Booklists

Alice is the most powerful witch the county has ever seen. She may one day be the most evil. But Alice is also the best friend -and true love- of Tom Ward. Together they work to defeat the Fiend -the world's greatest evil- once and for all. They have nearly everything they need, all except a blade hidden in the Dark, the Fiend's domain. So Alice ventures there to find it. She faces the most terrifying creatures in existence. And she once again battles old enemies who bear grudges: Bony Lizzie, Bloodeye, and more. And there's something Tom didn't tell her. To vanquish the Fiend, Tom must sacrifice the person he loves most. Alice is hunting for the very blade that will eventually kill her.

A young boy's journey of survival across Europe following his assisted escape from a concentration camp.

One witch is the most feared, the most ruthless, and the most deadly of all the witches in the county. If she hunts for you, she will find you. If you have crossed her, you don't stand a chance. She is the witch assassin, and her name is Grimalkin. Grimalkin's one alliance is with Tom Ward, the Spook's apprentice. With Tom, she plans to rid the world of the most terrifying evil, the Fiend, who once did her great wrong. For the first time, fans of the Last Apprentice series will hear the story from Grimalkin's side, as she is hunted herself by creatures of darkness set on revenge. Grimalkin has never been defeated. But can she survive an enemy created for the sole purpose of destroying her?

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.

When the Taliban took control in Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education. On her way home from school, fifteen year old Malala was shot in the head by a member of the Taliban. She survived and began her extraordinary journey. Malala has become a global symbol of peaceful protest, the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate and a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Seventeen-year-old Mandy, daughter of Starfire, is NOT like her mother. Starfire is gorgeous, tall, sparkly, and a hero. Mandy is NOT a sparkly superhero. Mandy has no powers, is a kid who dyes her hair black and hates everyone but her best friend Lincoln. To Starfire, who is from another planet, Mandy seems like an alien, like some distant angry light years away moon. Everyone thinks Mandy needs to go to college and become whoever you become at college, but Mandy has other plans. Mandy's big plan is that she's going to move to France and...do whatever people do in France. But then everything changes when she gets partnered with Claire for a school project. Mandy likes Claire (even if she denies it, heartily and intensely). A lot. How do you become the person you're supposed to be when you don't know what that is? How do you become the person you're supposed to be when the only thing you're sure of is what you're not? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Thomas is isolated in a crowd. His story is punctuated by the words adults, such as parents, teachers, politicians, recruitment officers and churchgoers, have said to him throughout his journey from childhood to adulthood. As the voices in his life crowd in on him, Thomas looks for another way.

Alan Marshall's classic autobiography shows how someone who contracted polio at the age of six, in 1908, and was permanently crippled can still lead a fulfilling life.

Nick's got a bad feeling and it's not indigestion. It's a dangerous life being the younger brother of the world's worst private detective. Tim invites him to a school reunion on a remote island and the guests start dying one by one.

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.

Alison finds herself dealing with the death of her Auntie Mim and the change in her relationship with her best friend, Katie. When she falls in love with Jason, life begins to get very complex.

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.

The unforgettable lyrics about the Vietnam War are etched in our memories and brought to life in this picture book.

The harrowing, true story of Laura Wolff, a survivor of the holocaust and one of Schindler's women, who lost all her family but found love and friendship during her terrible experience in German concentration camps. Contains adult themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Behind the facade of a genteel, private school, the Gallagher Academy operates as a school for highly-trained spies. Girls are fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man with a stick of uncooked spaghetti. But, that doesn't stop these likeable teenagers obsessing about boys and experimenting with make-up and high heels. Cameron's life is even more complicated than that of the average teenager.

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.

The poignant story of a nine year old Aboriginal boy who was taught a traditional way of life until he was taken from his family, in accordance with the official government policy of the time.

