Booklists

Sam Fox is on a field trip with his uncle in the Amazon when he's swept over a waterfall into an underground lake and discovers a fortune in gold. But, there's an enormous anaconda lurking in the cave and the snake is just the first obstacle Sam will have to overcome if he's to get out of the Amazon alive.

Colt Lawless is on the run, suddenly famous, and more than a little superhuman. But can he save the last animals on earth? The deadly rat flu virus has changed - humans are catching it and nobody is sure why. Officer Katt is trying to blame it on the Lost World Circus and it's up to Colt to prove her wrong. But he and Birdy are trapped in the sewers, and the man who holds the key to it all is being held prisoner at DoRFE Headquarters. Is this the end of the road - not just for the circus, but for all of humankind?

The silly, inventive and fun adventures of a girl with a magnetic finger.

Banjo Tully hasn't ever given much thought to climate change. But when he meets 'conservation nut' Mai Le - after the worst drought in living memory puts his future in jeopardy - Banjo sets out on an 800-kilometre solo horse ride. It's a journey that could not only save his family's farm, but also change the planet.

Colt doesn't know his own strength. When a showdown with a rat dog has tragic consequences, his arch enemy, Officer Katt, seeks revenge. She steals the thing that matters most to Colt, right when his superpowers seem to have disappeared. But superpowers or not, Birdy and Colt are on the case, and the secrets they uncover could change Colt's life forever.

While trying to stop cattle rustlers from stealing a stud bull, an injured Sam is isolated in the mountains during a horrific bushfire. To survive, he must rely on his courage, ingenuity and the help of Chainsaw, a mad old rodeo bull.

Exciting story of a fourteen year old boy and his two year old cousin who are kidnapped by a robber in Queensland during a cyclone. When the getaway car crashes into the raging Crocodile River, they must face many ordeals to survive.

Sam Fox is on a skiing trip in Tasmania when a baby plummets out of a cable car overhead. The baby is Crown Prince Thomas, the four month old son of European Princess Monica, and the fall results from a bungled kidnap attempt. Before he knows it, Sam is on the run from kidnappers and avoiding avalanches and explosions to keep the young Crown Prince alive.

Any five 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 of the screen.

Sam Fox is on a cub scout trip to North America when their bus crashes down a canyon. Some of the group are seriously injured so Sam and two cubs set off to find help. But, Sam is thousands of kilometres from home, in the middle of the American wilderness. A wilderness full of howling wolves and a massive, unpredictable grizzly bear that's following them.

Tim Chambers has a secret. It all begins when there is a report of a sighting of a Tasmanian tiger and Tim has a plan that could make him famous. He has the best of intentions but things don't go at all according to his plan.

Sam Fox is on holidays with his family in Antarctica. When their ski plane crashes, Sam and his brother are separated from the rest of the group. While they are stranded on a wobbly icefloe, a massive creature, with huge jaws and rows of jagged teeth, emerges from the deep.

Colt Lawless is on the run, suddenly famous, and more than a little superhuman. Twelve years from now, rat flu has wiped out almost every animal and bird on the planet. The creatures in the Lost World Circus are the last of their kind. But the Rat Cops are determined to shut down the circus, and Colt and his acrobat friend Birdy might be the only ones who can save it, starting the world's last elephant.

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.

Sam Fox is on a youth conference in Africa when the tour bus takes off without him, leaving him stranded in the wilderness. Sam uses his wits to escape an angry mother elephant, a king cobra, a hyena and a hungry crocodile. It may not be so easy to survive an encounter with a ferocious, man-eating leopard.

During a class trip to Borneo, Mount Bako erupts, leaving Sam Fox stranded with his teacher who is suffering a heart attack. When they finally make it down from the mountain to the sea, Sam and Mr Griffin face even greater danger.

Phoebe is holidaying with her family in Africa. From the outset things do not go according to plan as Phoebe becomes involved in an adventure of a lifetime, having witnessed the kidnapping of an African politician, and then being part of his rescue. All this is set in the wilds of Africa, with lions and elephants aplenty.

A kidnapping, a bird-napping and an offer of help from a mysterious stranger. That's just the start of a wild ride that leaves Colt (aka Superclown) and Birdy (aka Clowngirl) abandoned on remote, rat-infested Plague Island. When Birdy gets bitten by a ghost rat, she has only a few hours to live.

Sam is caving in the desert when the roof collapses, trapping his brother. But when Sam reaches the cave exit, he meets a sea of huge, angry scorpions. That's just the first deadly obstacle he will have to face to save his brother.

Colt Lawless has been performing superhuman acts all over town. To protect his secret identity, he and Birdy have come up with the ultimate disguise. Superclown - completely fearless and impossibly strong. But when he wrestles with an angry panther at a crowded school disco, it looks like Superclown's cover is blown already.

Sam is at the Great Barrier Reef when he and a young Japanese tourist are swept off a coral shelf by a freak wave. Before they know it, a strong current has pushed them out into open water and danger.

Caruso, the singing gibbon, has been sneaking out of his cage at night, and Colt thinks he knows why. Ever since he joined the Lost World Circus, he's been able to do all kinds of impossible things. He can understand animals, pick up an elephant and catch a helicopter. But is Colt strong enough to face what happens when he tries to set Caruso free.

When Sam's twin brothers are carried off in a runaway hot-air balloon, Sam tries to save them, only to end up trapped himself. What starts as a joyride turns into a life and death struggle when Jordan is bitten by a funnel-web spider.

Stuff happens sometimes. For Cooper, it happened on school camp. When his former-rugby-champion grandfather dies, Cooper has trouble dealing with it. To make matters worse, the funeral falls on the first day of the Year Five camp so Cooper misses out on the bus trip with his friends, doing abseiling, and sharing a cabin with his friends. When Cooper disobeys a kayak instructors' directions, he puts both his life and that of his paddle-buddy Lily Ng in serious danger.

