Booklists

Starrphyre is your average, dorky sixteen year old, with one difference. He has a very weird name, thanks to his hippy parents, a radio sex therapist mum and a bass player dad, from a tragic one-hit-wonder 1980s metal band. All Starrphyre wants is one date with his dream girl, Candace McAllister, but so does every other high school guy. Perhaps starting a band with his video-game obsessed pals will do the trick.

If you had a crazy family, a bag of frozen peas, seventy Hawaiian shirts, a tyre-swan, a shoplifter, a social cling-on, a scarily attractive girl, a cool dude, a crazy activity coordinator and a fully volcanic island, you could have written this novel. But, relax, all you need to do is read it.

Boyfriend Brad is invited to sing in Las Vegas, so they all, including the squabbling siblings, accompany him on another family trip. Dad gets separated from the rest of the family and finds unexpected fame in this hilarious family adventure. Some derogatory language used in context.

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.

An adolescent male, his family and his sister's new boyfriend, Brad, set off on a road trip to Queensland. Humour, fighting siblings and mishaps all the way leave you wondering if they will ever make it.

Jimbo and his friend, Charlie, suspect there is something not right about two of their teachers. They get too close to the truth when Charlie is abducted. Jimbo enlists the help of his death-metal music loving, dark eyeliner-wearing sister to track Charlie down and discover the truth.

Thirteen-year-old Aidan can't breathe in his crowded family home. Running is his only respite from four loud sisters and involved, touchy-feely parents. Then his mum makes an announcement: she's having another baby. Only, this time it's not for her; she will be a surrogate for gay couple Justin and Atif. Aidan is incensed. As if his family wasn't embarrassing - or big - enough already. But he's also scared. Aidan thinks he might be gay, and he's really struggling to accept this possibility. He's definitely not ready to come out, but what if being around Justin and Atif exposes him as gay? If only he was just like everyone else.

Luke and his twin brother Cullen are podcasters. In their final year of high school, their podcast has reached a cult level following. When Cullen and his boyfriend (also Luke's best friend) Zack release a recording of Luke singing a love song to an unnamed girl on the podcast, the whole listenership wants to know who this mystery girl could be. Luke is furious. Meanwhile, Luke's colleague Vada has a solid five year plan. Falling in love with Luke is not part of that plan. But with the release of this song, she starts to wonder if he could be part of her life. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Jatta is a princess in the kingdom of Alteeda but her life is no fairytale. When Jatta was three, her mother was slain by werewolves and, now, at furteen, she has discovered that the werewolves left their curse on her and she will transform into a wolf on the full moon. With her brother, she bravely resists a dark lord and grows in confidence, resourcefulness and bravery to overcome the evil.

Lucy's parents drag her off around Australia to learn about Indigenous Australian culture. She sends lots of letters back home to her friend, Jess. Just as well Jess kept them and put them in this book because they are full of interesting stories and information about various places from Fraser Island to Karratha, and from Darwin to Ceduna.

When sixteen-year-old Yin Mitchell is abducted, the news reverberates through the whole Year Ten class at Balmoral Ladies College. As the hours tick by, the girls know the chance of Yin being found alive is becoming smaller and smaller. Everyone is affected by Yin's disappearance - even scholarship student Chloe, who usually stays out of Balmoral dramas, is drawn into the maelstrom. And when she begins to form an uneasy alliance with Natalia, the queen of Year Ten, things get even more complicated. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Gideon always had a plan. His plans include running for class president, leading the yearbook committee and having his choice of colleges. They do not include falling head over heels for his best friend and next-door neighbour, Kyle. Kyle finally feels like he has a handle on life. He has a wonderful girlfriend, a best friend willing to debate the finer points of Lord of the Rings and social acceptance as captain. Then both Ruby and Gideon start acting weird...Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

On Marin's island, sunrise doesn't come every twenty-four hours - it comes every twenty-eight years. Now the sun is just a sliver of light on the horizon. The weather is turning cold. The shadows are growing long. The dark is rising. And soon it will be Night. Because Night is falling. Their island is changing. And something is stirring in the dark.

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.

Jade Hameister is a truly remarkable Australian. At fourteen she decided on a goal: To be the youngest person in history to complete the Polar Hat-Trick. In this book you will be taken on her journey as she travels through polar lands hostile to human life and accomplishes something truly remarkable. An inspirational true story that might very well change your perspective on the limits on what is possible.

Lara Jean is having the best senior year. And there's still so much to look forward to: a class trip to New York City, prom with her boyfriend Peter, Beach Week after graduation, and her dad's wedding to Ms. Rothschild. Then she'll be off to college with Peter, at a school close enough for her to come home and bake chocolate chip cookies on the weekends. Life couldn't be more perfect! At least, that's what Lara Jean thinks... until she gets some unexpected news. Now the girl who dreads change must rethink all her plans -- but when your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?

They were just pretending. Until they weren't. And now Lara Jean has to learn what it's like to be in a real relationship and not just a make-believe one. But when another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean's feelings for him suddenly return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

Every year, Isabel spends a perfect summer at her family friends' house. There's the swimming pool at night, the private stretch of sandy beach and the two boys - unavailable, aloof Conrad and friendly, relaxed Jeremiah. But this year, something is different. They seem to have noticed her for the first time.

Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren't love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she's written. One for every boy she's ever loved -- five in total. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean's love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

The last time Lex was happy, it was before. When her family was whole. and friends didn't look at her as if she might break down. Now, she's just the girl whose brother killed himself. Lex tries to block out the night Tyler died but regret and their last goodbye haunt her. As Lex learns to grieve and recover, she discovers that a ghost doesn't have to be real to keep you from moving on. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Renowned detective Hercule Poirot has been secretly summoned to an exclusive estate to solve the mystery of who killed Frank Devonport. With 2 confessions and an unexpected second body, Poirot will have to piece together a tangled web of clues before the real killer can be identified.

Suitable for mature readers. Deals with selective mutism as a result of violence which is never shown directly. Handled well. Three unique and very different children learn to appreciate one another and the abilities each possesses, which leads to them being able to deal with a frighteningly adult issue.

This book is the perfect addition to any home or school. Coding is a subject we all have questions about, and this handy little book is beautifully laid out to dip into - either to find the answer to a question or to browse. Written in neat little chunks with fun facts, colourful illustrations and careful definitions. There are even links and exercises to continue with once you've finished reading the book.

Graeme starts to feel as if he is alienated from the rest of the human race. A psychological thriller that deals with schizophrenia. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

On the jumbled streets of the island of Lady's Crave live Hark and his best friend Jelt. They are scavengers: living off their wits, diving for relics of the gods, desperate for anything they can sell. But now there is something restless stirring beneath the waves, calling to someone brace enough to retrieve it. Something valuable. Something dangerous...

Makepeace Lightfoot lives during harsh times. During the English Civil War she has to travel to live with her paternal family after the death of her mother. Makepeace has inherited more than most from her father's family. She has to learn to defend herself from ghosts. The struggle to make a life for herself in 17th century England with strict religious rules could be the hardest struggle of all. Usually read by students in Year 9, 10 and above.

Did you know that a toy spaceship can teach you about why prices keep rising? Or that a pooping cow can show you how to invest your pocket money? In a world of bamboozling headlines and dodgy data, it's hard to work out what's really going on. This book will show you how to develop your own truth detective skills by using the power of numbers and your own brilliant brain, asking questions and always being curious.

