Booklists

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.

Rossamund has exchanged the dangerous life of a lamplighter for Brandenbrass and an even more dangerous life as factotum to the aristocratic monsterslayer, Europe. He plunges headlong into the life of political manoeuvring, high society parties and well paid monster hunting. But rumours about her newfactotum place Europe in danger, and Rossamund and the Branden Rose face the ultimate battle against their enemies, the black-hearted schemers who would destroy them both.

A finely illustrated presentation of myths and legends of the world of faerie magic.

Everyone seems to know who Fero is, except Fero. He's either a ruthless boy soldier from Besmar or an innocent teen recruit from Kamau. Whatever, he's running out of time to decide. If he doesn't help a renegade spy steal a politician's briefcase, his two countries could end up in a full blown nuclear war, the kind that no one wins. Sequel to The cut out.

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.

Aza must save the kingdom of Ayortha and hopefully, win the love of the handsome prince. Possessed with a beautiful singing voice and an unusual gift, but bereft of popular beauty, Aza has been hidden in the shadows until she is drawn into palace intrigue by a jealous, insecure queen. An important lesson in true beauty and self-acceptance with all the treachery of Snow White. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana's story is finally told. Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her "glamour" to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story - a story that has never been told, until now.

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.

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.

The world's worst private detective is saved by his little brother.

Chiara's family can no longer afford to keep her so she is given to the Poor Clare's nunnery. Silvano has been accused of a brutal murder and must take refuge in the nearby friary. When two more murders occur, Chiara and Silvano attempt to solve the crimes.

In a land where sunstones provide the only light, Tal tries to save his family from social oblivion.

Lucas' grandfather has died and his mother decides they should stick with their plan to spend summer in his home, even though he is no longer there to enjoy their visit. A chance encounter with Caitlin from next door, a girl he only vaguely remembers from his childhood summer visits, reveals the stark truth that his grandfather's past is a mystery he may wish he hadn't revealed. And when he and Caitlin are faced with a life or death situation, Lucas finds himself being compared to his grandfather for all the wrong reasons. 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...

Sixteen stories, which centre round family life, are written by well-known and unknown writers. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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 Magizoologist Newt Scamander arrives in New York, he intends his stay to be just a brief stopover. However, when his magical case is misplaced and some of Newt's fantastic beasts escape, it spells trouble for everyone . . . This is the film script for the 2018 film.

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.

An anthology of poems that creates the story of a farm boy and the journey he experiences leading up to the selling of the farm.

Elspeth must lead the Misfits in this sequel to the popular, Obernewtyn.

Ged, the archmage, now the greatest wizard of all Earthsea, has been warned that the world's magic is disappearing. Ged and his one companion, Arren, set out to close the hole in the world that is leeching out the light. They discover darkness, decay, decline and the loss of knowledge and power. Even the dead are mysteriously crossing over. They must rid the world of this insanity. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

An entertaining book about food origins, which covers the development of sandwiches and other familiar lunchbox items including soft drinks and chocolate.

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.

Colin is pleased when an old school friend of his father appears in their small New Zealand town, as the man offers his dad a job. It seems, however, that the man has a mysterious hold over Colin's family. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Bailey Morgan is a high school student by day, ancient mystical being by night. As the third Fate, Bailey literally controls the fate of the world but, as plain old Bailey, her life is falling apart. Then, she meets the rest of the Sidhe, an ancient race defined by their power, beauty and a sinister habit of getting what they want at any cost. Before long, Bailey is being drawn into a complicated, otherworldly web.

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.

Find out what inspired writers such as J R R Tolkien, C S Lewis and Louisa May Alcott to write their classics.

The second gothic novel in the Mirrorworld series sees Jacob Reckless facing death from the fairy's curse on the other side of the mirror.

Powerful story of innocent, persecuted children, estranged from society. One special messianic child never gives up hope that they will be rescued. When mass conformity and degeneration replace hope and humanity, what would it take to overcome the absolute power of the oppressor? An allegory for the experiences of the Jewish people in Nazi Germany. Strong language used in context. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and 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.

First book of Tolkien's classic, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, in which the young hobbit, Frodo, is bequeathed a magical ring from his Uncle Bilbo and learns that he must take it into the land of the Dark Lord and cast it into the Cracks of Doom.

Fenn Halflin is on the run. Having survived the explosion of the lock in the earlier book, Fenn Halflin is now on the run from Terra Firma and attempts to find members of the resistance to shelter with. With only his wits and his pet mongoose, Tikki Fenn struggles to travel across the waterlogged lands. To unite all Seaborn people and overthrow Terra Firma is his mission while the water levels rise.

