Booklists

Seventeen-year-old Gwendolyn P. Pearson has become very good at not thinking about the awful things that have happened to her family. But following a strange disturbance at the cafe where she works, Gwen is forced to confront what happened to her family all those years ago. And she slowly comes to realise that people aren't as they first appear and that like her, everyone has a story to tell. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Chrissie is twelve years old and very close to her dad, an artist, who is dying of lung cancer. Her mother buries herself in her work and Chrissie has to work through her own great grief, clinging to the special gifts her father has given her. 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.

Pandora Jones awakes from nightmares to find her world has been decimated by a pandemic. The few survivors have been gathered in a school, which is trying to prepare them for a society emerging from catastrophe. As Pandora bonds with her team, she begins to suspect they have powers that they have not been told about. Each clue she collects makes her question all her experiences and memories. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Pan is still struggling to distinguish between her dreams and reality. When she wakes in the Infirmary, her mind replays the sight of Nate running and then flopping after he was shot. But, her memories hold more questions than answers, and she doesn't know who to trust. When she forms an unlikely alliance with Jen, she encounters unexpected enemies. Pan and Jen are determined to seek the truth, no matter what rules they must break or how terrible the danger they face. Usually read by Years 9, 10 or above.

Pandora Jones' problems appear insurmountable. She must convince her team that nothing is as it seems, and that they must escape and expose The School to save the world from the plague she unwittingly inflicted on it. The only things Pan has on her side are her gift of intuition and her belief in the people she cares about. But, with the clock ticking, she must find a way to stop the plague, perhaps at any cost. Pan and her friends face off against the might of The School. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Suffering from an incurable disease, Adam Auttenberg sees the hospital as his second home. With some long-term special friends and an exciting new friendship he faces the toughest challenge. Peter Vu uses his own experiences to create an emotive text as a page turner. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The dramatic story of two children who rescue Papio and Upi, male and female baboons, from an experimental research station in Central Africa, only to find freedom brings problems for the animals and themselves. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Parkland is an enclosure that houses humans and human-ape hybrids. They are controlled by vicious creatures called leopards. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

This story depicts the injustice and brutality of life for a young girl under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. 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.

The gripping story of a young girl's journey in search of her family somewhere in war-ravaged Afghanistan, and of her courage and compassion in the face of many shocking hardships along the way. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

New York violin prodigy Etta loses everything one night when she is pulled through time to 1776 to the midst of a fierce sea battle. Etta discovers that the powerful Ironwood family are looking for a long lost object that could remake the future, and they think Etta holds the clue to finding it. Along with the swashbuckling privateer Nicholas, who has his own painful history with the Ironwood family, Etta must embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents to piece together the clues and stay one step ahead of the Ironwood clan. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Declan seems to have it all, a loving family, friends he's known for years and a beautiful girlfriend. But, something in Declan's past just won't go away and he makes the only decision he thinks he has left. As the train approaches and Declan teeters at the edge of the platform, two versions of his life are revealed to him. One moment. One pause. One whole new life. A challenging, confronting read. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Halima, 18, has moved with her family to London and her horizons are beginning to expand. Then, just as she is about to start university, she discovers her father's plan to marry her to the son of a distant relation in Pakistan who once did him a favour. Halima is to be the repayment of the debt. And it's payback time. Adult themes and strong language in context. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Following a car accident in which her neck is broken, a teenage karate champion has to recover from this tragedy with the help of her family. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

As the city of San Juan pulses to summer's sluggish beat, its teenage football prodigy El Brujito, the Little Magician, vanishes without trace. Paul Faustino, South America's top sports journalist, is reluctantly drawn into the mystery. As a story of corruption and murder unfolds, he is forced to confront a bitter history of slavery, and the power of the occult. Includes some adult themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In a shocking accident, Cameron's wife, Sam, suffers a near fatal fall that leaves her paralysed and deeply depressed. Into their lives comes Penguin, an injured magpie chick, abandoned after she fell from her nest. A true story of hope and courage. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