Sassycat is lightning fast and beautiful but, so conceited. She places her human carer, Rebecca, in great danger of being possessed by evil ghosts. Sassycat must stop thwarting the local pets and become a team player to protect Rebecca. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Fourteen year old Fletcher Smith is a sports private Investigator, working out of the Institute in Canberra. With his adult side-kick, Frank, he takes on a case to solve the kidnap of football coach, Kelvin Hunt.

Fourteen year old Fletcher Smith is a private investigator, working for the Institute of Sport. Trouble has found Fletcher since his father died in mysterious circumstances. Hired by rising cricket star Tom Baker to retrieve a lucky pig's foot, given to him by Don Bradman, Fletcher finds himself fighting for his life in the dangerous underworld of Australian sport. To crack this case, he'll need to battle killer sea wasps, a ruthless hitman and a deranged tennis prodigy.

A story of a mother pining for her homeland, an eccentric old lady and a very sensitive, teenage boy.

Themes of bullying and prejudice interweave in this story of gentle Hector and two neighbouring boys. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

This is the story of how Elly Pickering's life falls apart, piece by piece, after the catastrophic loss of her mobile phone. She simply can't survive. If it wasn't for FacePlace, she might as well be stranded on a desert island.

Elly Pickering has a juicy secret. A secret her PR mum won't let her tell anyone because if the kids at Oldcastle High knew that mega-star Jake Blake (yes, THE Jake Blake, teen sensation and all round heart-throb) was coming to Oldcastle to film his latest movie, they might just explode with excitement. Elly is determined to get on set and to get more than a glimpse of her Hollywood crush. But now thanks to an unfortunate incident involving a car, a red handbag and the paparazzi, it looks like Elly's lost a lot more than her opportunity to be close to Hollywood royalty. She's lost her dignity, her job and her best friend. How can she get everything back to normal?

Bendy, whose family runs a scrivener's shop, solves the mystery when the master printer, William Caxton, fails to receive the paper shipped to him aboard the cargo ship, Madalena. A classic about the Caxton printing press.

Ross Maloy just wants to fit in. But after he is diagnosed with a rare eye cancer in Year 7, he suddenly becomes the 'cancer kid' of his school. Now he has to deal with weird hats, a squinty eye and hardest of all, disappearing friends, social media bullies and the threat of losing his eyesight. Wink is a heartbreaking and hilarious story of survival. A story of finding music and laughter in all of life's weirdness.

Fascinating facts about some very unusual animals and insects in a magazine style book. Each animal has its own report card with a rating out of ten on the animal's coolness, friendliness and ease of care.

Fourteen very different stories in this collection cover topics such as x-ray vision, senility and coping with braces.

Set in Port Adelaide during the Depression, two friends are affected by the `wharfies' strike of 1928.

David has been accused of being a firebug since he started a fire at the age of six that resulted in tragedy. He experiences a horrifying ordeal, at the hands of a real firebug, when fires break out in his local area.

Survival, fraud, violence, mystery and suspense are included in this story which is part of the Cliffhanger series.

Max Jones, country detective, is determined to uncover the truth about Possum, the town hermit.

Young Maddy Smith is despised and feared because of her runemark, showing she has magic powers. Since the war which destroyed the Norse Gods, the Order has taken hold, decreeing all magic should be banned. Maddy is befriended by a mysterious old man who asks her to journey into the earth to bring back the Whisperer, an oracle which foreshadows amazing changes to the balance between Worlds. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Inspiration for poets of all ages lies within these pages.

AFLW player Tayla Harris was at work on the footy field when she kicked a goal. A photo of the kick, taken by Michael Wilson, showcased her incredible ability and was posted online. What happened next was an extraordinary turning point in Tayla's life. The photo quickly became iconic as Tayla stood strong against the online trolls. This is the inspiring story of Tayla's stellar sporting career and her hard-earned advice for navigating the ups and downs of social media.

In 1985, Kirrali Lewis, a young Aboriginal teenager, leaves her home town in rural Victoria to begin a law degree in Melbourne. Adopted at birth by a white family, Kirrali doesn't question her cultural roots until a series of life-changing events force her to face up to her true identify. Her decision to search for her biological parents sparks off a political awakening that no one sees coming, least of all Kirrali.

With the common theme of narrative verse, this collection of poems contains humorous and serious verse for children and adults.

An anthology for middle years' students for all times.

In Ferghana, Central Asia, in 102 BC, thirteen year old Kallisto is an excellent horsewoman. One day, while racing her horses in the mountains, Kallisto sees the Chinese army approaching her city. On reaching home, she finds a deserted city, and her favourite horse and others missing. Kallisto is determined to get the horses back, even if this means being challenged to a duel of horsemanship and skill.

Bee Ballentine is starting her first year of high school at beachside Crescent Bay. Still reeling from the departure of her mother who left for an ashram in India, Bee talks to Buddha and begs for her first period not to arrive. She's not ready to become a woman yet, whatever that means. Although Bee has yet to find her group at school, her best friend forever is Leon Mckay, the hottest boy in Year 8. As long as Leon has her back Bee can survive the mean girls, her meddling step-mum Kath, her swimming nemesis, The Piranha.

Tiny is an eighteen-year-old girl living on the streets of Sydney, running from her small-town past. She finds short-term accommodation at Hope Lane - a shelter for the homeless - where she meets Nola, a high school student on volunteer placement. Both girls share their love of words through the Hope Lane writing group. Can they share their secrets, too? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The personal stories of twelve ordinary people, so concerned about climate change that they altered their lives to do something about it. Some were involved behind the scenes, researching or writing, while others decided to go public in campaigns, blockades, rallies and a hunger strike. They come from all walks of life. There's a nurse, a musician, an insurance broker, a teacher, a lawyer and a vet.

Steve Jobs was a tinkerer. He was also rebellious, did not follow rules and dropped out of college after one semester. At twenty one, he started Apple Computer in his parents' garage and it became the world's most valuable company. Jobs became the tastemaker of a generation, creating products that we now can't live without, while revolutionising the music, phone and tablet computer industries in the process. A graphic biography.

In the Birmingham slums. the outcast gangs are creating a new kind of music, with pounding rhythms and wild guitars. Seventeen year old Astor is trained in classical music but, when her life plummets from riches to rags, there is only one way to survive. Charismatic Verrol, once her servant, is now her partner in crime. He could be so much more, if only he'd reveal his past. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

This is the life story of Matilda. Her isolated childhood and her quest with her father to find the most beautiful thing in the world; her unusual marriage to Feather, part sprite part wild man, that promised true happiness and the loss that she suffered when she had to let him go. This book is part enchanting fable and part love story.

Two gypsy boys, carrying a secret bundle, are fleeing through a war-ravaged countryside during the night and come across a small zoo, untouched by the war. The animals are in need of hope, as are the boys.

Includes nine amazing stories from serial murderers such as the Yorkshire Ripper to art forgers, kidnappers and Great Train Robbers.

Deserts are some of the wildest, most inhospitable places on Earth. Read the true stories about those whose quests and dreams resulted in heroism, bravery and, sometimes, death.

Howard Carter had spent five long years in the hot, dry desert, searching for the tomb of the Ancient Egyptian boy-king, Tutankhamun. But what he found when he ventured deeper and deeper into the tomb was gold and treasure beyond his wildest dreams.