Dom is in Italy, and uses manipulation and deception to search for the world's greatest treasure hunter. While he is there he does some digging of his own, into The Debt, but only gets more questions.

In 1793, fourteen year old Mattie hates getting out of bed and being nagged by her mum. Her friend, Polly, comes down with yellow fever. The disease starts to spread through the city, and even Mattie has to get serious as the panic spreads.

The world has ended: the earth is scorched, and fever rages through the population. Out of the chaos, a boy emerges with the power to change everything: Thomas. This is the start of his story.

A prequel to the Mortal Engines quartet, Fever Crumb is set a generation before the events of that series, when cities are just beginning to devour each other. Buried in London's past is a secret that may save it from destruction, and the key to unlocking it is an orphan called Fever Crumb.

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.

As a young man, Fidel Castro dreamt of a free and independent Cuba. He led a band of guerilla fighters to overthrow Cuba's dictator. His new government made sure all the people could read and write.

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.

Rosie flirts with the value of friendship and the need to resist the surreal world of television. 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.

Most Australians know that climate change is real, but many don't know what to do about it and feel powerless. In Fight For Planet A, Reucassel shows it isn't as scary as we think, and we can make a difference to help protect the world for future generations. Learn how to reduce your carbon footprint, with practical day-to-day changes. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

A story that focuses on the common and shared history of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, and how many individuals are personally coming to terms with this history. 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.

Freia is part of a group at school but she feels she really doesn't belong. Somehow, Freia finds herself helping, as a lighting assistant, with the school production, something she never thought she would do. Freia must try to be brave enough to make more changes in her life and let loose the real Freia Lockhart. Adult themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

A family relocates to Australia after a family tragedy. The parents are focussed on creating a farm and do not value the environment or interdependence of nature. Their young son is lonely and alienated, and misses his home in London. When the parents cut down a tree causing a flock of birds to die, their son makes a huge decision.

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.

Finn comes to the city for his first big break as a stablehand at a large racetrack. Working with the horses he loves, Finn feels valuable for the first time in his life. But there's trouble at the track, and Finn finds it difficult to know who to trust.

Running is everything to James who considers winning the only option. However, fierce competition from a new student and the threat of bushfires may help James to see there is more to life than wanting to win.

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.

Set in England in 1381, this story of political and emotional unrest is seen through the eyes of an old farm dog.

Twelve has lost so much. So she has spoken the pledge and now she is a Huntling. She has even given up her name to train in the art of fighting monsters and keeping the peace. She will not get to choose a new name until she has earned it. During training she finds it hard to make friends and feels like an outsider. But by following her instincts to do what she thinks is right when the one person who showed her kindness is taken by Goblins, she may lose everything.

David has been accused of being a firebug since he started a fire at the age of six that resulted in tragedy. He experiences a horrifying ordeal, at the hands of a real firebug, when fires break out in his local area.

Ally is on the run. The city is in ruins. Her friends are in mortal danger. Nothing about being back in the city is easy, but Ally knows that she must find the missing research before ONE does. The Administration has tight control of the capital and there are eyes everywhere. In her attempt to find somewhere to hide, Ally discovers that not everyone in the underground resistance group she encounters is welcoming, or safe. As tension builds in the city, Ally learns that the go-ahead has already been given to start the deadly experiments on her friends who are still locked up in the Towers. In a race against time, Ally is forced to risk everything. Will she be able to find the hidden research? Can she get back to the Towers to save her friends before it's too late? And can she really trust Josh, the handsome resistance group leader? Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Ten short stories about some of the worst fires in history, two with a strong environmental content. They include fires from the great fire in London in 1666 to the fire of the Chenobyl nuclear disaster in 1986.

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.

The end of a long and dangerous journey for the Manth people as they leave the ruined Mastery to seek a new homeland. Sometimes violent and cruel but always compelling. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Ben watched in horror as the firestorm approached on Ash Wednesday in 1983.

Literary detective, Thursday Next, finds her Jurisfiction job has been downgraded. However, as this is fiction, jeopardy is never far away. Sherlock Holmes is killed and Miss Marple dies in a narratively inexplicable car accident, thus bringing both their series to an end. And, Thursday receives a death threat, clearly intended for her written self. Sophisticated writing and humour, some coarse language. Usually read by students in Years 9,10 or above.

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

Keladry wants to be accepted as a knight in the kingdom of Tortall in the first book of the series, Protector of the small.

