Booklists

Two eccentric classmates deduce a range of cryptic clues from a magician's notebook which allow them to solve a kidnapping and set to rest a story of displacement.

In 1789, the new colony in Sydney is established. Nanberry is an Aboriginal boy who is raised by Surgeon John White and witnesses the struggles of the colonists to survive in the wilderness. Follow Nanberry and his white brother as they make their way in the world, as well as the young convict woman who becomes a lady in her own right. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In the 1930s, Australian Nancy Wake was a young woman enjoying a bohemian life in Paris. After witnessing an horrific scene of Nazi violence, Nancy decided to help rid Europe of the Nazis. What began as a courier job became a highly successful escape network for Allied soldiers, perfectly camouflaged by Nancy's high-society life in Marseille. A compelling story. Coarse language may offend some readers. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Natalie Imbruglia is an internationally renowned singer and songwriter, who has won many music industry awards.

Mau is the sole survivor of a primitive tribe, wiped out by a terrible natural disaster. He is young but brave and visionary, in this upside-down and dangerous world. He gathers around him, and defends, a strange group, including a feisty young girl and a foul-mouthed parrot. Strong language used in context. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

A community in Yorkshire, England, devastated by unemployment, has another problem to contend with. An unknown beast is roaming the moors.

Year 2471. A new discovery. Those three words thrill my parents - the galaxy's leading archaeologists - but for me, it means another time jump to a different planet. One so big, my friends will be older than my dad when we arrive. And I'll still be seventeen. Thanks, Einstein. Usually read by students in year 9, 10 & above.

A collection of narratives retelling Aboriginal traditions are written by a non-Aboriginal poet who was made a member of Aboriginal language groups in two Australian states. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Nicholas Flamel is dying and the spell from the Codex that renews his immortality is in the possession of the evil Dr John Dee. Flamel hopes to use his remaining power to prevent the monsters, now on the island of Alcatraz, from escaping. Twins, Sophie and Josh, are back in San Francisco, where Sophie is kidnapped by Aoife and Josh is beginning to doubt whether he is on the right side of things.

The evil corporation, Nightrise, has amassed an immense amount of power and the devastating force of the Old Ones is about to be unleashed around the globe. To stop this from happening, Matt and three of the Gatekeepers head to Hong Kong to meet the final Gatekeeper, a girl named Scarlet, whose fate is inextricably joined to their own.

Hugo and his father have come to Australia to research life in the gold fields. When the coach they are travelling on is bailed up by a bushranger, they decide to find out all they can about bushrangers. Little does Hugo know that when he befriends fifteen year old Ned Kelly, he is much closer to bushrangers that he expected. His comfortable travels with is father are about to lead to exciting and dangerous places.

The tale of Ned Kelly told as never before. Readers will enjoy not only the tale of the Kelly Gang and those who sought to imprison them but the faithful recreation of historical landscape on which this most amazing of stories was played out. Beautiful full colour illustrations bring the story to life and the addition of period newspaper clips make this a valuable study for readers of all ages with an interest in bushrangers or Australian history.

The Armstrongs are both predator and prey, hunting for clues to help them fight the Darkening-King, while constantly watching their backs. This time it's not just the world of the Hidden searching for them: the Josser world is intent on capturing the family too. Leading the search is the curious Mr Fox and his agents in grey, and they've found an ally who knows Ned's every move. As the world of the Hidden begins to fall apart, its horde of Demons and Darklings threatens to spill out of the shadows at any moment. With his trusty mouse and Familiar, Lucy and George, Ned must travel from the snow-swept forests of Siberia to the cliffs of Dover in a desperate attempt to rally allies for a final stand. Fearsome enemies will become allies and old allies enemies, as Ned prepares himself for the final battle.

Ned and his family are trying to be ordinary - except they aren't. When the world's gold goes missing and a thief appears at his house, Ned is forced to slip back behind the veil. Reunited with his old friends, they must uncover the villain and a secret which could end the world.

Neil Armstrong was America's rocket man, the first person to set foot on the moon and turn science fiction into amazing reality. He studied aeronautical engineering, won medals as a fighter pilot, tried out the X-15 experimental rocket plane and become one of the elite few chosen to be a NASA astronaut.

South Africa's famous freedom-fighter struggled for race equality all his life and won. He became president of the people he helped to free and, in so doing, earned love and respect worldwide. It concludes with his life in retirement.