When Obayda's father loses a leg in a bomb explosion, the family is forced to move from Kabul to a small village. Life is very different and her father rarely leaves his room. To bring luck to the family, Obayda's aunt suggests dressing her as a boy, a bacha posh. Now, she is Obayd. Life in this in-between place is confusing until Obayd meets Rahim, another bacha posh. They can explore on their own, climb trees and play sports. But, their transformation and newfound freedoms can't last forever.

An incredible story of survival and spirit. In Zhangjiashu, China, fourteen year old Ma Yan struggles to escape poverty through persistent, sometimes desperate, attempts to continue her education. Her diary details a world few of us can imagine.

Vaughan gets caught up with an evil Pastor who has created division in his town. He desperately wants to belong. In fact, Vaughan wants to gain entry to the gang so badly he is willing to accept their terrifying challenge. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Living one hundred years apart, two seventeen year old men are artists and share a love of painting. In 1915, Maurice enlists to fight in World War l and his story allows us to see the brutality and futility of war, as well as the friendship and loyalty that develops. A century later, it is Maurice's diary, preserved in a tin box, that saves his deeply-troubled nephew, Oliver, from entering a downward spiral. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

It's 1954 and Ingrid's family has hit hard times. Her father has gone, her two brothers have been fostered out and there's no money. When her mother asks her to do something she knows is wrong, something completely against her principles, Ingrid is desperate for help to make her own decisions and fight for what she believes in.

Lara is devastated over the loss of her mother and escapes to the hills to meet her only friend, a wild dog, called Thunderwith.

The story of homelessness and the city and the need for a boy and a cat to belong and to be safe.

Leslie is a normal, healthy, well-adjusted fourteen year old going to a good school. She has a great friend and her mother loves her to the moon and back. But, something is wrong and Leslie would be happy if only she was thinner. A very candid disclosure of the story of a young girl in the grip of anorexia nervosa, of the fight she had to conquer her problems and a subtle insight into her particular circumstances. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

It is 1942 and Ester and her family are arrested as capitalists by Stalin. For the next five years, they live in exile in the endless wasteland of Siberia.

Thirteen year old Tully discovers she has had her DNA artificially manipulated by her father. Tully and her father are kidnapped and taken to the research facility where she learns she is part of a much larger human DNA experiment aimed at creating humans capable of surviving in underwater environments for the purpose of mining.

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.

Joel lives with his Gran, struggles at school and has few friends. He loves fishing and hits on the idea of advertising in the newspaper for a father so he can go fishing with him and fix everything.

When Dev, Joel's foster dad, takes him away for an unexpected holiday, little does he know what adventures are in store. Not only does a ute run them off the road, but Joel's jailbird dad is determined to track them down.

Ameera is seventeen, the daughter of an Australian Christan mother, and a Pakistani father who is a devout Muslim. Seeking to be like her Australian friends, Ameera discovers that her father strongly opposes social contact with non-Muslims. When her father discovers Ameera's interest in a Pakistani Christian boy, she is sent to Pakistan, thinking she is attending her cousin's wedding. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Tanmar's older brother is dead, her mum's gone away and her dad avoids talking about the things that really matter. Plagued by nightmares about her brother, Tamar has no interest in school or friends. When she discovers an old handwritten sheet of music and plays the tune, Tamar meets gifted violinist, Nathaniel, a man from her house's past. She is unwittingly drawn into a journey through time and music.

A fast-moving adventure story involving an escaped convict, bullying, boyish rivalries and ghosts. Joel struggles for self-control and self-confidence as he battles his own hyperactivity.

Soraya, the storyteller, keeps her memories of Afghanistan alive while living in uncertainty under temporary protection in Australia. An ebony horse flies through her dreams helping her to find a strange land where she can be safe.

When Aster's brother dies, everything changes. Instead of marriage, she is sent to the high school in her brother's place. Aster is excited but, as a Christian, she is unprepared for the difficulties of attending a Muslim school in Pakistan. When Aster is accused of blasphemy, she is taken to jail. A social justice lawyer defends her and Aster's cousin starts an online campaign to free her. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

A secret spans five generations from Cornwall to Australia. When Jenefer moves to the old family home, she uncovers a secret from the past. She begins to wonder whether her great, great, great grandmother, a mother of nine, led a double life and what connection she had to Zenna Dare, the glamorous, young singer. Zenna Dare brings reconciliation in more ways than Jenefer could ever have imagined.

Sixteen-year-old Lianna Bedford lives in constant fear. Political tensions in Pakistan are rising. Terrorist attacks are becoming an everyday norm. As a Pakistani-Australian, she could be the next target. When her school friends are taken hostage by terrorists, Lianna's world disappears overnight. Alongside her music teacher, Mr Kimberley, she must journey through rural Pakistan in a bid to find them and bring them home. But Mr Kimberley has a secret, and to save him and her friends, Lianna must overcome her fears. And dance for her life. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Fourteen year old Jahani lives a peaceful life in her village in Pakistan. But, havoc is brewing in the Mughal Empire, with tyrants and war lords burning villages in their quest to rule. After an assassin strikes in a bazaar, Jahani discovers her life is not as it seems. With her mysterious protector, Azhar, she flees over treacherous terrain towards the fabled Qurraqoram Mountains. Surrounded by deceit and danger, Jahani does not know who to trust or what their destination will reveal. The story concludes in book 2, The Leopard Princess.

First Moon of Autumn, 1662. After reuniting with the nomads, fourteen year old Jahani is finally home. With her red hair dyed black, she can travel through the Qurraqoram Mountains without fear of being captured. But, the tyrants and war lords who pursue Jahani will not rest in their battle for power. Before long, the nomads are attacked. To fulfil her true destiny, Jahani must try to discover a pathway to peace in the northern kingdoms. Sequel to Daughter of nomads and the conclusion to The Tales of Jahani.

Eric is involved with a big experiment in Switzerland, looking to explore the earliest moment of the universe. But, there is a group of people who don't think this experiment should go ahead and are planning to sabotage the Grand Switch-on. Will they suceed? Whose side is Reeper on this time? And why does he want to speak to Annie and George so desperately?

George and Annie are off on another cosmic adventure inspired by the Mars Expedition in the fifth book of the George's Secret Key series from Stephen and Lucy Hawking. George and his best friend, Annie, have been selected as junior astronauts for a program that trains young people for a future trip to Mars. This is everything they've ever wanted -- and now they get to be a part of up-to-the minute space discoveries and meet a bunch of new friends who are as fascinated by the universe as they are. But when they arrive at space camp, George and Annie quickly learn that strange things are happening -- on Earth as well as up in the skies. Mysterious space missions are happening in secret, and the astronaut training they're undertaking gets scarier and scarier...

George and Annie are off on another cosmic adventure to figure out why strange things are happening on Earth in the fourth book of the George's Secret Key series from Stephen and Lucy Hawking. George and his best friend Annie haven't had any space adventures for a while and they're missing the excitement. But not for long, because seriously strange things have started happening. Banks are handing out free money, supermarkets aren't able to charge for their produce so people are getting free food, and aircrafts are refusing to fly. It looks like the world's biggest and best computers have all been hacked. And no one knows why... It's up to George and Annie to travel further into space than ever before in order to find out what--or who--is behind it.