Sam is determined to save a pair of baby tigers about to be smuggled out of India, when he encounters a tiger which can take care of itself.

Desperate to be famous, young Brittany Hu attempts to set a "McGuinness record", but ends up weightless, a condition which results in some hilarious predicaments. The tongue-in-cheek subtexts are very entertaining.

When David moves in with Liz and Lucy, he discovers hand crafted, clay dragons that come to life and have magical powers. David's personal dragon inspires him to write a story about the adventures of their local squirrel population.

Ned has a new teacher, one who calls herself a monster, who will make him work like he's never worked before. An experiment with a hamburger leads Ned to trouble.

With the Map of Half Maps finally in the hands of Atticus and his crew, the rest should be easy, right? Wrong! Rattling skeletons, ghosts, monsters from the deep, killer sucking sands and a boiling hot tub are just some of the obstacles between them and certain treasure.

Climb onboard the pirate ship Grandnan and adventure with Atticus and his wiley crew as they search for treasure, brave the elements and battle the meanest pirates on the seas. An action packed and highly improbable adventure full of funny cartoon illustrations and puns that will tickle your funnybone!

School holidays and Mum and the kids are off to the country. Mum is called back to her work where there is a no kid rule. When Mum has to break that rule, Jess and Harrison get into more and more strife.

The big friendly giant captures Sophie but he only wants to keep her, not eat her, as the other giants would.

Willy Wonka, the eccentric chocolate-maker, opens his doors to the public. Young Charlie Bucket and four unworthy fellow winners, have the opportunity to discover some extraordinary secrets. For Charlie, life will never be the same again.

Charlie Bucket has won Willy Wonka's chocolate factory and is on his way to take possession of it, in a great glass elevator. When the elevator makes a fearful whooshing noise, Charlie and his family find themselves in splendid orbit around the Earth. A daring adventure has begun, with Willy Wonka leading the way.

Matilda is an exceptional child with magical powers. Her parents have called her some terrible things. The truth is, she's a genius and they're the silly ones. Find out how she gets the better of them and her spiteful headmistress, Miss Trunchbull.

Quite gory but always funny, classic tales retold in a collection for those who love their fairy tales with a satirical, and worldly twist. Meet Cinderella, a young woman who wants to marry a nice, ordinary man and Goldilocks, the house-breaker.

The scary, funny and imaginative tale of a seven year old boy who has a run-in with some real-life witches.

Danny loves his life with his dad in the little gypsy caravan. His dad never runs out of wonderful stories. When Danny discovers his father' s secret, he' s off on the adventure of a lifetime, involving an hilarious pheasant-snatching expedition, and a daring plot to get the better of the horrible Mr Victor Hazell.

Spectacular animal and plant photographs with interesting information about the wonders of nature.

A village opts to send a lost bear cub to a rescue sanctuary rather than sell it to a bear farm, where it would have died of chronic infections after being ""milked"" of bile for Chinese medicines, the plight of Asiatic black bears in Southern China.

The gripping tale of a teenage girl who has been separated from her family in the typhoon ravaged city of Tacloban in the Philippines. Battling looters, rubble, water damage, and the underlying fear that her family has been lost to the typhoon, Angel is desperate to find them again.

Amelia and Sam love helping out at Animal Ark vets, especially when they get to look after adorable kittens! But when Amelia cat-sits troublesome kitten Luna, the little cat causes a big problem ...With the naughty kitten, Amelia's new cat Star AND a cat event at Animal Ark, everything's going cat crazy!

Set in the UK, Mandy helps her veterinarian parents after school. She must find suitable homes for the school cat's kittens.

Buttons McGinty is just your average 12 year old boy, living an easy and carefree existence. That is, until his parents mysteriously disappear and he is transported to a strange school located on a deserted island. Upon arrival, Buttons quickly learns that he must uncover his parents' whereabouts whilst avoiding the suspicion of his evil new principal. Along the way, Buttons meets new friends and is faced with a host of incredible obstacles, including sinister teachers and a genetically enhanced owl!

Ash Rover stumbles across a phoenix egg, but this magical bird is going to bring danger to his village. Ash is soon on a desperate quest to save his family and friends.

When Courney learns she is off to school camp she is far from impressed. Hiking, rock climbing and white-water rafting are not her usual go to activities. When Courtney discovers the devious plans of some people at camp she must use some powerful potions and spells to rescue those in danger.

Courtney can't believe she is stuck in Mixton Bay for the summer with no friends, TV or pizza. When Courtney finds a mystical 'Book of Spells' with her name on the box, you could say that Courtney's boring holiday starts to get a whole lot more interesting. With the help of her new friend, Justice, and a special cat, Courtney's life is about to change forever.

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.

Did you know...that the fishing cat has partially webbed paws? Or that the margays can copy the sounds of other animals to lure prey? With roughly over 38 species of cats inhabiting our planet, there's plenty to discover.

Find out about the many different types of monkeys, from the smallest Pygmy Marmoset to the largest Mandrill. Discover where monkeys come from, their social life and order, how they use tools, and how deforestation threatens their populations. You'll soon be raving mad about monkeys.

It's time to learn some amazing facts about the sea's most feared, and most misunderstood, denizens of the deep.

Find out about the scientific basis of global warming and its effects on the weather, animals and plants. Practical steps to help are included as well as interesting facts and lots of photographs. The book ends optimistically with useful and attainable methods that can impact positively on the world.

Everyone knows that Brain Davis is the smartest kid at school but he certainly isn't the luckiest. When an attack of the hiccups leaves him speechless during his appearance on Quizzical, Brain must let his best mate, Ted, take the spotlight on the richest game. But, even Brain's expert coaching cannot inspire confidence in Ted and it seems as though the evil plans of Prescott Heath may succeed again.