Every Friday after school, seventeen-year-old Alice Choy and her little sister, Olivia, head to Myeongdong to sing karaoke. Since their diplomat mom moved them to Seoul, her only musical outlet is letting loose in a private karaoke booth to an audience of one: her loyal sister. Then a scout for Top10 Entertainment, one of the biggest K-pop companies, hears her and offers her a spot at their Star Academy. Can Alice navigate the culture clashes, egos, and extreme training practices of K-pop to lead her group onstage before a stadium of 50,000 chanting fans-and just maybe strike K-pop gold? Not if a certain influential blogger and the anti-fans get their way. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

It's 1972 in Gibber's Creek, and across the nation, the catchcry is, 'It's time'. As political ideals drift from disaster to the dismissal, it's also time for Jed Kelly to choose between past love, Nicholas, the local Labor member, and Sam from the Halfway to Eternity commune. It's time too for Matilda Thompson to face her ghosts and the life that took a young girl from the slums of Grinder's Alley to being the formidable matriarch of Gibber's Creek. During this period of extraordinary social change and idealism, modern Australia would be born. And although the nation would dream of a better world, it would continue to struggle with opposing ideas of exactly what that better world might be.

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.

A thought-provoking way of looking at world history and our place within it. About 10,000 years ago marks a major turning point in the history of life on Earth for humankind as people settled down and built towns and cities. Importantly, during this period, they began to record their activities and achievements. But 10,000 years ago is difficult to imagine - what if our calendar were condensed into just 100 days, where each day equals 100 years? How many days ago were the first cities built? When did the population explosion happen? When did we decide to write things down and when did books appear? Did writing change the way we share ideas? This book asks questions big and small, leaving readers wondering if all the changes have been for the better, and what does it mean for our future.

Jayden Jones is missing. Everyone thinks he ran away. His best friend, Zoe Gale, knows they're wrong. Zoe's search leads her to The 17 - a secret group chat, used by anonymous teens to blackmail the powerless. To join, you have to put on a mask and record yourself completing a challenge. The challenges are always illegal. Sometimes dangerous. Maybe deadly. Who are The 17? What have they done to Jayden? And what will they do to silence Zoe? A rollercoaster of suspense and twists from the author of the Liars series.

The Midnight Sun has been waiting five hundred years for the homunculus, a man-made man, to rise, and now the evil Ms Mauvais and Dr L are going to throw Cass and Max-Ernest to the sharks unless they tell them where he is.

Ebo: alone. His sister left months ago. Now his brother has disappeared too, and Ebo knows it can only be to make the hazardous journey to Europe. Ebo's epic journey takes him across the Sahara Desert to the dangerous streets of Tripoli, and finally out to the merciless sea. But with every step he holds on to his hope for a new life, and a reunion with his sister.

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

When their planet, Kerenza, is attacked by an unknown enemy, Kady and Ezra are separated and evacuate in different space ships. A deadly virus is spreading in one ship, the lead ship's computer has gone rogue and the enemy is close. Through long distance communication, Kady and Ezra try to find out what went wrong. As gamers, hackers and video geeks, they have great skills but reconciling their hearts, amidst machines and software, proves much more difficult. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Nate Quarter, a young, lowly lamplighter in the phraxmines of the Eastern Woods, is propelled on an epic journey of self-discovery that encompasses tournaments, battles, revolutions and a final encounter with the Immortals themselves. The final tale in the Edge Chronicles series.

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.

For the past five years, Hayley has been home schooled on the road by her father, a veteran of the Iraq war who has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. When they settle down for her final year at school, Hayley has to deal with her father's random behaviour and learn how to have a trusting relationship with a boy, who is hiding secrets of his own. Challenging read, some violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or 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.

Frey was raised to take a bullet. She's the body double for her twin sister Rafia - the precious heir of the first family of Shreve - and her existence is a closely guarded secret. So while Rafi was schooled in poise and diplomacy, Frey was drilled in weapons and combat. Her purpose: to protect her sister from their tyrannical father's many enemies. When Frey is sent in Rafi's place as collateral in a precarious business deal, she becomes the perfect impostor - as elegant and charming as her sister. But Col Palafox, the son of a rival leader, is getting close enough to spot the killer inside her. As layers of deceit peel away, can Frey become her own person, and risk everything in a rebellion? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

A group of teens are abducted into the land of the Korrigans. The human world continues to search for the group, who have now been separated into the two worlds. The heroic journeys of all the characters are akin to those journeys of the literature of old.

