Booklists

What does it mean to be queer? What does it mean to be human? In this powerful #LoveOzYA collection, twelve of Australia's finest writers from the LGBTQ+ community explore the stories of family, friends, lovers and strangers, and the connections that form us. This inclusive and intersectional #OwnVoices anthology for teen readers features work from writers of diverse genders, sexualities and identities, including writers who identify as First Nations, people of colour or disabled. With short stories by bestsellers, award winners and newcomers to young adult fiction including Jax Jacki Brown, Claire G Coleman, Michael Earp, Alison Evans, Erin Gough, Benjamin Law, Omar Sakr, Christos Tsiolkas, Ellen van Neerven, Marlee Jane Ward, Jen Wilde and Nevo Zisin. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

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

In Jharia, India,Valli spends her days picking up coal and fighting with her cousins. Her family won't let her go to school and there's never enough food. When Valli discovers that her 'aunt' is a stranger who was paid to take her, she leaves Jharia and begins a new life, surviving on the streets of Kolkata. A chance encounter with a doctor may change her life but Valli must decide if she trusts enough to accept help. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

With the overthrow of the Shah in Iran, the very conservative, religious government controls every facet of life. Fifteen year old Farrin must keep quiet about her mother's political activities and lavish lifestyle. When Farrin meets funny, outgoing Sadira and they fall in love, the relationship takes a dangerous turn. It is against the law to be gay, the punishment is death. Some violence, usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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

As the Taliban come back to power in 2021 Afghanistan, 15-year-old Damsa is fleeing from a forced marriage. She finds a brief reprieve in the Green Valley community - but when the Taliban come searching, everyone is thrown into danger. Who can escape when Kabul is shut down? This latest novel in the Parvana series is a compelling story of courage, heartbreak and resilience. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

This story depicts the injustice and brutality of life for a young girl under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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

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

A disturbing but insightful collection of views from Israeli and Palestinian children, young adults who are surrounded by war. With honesty, they describe their life, families and feelings about the conflict and violence, and their hopes for the future. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Just when Nax - a hotshot pilot with dreams of becoming a member of the Ellis Station Academy - thought things couldn't get any worse, the entire galaxy turns against him. After being kicked out of Ellis Academy's training program in under 24hrs, he and three other washouts are framed for a deadly terrorist attack. After escaping (barely) with their lives, Nax and his fellow failures are living life on the run when they uncover a terrible plot with galaxy-wide implications. They may not always get along, but they're the only ones left to step up and fight. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Ever since the witch cursed Babs, she turns invisible sometimes. She has her mum and her dog, but teachers and classmates barely notice her. Then, one day, Iris can see her. And Iris likes what they see. Babs is made of fire. Iris grew from a seed in the ground. They have friends, but not human ones. Not until they meet Babs. The two of them have a lot in common: they speak to dryads and faeries, and they're connected to the magic that's all around them. There's a new boy at school, a boy who's like them and who hasn't yet found his real name. Soon the three of them are hanging out and trying spellwork together. Magic can be dangerous, though. Witches and fae can be cruel. Something is happening in the other realm, and despite being warned to stay away, the three friends have to figure out how to deal with it on their own terms. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

How do people decide on a path, and find the drive to pursue what they want? Ida struggles more than other young people to work this out. She can shift between parallel universes, allowing her to follow alternative paths. One day Ida sees a shadowy, see-through doppelganger of herself on the train. She starts to wonder if she's actually in control of her ability, and whether there are effects far beyond what she has considered. How can she know, anyway, whether one universe is ultimately better than another? And what if the continual shifting causes her to lose what is most important to her, just as she is discovering what that is, and she can never find her way back? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.