Brain Davis is one of five lucky winners of the Puzzle Palace competition. His prize is being one of the first kids to enter Puzzle Palace, part theme park, part brainteaser. Brain will be challenged as never before. And, even if he and the other four winners solve the puzzles and make it all the way through, something awaits them at the very end, something they will never suspect.

The underdog school versus the prestigious grammar school; the smartest kid versus a plotting principal. Intertwined are stories of friendships, family relationships, a naughty pet who saves the day and lessons learnt all round.

Any five 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 of the screen.

A beautifully illustrated collection of twelve classical stories, which will whisk you away to the magical world of Ballet. Dance with the Nutcracker Prince, soar with the Firebird and delight in the drama of Romeo and Juliet.

Author Luke Davies wrote a poem called Childhood Terror which described, in nine lines, the fear of a magpie attack, and a boy's reaction as his father helps him face that fear. This wonderful picture book turns the poem into a story of a dog and his pup on a journey to find the magpie.

Fascinating insight into how animals can survive some of the harshest conditions on the planet. Find out how sperm whales and elephant seals can stay underwater for up to 50 minutes and lots more interesting and unusual facts.

Ariki is not like the other children on Turtle Island. She belongs heart and soul to the sea, where she plays all day with the dolphins and turtles. One day, a giant shark appears and the fishermen are too afraid to go out. Without fish the people will starve - and only Ariki can save the day!

Every animal has a habitat, a place where it belongs, finds food and shelter, and raises its babies. You are a habitat for many small, almost invisible creatures. Find out about parasites like fleas and lice, tapeworms and pinworms, and the animals, human and non-human, on and in which they live.

Meet Hilda: explorer, adventurer, avid sketchbook-keeper and friend to almost every creature in the valley! Join our beloved heroine as she encounters her very first troll, negotiates peace with some very persnickety elves, and reunites two lovelorn ancient giants. Fantastic creatures and daring adventures are all just part of another average day for Hilda, but what will she do if she is forced to move to Trolberg city, far away from her beloved valley home?

Twelve year old Amira's dream is to go to school. But, life in her peaceful Sudanese village is shattered when the terrifying Janjaweed militia arrives. They burn her village and unleash unspeakable horrors. Amira needs to find the strength to make the long journey, on foot, to a refugee camp. Life is tough at the camp until the gift of a simple red pencil opens her mind and all kinds of possibilities. Verse novel about real events.

Through the friendship between a black boy and a white girl, race relations and conservation are dealt with in this play.

Simon Bright has a feeling that this week is going to be different and he's right. After the discovery of the Super-Gum, his life changes.

Barry is more than just clever. He's a talking cat, a TV star and a quiz show champion. Barry is a cat in a million, a real smarty-cat.

Lori discovers a love for basketball even though she is not very good. She decides that she wants to put in some practice and become a more important part of her year 5 basketball team. When another girl in her school also shows the same interest, Lori is not sure if she is trying to take something from Lori, or if her intentions are good. For fans of basketball and graphic novels.

Find out about Australia's responses to people arriving as refugees, from colonial times up until the present. Read about the contributions refugees have made to Australia and the challenges they have faced.

All the help you need to write better stories, blogs, scripts and poetry. Features lists of inspiring words and tips on editing and grammar. See how well-known writers put techniques into practice and try jotting out your own ideas on the blank pages at the back.

Peel away the layers of your body to find out what is going on beneath! This book investigates all of the crucial processes the body undergoes every day, looking at all the important internal organs involved. Find out what happens to an apple once you eat it, how breathing works and why we need to do it, and just how your amazing brain does what it does. Every page is filled with flaps - lift them to reveal the fascinating facts underneath!

Explicit diagrams and quirky pictures all contribute to bring us information about the capability of the human body and some of the more unusual things humans have done. Find out how fast your blood flows, and what happens inside your head.

Eye catching and fun filled way of looking at a traditional factual book on wild animals. Unbelievable stories and images, mixed with core information, are presented to answer such questions as how animals solve problems and which animals are extreme survivors.

Many years ago, all the evil villains were banished from the kingdom of Auradon to the Isle of the Lost. The Isle is a dark and dreary place protected by a force field that makes it impossible for them to leave. Stripped of their magical powers, the villains and their children now live in total isolation, forgotten by the world. The only hope of escape is to find the Dragon's Eye which is hidden. Legend says that only the cleverest, evillest and nastiest villain can find it. So, Mal (Malificent's daughter) and Evie (the Evil Queen's daughter) join forces with Carlos (De Vil) and Jay (Jafar's son) in their quest to find the Dragon's Eye. They find out that being good ain't so bad and sometimes it even helps!

The Descendants are back again. Auradon is celebrating the annual Seaside Festival, but something goes wrong. King Titans trident has gone missing - through the magical barrier to the Isle of the Lost, where villains are kept in and magic is kept out. Once the rumour spreads, that a magical object is missing, everyone on the Isle of the Lost wants to get their hands on it, especially Uma, Mal's rival since childhood. The future of Auradon is in her hands. Will Mal and the others be able to save the trident before it falls into the wrong hands?

Everyone has to wait until their twelfth birthday for the Name Bank to decide each person's name. Usually, safe botanical names are chosen. September wants a special, unique name and is enticed by spooky Madame Alcina to be able to choose her own name by playing a board game. What she is not told is that, so far, no one has managed to win and some players have not reappeared. Every dice roll leads to danger.

The whimsical story of an airman's discovery of a very appealing small boy from another planet in the desert. A thought-provoking allegory of the human condition that has become a classic.