Annie, aided by the research of her father, Eric (factual essays by Professor Stephen Hawking) and a computer genius, Emmett, travels to the edge of the galaxy. She is collecting a series of treasure hunt clues to unravel a mystery, which has been instigated by supposed alien interference of a robot probe on Mars.

When George's pet pig breaks through the fence into the garden next door, George meets his new neighbours, Annie and her scientist father, Eric. George discovers a secret key that opens up a whole new way of looking at the world, from outer space.

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.

Evey and her sister have to escape when they witness their mother being accused of witchcraft. Left in a state of bewilderment, who can they trust and where can they turn for help? Their journey unexpectedly shows them the resilience of family, and helps them to learn to trust again. But can they ever reveal their own witch craft leanings?

A Year 8 student and a Year 10 student meet with Aboriginal AFL players at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to interview them about their profession as elite footballers. Topics include training, racism in sport, rewards and coaching.

After the shipwreck of the Batavia off Western Australia in 1629, a cabin boy and a soldier were involved in a grisly, notorious mutiny. Most mutineers were hanged but the two men were marooned on the mainland, becoming Australia's first European settlers. No trace of them was ever found. Later European explorers reported seeing Aboriginal Australians with blue eyes. This novel suggests what might have happened in between. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Fatimah is a devout Muslim. Steve has never given much thought to faith. Both are in the street the day a terrorist bomb explodes and their lives are changed forever. While their families are breaking down barriers, the terrorists have another target in mind. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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

A translation of the classic, Anglo-Saxon epic of warriors, dragons and monsters composed between the 7th and 10th centuries. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Ivy, a common, laudanum addict living with thieves and scoundrels, is a stunner, a term for an artist's model and beauty. After embarking on a life of crime in London, she is sold out by her adopted family and falls victim to a pre-Raphaelite painter's jealous mother. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

In 1732, a mysterious box is taken from the Cornish sea and hidden in the wall of the nearby cliff-top manor house. A century from now, sixteen years after London is destroyed in an apocalyptic attack, five teenagers spend the night in the abandoned house. They discover the box and take it home. What lay within is only dormant, waiting for the time when it would be released upon the world. And that time is now.

Ten nail- biting, fast-paced short stories will both fascinate and terrify you. During each full forty minute count down, the dangerous situations play out right down to the last crucial moment. Find out who will live and who will die.

Ten stories. Ten dangerous situations. Ten brave kids. Fifty minutes to escape.

Fero isn't a spy. But, he looks exactly like Troy Maschenov, a ruthless enemy agent. What starts out as mistaken identity quickly turns into a complicated and dangerous plan. Fero is recruited to fight for his country. He has to impersonate Troy, enter enemy territory, hunt down a missing agent and bring her home in time to prevent a devastating terror attack. Hastily trained, loaded up with gadgets and smuggled across the border, Fero discovers the truth about espionage. Getting in is easy. Getting out alive is hard.

Everyone seems to know who Fero is, except Fero. He's either a ruthless boy soldier from Besmar or an innocent teen recruit from Kamau. Whatever, he's running out of time to decide. If he doesn't help a renegade spy steal a politician's briefcase, his two countries could end up in a full blown nuclear war, the kind that no one wins. Sequel to The cut out.

Ash and Benjamin are thieves. They find stolen artefacts and return them to their owners. When they try to rescue Alice B from the only place in the world who know more than the CIA, they encounter assassins, huge swimming pools and Ghosts. Includes violence. Usually read by students in years 9,10 and above.

Jayden Jones is missing. Everyone thinks he ran away. His best friend, Zoe Gale, knows they're wrong. Zoe's search leads her to The 17 - a secret group chat, used by anonymous teens to blackmail the powerless. To join, you have to put on a mask and record yourself completing a challenge. The challenges are always illegal. Sometimes dangerous. Maybe deadly. Who are The 17? What have they done to Jayden? And what will they do to silence Zoe? A rollercoaster of suspense and twists from the author of the Liars series.

Agent Six, the strongest, fastest, most invincible agent in the Deck, is about to live his worst nightmare. Six is the product of an illegal genetic experiment of the Lab's some sixteen years ago. When the Deck begins investigating the Lab, he walks a tightrope between his two worlds. Life spirals out of control and leads to capture, possible torture and revelation.

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.

This is not a threat. I have no demands. This is a statement of fact. Leave...or die. Jarli has lost a day. His missing memories may reveal the identity of Viper who just announced a plan to DESTROY the town of Kelton. Meanwhile, Doug is trapped in Vipers hidden prison. Hes been given up for dead by his family and friends...but he has a daring plan to ESCAPE. Jarli and his friends are close to unmasking Viper, but the master criminal has spies everywhere. Can Jarli tell his friends from his enemies in time to thwart Vipers final, terrible scheme? The TRUTH wont set them free...

Jarli and his friends are trapped in a hospital, held hostage by the villainous Viper and his venomous crew of armed mercenaries. Can Jarli outwit Viper and help his friends escape? A thrilling edge of your seat read.

Life had just begun to settle down for Jarli. After his Truth App went viral and set the mysterious crime lord Viper against him, he's been trying to lay low. But when a small plane crashes into one of his schoolmate's house and all of the crew and passengers have disappeared, his life is thrown into chaos once again as he tries to unravel the mystery behind the crash - and protect his life!

Jarli is attempting to have a normal life, but it's hard when you've created the Truth App, which can tell when someone is lying by analysing their voice. When Jarli and his best friend enter a robobattle, he's approached by government bodyguards for the Minister of Defence. They want Jarli to appear at a press conference to prove the Minister isn't lying but then Jarli is framed for a crime he didn't commit, and someone has hacked the truth app, making it impossible to prove his innocence. Jarli will have to rely on his friends and quick thinking to clear his name and save his life!

THE TRUTH APP is the latest craze in the town of Kelton. It listens to everyone around you and tells you if they're lying. When the app goes viral, its teenage creator, Jarli, becomes famous overnight. But being a celebrity can be dangerous. Especially when you've just exposed everyone's deepest, darkest secrets. Now everyone is out to get Jarli. Kids at school. Teachers. The police. Even his own family. And the secret network of criminals based in Kelton have just added Jarli to their hit list. The TRUTH doesn't always set you free...

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.

Nolan Hawker is invited to attend the Peak, the world's most dangerous school. There he learns to crack codes, fly planes and deceive enemies so he can someday infiltrate the deadly anarchist group, Swarm. But Swarm is already inside the Peak, and they have a plan - the kind that no-one walks away from. Does Nolan have what it takes to save his friends, his school, the world?

Fourteen year old, Colm Bell, and his younger sister, Lydia, wake to the smell of smoke and the sound of gunfire as raiders attack their home and their father. They flee to the hills, alone in a hostile landscape, a land without rain and empty cities, where small groups of people live in suspicion. They hear of the Wish Kin, people who may have the power to heal the earth. But, the sinister Clan are tracking the children.

A mystery surrounds Harry's late father, a Vietnam veteran. Grandfather knows but he won't say, and no-one in Harry's family wants to have anything to do with Grandpa. Harry spends a lot of time recording Grandpa's memories of heroic action in World War ll. After Grandpa addresses Harry's class at school, the mystery is solved, leaving Harry devastated. Some adult themes and coarse language in context. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

When the tsunami strikes the Japanese coastal town of Omori-wan, the effects are utterly devastating. Three years later, much of what happened on that day is still a mystery and Hotaka finds himself increasingly haunted by memories of his best friend, Takeshi. When strong-willed Sakura initiates a controversial anti-seawall movement, there is danger at every turn for Hotaka and his friends. As the town and its people struggle to rebuild their lives, can Hotaka help Omori-wan look to the future- and can he let go of his past? A powerful and moving story about one boy caught up in the Japanese earthquake and tsunami of 2011.