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.

Dan has a happy and mostly uneventful primary school experience. He is happy and comfortable. And then he goes to year seven. High school is very different. Kids can be rough, loud, and even a little cruel. At the end of the year he gets the chance to go on a school trip to Europe. Dan meets several other young people similar to himself and has a summer to remember. This autobiographical graphic novel celebrates being true to yourself and finding your tribe.

The ferocious Crocodile warriors have already killed Bent Beak's pa, and now they seem determined to take out his whole tribe. The only way to survive is to flee the island. As the Yam tribe brave the perils of the sea, will they survive the voyage into the unknown, and what awaits them just over the horizon. An enthralling story about the plight of the very first boat people, of their desperation, bravery and hope.

The theefyspray is a mythical and nearly extinct creature whose fate is in the hands of the fisherman. A beautifully illustrated and complicated story about issues of conservation, age and youth.

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.

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 modern fable about five fakirs who have been buried alive, an evil djinn, and a pair of globe-hopping twins who just can't get a moment's rest.

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 December night, fourteen year old Alex goes to bed. He wakes up to find himself in the wrong bedroom, in an unfamiliar house, in a different part of the country and it's the middle of June. Six months have disappeared overnight. At breakfast, he doesn't know the family and, in the mirror, another face stares back at him. A boy named Flip. Unless Alex finds out what's happened and how to get back to his own life, he may be trapped forever inside another person's body.

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.

True story of an eleven year old girl growing up in Nazi Germany who despite her youth is aware of the evils of propaganda and is proud of her family's survival skills and resilience.

It's not easy being a teenage boy growing up in the tough neighbourhood of Glebe in the 1930s. It's even harder when your dream is to become an aviator, your parents are dead against it, and your girlfriend's father is the School Principal. But Joe has even bigger challenges he must face and obstacles to overcome in order to achieve his dream. He has come up with a plan and won't let anyone stand in his way.

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.

Eight handsome, ambiguous pictures provide inspiration for eight creepy ghost and horror stories. Includes a cautionary tale for anyone who has been unkind to a younger sibling.

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.

No tragedy and no challenge has proved too hard for Susan Alberti. The woman from the working-class suburbs has battled boardrooms, courts, lymphoma and adult diabetes; and, was one of the driving forces behind the AFL's move into women's football. This is a story of passion, generosity and a woman who will inspire you to take on the seemingly impossible and triumph.

22 Australian Test players , past and present , talk about the road from their backyards to the baggy green. More than just a chat with the game's best players, (male and female), this is a conversation about Australian cricket. At the heart is the baggy green. This book is about the importance of generosity, sportsmanship, perseverance and community to help achieve personal goals in life, as much as sport.

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.

Georgie Spider has foretold the end of the world and the only one who can stop it is Ashala Wolf. But, Georgie has also foreseen Ashala's death. As the world shifts around the Tribe, Ashala fights to protect those she loves from old enemies and new threats. Georgie can see the future but, in her fight to save Ashala, she must also try to change it. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

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.

Curzon joins the American army, fighting for independence against the British. As well as the hardships of soldiering, Curzon lives with the fear of discovery, for he is an escaped slave, passing for free. Then there is Isabel, who is also at Valley Forge against her will. They have to sort out the tangled threads of their friendship while figuring out what stands between the two of them and true freedom. Includes some violence.

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.

Thieves' Guild apprentice, Crocodile Sal, hadn't reckoned on royal and political intrigue, assassins, shape-shifters, betrayal, kidnapping gypsies, rift-world travel, trolls and murderous swamp creatures. She wonders what else can go wrong.

Survival, fraud, violence, mystery and suspense are included in this story which is part of the Cliffhanger series.

The uplifting, classic story of A B Facey's life growing up at the time of Federation, going to Gallipoli and later, living in rural Western Australia.

Beth Millar has always lived in Deni. In a small rural town. Her biggest problem is telling her over protective and fiercly private father that she has a boy friend. Whey her father disappears into thin air, Beth discovers that he's not who she thought he was, in fact nothing is what she thought. Her family's secret past has caught up with them and now someone wants them all dead. Beth has been training for this moment her whole life without even knowing, but will it be enough to keep ahead of her hunters? Usually read by students in Year 9, 10 and above.

Rossamund Bookchild is an orphan boy, saddled with a very unfortunate name. He dreams of joining the navy but, come the hiring season, Rossamund is instead offered employment as a lamplighter. Setting off alone, he encounters a variety of colourful characters and learns that the world is more complex and perilous than he was raised to believe. He meets Europe, a well-known fulgar or monster fighter.