Deadly Sisters of Worawa, written by thirteen young women from Worawa Aboriginal College, was produced during an Indigenous Literacy Foundation writing workshop. In their book, the students write about themselves, their families, their sacred places and the things they've achieved that make them proud. They've also written some powerful and moving poetry, and created some amazing artwork, all of which combined reveals how deadly these Worawa sisters are.

When a Zeppelin aircraft crashes over a British town, the German soldiers meet those they have been bombing, including one very angry girl.

Alfred is an air observer, flying above the war, taking photos of the enemy lines. But the Germans are also in the sky.

Can one heroic homing pigeon make it through enemy territory to save two hundred American soldiers trapped behind enemy lines.

They said the war would be over by Christmas, but it isn't. The German and English trenches face each other, with No Man's land inbetween. But on Christmas Eve the shooting stops and on Christmas day, guns are put down.

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.

Bats have always been linked with scary things but they may not be as scary as you think. Take a close look at the world of bats and you'll see that there's a lot more to these fascinating creatures.

Animals have their own form of language. Full of fascinating facts and stories from around the world about animals, this book will change the way you look at animals.

For some period every day, we sleep. Find out why we need to sleep and why it's not a waste of time.

Ivy and her mother live in Australia, far away from where the Great War is raging. Ivy writes to her father, who is fighting overseas, all about life at home. About the socks and sandbags she and her friends make and the leeches they catch to sell to the hospital. The war keeps dragging on and she keeps on writing, hoping her dad returns safe.

It's Christmas in the bush and the sun burns hotly through the gums. Down the road old Rogan comes for a bite of tucker and a beer. Mum's in the kitchen cooking up a turkey and plum pudding. A famous Australian poem revisited.

When a goat arrives on a rocky island, the resident sheep are afraid he will eat all their grass. But this goat has hidden talents... This humorous story for children has an important message to convey.

Join Professor Denton as he takes you on a wild adventure exploring our amazing universe and history, the ins and outs of biology and your human body, the fascinating world of geography, geology and the weather! Get ready to laugh and be amazed!

Without the service of animals, many more Australians would have lost their lives during wartime. This intriguing book presents information about food, equipment, battle environments, war propaganda, uniforms, symbols and transport. Filled with authentic photos, wartime anecdotes and strange but true facts.

Meet Hamster, completely self-obsessed and passionate about waffles. Join him and his friends, kindly Mole, diffident Hedgehog, selflessly generous Snail and super-confident Rabbit as they prepare for a celebration, set to change everybody's lives. A deceptively simple book includes philosophical musings on life.

Hamster lives in the clearing among his friends Mole, Snail, Hedgehog and Rabbit. They are very accepting of Hamster, who is unapologetically selfish but, somehow, endearing. Hamster is determined to visit his cousins on the moon. He knows they must be eager to meet him. But, his friends decide to go to the North Pole instead.

Joseph doesn't look like other people. His skin is thick and lumpy, his limbs are oddly shaped, and his head has a big, bony lump. People call him Elephant Man and scream in terror when they see him. But, inside, Joseph longs for a friend to understand him. Based on the famous, true story of Joseph Merrick.

Beverly Trapinski has buried her beloved dog. One of her three friends has suddenly moved away without a goodbye. Her father is long gone and her mother does not seem interested in what Beverly does. It is August, 1979 and it seems that the only thing for Beverly to do is leave town. At age 14, she finds herself in a new town with a job clearing tables, but she knows this is not enough. If she can only open her heart a little, she will find that the small town is full of people who need a little more in their lives too.

When Louisiana Elefante's granny wakes her up in the middle of the night to tell her that the day of reckoning has arrived and they have to leave home immediately, Louisiana isn't overly worried. After all, Granny has many middle-of-the-night ideas. But this time, things are different. This time, Granny intends for them never to return. Separated from her best friends, Raymie and Beverly, Louisiana struggles to oppose the winds of fate (and Granny) and find a way home. But as Louisiana's life becomes entwined with the lives of the people of a small Georgia town - including a surly motel owner, a walrus-like minister, and a mysterious boy with a crow on his shoulder - she starts to worry that she is destined only for good-byes. (Which could be due to the curse on Louisiana's and Granny's heads. But that is a story for another time.)

The boy, the lost sister, the retired officer, the childless couple, the displaced elephant, the patient nun, the compassionate policeman, the remorseful magician, the bent and broken stonemason and the socialite crippled when the conjured elephant fell through the theatre roof and landed on her legs, all come together in the snow in this meaningful, simply but poetically told story.

When her father abandons the family, young Raymie Clarke hatches a plan. To gain her dad's approval and immediate return, she'll enter and win the Little Miss Central Florida Tyre competition. Raymie must do good deeds and learn to twirl a baton. She must also contend with the frequently fainting Louisiana and the fiery Beverley. As the competition approaches, loneliness, loss and unanswerable questions draw them into an unlikely friendship, and challenge each girl to come to the rescue in unexpected ways.

Despereaux is a very small mouse who longs to be near the beautiful Princess Pea. Mouse law forbids any contact between mice and humans. When Despereaux lands in the castle dungeon, he must show enormous courage and ingenuity to escape.

One night a bedraggled girl is discovered in a stable by a monk. She only remembers her name is Beatryce and that she can read and write. In a time when only the monks and nobles were permitted to do this, the monk knows she is special and dangerous. Hunted by the king's men, will she find her way home to fulfil her destiny?

It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident. Ulysses, the squirrel, never saw the vacuum cleaner coming. Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book, Terrible Things Can Happen to You, steps in to save him. Ulysses now has powers of strength, flight and misspelled poetry. Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a spacious heart.

Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted and proud toy rabbit, loves only himself until he is separated from the little girl who adores him. He travels across the country, acquiring new owners and learning some valuable lessons.