Unbeknownst to them both, Min and Noah share a terrible secret. Each year, on their birthday, they are murdered by a man in dark sunglasses and a black suit. This has happened every birthday since their tenth. No one will believe them. After all, they're always found safe and sound without injury of any kind. Now, with the world in the path of a killer asteroid, will they be able to put aside their differences and solve the mystery of their own murders before something even more terrible happens? Usually read by students in Year 9, 10 and above.

Rachel's goal is to play netball for Australia but she has a lot to learn about being a team player.

Alex Rider is trying to get his life back on track after the traumatic events of his last mission. But even Alex can't fight the past especially when it holds a deadly secret.

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.

Morrigan Crow is cursed. Born on an unlucky day Morrigan is blamed for all local misfortunes from hailstorms to heart attacks. But as Morrigan awaits her fate a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears and whisks her away to a magical city named Nevermoor. Morrigan discovers that she must contend for a place in a magical society called the Wundrous Society. The only problem is, Morrigan thinks she has no secret talents at all. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests.

Under the streets of London lies a world most people could never dream of. When Richard Mayhew helps a mysterious girl he finds bleeding on the pavement, his boring life changes in an instant. Her name is Door, she's on the run from two assassins in black suits and she comes from London Below. His act of kindness leads him to a place filled with monsters and angels, a Beast in a labyrinth and an Earl who holds Court in a Tube train. It is strangely familiar yet utterly bizarre. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

For 16 year old Julie these Christmas holidays become life changing. Her parents separated when she was three and she is meeting her father, a pilot in New Guinea, for the first time since then. In addition, spending time away from her mother is something Julie is looking forward to - a time to decide her own path.

Jamie Riley is on probation and has arrived in desolate Port Barren. It's a mysterious town with a number of dark secrets, a strange assortment of people and a number of unsolved crimes, Jamie's arrival leads to a number of unexplained events, culminating in a heroic journey through the desert, which brings the truth of these ghastly events to light. Includes adult themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

For Bella Swan, there is one thing more important than life itself, Edward Cullen. But, being in love with a vampire is even more dangerous than Bella could have imagined. Edward has already rescued Bella from the clutches of one evil vampire but, as their daring relationship threatens everything, they realise their troubles are just beginning. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Mystical fantasy tapping into Irish culture and music that deals with the interesting concept of time leaking from the real world into the fantasy world and the impact on both. A musical score ends each chapter. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

After the Newington Emerald is stolen at the height of a conjured storm, eighteen year old Lady Truthful Newington goes to London to search for the magical heirloom. But, as a well-bred young lady cannot hunt the metropolis for a stolen jewel, she has to disguise herself as a man. Lady Truthful is soon caught up in a dangerous adventure where she must risk her life, her reputation and her heart. Her father's life and even the fate of England may depend upon her recovering the Newington Emerald.

Written by Aunty Fay Muir, an Elder and Traditional Owner of Boon Wurrung Country. She is the senior linguist at the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages in Melbourne. This collection of definitions, words and phrases is titled Nganga, which is defined on page 84 as "a word from Boon Wurrung language, meaning to see and understand".

More than anything Devi Sharma wants to win the upcoming BollyOz competition for her mum. Then she'll be on her way to becoming Bollywood's first ever Australian half-Indian, sort of Kiwi, quarter Scottish, Vaisnavi vegan superstar! Then Devi starts AFL lessons at school and she's surprised to find she has talent...and a feeling she hasn't had in a long time. Can Devi convince her family to let her play AFL when nice girls don't play this football and her mum thinks it will risk her winning BollyOz? With the help of her best friend in the whole entire universe, Josie, Devi needs to come up with a plan so she can play footy like she wants and light the fire in her belly once again.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? Everyone knows that Nick and Charlie are the perfect couple - that they're inseparable. But now Nick is leaving for university, and Charlie will be left behind at Sixth Form. Everyone's asking if they're staying together, which is a stupid question - they're "Nick and Charlie" for goodness sake! But as the time to say goodbye gets inevitably closer, both Nick and Charlie question whether their love is strong enough to survive being apart. Or are they delaying the inevitable? Because everyone knows that first loves rarely last forever. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

London, 1810: Miss Nicola Sparks, independent husband-hunting orphan meets the fabulously rich, breathtakingly handsome cad and bounder, Lord Sebastian. She is involved in a kidnapping and a very romantic rescue.

Three stories in one book - The night bus, The hitchhiker and The man with the yellow face - including the scariest passengers on the Halloween night bus, the hitchhiker harbouring the deadly secret and the mysterious man replacing Peter in Peter's passport photo.

