Booklists

Amal is a typical sixteen year old. When she decides to wear a head scarf to school, her Islamic faith, personal strength and friendships are tested. An insight into contemporary Australian ethnic and religious issues. Strong language in context. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

When Michael meets Mina, they are at a rally for refugees, standing on opposite sides. Mina fled Afghanistan with her mother, via a refugee camp, a leaky boat and a detention centre. Michael's parents have founded a new political party called Aussie Values. They want to stop the boats. Mina wants to stop the hate. Michael and Mina will need to overcome their differences to find some common ground. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Layla has ended the school year on a high and can't wait to spend the holidays hanging out with her friends and designing a prize-winning Grand Designs Tourismo invention. But Layla's plans are interrupted when her grandmother in Sudan falls ill and the family rush to be with her. The last time Layla went to Sudan she was only a young child. Now she feels torn between her Sudanese and Australian identities. As political tensions in Sudan erupt, so too do tensions between Layla and her family. Layla is determined not to lose her place in the invention team, but will she go against her parents' wishes? What would a Kandaka do? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

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.

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

Neither here nor there, but long ago... Loulie al-Nazari is the Midnight Merchant: a thief who, with the help of her jinn bodyguard, hunts and sells illegal magic. When she saves the life of a cowardly prince, she draws the attention of his powerful father, the sultan, who blackmails her into finding an ancient lamp that has the power to revive the barren land, at the cost of sacrificing all jinn. With no choice but to obey or be executed, Loulie journeys with the sultan's oldest son to find the artifact. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 & 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 hilarious saga of a pair of Earth refugees who stumble on the meaning of life after the planet is destroyed. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

After being stranded on prehistoric earth, Ford and Arthur again find themselves travelling through space, this time with the task of saving the galaxy from a kind, family loving race of aliens who just happen to want to kill all other lifeforms. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Arthur Dent hadn't had a day as bad as this since the Earth had been blown up. Depressed and alone, Arthur finally settles on the small planet Lamuella and becomes a sandwich maker. Looking forward to a quiet life, his plans are thrown awry by the unexpected arrival of his daughter. There's nothing worse than a frustrated teenager with a copy of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in their hands. When she runs away - Arthur goes after her determined to save her from the horrors of the universe. After all - he's encountered most of them before... Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

If you've done six impossible things this morning, why not round it off with breakfast at Milliways, the Restaurant at the end of the Universe? Which is exactly what Arthur Dent and the crew of the Heart of Gold plan to do. There's just the small matter of escaping the Vogons, avoiding being taken to the most totally evil world in the Galaxy and teaching a space ship how to make a proper cup of tea. And did anyone actually make a reservation? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

There is a knack to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss. It's not an easy thing to do and Arthur Dent thinks he's the only human who's been able to master this nifty little trick - until he meets Fenchurch, the girl of his dreams. Fenchurch knows how the world could be made a good and happy place. Unfortunately she's forgotten. Convinced that the secret lies within God's Final Message to His Creation they go in search of it. And in a dramatic break with tradition - actually find it... Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Under the orders of a ruthless king, anyone with powers was targeted and killed, leaving Zelie without a mother and her people without hope. Only a few people remain with the power to use magic, and they must remain hidden. Zelie is one such person. Now she has a chance to bring back magic to her people and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zelie must learn to harness her powers and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

As Celine Rousseau escapes Paris to 1872 New Orleans, she is hoping for escape and a better future. What she gets is attraction to the glitzy underworld and the members of La Cour des Lions. New Orleans is not all it seems and with a serial killer following her footsteps and her heart betraying her head, Celine is entering a world that may be her downfall. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 or above.