Spelhorst, an old and lonely sea captain, encounters a puppet which resembles a loved one from his past. He unexpectedly purchases the set of puppets and puts a story in motion just as his own story is about to end. The puppets change hands and have unexpected adventures as they wonder just when their story will begin.

Blast off for an amazing inside view of spacecraft- from the early days of the Space Race to building a space station, exploring Mars and more.

'The Good, The Bad and The Silly' is a taste of the intriguing history of Australia to alert young readers of the storytelling treasures to be unearthed in Australia's settlement history.

A taste of the intriguing history of Australia and the many entry points for readers to explore further. In the late 18th century, ragtag groups of Europeans started to arrive in Australia. Most were convicts, some were soldiers, a few had just run out of choices. They blundered onto an ancient land that had been peopled for 60,000 years. They wanted to make it just like home. They cleared the land, they fenced it, they paved it, and they put buildings on it. All the while, the country's first peoples watched on, bewildered by these clumsy immigrants and their mysterious ways. Why did Sir Joseph Banks hate bananas? Did anyone like William Bligh? Who's afraid of Pemulwuy?

Twelve year old Paul tries to raise the spirits of his father and others during the Great Depression by reintroducing music into their lives. A tramp, Eric the Red has shown Paul how to make a bamboo flute.

Detailed and colourful fantasy-adventure scenes filled with things to find, mysteries to solve and colourful creatures and characters to outwit.

Australia is the second driest continent on Earth, after the Antarctic. The availability of water has defined the spread of human settlement, from the arrival of the first Aboriginal Australians over 50,000 years ago, right up until the present. Water is precious in Australia and it is not a free resource. Discover the role in human history of the hidden, underground water sources across Australia and see how the presence or lack of water has affected our geography, economy and history.

Famous Australians presents short biographies of people who have made notable contributions to society, and who have helped make sport and children's literature such important and popular aspects of Australian culture!

Famous Australians presents short biographies of people who have made notable contributions to society, and who have helped make sport and children's literature such important and popular aspects of Australian culture.

Go back in time to discover the truth behind the myth. Readers who can't enough pirate facts will love this book. Discover what pirates ate, what life was like on-board a ship and the rules by which pirates live by.

The book for any kid who can't get enough shark facts! Packed with facts, quizzes and incredible images of all your favourite sharks including bullhead, carpet and angel sharks. Discover sharks from prehistoric times and try to match shark eggs to their parents.

Everything you would want to know about the explosive world of volcanoes. Discover what the biggest volcano in the solar system is, how hot lava is and which type of lava is the stickiest.

Ethan is supposed to be doing regular teenage things. He is not supposed to be in hospital getting a brain tumour removed by Gemini, a high-tech android doctor. But just as the operation begins, the building is hit by an unusual bolt of lightning.

Somewhere deep in the ocean lies the key to superhuman strength. Ethan's powers will be put to the ultimate test when he, Penny and Gemini find themselves in a desperate race to reach the mythical power source before Agent Ferris and his army of androids. Will they make it in time to seize the Grapes of Atlantis?

Kelly, Minh and Jimmy can feel the prophecy closing in on them. The only way to get their loved ones back is to fight their way to the very heart of the Collector's secret stockpile. But will the Sunken Temple of Tears fulfil their wildest dreams or realise their worst nightmares?

The Mythix are united at last, but things are NOT going according to plan! Could there be something - or someone - missing from the prophecy? The Collector is close on their tail, Jimmy is in terrible danger, and the Gladiator Games are in full swing - the Mythix are definitely going to need help. But when the fearsome Kraken rises, whose side will he be on?

Wolf Girl is back in the wild, but that doesn't mean life is any easier for her and her loyal pack of dogs. She has been searching for her family for a long time. Just when she feels she is close, the soldiers following her start to close in. Then Zip is injured and the pack has to slow down... Who can Gwen trust? And how will she keep her pack safe while they are being hunted by dangerous enemies? Does this spell disaster for the one and only Wolf Girl?

A wildly exciting adventure series from bestselling author Anh Do. Wolf Girl and her trusty dogs are back for another awesome adventure! On the run from sinister forces, Gwen rushes headfirst into even more danger. With giant snakes, Komodo dragons, and a whole new wolf family to deal with, she will need all her cunning, and all her friends. But someone is missing ... Could there be a traitor in the pack?

Gwen and Rupert continue their mission to find their families, trekking across treacherous terrain with the pack while evading the enemy. When they encounter a new friend in need, they are led onto a ship of enemy soldiers and must stowaway undetected if they are to have any chance of survival.

When Gwen and her dogs jump on a train bound for the mountains, they are surprised to find the carriages are full of weird and wonderful animals! With the help of new and old friends, Gwen is determined to give the wild creatures their freedom, even if it means risking her own...

As the train Wolf Girl is driving hurtles towards the locked gates of an enemy city, the last thing she expects to spy out the window is her own long lost sister! Soon Gwen and her dogs are on an epic chase across country, encountering deadly enemies and plenty of prehistoric surprises. But just when things seem most dire, help arrives in an unexpected form!

Wolf Girl and her trusty pack are in for a really WILD adventure! Wolf Girl and her pack have escaped their enemies' clutches - only to find themselves in a canoe hurtling down a croc-infested river towards a terrifying waterfall! But saving themselves from certain death is only the beginning! Soon after, the pack is marooned on a mysterious island filled with wild animals. Why does it exist? And what could it possibly have to do with Gwen's long-lost sister? From jungle to savannah, it will be the most unlikely allies who come to their aid...

When Gwen and her pack are carried by the wild river to the tiny village of Hookville, little does she know she will soon be joining forces with Jarrod, a local athlete, to compete in the Championship Games. But will they make it upriver to the Championship Games in time? And what -- and who -- will they find when they get there?