An arresting story about a strange and sinister religious sect called The Temple and how Frances discovers its secrets. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

But when Brougham catches Darcy in the act of collecting letters from locker 89 - out of which she's been running her questionably legal, anonymous relationship advice service - that's exactly what happens. In exchange for keeping her secret, Darcy begrudgingly agrees to become his personal dating coach. The goal? To help him win his ex-girlfriend back. Darcy has good reason to keep her identity secret. If word gets out that she's behind the locker, some things she's not proud of will come to light, and there's a good chance Brooke will never speak to her again. Okay, so all she has to do is help an entitled, bratty, (annoyingly hot) guy win over a girl who's already fallen for him once? What could possibly go wrong? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Life hasn't been easy for Permanent Rose but shoplifting will only complicate it further. Lots of family secrets are uncovered, with sadness turning to forgiveness, and Rose is at last reunited with the person she loves. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

From the lessons of a high-performance athlete's career to appreciating the small things in life - this inspiring illustrated book, for fans of Ellyse Perry, features stories and reflections from her childhood and career on the themes of dreaming, belief, work, resilience, acceptance, opportunity, balance and perseverance - and their importance in everything we do.Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Peta Lyre is far from typical. The world she lives in isn't designed for the way her mind works, but when she follows her therapist's rules for 'normal' behaviour, she can almost fit in without attracting attention. When a new girl, Sam, starts at school, Peta's carefully structured routines start to crack. But on the school ski trip, with romance blooming and a newfound confidence, she starts to wonder if maybe she can have a normal life after all. When things fall apart, Peta must decide whether all the old rules still matter. Does she want a life less ordinary, or should she keep her rating normal? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Jack and Hoshi are soldiers on opposite sides who meet on the Kokoda Track during World War Two. Graphic illustrations enrich this sensitive, realistic and harrowing story of the personal tragedy of two soldiers and their loved ones at home. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

When mean, self centred bully Luke meets Guy, he just thinks he's another weirdo to hate, but soon enough Luke finds out that Guy is not quite what he first seems. To begin with, he catches wild snakes with his bare hands and seems to have a way with animals that is just too intriguing for Luke to ignore. But what Luke discovers is that becoming friends with Guy could change his life, and indeed himself, in ways he never would have previously dreamed. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

During the Plague in London in 1665, Rachel fears for her life and that of her missing cousin when, one day, he fails to return. Robert's side of the story is also told. Contains violence and gruesome facts in context. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Poetry, written by a young Sydney girl, to inspire primary and junior high school students. Some of the poems have challenging themes for older readers, including insightful views on death. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A wonderful, creative collection of works by young Australian poets, aged from eight to eighteen years to inspire would-be poets and readers. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

As a very young girl, Polina Oulinov is taken on as a special pupil by the famous ballet teacher Professor Bojinsky. He is very demanding and refuses to adapt his standards to the talents of his pupils, and Polina has to work hard and make great sacrifices in order to reach the level Bojinsky senses she has the talent for. When she graduates and is admitted to the official theatre school, she discovers that Bojinsky's view of ballet is only one of many and that she can't adapt to new rules, new visions. She flees Russia for Berlin, where she meets a group of drama students. Together they create a new form of theatre, and conquer the world. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Something odd has happened to the public swimming pool, its claimed to have curative powers. When 16 year old Wolfgang Mulqueen takes a summer job there, he befriends Audrey, a blind girl, who claims she's nocturnal. The discovery of a black butterfly, unknown to science, and an unusual request from Audrey's father change Wolfgang's life forever. Deals with serious issues in a sensitive manner. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Following the death of her father, Bayley's family is not coping, with her sister's rebellious behaviour and her brother feeling guilt about his role in the accident. Bayley is trying to keep things together for everyone. Mum decides a move to an old family home in the country is best, where there is the 40 year old unsolved disappearance of Bayley's cousin, who is using Bayley to seek revenge. 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.