'I have always known that in another life I was-or will be-a dolphin. I am a pink human, caught in a net of ambition and years of hard work. In a few minutes I will dive into artificially turquoise water waiting at my feet. A minute later I'll either be ecstatic or a failure.'Fifteen-year-old swimming champ Alex Archer has her mind set on one goal-competing in the Olympic Games in Rome. Alex has been training hard for six years--but so has her archrival, Maggie Benton. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

This is the story of Dujuan Hoosan, a 10-year-old Arrernte and Garawa boy. A wise, funny, cheeky boy. A healer. Out bush, his healing power (Ngangkere) is calm and straight. But in town, it's wobbly and wild, like a snake. He's in trouble at school, and with the police. He thinks there's something wrong with him. Dujuan's family knows what to do: they send him to live out bush, to learn the ways of the old people, and the history that runs straight into all Aboriginal people. So he can be proud of himself.

Take the journey with an ordinary boy on a path leading him from the safety of his home into a dark forest. His head is full of the fearful images of his computer games, the ones that excite, yet terrify him, battles between heroes and dreadful beasts that may hunt this primal landscape.

Tamara has been living on a freighter in deep space, and her kidnappers are terrifying Crowpeople - the only aliens humanity has ever encountered. No-one has ever survived a Crowpeople attack, until now - and Tamara must use everything she has just to stay alive. But survival always comes at a price, and there's no handbook for this hostage crisis. As Tamara comes to know the Crowpeople's way of life, and the threats they face from humanity's exploration into deep space, she realises she has an impossible choice to make. Should she stay as the only human among the Crows, knowing she'll never see her family again - or inevitably betray her new community if she wants to escape?

Alanna participates in her first war, battles against Jonathan's evil uncle, Duke Roger, meets the Great Mother Goddess and experiences first love, all the while maintaining her guise as a boy.

Miki is entrusted to return a piece of embroidered fabric and a silk ribbon to Aiko and inherits a bossy little pixie called Nameless. Miki must unravel clues from the past to save the day.

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...

Ella has been a regular member of the backstage crew for plays, she dreams of acting, but suffers from stage fright. She soon learns that some of her friends have much more serious problems to overcome.

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.

Exposes global warming and the effects and dangers we face from climate changes. Photographs depicting victims of natural disasters may be distressing to some.

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.

An exciting and adventurous way to find out how the body works by following two tiny explorers through arteries, veins, bones and organs.

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.

A friendly science book depicting simple experiments for all sorts of scientific facts and figures.

In 1910, thirteen year old Poesy Swift has the opportunity to join a travelling performance troupe, she's excited about seeing the world and leaving her drab life in Melbourne. But, the trip heads to India instead of America and, as India simmers with the tension of a crumbling Empire, the troupe is gradually torn apart by ill fortune, sickness and tension. Based on the true story of the Lilliputian Opera Company.

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.

There is but one law, eat or be eaten. Stopmouth and his family know of no other life than the daily battle to survive. For Stopmouth, considered slow-witted hunt-fodder by his tribe, the future looks especially bleak. Then, on the day he is callously betrayed by his brother, a strange and beautiful woman falls from the sky.

Tom and Hester are at peace in side-lined Anchorage, unlike their daughter, Wren, who unwittingly betrays them and is kidnapped by submariner pirates. Tom and Hester must try to rescue her, not knowing that Doctor Oenone Zero has restored the Stalker Shrike. As a result of Wren's actions, the whole world is about to be torn apart. A world that is already violent and cruel is about to become worse. 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.

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.

Liam O'Connor should have died at sea in 1912. Maddy Carter should have died on a plane in 2010. But they have both been given a second chance - to work for an agency that no one knows exists. Its purpose: to prevent time travel destroying history . . . The end is approaching for the TimeRiders. In a final effort to prevent time travel destroying history, Liam and Maddy jump forward to 2070 to confront the enigmatic Waldstein and prove once and for all if he is friend or foe. What they discover is more shocking than anyone could have imagined and soon the TimeRiders are on one final mission - back to Biblical times to save the whole of humanity . . .

Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And the real battle, confronting Galbatorix, still lies ahead. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chances.