Amber knew she'd been given an incredible power, but was it a freak accident, or was there something she was supposed to do with it? Controlling her new ability might be the hardest thing Amber has ever done. Especially when she is running for her life. Who is her mysterious enemy? What connection does he have to Amber's past? And, most importantly, does Amber have what it takes to truly become ... Skydragon?

Any five 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 of the screen.

Amber has become used to summoning her insect friends and transforming into Skydragon at the first sign of danger. But now her powers are gone, and she's just back to being just Amber again. Will she be able to get her powers back in time to help new friends defeat an old enemy?

Amber held her arms out. Surround me. Locusts, beetles, bees and all manner of flying insects nestled together tightly. Shapes formed. Horns on her head, claws on her hands and feet. A thick, long tail. She was a dragon! Amber is on the run. What will happen when she and the Firefighter finally come face to face?

Amber is back, along with her insect friends! Now she can ride the wind, but she must use her power to escape the National Service. She thinks her brother could be Firefighter, or is he? She needed to find out. She wanted a normal life but wherever she went she seemed to find problems. This time it's Trouble and Money Man- What is next for Amber?

I held onto the bars of the truck and howled to my dogs as they fell further and further behind. Sunrise, Brutus, Zip, Nosey and Tiny all ran as hard as they could, but there was no way they could keep up... After four years alone in the wild, Gwen is overjoyed to see another person. But when she is thrown into the back of a van and stolen away to a prison camp, things don't look good. How will her pack find her? Where is her human family? Will the other kids in the camp be friends or enemies? Luckily, Eagle is fast, the dogs are brave, and bars and fences are no match for the one and only Wolf Girl!

When disaster separates Gwen from her family, she must fend for herself, all alone in the wilderness. Luckily, she's not alone for long...When a wolf puppy, a Labrador, a Chihuahua, and a greyhound want to make friends, Gwen discovers talents she didn't know she possessed. It will take all her new skills and strength just to survive. Does Gwen have what it takes to be leader of the pack?

Ethan was a normal teenager, until a freak lightning strike gave him the ability to hack into any electronic device-with his mind! When Ethan's link to Gemini breaks down after a mid-air battle, he and Doctor Penny decide to fix the android. But all the equipment they need is with the enemy! Can Ethan, Doctor Penny and Gemini work together to outsmart the dangerous Agent Ferris and infiltrate enemy headquarters

Last week, Ethan was a teenager who was lying in hospital with a brain tumour. Now, he has the superhuman power to hack into any computer system with his mind. Ethan and Dr Penny are battling the android healer turned deadly assassin. The Robofight Games might be the perfect cover for their mission. Or they might find themselves in even more trouble.

The Mythix team is finally complete! The mindreading unicorn, the powerful minotaur and now the flying griffin unite to battle their nemesis, the sinister Soul Collector. They will need to work as a team to take on the evil Collector's latest creation. Will they finally fulfill their destiny?

Some heroes are legends, some legends are real. The tyrant kown as the Soul Collector hunts down anything that is beautiful, unusual, or unique. Kelly Swift is trying hard to be an average teenager, to fit in. But every day her powers are growing: she can run faster than the wind, she can hear people's thoughts, she is not average. When her mother is taken by the Soul Collector, Kelly can't linger in the shadows any longer. But who is she really? Can she be the one in the prophecy? Is she....the Golden Unicorn?

When the sinister Soul Collector paints the moon, it is magically drawn out of the sky and the world's natural order is thrown into chaos. Will the combined powers of the unicorn, the Griffin and the Minotaur be enough to save the world from darkness?

Kelly has recently discovered she has powers of the Unicorn, she can read other people's minds, but is that all? The Collector has her mother and Kelly is ready to go and save her, but she must learn to control her powers. Her mentor, Stanley Solomon, helps her on her journey to find others, known as the Minotaur and the Griffin, that have powers to help her defeat the Collector. Minh was an orphan, adopted into a loving farming family. He has recently noticed that he is getting stronger. Maybe it was from all of the farm work he had been doing, but none of his friends could dig or plant as fast as he could. Could Minh be one of the people Kelly and Stanley are looking for?

Find out about the people, the events, organisations and activities that are working towards reconciliation all around Australia. The book is presented by an Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian, each of whom has a special association with the topic.

A biography of one of Australia's most famous athletes and one of the books in the Young Achievers series.

Werewolves, talking snakes and cursed princes are the stuff of fairy tales. Stories that we have all heard and enjoyed but with a modern twist. Slimy, ugly frogs wanting a favour, playful sisters who tease their older brother, brides who cannot live with any secrets, and unusual household items that are best left untouched. Stories crafted to be read aloud and shared. Illustrated with simple silhouettes.

After being injured in a raid that has gone terribly wrong, Tor Scaldbane loses his chance to be a legendary warrior. After this devastating blow, his faith is restored when he discovers the sagas of his ancestors, including the stories of glorious battles, ancient heroes and powerful gods. Now, he has his own stories to tell.

Meet the Lotterys: a unique and diverse family featuring four parents, seven kids and five pets all living happily together in their big old house, Camelottery. Nine-year-old Sumac is the organizer of the family and is looking forward to a long summer of fun. But when their grumpy and intolerant grandad comes to stay, everything is turned upside down.

Will you act now to save our planet? The world is in trouble and it needs superheroes like YOU to help save it. Two minutes is all the time it takes to fight climate change and make a difference. Find out how you can become a #2minutesuperhero. Take on these simple two minute challenges and help make difference to save the planet and protect the environment.

A visually amazing encyclopaedia all about Earth. Crammed full of incredible stuff to dip into, from magnificent meteorites to cool caves, crystals and coral reefs, all revealed in an exciting and totally different way. It's like a museum, a search engine and the world's most exciting geography field trip, all rolled into one.