Torrad discovers that he has an affinity with animals that allows him to control their minds. However, is his power strong enough to thwart the evil Psykhan's attempt to dominate human minds and become the ruler of Quentaris?

As thirteen year old Bosnian refugee, Raiko, trains with an Aboriginal mate, Jay, his Olympic dream quickly draws both the local doctor and soccer coach to his side.

Against a background of domestic violence and animal cruelty, the strong friendship between a boy and a dog provides a positive outcome for the characters in the story.

It's 1838 and London is gripped by orchid fever. Charles Darwin's diary turns up in Higgins's bookshop, closely followed by two ex-body snatchers and a peculiar fellow with small teeth. Julius wonders what's in the diary and whether it has something to do with the terrifying painting of an orchid it contains. Before he knows it, Julius is spinning through time and parallel realms in a race to rid London of the soul-catcher and a future too horrible to imagine.

When Julius Higgins isn't running from Crimper McCready and his gang of bullies, he's working in his grandfather's bookshop in Ironmonger Lane. That is, until Jack Springheel, a mysterious clock collector, appears looking for the fabled diary of John Harrison, the greatest watchmaker of all time. Julius becomes a thief and a runaway, and makes a deal with Springheel that he will live to regret. And, all before he finds out that Harrison's diary is really an instruction manual for making a time machine.

A puzzling, historical account of Sydney's history to the year 2000.

Sarah is experiencing prejudice. She resents fitting in with the Aussie ways while honouring her Chinese traditions. Things become really complicated when Sarah starts hearing the voice of a ghost. Contains language that may offend some readers.

Mary is ten when she begins to write in her diary. She documents her life as an Aboriginal child who was taken from her natural parents and raised by a non-Aboriginal foster family. Mary doesn't fit in and starts to question why.

What is it like to grow up Aboriginal in Australia? This anthology, compiled by award-winning author Anita Heiss, attempts to showcase as many diverse voices, experiences and stories as possible in order to answer that question. Each account reveals, to some degree, the impacts of invasion and colonisation - on language, on country, on ways of life, and on how people are treated daily in the community, the education system, the workplace and friendship groups. Accounts from well-known authors and high-profile identities sit alongside newly discovered voices of all ages, with experiences spanning coastal and desert regions, cities and remote communities. All of them speak to the heart - sometimes calling for empathy, oftentimes challenging stereotypes, always demanding respect. This groundbreaking anthology aims to enlighten, inspire and educate about the lives of Aboriginal people in Australia today. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

More than anything Devi Sharma wants to win the upcoming BollyOz competition for her mum. Then she'll be on her way to becoming Bollywood's first ever Australian half-Indian, sort of Kiwi, quarter Scottish, Vaisnavi vegan superstar! Then Devi starts AFL lessons at school and she's surprised to find she has talent...and a feeling she hasn't had in a long time. Can Devi convince her family to let her play AFL when nice girls don't play this football and her mum thinks it will risk her winning BollyOz? With the help of her best friend in the whole entire universe, Josie, Devi needs to come up with a plan so she can play footy like she wants and light the fire in her belly once again.

Rachel's goal is to play netball for Australia but she has a lot to learn about being a team player.

AFL at Port Road High is off to a shaky start. The hardest thing to do is organise a bunch of misfits into a cohesive team.

When Kid Kabula decides to ride his bike at top speed through the centre of the local mall, he doesn't realise how dangerous that's going to be. Fats Charvetto, leader of the meanest bikie gang in town, wants to know exactly who knocked him flying. Stevie, the local refundable collector, dobs in the Kid and a turf war starts.

Since the disappearance of her identical twin sister nine years ago, 16-year-old Frankie has kept her distance from everyone. Despite the years that have passed, she spends her days scanning and searching for her sister. When the police fail to find an 11-year-old runaway, Frankie takes it upon herself to find her. Despite her best attempts to stay out of the public eye, this earns her a reputation as a 'finder'. Enter Elias - an extrovert with an extravagant sense of fashion and endless enthusiasm, who is looking for his birth mother. When Elias offers to employ a cash-strapped Frankie to track down his birth mother, she reluctantly agrees. What follows next is a journey of self-discovery as both Frankie and Elias uncover the things that truly define them. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Pandora has returned to her village. She is haunted by both her failure to bring her friend home and the vision she has seen of the last few days, The Burning, when creatures swarmed the city. How did these creatures come into being in the first place? Are the last remnants of humanity really safe from them? The River People and the Mountain People have survived for another season. But at what cost? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Stella may only be seventeen, but having read every self-help book she can find means she knows a thing or two about helping people. She sure wasn't expecting to be the one in need of help, though. Thanks to her father's gambling addiction, Stella and her family now find themselves living at Fairyland Caravan Park. And hiding this truth from her friends is hard enough without dealing with another secret. Stella's birth mother has sent her a letter. As Stella deals with the chaos of her family, she must also confront the secrets and past of her 'other' family. But Stella is stronger than she realises. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

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

Melody and Marshall are cousins whose family is torn apart when war is declared between the North and South factions of the Union. Melody's father and uncle both go to war but they enlist on opposing sides. Marshall assists his father by acting as a spy while Melody helps her father. Both sides are presented.

The friendship between two children is greatly tested during the witch hysteria in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Elizabeth is an independent thinker, frightened by what she sees as a mass deception sweeping her town. George, the son of one of the trial judges, sees things very differently. Both sides are presented.

Life for Jonah and Manx means fishing for mullet at the lake, watching their school mates party on Friday night and wishing they had the courage to talk to Ella and Rachel. But, their lakeside town is being sold off and, now, life doesn't seem so simple. Manx holds a grudge against the wealthy blow-ins from the city and Jonah just wants his parents to stop arguing. One memorable night at the lake will change everything. A verse novel.

With every step down the road, and every bus stop he passes, Isaac moves further from his father and a life of fear. When he is given a chance by a kind cafe owner, Isaac feels he may have a chance at a new life. He decides that he will trade kindness for kindness with those he encounters as a way forward from the cruelty he has left behind. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Growing up can be problematic but, for Jayden Hayden, life is extremely difficult. He has to cope with a very embarrassing name and a football obsessed mother. When a school father-son day is announced, Jayden's quest for his biological father becomes a puzzle he needs to solve, and quickly.

Eleven year old Sam Slater is orphaned and lives in a small house with Ronaldo, the soccer dog, Parrot, the parrot and eccentric Aunt Ashmara. He is soccer mad and a poet.

Dumb things become important when you're old, that's what Tom reckons. While living in a guarded, gated community, he meets Cleo, the snake charmer. They break out together to discover things such as a bull that hasn't yet become a hamburger.

The life of an English country vet is revealed in the funny and sad situations that James Herriot finds on his rounds.

When her mum suddenly disappears, Danni moves to a tiny Cornish fishing village with her Dad, where the locals treat her like a monster. As the village's dark, disturbing past bubbles to the surface, Danni discovers that she's not who, or what, she thought she was. And, the only way to save her family from a bitter curse is to embrace her incredible, new gift, however impossible it seems.