Fleeing Paris for a new start in New Orleans, Celine Rousseau hoped it would be a safe place. Before long she was drawn into the dark underbelly of the city and the La Cour des Lions. As she struggles with her memories and an uneasy feeling there is something she needs to recall, Celine's dreams are troubled. While Sebastien, cursed and changed forever, struggles with his own new identity and what he has lost because of it. Broken treaties and new truths bring danger to this pair and their future. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Only half-fey Arjun Desai can cross the realms to the Sylvan Vale to find a healer who can save his dear friend Odette. Leaving the tare between the realms open, he is oblivious to the fact that Pippa has observed his departure and followed him through in her quest to find Celine. The dangerous, duplicitous world on the other side of the gateway is no place for a sheltered mortal, especially one who is engaged and confused by feelings for a half-fey. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Eighteen-year-old Amir Azadi always knew that coming out to his Muslim family would be messy, but he wasn't expecting it to end in an airport interrogation room. Now, he's telling his side of the story to the stern-faced officer. Amir has to explain why he ran away to Rome (boys, bullies, blackmail) and what he was doing there for a month (dates in the Sistine Chapel, friends who helped him accept who he is, and, of course, drama) . . . all while his mum, dad and little sister are being interrogated in the room next door. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Jono, a city-born Indigenous teenager is trying to figure out who he really is. Life in Brisbane hasn't exactly made him feel connected to his Country or community. After graduating, Jono and his friend Jenny score gigs at the Aboriginal Performing Arts Centre and an incredible opportunity comes knocking - interning with a documentary crew. Their mission? To promote a big government mining project in the Queensland desert. The catch? The details are sketchy, and the land is rumoured to be sacred. But who cares? Jono is stoked just to be part of something meaningful. Life takes a turn when they land in Gambari, a tiny rural town far from the city. He's haunted by an eerie omen of death, battling suffocating panic attacks, and even experiencing visions of Wudun - a malevolent spirit from the Dreaming. What's the real story behind the gas mining venture? Are the documentary crew hiding something from Jono? Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

When it comes to drumming, Leah Burke is usually on beat - but real life isn't always so rhythmic. An anomaly in her friend group, she's the only child of a young, single mum, and her life is decidedly less privileged. And even though her mom knows she's bisexual, she hasn't mustered the courage to tell her friends - not even her openly gay BFF, Simon. With some messy dynamics emerging in this once tight-knit group of friends, senior year suddenly gets even more complicated for Leah, as she realises she's falling not for the guy who's taking her to prom, but for the girl who's dating her best friend. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above

Dylan Alcott has never let his disability get in the way of what he wanted to achieve. His family treated him no differently to any other kid, and it was the best thing they ever did. Growing up, Dylan always had a positive attitude to life. So when he discovered sport, he'd have a go at anything and could always be found at the centre of the action, giving his best and playing to win. Then he tried wheelchair basketball and tennis and was hooked. Fast forward ten years or so, and the now three-time Paralympic gold medallist, Order of Australia recipient, world No 1 tennis champion, Logie winner and philanthropist combines elite sport with a love for music. But Dylan's greatest passion is changing the way those with disabilities are perceived, and to inspire young people - whether they have disabilities or are able-bodied - to achieve their dreams. It's a passion that drives him every day of his life. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

An intriguing summer adventure where thirteen year old Beau meets wild, irrepressible Lelee, a girl from the sea. Together with Beau's younger sister, they search in their boat for a box believed to contain a fortune, but smugglers are looking too. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The life of a Romani family living in squalor in an abandoned shack. Lilli is removed from her large family by a wealthy old woman who helps to civilise her. But, there's an ongoing battle seemingly for possession of Lilli's very soul. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Spit, the barefoot grandson of old Fyfe, has other ideas for his future after his grandfather dies and the town wants Spit to go into an orphanage. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The St Clairs are an adventurous flying family in Victoria post First World War and Kitty is inspired to fly just like her mother. After the tragic death of Kitty's mother, everyone rallies to help with her pain. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

There are three kinds of people in Janna's world: 1. Saints, the people who do all the heavy lifting in the world, the do gooders. Moving things forward, fighting the good fight. . 2. Misfits, people who don't belong. Like the way Janna doesn't fit into her Dad's brand-new family or in the leftover one composed of Mom and her older brother. 3. Monsters. Well, monsters wearing saint masks. Like the monster at her mosque. People think he's holy, untouchable, but nobody has seen under the mask. Except Janna. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

An extraordinary graphic novel that confronts raw grief visually and through the words of Blue Baker, devestated at the loss of his father and offended by the patronising support he is offered. Blue's grief is angry and violent and inconsolable. Strangely though Blue does find relief from his suffering and the record of his journey is here. Strong language and images used in context. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or 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.

This story follows two very different battles for independence, that of slave girl, Isabel, and the American War of Independence. Presents a realistic view of prejudice and slavery in 18th century America and includes some violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or 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.