Forced to live with her grandfather at the remote family property that has been in her family for generations, Nic wonders how she will survive without mobile reception or Wi-Fi. She begins to explore the family home, finding cryptic clues that she hopes will lead to information about her mother who died on the day she was born. Nic finds something even better, a way to travel back in time, a way to find out about her ancestors. What she discovers though is a dark secret that still haunts the land and the people who live there. Can she change the terrible events of the past, is there some way to undo the atrocities of her ancestors?

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.

All this will soon be yours, respect what I have built and make it prosper.' These are the last words of the old industrialist before dying. While the three brothers discuss how to fulfil their father's wishes, the sister lists for them the disastrous consequences that would follow: disease; marine pollution; deforestation; the destruction of the landscape; pollution of skies and rivers... The Inheritance tells of the greed of those who hold economic power, and reminds us that silence and inaction amount to complicity. With minimal text, this powerful story is told primarily through Armin Greder's distinctive illustrations that challenge the reader to question the status quo and fight for the future.

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

A beautiful illustrated graphic novel that follows Cinzia - a printer's apprentice - as she tries to prove her mentor, Mestra Aronne, has been wrongfully imprisoned. She crosses paths with Elena, the daughter of nobles who force her to remain hidden away, and the two become unexpected allies. This is a powerful story of friendship and explores the power of individuals making a change to make the world a better place.

Life in the Inkworld has been far from easy. With Dustfinger dead and the evil Adderhead now in control, the story in which they are all caught has taken an unhappy turn. Even Elinor, left alone in the real world, believes her family to be lost between the covers of a book. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Meggie loves books. So does her father, Mo, a bookbinder, although he has not read aloud to her since her mother mysteriously disappeared. One night, a stranger comes to their door and forces Mo to reveal an extraordinary secret about the power of storytelling. Standby as what happens in the imagination becomes real. 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.

Although a year has passed since the adventures of Inkheart, Meggie can't forget the extraordinary events and the characters that transformed her life. Now she dreams about getting inside the enchanted world of the book. But, Meggie needs to be careful about what she wishes for. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

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.

Tris has survived a brutal attack on her former home and family. But she has paid a terrible price. Wracked by grief and guilt, she becomes ever more reckless as she struggles to accept her new future. Yet if Tris wants to uncover the truth about her world, she must be stronger than ever... because more shocking choices and sacrifices lie ahead.

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.

Injured, vulnerable and with her powerful sleepwalker ability blocked, Ashala is forced to succumb to a machine which will pull secrets, about her tribe of illegals, from her mind, into the hands of a powerful Chief Administrator. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Joey is a lost soul and even has trouble finding his way around his own home. Then one day he walks into another dimension where he finds other versions of himself. The problem is that armies of magicians and scientists want to bend him to their foul purposes. The magicians of HEX are out to take control of the Altiverse and Joey must work with his variants to defeat them.

The Crooked place is Creije, a city built on the black market trade of magic, where buskers sell their charms and potions to customers yearning for the true magic that no longer exists because of the murder of Crafters. Tavia is one such busker, and along with Wesley, second only to the Kingpin, they must save their city from a sinister magic that has hit the streets. They team up with two other crooks, Karam and Saxony, and together they must defeat the Kingpin who will plunge their city into chaos and darkness. And perhaps new magic exists after all, perhaps Crafters are closer than they think.

Volcano researcher and photographer Donna O'Meara describes what it is like to be right there when a volcano erupts and hot lava, scalding steam and acidic ash are falling all around you.

This is the story of Robert Falcon Scott's Terra Nova expedition to Antarctica and the memorable characters, who with a band of shaggy ponies and savage dogs, follow a man they trust into the unknown. Battling storms at sea, impenetrable pack ice, man-eating whales, crevasses, blizzards, bad food, extreme temperatures, and equal measures of hunger, agony and snow blindness, the team pushes on against all odds. But will the weather hold? Will their rations be adequate? How will they know when they get there? And who invited the Norwegians?

During the winter of 1922, the Exploration Vessel, Raven, became trapped in the Antarctic icepack, entombing the twenty-eight men aboard. The book tells their story of living on the ice, their ambition, courage, madness and, ultimately, their hope. It captures the terrible, fascinating beauty of Antarctica, both as it was then and as it is today.

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.