Billie Jo describes the difficulties of rural life in Oklahoma during the dust storms of 1934 and 1935, the brutal reality of her mother's death, her own injuries and her father's illness. Billie Jo's story is dark and intriguing, with a trace of hope. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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.

Beautifully depicts the migration of Jewish people to the United States.

The story of a four thousand, three hundred nautical mile expedition by raft across the Pacific Ocean.

The city is at war. Southside, the hostiles live in squalor and are hungry to cross the river. Cityside, ISIS is in charge, keeping the hostiles at bay. Nik has spent his life training to join ISIS but, when his college is blown up and his friend kidnapped, he must cross the bridge into hostile territory. Nik and his friends must choose their loyalties in a war that is not as clear as they were brought up to think. Some language in context. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The city is split in two by warring factions, either side of the river. When Nik saves a stranger from the debris, she keeps repeating the word 'havoc'. As he delves further, Nik uncovers a complex web of power, fear and betrayal that enwraps the city. He also learns more about his parents, finds out who he can trust and is forced to make an impossible choice. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Benjamin Franklin was a man of many talents. He was a scientist who experimented with electricity, a diplomat who served as envoy to France and negotiated peace with England, a mapmaker, printer and writer. He signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and established America's first hospital.

A combat submarine is the secret weapon used by the heir to a shipping empire to rescue refugees in the Coral Sea when they are attacked by pirates.

Short stories about animals involved in Australian armed conflicts, from WWI to more recent times. The animals display bravery under fire, mateship and loyalty, the same attributes shown by the ANZACs.

From the moment Sebastian is rescued as an abandoned pup, this passionate, feisty dog proves irresistible, even when he fails Obedience School. The story of the mutual devotion of a boy and his dog.

This is the story of Jim Martin who enlisted in the Australian army at the age of fourteen to fight in World War I.

Australia's gold rushes of the nineteenth century produced tremendous wealth and population growth for the struggling Australian colonies. People from all walks of life made the perilous journey to the goldfields, returning either fabulously wealthy or demoralised and broke. It was a time of huge political, social and cultural change. Includes diaries, journals, letters, official reports, newspaper articles of the time. A challenging read. Usually read by students in Years 9,10 or above.

No enemy may find this place; we hide it in mist and shadow...When King Alfred's great hall is destroyed by the Vikings, the king must flee with his family. But his daughter Aethelflaed knows that hiding in the marshes, far away from the battlefield, is the last thing she wants to do; can she fulfill her destiny and become a warrior princess, a shield maiden?

The harrowing, true story of Laura Wolff, a survivor of the holocaust and one of Schindler's women, who lost all her family but found love and friendship during her terrible experience in German concentration camps. Contains adult themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In the closing, catastrophic stages of Sri Lanka's civil war, Malini and her sister are separated from their parents, who are forced to act as human shields. Malini and Banni travel inland, through jungles and unsafe territories, seeking refuge with their grandfather in his village.They will need to stay alert for soldiers from all sides and work out who to trust.

Ann-Marie has to move to rural England and leave her dog, Maudie, behind. As she frets for her dog, Ann -Marie becomes involved with a ghostly story involving a sad child, separated from her dog too.

Sprite's life is tough. Her Mum is moody, Dad is away a lot and her little brother should be starting school soon but can barely talk properly. When her Dad leaves, Sprite has to make decisions in order to reunite herself and her brother with their dad.

Seven of Edgar Allan Poe's most famous and best love stories and poems are collected here in one handsomely illustrated graphic novel for young readers. Poe's classic works have been skilfully adapted to the graphic format in a way that will entrance and terrify a young generation of horror fans without losing their original atmosphere and thought provoking depth. Poems including The Raven are presented in their entirety.

Gareth Hinds' Beowulf is a beautiful graphic novel, with some violent scenarios, remaining true to the classic Norse saga about Beowulf. He tackles a dragon with tragic consequences leaving questions about the real cost of his sacrifice. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Fourteen year old, Rusty-James, runs one of the meanest gangs in his neighbourhood. His reputation remains safe because his brother is the widely-feared Motorcycle Boy, but his brother is a peace-loving loner, unlike Rusty-James. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Antonio lives with his parents in the tower of an old house. In the same area lives a recluse actor called Theodore Guzman. Antonio draws him out by presenting a play. In turn, Guzman leads Antonio into the magical world of theatre.

When Bartlett, Jacques le Grand and Gozo emerge from the Margoulis Caverns into daylight and the heat of the stonefields, little do they realise that they are about to embark on a wonderful adventure.

Bartlett and his companions are on an expedition to discover what lies beyond the great Gircassian Rift. They look down on a huge expanse of trees and young Gozo sees - or does he - a flash of white.

The first adventure of Bartlett. The young queen is sent presents from every corner of her seven kingdom's but not the present she wants. Bartlett, the explorer, is the man to help her.

Stranded on a volcanic island, Bartlett and his companions find people under the sway of the Machan, the holder of the true book. They have five days to unravel the riddle before they must climb the volcano and never come back.

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.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy is the youngest man ever to be elected President of the United States. Youthful, charming and articulate, he symbolised hope and optimism in a time of turmoil. His presidency lasted less than three years, due to an assassin's bullet which killed him.

Hermux, a watchmaker and an unlikely hero, finds himself in a world of danger and intrigue.

Written in 1816, this is the basis of Tchaikovsky's ballet. In this edition, the classic story of a sinister toymaker and a boy and a girl doll that come to life is presented with beautiful illustrations and detailed historical information.

Chiara's family can no longer afford to keep her so she is given to the Poor Clare's nunnery. Silvano has been accused of a brutal murder and must take refuge in the nearby friary. When two more murders occur, Chiara and Silvano attempt to solve the crimes.

The stories of nine women of Camelot are illustrated and written in modern language.

Ana Moon's best friend Bea has been taken by someone or something. Ana's world has changed. Her house looks different and her parents are acting weird. This is not her world, she has fallen into another universe. The only person who knows her, the real her, is Malik, a boy she met on the train a few hours ago. The mysterious Malik and his Pathfinder friends offer to help Ana travel across seven different versions of Earth to get Bea back. But it won't be easy as Ana finds herself at the centre of a war to control the multiverse and unlock the seventh world and all of its power.

22 Australian Test players , past and present , talk about the road from their backyards to the baggy green. More than just a chat with the game's best players, (male and female), this is a conversation about Australian cricket. At the heart is the baggy green. This book is about the importance of generosity, sportsmanship, perseverance and community to help achieve personal goals in life, as much as sport.

Robert Hoge was born with a giant tumor on his forehead, severly distorted facial features, and legs that were twisted and useless. His mother was so horrified she initially refused to look at her son, let alone bring him home. But home he went, to a life that was, against all odds, filled with joy, optimism, and general boyhood naughtiness. Ugly is Robert's account of his life, from his birth to the arrival of his own daughter. It's a story of an extraordinary person living an ordinary life, which given the incredible hardships he had to overcome, is possibly his greatest achievement of all. Usually read by students in year 9, 10 and above.

In 1880, Henricke Nelsen, a Swedish migrant, was put on trial and gaoled for vagrancy after hiding for fourteen years in the mountain ranges of Victoria. While in gaol, Nelson wrote his diary describing his life in Sweden, his migration to Australia and the personalities he met along the way. This is a captivating reconstruction of Nelsen's solitary life as told in his prison diary.