In 1886 a mysterious travelling circus becomes an international sensation. Open only at night, constructed entirely in black and white, the Cirque des Reves delights all who wander its circular paths and warm themselves at its bonfire. There are contortionists, performing cats, carousels and illusionists - all the trappings of an ordinary circus. But this is no conventional spectacle. Some tents contain clouds, some ice. The circus seems almost to cast a spell over its aficionados, who call themselves the reveurs - the dreamers. And who is the sinister man in the grey suit who watches over it all? Behind the scenes a dangerous game is being played out by two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who, at the behest of their masters, are forced to test the very limits of the imagination - and of love. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Anna Fang is a spy. An aviatrix. An escaped slave. No one knows the whole story of Anna...till now. In the dangerous world of Mortal Engines, where huge motorised cities hunt and devour each other Anna Fang wages war against them. These three original, and beautifully illustrated, stories bring the city-eat-city world alive and flesh out the brave, bold and rebellious Anna Fang.

Last October, Alice Ogilvie's ex-best friend, Brooke Donovan, was killed - and if it weren't for Alice's unlikely alliance with Iris Adams, and the complete works of Agatha Christie, the wrong person would almost certainly be sitting in prison for the crime. The Castle Cove police aren't exactly great at solving crimes. Which is why, on the night of the annual dance, Alice decides to explore Levy Castle - the site of one of Castle Cove's most infamous deaths. Classic film star Mona Moody died there almost a century ago, and Alice is pretty sure the police got that investigation wrong too. But before she can dig deeper, she walks right into the scene of a new crime: Rebecca Kennedy, on the ground in a pool of blood and another of Alice's ex-friends - Helen Park - standing over her. The Castle Cove police think it's an open and shut case, but Alice and Iris know that to understand the present, sometimes you need to look to the past. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Sisters, Devorah and Nechama, are two of Isaac Ochberg's orphans who have survived the Night of the Burning in Domachevo, Poland, in 1920. With courage and hope, the sisters travel to South Africa for a better life and a desire to find safety and a family that might love them.

Fourteen year old twins, Scott and Jamie, possess extraordinary powers. When Scott is kidnapped and Jamie is framed for murder, they must use the powers to survive. But, when Jamie is catapulted into the past, to face the horror of the Old Ones, he learns that he is one of the five Gatekeepers, standing in the way of eternal chaos. The brothers must fight the evil and win. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A funny and fascinating story of contemporary Australia with a moving tale of survival in Hiroshima at the end of the Second World War. When Josh breaks his leg, he is rescued by his kind but mysterious neighbour, Mrs Murakami.

Imagine being the only two seventeen-year-olds in a small town. That's life for Kirby Arrow named after the most dissenting judge in Australia's history and her best friend Clancy Lee, would-be musical star. Clancy wants nothing more than to leave town and head for the big smoke, but Kirby is worried: her family has a history of leaving. She hasn't heard from her father since he left when she was a baby. Shouldn't she stay to help her mother with the goat's-milk soap-making business and look after her grandfather? And how could she leave her pet goat, Stanley, her dog Maude, and her cat Marianne? But two things happen that change everything for Kirby. She finds an article in the newspaper about her father, and Iris arrives in town. Iris is beautiful, wears crazy clothes, plays the mandolin, and seems perfect.. Clancy has his heart set on winning over Iris. Trouble is Kirby is also falling in love with Iris...Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Viola can't go out in the sun. If she does, it will kill her. Even fluorescent lights can do her harm. So, her parents invest in night vision goggles and let her roam the nearby forest at night for fun. When Viola sees something that she will not ignore, she has a choice to make. But, choices come with consequences and hers may have dangerous implications. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In a dazzling new fantasy world full of whispered secrets and political intrigue, the magic of women is outlawed but three girls with unusual gifts have the chance to change it all.

On Marin's island, sunrise doesn't come every twenty-four hours - it comes every twenty-eight years. Now the sun is just a sliver of light on the horizon. The weather is turning cold. The shadows are growing long. The dark is rising. And soon it will be Night. Because Night is falling. Their island is changing. And something is stirring in the dark.

Although Quentaris is flourishing, strange events at the Old Tree Guesthouse are causing the once popular guesthouse to lose custom. Nisha and Tal, who feature in Quentaris in Flames and Beneath Quentaris, are soon on the trail of the problem, a shape-shifter who is stealing dreams.