In the fifties, Colm McCabe is sent from England to an Australian orphanage. He suffers terribly under the cruel nuns and brothers. His faith shines through as he searches for self and family. Strong language used frequently in context. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The disfigured, bitter Hester and gentle Tom, whom she has come to trust since their first meeting in the doomed London, escape to a safe haven in the northern ice wastelands. They set up home in Anchorage, a place that doesn't travel. Hester has an ungovernable temper and great jealousy of Freya's crush on Tom. When loyalty is all that will save them, Hester's betrayal has far-reaching consequences. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she's completely popular. It's everything she's ever wanted. But beneath all the fun -- the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom -- is a nagging sense that something's wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally's ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what's wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold. Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life -- because the authorities don't intend to let anyone with this information survive. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 & above.

Wren is a planner, but breaking news of a comet hurling towards Earth leaves her careful itinerary in tatters. Left behind after her senior-year trip to London she meets cute Prince Theo, the British crown prince. Wren and the Prince are soon forced into the highest-stakes journey of them all, racing through Europe to get her back home before the end of the world. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Black parachutes fall from the sky. Young soldiers and a dog are on a rescue mission in a remote part of Afghanistan. But, the mission ends in chaos. Eighteen year old Corporal Mark Hollis and Prince, the dog, embark on a perilous journey. To get back to base, they must navigate an unforgiving landscape and avoid capture or death at the hands of the Taliban. Mark and Prince must depend on each other to survive. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Mia Thermopokis is not herself any more. According to her dad, she is now Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo, Princess of Genovia. Mia so does not want to take princess lessons from grandmere or move to Genovia or, worse still, have anyone find out about this princess thing. Life gets a whole lot more yucky when mum starts dating one of Mia's teachers and everyone else has a date except Mia. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Nothing is the same for Kaida, Zeke and Joy after the accident. They return to their ordinary lives but the world has ceased to make sense. Perhaps this world, with no hope and no cures, is not their world at all. The nightmare begins. They must rely on their own resourcefulness to identify what the problem is and then how to solve it, or they could be trapped in the nightmare forever. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

For Gretchen Muller, Hitler is her friendly uncle who has always been there for her and her family since the death of her father. But, as Hitler's hold over Germany strengthens, he will be forever changed in Gretchen's eyes. She will do anything to uncover the truth, with the help of a young Jewish reporter. Contains some violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Sixteen year old Liza expects to make her debut in 1830s London but, when her parents die, she is left penniless and must enter service. She becomes a maid to young Princess Victoria. Liza slowly adjusts to her new life and the temperamental, lonely princess. Liza befriends a young boy and a newspaperman to confront the public slander surrounding the princess. Includes some adult themes and violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

On the battlefields of World War 1, young Private Thomas Peaceful looks back over his childhood. His memories of his loving family come vividly alive. But, every moment takes Tommo closer to something he cannot bear to think about. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

At 15, Lene is questioning everything. She is sick of the compulsory League of German Girls meetings, and everyone being made to fight for a final victory that never seems to come. She is in love with Ludwig, who lives upstairs and listens to enemy broadcasts. Like Lene, he rejects the war and the endless Nazi indoctrination. When Ludwig is ordered to the Eastern Front, can Lene and Ludwig hold on to their promise to one another and resurface from the darkness of the abyss in post-war Berlin? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Hannah's world is in pieces and she doesn't need the counsellor to tell her she has issues. With a depressed mum, an injured dad and a dead sister, Hannah should feel terrible but, for the first time, she feels a glimmer of hope. Maybe it's because Josh is taking an interest in her or maybe it runs deeper than that. In a family torn apart by grief and guilt, Hannah's struggle to come to terms with years of torment shows how long old wounds can take to heal. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.