Booklists

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.