Through visually stunning graphics and photographs, discover everything you've ever wanted to know about nature, the human body, science and technology, space, earth, people and places, history, art and culture. Every spread explores an encyclopaedic subject in a unique way. Pour over amazing images and pick up fascinating facts and figures in bite-sized chunks.

Welcome to Costa Banana, where the President makes everyone eat Banana soup on Fridays. He's strong, he's unstoppable, he's completely bonkers. So when his kids discover a plot to overthrow the President he doesn't believe them. With robotic flies, banana guns and a gruesome general, will Rosa and Fico be able to save the day?

From crocodiles that protect their babies by scooping them up into their mouths to those that can hold their breath for up to two hours, this is a fascinating, sometimes scary, introduction to the wild world of crocodiles.

A monthly magazine format mix of freaky, funny and fascinating facts. 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.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts. Use this title to enter the April issue of this magazine from any year.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts. A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts. Use this title to enter the August issue of this magazine from any year.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts. Use this title to enter the December-January issue of this magazine from any year.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts. Use this title to enter the February issue of this magazine from any year.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts. Use this title to enter the July issue of this magazine from any year.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts. Use this title to enter the June issue of this magazine from any year.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts. Use this title to enter the March issue of this magazine from any year.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts. Use this title to enter the May issue of this magazine from any year.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts. Use this title to enter the November issue of this magazine from any year.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts. Use this title to enter the October issue of this magazine from any year.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts. Use this title to enter the September issue of this magazine from any year.

A magazine format full of freaky, fun and fascinating facts.

When Fionn Boyle sets foot on Arranmore Island, it begins to stir beneath his feet. Once in a generation, Arranmore Island chooses a new Storm Keeper to wield its power and keep its magic safe from enemies. The time has come for Fionn's grandfather, a secretive and eccentric old man, to step down. Soon, a new Keeper will rise. But, deep underground, someone has been waiting for Fionn. As the battle to become the island's next champion rages, a more sinister magic is waking up, intent on rekindling an ancient war.

Twelve year old Randal's apprenticeship in the School of Wizardry is marred when he realises one of the master wizards is using evil spells to destroy the school and gain supreme power.

A delightful story, set in Cape York, focuses on the relationship between a young Aboriginal girl, Nyrlotte, and her strong grandmother. Granny knows all the stories and can sing a cyclone away, and Nyrlotte knows she should always listen to her Granny's warnings. But listening isn't always Nyrlotte's strong point.

Although Siobhan's mother died when she was small, she can remember her mother's hands, her voice and her words. But, no matter how hard she tries, Siobhan cannot remember her mother's face. She'd ask her father but he is too sad and Siobhan carries her grief deep within her. One day, a woman shows her how to remember and has a message for Siobhan's father.

Packed with information, amazing facts, questions and creative activities, this human body encyclopedia will tell you everything you want to know about what the body can do, the human life cycle, food and digestion, the brain and the senses, structure and movement, and much more.

In 1932, ten year old Stella lives in the segregated South of the United States. Some stores she can go into, others she can't. Some folks are right pleasant, others less so. To Stella, it sort of evens out, and the Ku Klux Klan hasn't bothered them for years. But, one late night, Stella and her little brother see something they're never supposed to see, something that is the first flicker of change to come. As Stella's community and her world are upended, she decides to fight fire with fire. She learns that ashes don't necessarily signify an end.

Way back, before once-upon-a-time, there was the Dreamtime when all the birds were white. One of those white birds was a crow called Waan. One day a big storm came through and a magnificent rainbow appeared. When the birds passed through the rainbow, one by one, their feathers took on its beautiful colours. Waan flew through the rainbow too and his feathers became a beautiful red and orange. But Waan was jealous of the other birds. He wanted to be more beautifully coloured than anyone. So Waan hatched a cunning plan. But things did not go the way Waan wanted...

"Hello and welcome to our corroboree. Hello and welcome to our gathering. Father Sky, Mother Earth, together here with me. Different colours, different people, together in harmony." Feel the welcome as we celebrate Indigenous culture, Elders and future generations. Join the corroboree in the traditional Gamilaraay language of the Kamilaroi people as we listen and learn together. A wonderful companion to Gregg Dreise's highly acclaimed My Culture and Me, this joyful picture book celebrates Australia's Indigenous heritage and the diversity we enjoy today.

Feel the rhythm of the music, from your heart down to your feet. Enjoy the movements of melodies, as clapsticks keep a strong beat. This is my culture. This is me.

McFig and his daughter, Rosie, live in a lovely little cottage far away from anywhere big. One day, McFly and his son, Anton, buy the land next door. Friendship turns to competition when McFly builds a cottage just like McFig's house. When the two start adding things onto their houses, it soon gets out of hand in this tale of jealousy, revenge and death, with a happy ending.

Mr Bean gives advice on preparing for an overseas trip in the format of a scrapbook recording his trip to France. He provides advice on how to enjoy French food and art and even suggestions on how to mix important things together.

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.

Andrew Barton Paterson spent his early years in country NSW. He was sent to finish his education in Sydney, where he eventually worked as a lawyer. Paterson missed the bush and, using the pseudonym, the Banjo, began to write poems and stories that brought the bush to the city. He is famous for The Man from Snowy River and Waltzing Matilda. Banjo's face appears on Australia's ten dollar note.

Edith Cowan was the first woman elected to any Australian parliament and the second in any English speaking country. Discover how she overcame a tragic childhood to become a feminist heroine.

Henry Parkes was the earliest advocate of a Federal Council of the colonies of Australia, a precursor to the Federation of Australia. He arrived in Sydney almost penniless and began work on a farm at Penrith. He was always trying to change the world around him and, once he became involved in politics, his future was assured. Henry Parkes is featured on Australia's five dollar note.

