues about mental health. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother's death, she leaves letters at her grave. It's the only way Juliet can cope. Declan Murphy isn't the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he's trying to escape the demons of his past. When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can't resist writing back. Soon, he's opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they're not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.