Booklists

Throughout the first century or more of Australian settlement by Europeans, the pages of colonial newspapers were haunted by reports of a bewildering phenomenon: the mysterious yahoo or hairy man...

There is only one person looking out for Dom, himself. He is waiting for his next instalment, sure that it's the seach for Yamashita's gold, a looted treasure from the second World War, but The Debt is silent, not a word has come from them.

Alice Anne Moxley has moved to Mississippi in the deep South of America. The 'Yankee Girl' is taunted by the other girls at school but the first black student suffers much more. Alice wants to stand up for her but, at first, finds it is easier not to.

At twenty-one, Yassmin worked on a remote Australian oil and gas rig. She was the only woman and certainly the only Sudanese born Muslim woman. When she was two, Yassmin moved to Brisbane and has been tackling barriers ever since. She founded Youth Without Borders, helping young people to work for positive change in their communities. This is the story of how she got there, where she's going and how she wants the world to change. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Armistice Day, 11 November, 1918 is also Tiney's 17th birthday and heralds a change for all. The family eagerly awaits the return of their only son and brother and mourns with friends and relatives of those who will not return. Life in Adelaide during the war has not been easy for families, but for those returning life will never be the same. The following years bring the Spanish flu epidemic, broken families and the beginnings of new ones.

Josh and his family have moved from a nice city house, to a boring street in the country. There are dangerous strangers in his backyard and bullets flying past his ears. At his new school everyone thinks he is hopeless and he has no clue about sport, like cricket, but they are in for the shock of their lives.

Chloe Snow is back again, this time in year 10. Her life is just as awkward and disorganized as it was last year. Her mother has run off to Mexico to write a novel and her dad is dating her English teacher. On top of all this, Chloe has missed out on both a date with the boy she has a crush on and a major part in the school musical. Through her diary entries we get a glimpse into her mind and how she deals with the challenges of being a teenager.

Final year and five lives. School captain, Ryan had it all until an accident snatches his dreams away. Newcomer Charlie is determined not to fit in. Nobody really notices Matty. But, at home, he holds everything together and has never felt so alone. The popular girl's best friend,Tammi, always bows to peer pressure. Gillian, the politician's daughter is learning the hard way that life in the spotlight comes at a very heavy price. Five unlikely teammates thrust together against their will. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Kirra's so-called friends bully her, her mother has taken to alcohol ever since her dad left them for another woman and, now, a teenage ghost is speaking to her through a broken phone booth. Kirra and the ghost make a pact. She'll prove who murdered him almost twenty years ago if he makes her popular, gets her parents back together, and promises not to haunt her. But, things aren't so simple and Kirra realises that people can be haunted in more ways than one. Mature themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

My name is Amy Gumm. Tornadoes must have a thing about girls from Kansas, because-just like Dorothy-I got swept away on one too. I landed in Oz, where Good is Wicked, Wicked is Good, and the Wicked Witches clued me in to my true calling: Assassin. The way to stop Dorothy from destroying Oz-and Kansas-is to kill her. And I'm the only one who can do it. But I failed. Others died for my mistakes. Because of me, the portal between the worlds has been opened. And if I don't find a way to close it Dorothy will make sure I never get to go home again. Now it's up to me to: join the Witches, fight for Oz, save Kansas, and stop Dorothy once and for all. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

In 1939, Sylvia is four years old when the Germans invade Poland and her family is forced into the Lodz ghetto, with more than a quarter of a million other Jews. Only twelve children survived the ghetto, and Sylvia was one of them. Her niece, the author, writes Sylvia's story in non-rhyming verse, using Sylvia's voice and perspectives.

Ten fanciful short stories offer vibrant snapshots of life. Each story is unique, covering a range of time periods and places, with weird and wonderful characters.

A moving account of a young girl's life in Hiroshima in 1945. Through her diary, 13 year old Yoko documents life in Japan, a country on the brink of defeat at the end of the Second World War. Yoko is keen to do her duty and her daily accounts of life reveal the austerity and hardship, the extreme food shortages and rationing. It also shows the courage of those who died and survived the war and bombing of Hiroshima.

This is a book for people who want to be awesome at something, but aren't sure how. Written by a two-time Olympian, who admits he wasn't born sporty, this book explains how to become successful at anything, it doesn't matter where you start or who you are. This is an exciting, uplifting, encouraging, inspiring, and amusing book that every student will enjoy. What are your dreams? What do you want to be awesome at? Read this book and discover how you can be the best version of yourself.