This is the thrilling true story of the life of Russian composer Dimitri Shostakovitch and the millions of Russians who lived during a time of great upheaval, horror and hardship at the hands of two of history's cruellest dictators; Stalin and Hitler. At a time of great despair, Shostakovitch' seventh symphony would become a symbol of great hope, and the story of how it comes to be shared with the world is nearly too incredible to be believed. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Sixteen-year-old Ana is a poet and a lover of language. Except that since she moved to New Jersey from Argentina, she can barely find the words to express how she feels. At first Ana just wants to return home. Then she meets Harrison, the very cute, very American boy in her math class, and discovers the universal language of racing hearts. But when she begins to spend time with Neo, the Greek Cypriot boy from ESL, Ana wonders how figuring out what her heart wants can be even more confusing than the grammar they're both trying to master. After all, the rules of English may be confounding, but there are no rules when it comes to love. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

In an alternate reality a lot like our world, every person's physical size is directly proportional to their wealth. The poorest of the poor are the size of rats, and billionaires are the size of skyscrapers. Warner and his sister Prayer are destitute - and tiny. Their size is not just demeaning, but dangerous: day and night they face mortal dangers that bigger richer people don't ever have to think about, from being mauled by cats to their house getting stepped on. There are no cars or phones built small enough for them, or schools or hospitals, for that matter - there's no point, when no one that little has any purchasing power, and when salaried doctors and teachers would never fit in buildings so small. Warner and Prayer know their only hope is to scale up, but how can two littlepoors survive in a world built against them? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Milad decides to go on one sea voyage to save his family's fortunes and embarks on a journey where he will find sea-battles, pirates, treasure, spies, perils and love. As part of a Phoenician fleet in the service of King Solomon, he experiences danger on the high seas and in deepest Africa, but he also finds the truest of friends in unexpected places. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Told from the perspective of the elder of two daughters, this novel deals with the emotional struggle of an ex-Vietnam War nurse, and the ongoing impact of the war on her family. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Sandy Douglas knows that life at fifteen is hard - his mother died a year ago and his 18-year old brother, Red, has gone off the rails. As Sandy and Red deal with girls, friendship and their futures on their Mallee farm, both boys have to figure out who they want to be without their mum around. One thing is certain - the Mallee, where they live, may seem like the middle of nowhere, but it is going to be one hell of a year. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In a future where wild beasts, humans and mechanical beings battle for control, two children, Mei and Rom, on opposite sides of the earth, connect through a mysterious journal that comes alive to reveal a powerful primal force and a frightening destiny. Mei and Rom must work together to overcome evil. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She has only one function: to breed. If she deviates, she will, like dissenters, be hanged at the wall or sent out to die slowly of radiation sickness. But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire - neither Offred's nor that of the two men on which her future hangs. This book contains potentially confronting mature themes and content, and is usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Beautiful, clever, rich and single, Emma Woodhouse is perfectly content with her life and sees no need for either love or marriage. Nothing, however, delights her more than interfering in the romantic lives of others. But, when she attempts to arrange a suitable match for her protege, Harriet Smith, her carefully laid plans soon unravel and they have consequences that she never expected. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Mare Barrow has Silver ability, the power to control lightning. As she makes her escape from Maven, the prince and friend who betrayed her, Mare discovers she is not the only one of her kind. Pursued by Maven, Mare sets out to recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors. But, Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming the kind of monster she is trying to defeat. Sequel to The red queen. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite with god-like superpowers. When Mare Barrow begins work in the Silver Palace, she discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power. This is a world of betrayal, lies and danger. Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Living in a walled city where every aspect of life is controlled, Teddy is unable to pursue her creative passions for risk of being Sanitised. When truths are revealed, Teddy finds herself living in a city under the city. A darker world where creativity is embraced but survival is everything. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Natalie is living proof that love is a scam. She's traumatised by her parents' failed marriage and overwhelmed by her grandmother's expectations of good Lebanese girls - marriage, motherhood and exceptional tabouli-making skills. When her best friend decides to get hitched to a guy in the motherland, Nat's not exactly thrilled by the mammoth task before her: juggling cultural traditions, extra bridesmaid dresses and super-judgemental relatives. And to top it off there's the annoyingly good-looking best man and his constant need to mansplain all of the things. Natalie is in for the trip of her life. But can she save her friend from the cult of romance, without falling in love herself? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Seventeen-year-old Sophie hates Monday mornings, socks worn with sandals, and having to strategise like she's a battle sergeant every time she asks her parents if she can go out. But she especially hates being stereotyped because she's Lebanese. When New Guy, Shehadie Goldsmith, is alienated at her Lebanese school because his dad's Australian, she hates the way it makes her feel. Like she's just as prejudiced as everyone else. Like she could make a difference if she stopped pretending she's invisible. Like the attraction between them might be too strong to fight... But hate is such a strong word... Can Sophie find the strength to speak out - even if it means going against everything she's been brought up to believe? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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.