Seventeen-year-old Keralie Corrington is one of Quadara's most skilled thieves, but when she steals an unexpectedly valuable package from a messenger she is soon entangled in a conspiracy that leads to all four of Quadara's queens being murdered. With no other choices and on the run from her former employer, Keralie teams up with Varin Bollt, the Eonist messenger she stole from, and together they race to discover who has killed the queens. But when dark secrets threaten their reluctant partnership and put everything at stake, Keralie and Varin must use all their daring to stay alive and untangle the mysteries behind the nation's four dead queens. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Tobias' transfer to Dauntless is a chance to begin again. Here, he will not be called the name his parents gave him or let fear turn him into a cowering child. Newly christened 'Four', he must claim his place in the Dauntless hierarchy. His decisions will affect future initiates as well as uncover secrets that could threaten his own future, and the future of the entire faction system.

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.

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

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.

Franklin D Roosevelt was the only four-term President in American history and the man who fearlessly guided the United States through both the Great Depression and the Second World War. Although partially paralysed by polio, he persevered and became a powerful leader during a difficult period in USA's history.

From slave to freedom fighter, Douglass was America's first great civil rights leader. He overcame the physical, mental and legal chains of slavery to become one of America's greatest champions for human rights. It is said that his life was proof that when black people could read and write about injustices, they would have the power to end slavery.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Amnesty International, this engaging book contains a great collection of entertaining and thought-provoking stories. Each story relates directly to one of the thirty articles about individual rights and responsibilities that make up the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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.

Fleeing from the ruins of New Undertown, Rook Barkwater and his colleagues, the librarian knights, must lead the escaping population to a new life in the Free Glades. But perils aplenty are ahead for the crowd, not to mention some goblins with plans of their own. A dramatic and exciting conclusion to the Rook Barkwater sequence.

No sooner have they arrived in Paris than the brothers are up to their necks in danger. There's a nasty smell in the air and it's not the cheese. If Nick and Tim aren't careful, their dream holiday could end up being a nightmare from which they'll never wake up.

Sara Vanadi, AKA Freya, the Norse goddess of love, beauty, war and death, finds herself combating the evil corporation, Finemdi, who are trying to entice the ancient gods and goddesses, seduce them with new powers and then use their godly strengths to achieve greatness in a modern world. Sara dedicates herself to fighting the evil company but she has to learn the ways of the new world first. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 & 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.

Friday is not running away. Yes, she did get on a train to Norway without telling anyone where she was going - but she had to help Binky. He may or may not have been attacked by a polar bear. Now he's facing court martial for dereliction of duty. Obviously, Friday had to drop everything and travel 3000 kilometres to solve the case. The fact that it's easier to handle her feelings for Ian Wainscott if there's a continent between them is just a coincidence. When Friday arrives in Oslo, there are so many mysteries to solve. Is someone trying to keep Binky and Princess Ingrid apart? How can a painting leave a museum when all the doors are sealed? And will Melanie persuade Friday to go to the royal ball without wearing a brown cardigan? If Friday survives her trip to the remote Global Seed Vault, we may find out.

Friday Barnes has a new case and it's personal. Her mother, a physicist, has been kidnapped. When a beautiful, rich, new student, Princess Ingrid of Norway arrives, Highcrest Academy is thrown into chaos. Despite heightened security, things start to go missing. And the Princess has her eye on Ian Wainscott. Friday must crack the case of her missing mother, reign in a royal brat and unmask the elusive thief.

When four former headmasters arrive at Highcrest Academy to take part in the school's anniversary celebrations, the students are warned to be on their best behaviour. Unfortunately, no one told the headmasters to stay out of mischief too! Which means Friday Barnes soon has a case to solve. But unravelling the truth isn't easy when the whole school is being forced to eat paleo because the cook is on a diet; her best friend's brother won't stop blubbering about the terrible boat accident he may or may not have caused; and Friday is being trailed by a mysterious admirer- or is it a stalker? Can Friday find the facts among the mayhem? She'd better. The fate of Highcrest depends on it!

Friday's Mum, the Nobel Prize winning physicist, has been accused of espionage. The police think she's been selling secrets about the CERN Hadron Super Collider. Friday knows her mother isn't capable of such a thing - this is a woman who can't even operate a dishwasher. She's got to smuggle herself into Switzerland to clear her Mum's name. Fortunately, Melanie is a master of disguise. After an extremely extreme make-over, Friday arrives at CERN and finds axolotls in the water coolers, graffiti in the great hall and most baffling of all - her sister has fallen in love with an engineer! Can Friday solve these mysteries? Can she keep her family out of prison? And can she recognise Ian if he shaves his head?