In the past, thousands of Aboriginal children were forcibly removed from their parents as part of Australian government policies over many decades. Families and communities were fractured and torn apart by those policies.

A young boy's journey of survival across Europe following his assisted escape from a concentration camp.

A play focusing on the combined rescue of these gentle animals by US and Soviet forces.

In a series of messages placed in her grandmother's ancestral jar, a seventh century princess and future ruler of the Korean kingdom of Silla vents her frustration at not being permitted to study astronomy because she is a girl.

Perry Brightfield discovers her true heritage as the saviour of a threatened fantasy realm, and is groomed for her role by becoming a court jester.

Following the fortunes of Odysseus as he returns from the Trojan Wars, this classic tale from Greek mythology was written almost three thousand years ago.

Henni is looking forward to the Easter holiday at Cauldron Bay with her best friend, Zev, and some of the younger kids from Stella Street. She becomes jealous when her beach holiday is invaded by troubled teenager, Tara.

When Henni's stubborn old neighbour Willa insists on returning to her childhood home in the Netherlands for a wedding, Henni leaps at the chance to be her travelling companion. 'Lucky duck! Fantastic opportunity!' That's what everyone in Stella Street said. 'Oh boy, chance of a lifetime.' But during the long flight to Amsterdam, Willa reveals to Henni the real reason for her journey: a terrible family secret stretching back to the Second World War. As Henni makes friends with more and more of Willa's relatives, she must decide if they should know the truth. And is that the only mystery?

Henni and Leo unravel a mystery around the holiday house Henni so enjoyed staying in at Cauldron Bay. Henni finds herself in great danger as she tries to discover what happened to the Schmidt family. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Sixteen-year-old Quinn Hardwick's having a rough summer. Her beloved grandmother has been put into a home, her dad's gambling addiction has flared back up and now her worst enemy is back in town: Wesley James, former childhood friend - until he ruined her life, that is. So when Wesley is hired to work with her at Tudor Tymes, a medieval England themed restaurant, the last thing Quinn's going to do is forgive and forget. She's determined to remove him from her life and even the score all at once - by getting him fired. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The fascinating life story of the famous author, Roald Dahl, who has thrilled young readers with his fanciful and imaginative books. Timelines, websites and further reading help paint a complete portrait of the writer, his successes and tragedies.

It is 1665 and Hannah has come from the country to assist her sister in sweet making at the Sugared Plum sweet shop. The plague has also come to London so Hannah's life is now full of dangers as well as the sights and sounds of the crowded city.

Lucy works as a serving maid for Dr Dee, court magician and consultant to Queen Elizabeth 1. In return for saving the Queen's life, Lucy is told that she is to work as a spy for Her Grace. When Lucy hears unexplained cries in the house, she suspects Dr Dee of foul deeds to make money and curry favour with the Queen.

Kitty has a comfortable life as a country milkmaid, working for a rich family in a great house. Life changes when her handsome man vanishes, leaving her with his 5-year-old sister. She is sent on an errand to London, where she is determined to track her man down, but her fate is literally snatched out of her hands and things spiral out of control.

Poppy is fifteen, beautiful and clever but, in 1914, society has already carved out her destiny. She will become a servant at the big house. But, Poppy's life is thrown dramatically off course, through a forbidden love then her decision to tend the wounds of injured soldiers at war. As she experiences the best and very worst of humanity, Poppy will find an unexpected freedom and discover how to be truly her own person.

When Poppy learns that the love of her life is marrying someone else, she is devastated and volunteers her nursing skills overseas. But, the journey to Flanders is full of horrors, the hospital's Ward Sister is spiteful and the nurses are unfriendly. The dangers of frontline warfare soon make Poppy forget her own troubles and she finds that comfort for a broken heart can be found in the most unexpected places.

Velvet is an orphan who does scalding, back-breaking work in a Victorian steam laundry. She is desperate for a better life. When she is noticed by Madame Savoya, a famed medium, Velvet begins to work for her and is dazzled by the beautiful dresses and jewels. But, she soon realises that Madame is not all that she says she is, and Velvet's life is in danger. Some adult themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

An exciting retelling for younger readers of the desperate Antarctic bids, by Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen, to be first to the South Pole.

This is the story of Dujuan Hoosan, a 10-year-old Arrernte and Garawa boy. A wise, funny, cheeky boy. A healer. Out bush, his healing power (Ngangkere) is calm and straight. But in town, it's wobbly and wild, like a snake. He's in trouble at school, and with the police. He thinks there's something wrong with him. Dujuan's family knows what to do: they send him to live out bush, to learn the ways of the old people, and the history that runs straight into all Aboriginal people. So he can be proud of himself.

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.

Anna is afraid she must be unlovable until she meets Flynn. Together, the girls swim, eat banana cake, laugh and love. Some days, Flynn is unreachable. On other days, she's at Anna's door. When Anna discovers Flynn's secret, she wonders if she knows her at all. Includes mature themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Alex Rider is in hospital, recovering from a rifle shot that had been aimed at his heart. The complications begin when a fellow patient is targeted for an abduction.

The man in the photo is so blurry it's impossible to make out what he really looks like. The Diamond Brothers - Tim, the world's worst private detective, and his wise-cracking younger brother Nick - have been hired to find the blurred man.

This book includes three stories, The shortest horror story every written, The monkey's ear and Burnt.

Alex Rider's new year has started badly. A chance meeting with Desmond MCain, the dynamic chief of an international charity, First Aid, leads to several attempts on Alex's life. A journalist is threatening to expose him and someone is manipulating him in a deadly game. Life is uncertain and violent. Alone, out-numbered and with no means of escape, Alex is really in trouble and facing a certain and horrific death.

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.

Alex Rider survives a bullfight, a high-speed bicycle chase through Amsterdam and even being the target in a human video-game, only to face his most disturbing challenge yet.

Five gatekeepers stand between humanity and supernatural chaos. Fourteen year old Matt has inner powers that are still beyond his control when he discovers another gatekeeper, Pedro. They face gun battles and kidnapping while experiencing the uglier side of Peru. Only when all the gatekeepers have found each other will they stop the black magic and unimaginable evil of the Old Ones. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The world's worst private detective is saved by his little brother.

No sooner have they arrived in Paris than the brothers are up to their necks in danger. There's a nasty smell in the air and it's not the cheese. If Nick and Tim aren't careful, their dream holiday could end up being a nightmare from which they'll never wake up.

The brothers are hired to investigate a death threat made to world-famous pop singer and actress, Minerva. However, the Greek celebrity seems to have plenty of enemies so it is hard to prove who actually wants her dead.

Short stories with twisted endings and horror themes including Bath night, Killer camera, Light moves, The night bus, Harriet's horrible dream, Scared, A career in computer games, The man with the yellow face and The monkey's ear.

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.

Nick's got a bad feeling and it's not indigestion. It's a dangerous life being the younger brother of the world's worst private detective. Tim invites him to a school reunion on a remote island and the guests start dying one by one.

Includes two macabre and twisted tales. Killer camera, in which everything Jamie photographs either breaks or dies, and Night moves, where Henry's new computer has a life of its own and gambles with the lives of others.

Some cultures believe there was a time when monsters and dragons roamed the earth and the gods walked among us. A time of blood, swords and furious battles, of legends, heroes, darkness and death, including human sacrifice. Myths and legends from around the world are told in gory and bloody detail.