This book contains amazing tips, tricks, and strategies to gently encourage and explain how to rise above and find hope and support when things are tough. Feel lighter and optimistic about the future, and more confident, empowered, and inspired to live a happy and healthy life.

Alex Hudson is a good guy. He plays water polo, has a part-time job and does okay at school. Alex's life is made hell by his constantly baiting brother and awful father, with nobody to back him up, not even his own mother. Then the thing that anchors Alex is ripped away and his life seems pointless. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A class trip to the natural history museum turns dangerous, or perhaps deadly when Cass accidentally breaks a finger off a priceless mummy. Forced to atone for this crime, Cass and her friends go to work for the mummy exhibit's curator, only to be blamed when tragedy strikes. To clear their names the trio must travel deep into a land of majestic pyramids, dusty tombs, mysterious hieroglyphs, and the walking dead.

Ariel has only a few small memories of her mother, who ran away years ago. Now aged, 17, she has lived in more towns than she can remember as her dad moves her across the country with alarming frequency. Finally settled with two friends, Monica and Gabe, Ariel wants to stay in one place. She is struggling with her feelings towards both her friends and aims to work out who she really is. On the other side of the country, Maya keeps a diary about her life, having run away from her own abusive mother and into the arms of a much older man, she is pregnant and practically alone. When both these worlds meet, both Maya and Ariel try to make sense of their lives. Usually ready by students in Years 9, 10 & above.

With her long skirt and headscarf Layla certainly stands out at her new high school. Everyone thinks they know her, just from a glance. But do they? And does Layla really know herself? Usually read by students in years 9, 10, and above

Whether it's a car with two, three or six wheels, with a motor scooter engine or a nuclear reactor, with the most stupid name or the most dodgy design,this book will tell you all you need to know about it. Featuring the lemons of the car world.

Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay -- Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor. But when the financial aid she was counting on falls through, Liz's plans come crashing down . . . until she's reminded of her school's scholarship for prom king and queen. There's nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a this whole horrific process, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she's willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington. The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She's smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true?

Emmy is the good one. Not strong-willed like her sister or difficult like her brother, she takes up as little space as possible. While she's acting as her brother's guardian on his return from rehab, she's also expected to keep on top of her schoolwork and keep herself together after a terrible car accident in which she was badly injured. But Emmy has secrets, too. How long before it all falls apart? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Using the accounts of early European explorers, colonists and farmers, Bruce Pascoe compellingly argues for a reconsideration of the hunter-gatherer label for pre-colonial Aboriginal Australians. He allows the reader to see Australia as it was before Europeans arrived - a land of cultivated farming areas, productive fisheries, permanent homes, and an understanding of the environment and its natural resources that supported thriving villages across the continent. Young Dark Emu - A Truer History asks young readers to consider a different version of Australia's history pre-European colonisation.

Young Nick faithfully records the ordinary human achievements that make extraordinary those of the company of the bark, 'Endeavour', on Captain Cook's first epic voyage. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

An excellent collection of classic and modern stories which speculate about the nature of aliens.

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.

Tells of the life of Thomas Edison, one of the greatest inventors, responsible for the phonograph, the first medium for recording music, motion pictures and the light bulb. Edison's life and work are of interest, especially as he was profoundly deaf.

The Austin family find themselves endangered by the Alphabat gang's evil use of lasers.

When his village is attacked, Hauk Johanson has no choice but to step up and lead the young Vikings on a quest for revenge. But there is one problem the young Vikings have never fought in battle. Can Hauk and his friends master the skills of sword and axe in time? Will the Gods be on their side? And does Hauk have what it takes to lead when the fate of an entire village lies in his hands?

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

As a baby, fourteen year old Tristan was left at a monastery never knowing his parents. Joining the Knights Templar, Tristan is plunged into extraordinary adventures. His master entrusts Tristan with the legendary Holy Grail, instructing him to take it to Scotland. Tristan's enemies will do anything to claim the Grail.

Tristan and his companions have escaped to England. Many obstacles still prevent them from delivering the Holy Grail into safe hands. Tristan must defeat the evil Sir Hugh in one final battle. And, he must learn the secret of his birth, a secret Richard the Lionheart and Eleanor of Aquitaine are willing to kill to protect.

Washed up on a foreign shore, Tristan is lucky to be alive. The Holy Grail, that the young Templar squire is safe-guarding, has saved his life yet again. Now lost in a strange land, he doesn't know if his friends have survived. Tristan's knack for getting into trouble is alive and well, and he is quickly drawn into a conflict.