Hugo is an orphan, clock keeper and thief, living in a Parisian railway station at the turn of the nineteenth century. The story, in words and pictures, includes the invention of the earliest moving pictures and automatons. A hidden message from a dead father is the key to this spellbinding mystery.

Philip has spent his whole life feeling invisible. Macca is a good all rounder, a sportsman and scholar who strives to be like his father. When their class is asked to keep diaries about heroes and villains, his class learn they are close to home and come in many disguises.

While treating a patient with dysentery, Sister Annie Barnaby encounters a strain of lethal bacteria. As the invaders journey deep into her gut, the resident microbes must fight to survive and Annie's life hangs in the balance. Enter the phage, a deadly viral predator, ready to wage war to protect their host. Created by an expert team of scientists, artists, educators, writers and historians, The Invisible war is a story like no other.

Book 1 ends with George having to make a choice between going back to his ordinary world or staying and helping Edie. High on the rooftops, an unseen gargoyle is watching them hungrily, waiting for the moment when it can unfold its stone wings and pounce. The thing on the roof knows that nothing is over, nothing is finished.

Australia's colourful, violent convict past vividly recreated to show that prison settlements were some of the most brutal places in the world. The darker side of our history raises many questions about crime, punishment, use and abuse of power.

Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Prankster, joker, raven, fool, King Oberon's right-hand jester from A Midsummer Night's Dream. The legends are many, but the truth will now be known as never before, as Puck finally tells his own story and faces a threat to the lands of Faery and the human world unlike any before. With the Iron Queen Meghan Chase and her prince consort, Puck's longtime rival Ash, and allies old and new by his side, Puck begins a fantastical and dangerous adventure not to be missed or forgotten. Filled with myths and faery lore, romance and unfathomable dangers,

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.

Isabel strives to remain on good terms with her controlling half-brother, King Enrique, and her younger sibling, the rebel King Alfonso in this tale of romance. As matches are made and broken, the princess finally weds the man of her choice.

Ishmael has made it to Senior School and things are really looking up. His chief tormentor, Barry Bagsley, has finally decided to leave him alone, while his dream girl, Kelly Faulkner, has finally decided not to. Maybe, Ishmael's remaining two years at school can actually be described as normal. Or perhaps not. There are shocks, laughs and even romances. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Ishmael Leseur is back at school and reunited with his friends, Scobie, Prindabel, Bill and the Razzman. They hope to win the debating competition but, first, they have to navigate Miss Tarango's poetry lessons and the school bully, Barry Bagsley. Ishmael also has a crush on Kelly Faulkner and Razza is determined to give him a helping hand. 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 the 1800s, this is a story of a girl's survival on a deserted island.

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.

One morning, a man is found on the beach by the people of an island. Although the islanders fear the outsider and want to send him back into the ocean, the fisherman convinces them that they have a responsibility to save him from death. A powerful look at how people cope with differences and the notion of a group mentality in dealing with a situation.

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.

Aileen is convinced she'll never become as magical as her Aunt Beck. But when her wise woman aunt is set a seemingly impossible rescue mission, Aileen soon realises she might be more special than she thought.

Selly has saltwater in her veins. So when her father leaves her high and dry in the port of Kirkpool, she has no intention of riding out the winter at home while he sails to adventure in the north seas. But any plans to follow him are dashed when a handsome stranger with tell-tale magician's marks on his arms commandeers her ship under cover of darkness: He is Prince Leander of Alinor, and he needs to cross the Crescent Sea without detection so he can complete a ritual on the sacred Isles of the Gods. Selly has no desire to escort a spoiled prince anywhere, and no time for his entitled demands or his good looks. But what starts as a leisure cruise will lead to acts of treason and sheer terror on the high seas, bringing two countries to the brink of war, two strangers closer than they ever thought possible and two dangerous gods stirring from centuries of slumber... Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or 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.

Everything you see and touch is made of one or more of the over ninety discovered elements like oxygen, platinum and ytterbium. This book is packed with things to learn and explore and the extraordinary ways in which the elements affect our lives.

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. "

Ivy, a common, laudanum addict living with thieves and scoundrels, is a stunner, a term for an artist's model and beauty. After embarking on a life of crime in London, she is sold out by her adopted family and falls victim to a pre-Raphaelite painter's jealous mother. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.