Fourteen year old twins, Scott and Jamie, have extraordinary powers. When Jamie, framed for murder, tries to rescue the kidnapped Scott, he is catapulted thousands of years into the past to fight a horrifying and violent battle. As one of the five Gatekeepers, he joins in a seemingly doomed stand against the massed forces of evil and black magic. Not for the faint-hearted. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Alex Rider is sent by MI6 Special Operations to infiltrate a new and sinister organization known only as Nightshade. Alex is on his own, with the fate of thousands of people resting in his hands.

Alex Rider must again rely on his wits, courage and intelligence when a new villain emerges and his life is turned upside down. The evil Nightshade cult is out for revenge and has Alex in their sights. Danger is everywhere as Alex fights to survive.

Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are. But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.

The Boons, a large, motherless family, are always on the move. Their father, a dreamer, takes risks that never pay off. When the family moves to an isolated house, Fing and her sisters sense the house and adjacent cemetery have a macabre past. They defy their strong-tongued grandmother to explore the cellar and a curious hole in the hedge. The house has its secrets and, somehow, they are linked to the family.

Flushed with their multicultural cricketing success in NIPS XI, the team goes interstate to watch the Aussie team practise on the holiest turf in cricket, the MCG. They are also invited to an important cricket carnival.

The boys at North Illaba Primary School form a cricket team. The team includes students from different cultures and they combine to celebrate their common interests, not their diversities.

Lou Bertignac's father cries in secret in the bathroom and her mother hasn't been out of the house properly for years. But, Lou is about to change her life and that of her parents for good, all because of a school project she decides to do about the homeless. Lou meets No, a teenage girl living on the streets, who has disruptive as well as positive effects on the whole family. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 or above.

Asmir and his family are trying to escape from the war in Sarajevo.

Julia, a gifted student, musically and academically, is accelerated to high school. She feels socially isolated and desperately wants to fit in with the other students. Julia's life changes in many ways when the school band travels to Hobart.

Three teenagers flee their homes for different reasons and are desperate to get to England. They entrust their lives to a people smuggler and quickly learn that he can't be trusted. Follow each of their journeys as they seek asylum. Based on the true experiences of children caught up in the refugee jungle of Calais and striving to find a place for themselves in the world. Includes adult themes and violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Xanthe and Julia are best friends. They are both very talented. Xanthe dreams of winning a medal at the National Diving Championships and Julia is a talented musician. Both girls have to deal with some serious challenges to realise their dreams.

A parallel is drawn between Jose and the other people of East Timor during the invasion by Indonesia, and the spirit of Uncle Adolfo's fighting bird. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Eight year old Noah is running away from his problems, or at least that's what he thinks, the day he takes the untrodden path through the forest. When he comes across a very unusual toyshop and meets the even more unusual toymaker, he's not sure what to expect. But, the toymaker has a story to tell, a story full of adventure and wonder and broken promises.

Sixteen year old Noah is a troublemaker. His father is a hotshot barrister. This is not a good combination. When Noah gets caught misbehaving at school, his dad sends him to work at his aunt's law firm, during the holidays, to learn responsibility and fix his attitude. Noah discovers Law & Order TV shows differ from reality big time.

Marcie is a real human girl. Almost 18, she has had her fair share of problems and bad decisions. When her imaginary friend Thor reappears after 8 years, Marcie has to work out whether she still needs Thor to guide her now that she is approaching adulthood. And Thor needs to figure out who he is without Marcie to keep him in existence. Usually read by students in Year 9, 10 & above.

It is 1982 and the FBI studies serial killers in order to know how they operate, why they do the things they do and more importantly how to spot the clues and be able to catch them. But how do you study teenage serial killers? Which teenage serial killers are willing to talk to the FBI professionals? That's where teenagers Emma and Travis come into play. Both victims of serial killers in their own ways, they've been asked to take part in a program of interviewing young serial killers and trying to help study them. But what happens when they get caught up in an active case, what happens when they get caught between two serial killers? Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Norman and Brenda lead separate, unfulfilled lives until finally their worlds converge and they discover true happiness, thanks to chance. Gentle humour, economy of words and complex visuals.

In Norse Mythology, Gaiman takes the Norse myths and gives them new life; from the genesis of the legendary nine worlds, he delves into the exploits of the deities, dwarves, and giants, and culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and the rebirth of a new time and people. Gaiman stays true to the myths while vividly reincarnating Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin's son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki, the son of a giant, a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Rose is a North Child and superstition says that she will travel far from home and meet a lonely, icy death. Unaware of her fate, she makes a bargain with a mysterious white bear and is carried to a distant castle. But, once there, Rose unleashes a terrible curse and must embark on an epic journey to save the stranger who has stolen her heart.