Friday Barnes is forced to face her biggest fear, her own emotions. She must wave goodbye to Ian as he takes off to join his father in the Cayman Islands. But, when your dad is a white-collar criminal, family reunions never go to plan. Ian is kidnapped en route and it's up to Friday to rescue him. On her return to school, the Headmaster has a treat in store, a four-week camp for students to learn wilderness survival skills. Camp Courage is even worse than Friday imagined. All her book smarts aren't much help when she's got wood to chop, potatoes to peel and latrines to dig.

When Friday Barnes solves a bank robbery, she uses the reward money to send herself to the most exclusive boarding school in the country. But, she is shocked to discover her new school is actually a hotbed of crime. Friday must solve the mystery of the disappearing homework and the Yeti in the school swamp. And Friday must work out why good-looking Ian Wainscott who seems to hate her, loves playing pranks on her.

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.

Friday's days at Highcrest are numbered! The new headmaster is turning everything upside down. Friday's irritatingly high IQ has her fast-tracked to graduation while a pair of incriminating pants puts Ian on the rocky road to expulsion. When a rumour emerges of embezzled gold stashed on the school grounds, Friday is determined to uncover the truth. But some big questions remain- Can she stay out of detention long enough to solve the mystery? Will Melanie survive without Friday to tell her what class she's in? And will Friday ever get that first kiss with Ian? With implosions and explosions everywhere, Friday Barnes will have to use her head and get a grip on her beating heart in order to find the gold that lies within.

It's two years later . . . Friday steps out of prison, a shell of her former self. She's still wearing the same brown cardigan, but she swears she's never solving mysteries again! Yeah right - who is she kidding? She can't suppress her brilliant deductive mind and is soon drawn back into the intrigues of Highcrest Academy. Then Uncle Bernie rings, pleading with Friday to fly to Italy and help him protect the Uffizi Galleries from a team of art thieves - and she can't say "no" to family. Even if it means travelling to the city where Ian, her ex-boyfriend/nemesis is living. Will Friday be able to protect Italy's finest artworks? Will Melanie stay awake long enough to help her? And will Ian still be as gorgeous as a Greek god and twice as annoying?

Friday Barnes has been deported to Switzerland. With their in-school detective gone, Highcrest Academy has descended into chaos. Someone's fired all the teachers and the Headmaster claims it wasn't him. When suspicion falls on Ian Wainscott, Friday won't stand by and let her favourite nemesis take the blame. Apart from probably being innocent, he's also seriously good-looking. Friday must try to save Ian's scholarship and find the pranksters before they bring down the school.

Friday Barnes is being attacked on all counts. When she gets involved in her frenemy Ian Wainscott's family dispute, it appears her knack for uncovering the truth may ruin their friendship once and for all. No one said high school would be easy.

When Friday Barnes cracked the case of the mysterious swamp yeti, she didn't expect to be placed under arrest. Now with the law on her back and Ian Wainscott in her face, Friday is not so sure boarding school was the smartest choice. From a missing or not-so-missing calculator to the appearance of strange holes in the school field, she is up to her pork-pie hat in crimes. There's also a new boy called Christopher.

In this collective anthology created by students from two different countries, students show empathy and compassion. Kinglake had one day of fire disaster and Kabul has endured thirty years of war, but the students find common courage and hope.

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.

The first shots were fired at eleven am on 19 July 1916. The Battle of Fromelles lasted less than twenty-four hours and, when it was over, more than five thousand Australian soldiers had been killed, wounded or taken prisoner. More soldiers died at Fromelles than in the Boer, Korean and Vietnam wars combined. Almost a century later, the attention of the world has once again turned to Fromelles. Usually read by students in Years 9,10 or above.

This is a story about families and Robbie, who loves to run.

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.

Hell hath no fury like an angel scorned. Everything that has happened to Mercy over millennia has made her who she is. Now she and The Eight wage open war with Luc and his demons, and the earth is their battlefield. Ryan's love for Mercy is more powerful than ever, her guiding light in the hour of darkness. But the very love that sustains her, now places Ryan in mortal danger. Two worlds collide as Mercy approaches her ultimate breathtaking choice. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

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.

Paula is kidnapped and taken five thousand years into the future where humans are referred to as ""it"" and reduced to the status of laboratory rats.