Informative account of the story of John Flynn, the founder of the Flying Doctor Service whcih helps to save the lives of those living in the most rermote parts of Australia.

General Sir John Monash became the corps commander of the Australian Infantry Forces during World War I. He was also responsible for the remarkably efficient repatriation of 160,000 Australian soldiers after the war. Monash has been immortalised on Australia's one hundred dollar bank note.

Dame Mary Gilmore had a varied and active life. Born and raised in Wagga Wagga, Mary was a schoolteacher, socialist, journalist, poet and girl friend of Henry Lawson, whose adventures took her to Paraguay and Patagonia. Dame Mary is featured on Australia's five dollar note.

Mary Reibey became Australia's richest woman but she had a skeleton in her closet. Orphaned after the death of her mother, father and a caring grandmother, she ran away from home disguised as a boy, 'borrowed' a horse and was sent to NSW. Read about her experiences as a criminal and how she found her way to the top.

Nellie was the biggest entertainment star we have ever had on the world stage. She claimed to be a simple Australian girl at heart, but she didn't get to the top without having a few less admirable characteristics.

Details the life of William the Conqueror from birth to death. Lots of good battles and interesting characters.

Claudia is convinced the stain on the path is blood. That means murder and she wonders who is dead and who is the killer. Claudia sets out to gather the evidence and to bring the killer to justice, jumping to conclusions along the way.

Claudia gets herself and her father into a predicament and has to help her father get out of it.

Have you ever had a chaotic birthday party? Have you ever eaten your Teddy Bear? Do you ever wish you had the power to bring an object to life, or to speak to birds? Have you ever done odd jobs around the house to earn pocket money? Do you wish you could speak a secret language? Then this is the magazine for you! Flip open the pages and enjoy your reading adventure! An amazing publication written by Ursula Dubosarsky, the 2020-2021 Australian Children's Laureate, produced by The School Magazine team of the NSW Department of Education 2020.

Pender lives with his father, in a honey coloured sandstone house with green shutters, on the edge of the bush. While out walking, Pender finds a kangaroo shot by hunters and with a joey in her pouch. Pender and his father rescue the young kangaroo, Brindabella, and take her home. Soon they form a close and touching friendship, but kangaroos are not dogs and Brindabella yearns to be free. Their paths do cross again but not how you would imagine.

Lilli's family is moving from the bush to the city and Lilli is sure she'll be horribly lonely. She'll miss the mangoes, she'll miss her cousins and, most of all, she'll miss her Nan. But, Nan sends a special friend south with Lilli, a secret Shadow to look after her. And, Lilli discovers life in the city isn't so bad after all.

How much do you know about Australian animals? Have you ever heard of the Pobblebonk who lives underground? Or how about the deadly Assassin Bug? Or maybe you are familiar with Boyd's Forest Dragon? These are just some of the weird and wonderful but 100% real animals you will meet in Faunaverse. A collection of poems aimed at educating readers about Australia's unknown and misunderstood wildlife. The poems are loaded with facts and information, perfect for curious minds of all ages. Poems are accompanied by beautiful wildlife photography by the authors.

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.

Life in fourteenth century Ireland is tough for nine year old Lara. She must work hard to support her family but her heart lies with the beautiful grey mare. Looking after the horses is a boy's job. All seems hopeless especially when the mare is stolen.

Lara vows to take care of a foal as a dying promise to the gray mare, and with the help of a childless milk-cow, she cares for the spindly-legged filly.

When 9 year old Lara goes to the highlands to set the cattle out to graze, she finds a mare in the process of a difficult birth. Lara vows to take care of the foal as a dying promise to the gray mare, and with the help of a childless milk-cow, she cares for the spindly-legged filly. But just when she is confident that the foal can survive, a rival clan captures them both, and throws Lara's life into turmoil.

It is 1875 and orphans, Margaret and Libby, live with kind Mrs Fredriksen in her sod house in rural Colorado. The girls are always moving on, looking for a real home. When a tornado sweeps through the town bringing an injured horse, Margaret nurses it back to good health. This might be the place to settle down.

Douglas Mawson led the first Australian expedition to the Antarctic. Under extreme conditions, he survived the dangers and challenges of the frozen continent. An inspiring story of courage.

For many refugees the alphabet represents the start of a new language and a new future, but Anisa's Alphabet is different. A poignant and highly imaginative telling of one girl's story which will appeal to children and adults alike. Come with Anisa, and see things through her eyes. In this picture book, Anisa takes the reader though the alphabet, describing her journey from an unnamed war-torn country to a refugee camp, then on to an overcrowded boat towards supposed freedom and security.

Lulu scales new heights with her enchanted recipe book and now is challenged by an international arch villain.

Lulu's best friend, Frenchy, wants Lulu to play cupid to her own dad and Frenchy's mum. Lulu cooks up the Cupid Cakes recipe. Disaster strikes when everyone starts falling in love with the wrong person.

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.

Lulu is miserable now that her dad is going to marry the horrible Varaminta le Bone. A crazy book with a recipe for making truth cookies may help Lulu's dad see the step mum-to-be for who she really is.

Endless darkness is threatening the underground city of Ember. Food is in short supply, corruption is spreading and the lights keep failing. Soon Ember could be engulfed by darkness. Lina and Doon must find a way to escape before the lights go out forever.

A story reflecting the experience of immigration.

With twenty inspirational stories celebrating the pioneering work of a selection of Earth Heroes from all around the globe, from Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough to Yin Yuzhen and Isatou Ceesay, each tale is a beacon of hope in the fight for the future of our planet, proving that one person, no matter how small, can make a difference.