In the first of the Dark Materials trilogy, Lyra's friend Roger disappears. She and her daemon, Pantalaimon, determine to find him, leading them to the bleak splendour of the North where scientists are conducting unspeakably horrible experiments. This text includes representations that may be contrary to some religious beliefs. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The journey of a boy on the knife-edge between life and death, where the raging seas meet a coastal wilderness. When a deadly plague reaches the small fishing camp where he lives, an orphan named Leif is forced to take to the water in a cedar canoe. He flees northward, following a wild, fjord-riven shore. The deeper into his journey, the closer Leif comes to his truest self as he connects to 'the heartbeat of the ocean ... the pulse of the sea.'

When Nostradamus prophesises a great massacre, only Catherine de' Medici, mother of the young French King, Charles, pays heed to the dire warning. But, the soothsayer also has a message for Melisande, the minstrel's daughter. Upon his death, Nostradamus entrusts her with fulfilling his final prophecy.

Falling in love wasn't part of the plan. Eliza Quan fully expects to be voted the next editor-in-chief of her school paper. She works hard, she respects the facts, and she has the most experience. Len DiMartile is an injured star baseball player who seems to have joined the paper just to have something to do. Naturally, the staff picks Len to be their next leader. Because while they may respect Eliza, they don't particularly like her - but right now, Eliza is not here to be liked. She's here to win. But someone does like Eliza. A lot. Shame it's the boy standing in the way of her becoming editor-in-chief. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Maddie thought she and Logan would be friends forever. But when your dad is a Secret Service agent and your best friend is the president's son, sometimes life has other plans. Before she knows it, Maddie is dragged off to the middle of the Alaskan wilderness, where there is no phone, no internet, and not a single word from Logan. Six years later Logan lands on her doorstep, and an assailant is not far behind. Maddie wants to kill Logan, but she has to save him first.

Just because she's blind, Parker Grant refuses to be treated differently or badly. They are the Rules and no second chances. Just ask Scott, who broke her heart. When he suddenly reappears in her life, Parker shuns him completely. She has enough on her mind, including dealing with her dad's recent death. But, avoiding her past proves impossible. As Parker learns what really happened, both with Scott and her dad, the more she questions if things are always as they seem. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The world is a very large place and this book concentrates on the really interesting bits to create a snapshot of what each country is like. In this book there are the epic events, amazing animals, hideous histories, funky foods and crazy facts that make the world's 200 countries so fascinating.

Felix now has another Zelda in his life, his granddaughter. His life has been one of distinction, but still he feels a failure because his inability to save the first Zelda. It takes a typically Australian disaster for Felix to lay to rest the pain from his past, and for his granddaughter to understand her own strength of character.

Life's easier when you stay away from other people. Rose Valentine knows that. But some people are impossible to ignore. Take Theo Lockhart, he's handsome, funny and beyond intriguing. He's a mystery; one that Rose dreams of solving. Then one night the mystery deepens. Usually read by students in year 9, 10 and above.

Ollie causes massive power outages when he comes into contact with electricity. Moritz has an electric heart that keeps him alive. They are best friends, though they can never meet. But no matter how far apart these pen pals are, their letters keep them close. As Ollie and Moritz start to brave the outside world, they meet other teenagers living lives almost as unusual as their own. But before they can feel any real sense of belonging, a new danger threatens to destroy all the progress they've made. Can these teens find their place in a world that might never understand them? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A story of the determination of the people of Denmark to protect their Jewish friends from the Nazis in World War II.

Written in 1816, this is the basis of Tchaikovsky's ballet. In this edition, the classic story of a sinister toymaker and a boy and a girl doll that come to life is presented with beautiful illustrations and detailed historical information.

An idyllic Greek island. Obsessed demigods. A fallen nymph. A mortal boy. Merope, a beautiful but faded star nymph, is banished to Earth for displeasing the gods. She tries to fit in, go to school and live a normal 'human' life. And then she meets Lukas - but relationships between men and goddesses are forbidden. Will their love grow or will Merope and Lukas feel the wrath of the gods.

Presents the fictional diary of thirteen year old Nzingha, a sixteenth-century West African princess, who loves to hunt and hopes, one day, to lead her kingdom against the invasion of the Portuguese slave traders.