In the cold, dead eyes of the Banshee, and the hissing, spitting fangs of the Gorgon, in the fiery breath of the dragon and the razor sharp claws of the Sphinx, there is a thirst for blood and a murderous hunger. But, it is a time of heroes and the teeth and claws of these beasts are no match for their lethal blades.

Short stories with twisted endings and horror themes including The hitchhiker, The sound of murder, Burned, Flight, Howard's end, The elevator, The phone goes dead, Twist cottage and The shortest horror story ever written.

The evil corporation, Nightrise, has amassed an immense amount of power and the devastating force of the Old Ones is about to be unleashed around the globe. To stop this from happening, Matt and three of the Gatekeepers head to Hong Kong to meet the final Gatekeeper, a girl named Scarlet, whose fate is inextricably joined to their own.

Alex Rider is trying to get his life back on track after the traumatic events of his last mission. But even Alex can't fight the past especially when it holds a deadly secret.

Three stories in one book - The night bus, The hitchhiker and The man with the yellow face - including the scariest passengers on the Halloween night bus, the hitchhiker harbouring the deadly secret and the mysterious man replacing Peter in Peter's passport photo.

Fourteen year old twins, Scott and Jamie, have extraordinary powers. When Jamie, framed for murder, tries to rescue the kidnapped Scott, he is catapulted thousands of years into the past to fight a horrifying and violent battle. As one of the five Gatekeepers, he joins in a seemingly doomed stand against the massed forces of evil and black magic. Not for the faint-hearted. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Alex Rider is sent by MI6 Special Operations to infiltrate a new and sinister organization known only as Nightshade. Alex is on his own, with the fate of thousands of people resting in his hands.

Having escaped from Hong Kong, the five gatekeepers - Matt, Pedro, Scott, Jamie and Scarlett - are scattered in a hostile and dangerous world. As they struggle to re-group and plan their next move, the malevolent King of the Old Ones gathers his forces in Oblivion: a desolate landscape where the last survivors of humanity must fight the ultimate battle.

Includes two macabre and twisted stories, The phone goes dead, in which David seems to have a hotline to heaven and hell, and Bath night, in which the Victorian bath tub presents Isabel with more of a blood bath than a bubble bath.

Two of the world's most powerful men, both of whom had sons at Point Blanc Academy, meet 'accidental' deaths. Fourteen year old Alex Rider, reluctant M16 spy, must infiltrate the academy as a pupil to find the truth.

Thirteen year old Nick Diamond is in prison, framed for a jewel heist. Nick finds himself sharing a cell with public enemy number one, Johnny Powers. Nick's only chance of clearing his name is to nail the Fence, a master criminal.

Matt thinks he has trouble when the police catch him for a not so petty crime but that is nothing compared to when he is rescued by a supposedly do-gooding guardian. The darkest, black magic is unleashed and Matt begins to understand that he is not only different, but that it is up to him, alone, to escape the torture of these cruel, violent, supernatural forces and to stop them. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

When Ian Rider died at the hands of the assassin, Yassen Gregorovich, Alex was thrust into the world of international espionage and vowed revenge. Yet, years ago, it was Alex's father who trained and mentored Yassen, turning him into the killer he would eventually become. In some ways, Alex and Yassen are mirror images of each other but they are mortal enemies.This is Yassen's story. A journey down a darkened path.

Three sinister stories with chilling twists, including Scared, where the countryside hates Gary as much as he hates it; A career in computer games, in which Kevin's computer seems to break all the rules, and Howard's end, that might be heaven or hell.

Alex Rider is determined to find out more about his father. He travels to Italy where he manages to infiltrate the world of Claudia Rothman, a member of the crime organization, Scorpia.

Alex Rider wants his life back. But, when you're the world's most successful spy, there's only one way out. One bullet. One life. The ends starts here.

Ever since MI6 recognized his potential, Alex Rider has constantly been thrust into the line of danger. From a routine visit to the dentist that turns into a chase through the streets of London, to a school trip with a deadly twist, no day has ever been ordinary for the teenage super-spy. This collection of seven thrilling adventures features familiar and new assailants from the best-loved world of Alex Rider, and also includes three, brand new and action-packed adventures.

Trying to return to his normal life as a schoolboy, four weeks after his last MI6 adventure, Alex Rider is recruited right off the soccer field to check out some suspicious goings-on at Wimbledon.

Alone in Sydney, Alex is recruited by the Australian government to infiltrate an organised people-smuggling ring, the violent criminal underworld of the Snakeheads.

Tim is broke. When a mysterious stranger offers him money for his overcoat, it seems like a stroke of good fortune. But there are worse things than being broke, being shot for one. The Diamond Brothers could soon share the fate of the stranger.

Fourteen year old Alex Rider's guardian dies in suspicious circumstances. Within days Alex goes from schoolboy to superspy. He must take up his uncle's mission and find out the truth behind multi-millionaire Herod Sayle's act of charity.

Three books in one - The French confection, The blurred man, I know what you did last Wednesday.

Two spooky stories including one about Twist Cottage, where all the previous owners have died in mysterious circumstances, and Harriet's horrible dream, the story of Harriet who is having a nightmare and doesn't seem to be able to wake up.

Relaxing in France, reluctant MI6 agent Alex Rider is finally able to feel like any ordinary fourteen year old. But, a sudden, ruthless attack on his hosts plunges him back into violence and mystery. Alex is determined to track down his friends' attackers, even if he must do it alone. But, it leads to a long-buried secret and a discovery more terrible than anything he could have imagined. Alex has ninety minutes to save the world.

Teenage spy, Alex, travels to Venice to discover the truth about his past. But, the truth lies with a criminal organisation known as Scorpia, and Alex must make a choice to work for MI6 once more or betray everything he believes in.

Two of the world's most powerful men, both of whom had sons at Point Blanc Academy, meet 'accidental' deaths. Fourteen year old Alex Rider, reluctant M16 spy, must infiltrate the academy as a pupil to find the truth.

Featuring stunning, full-colour, Manga-style art and all the high-octane, action-packed adventure Alex Rider fans have come to expect.

Fourteen year old Alex Rider's guardian dies in suspicious circumstances. Within days, Alex goes from schoolboy to superspy. He must take up his uncle's mission and find out the truth behind multi-millionaire Herod Sayle's act of charity.

Fourteen year old twins, Scott and Jamie, possess extraordinary powers. When Scott is kidnapped and Jamie is framed for murder, they must use the powers to survive. But, when Jamie is catapulted into the past, to face the horror of the Old Ones, he learns that he is one of the five Gatekeepers, standing in the way of eternal chaos. The brothers must fight the evil and win. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

It began with Raven's Gate. But, it's not over, the enemy is stirring again. After defeating the Old Ones at Raven's Gate, Matt Freeman thought he could get on with his life. But, far away in Peru, a second gate is about to open. Only Matt has the power to stop the forces of darkness breaking through but, now, they know all about him. This time, they're going to destroy him first. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Sent to Yorkshire on a rehabilitation programme, Matt finds himself in the midst of a conspiracy of witchcraft and murder, and that he, alone, stands between the forces of evil and the annihilation of humanity. Featuring striking, high-contrast black-and-white art, this distinctive graphic novel captures the requisite brooding atmosphere. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Alex Rider must again rely on his wits, courage and intelligence when a new villain emerges and his life is turned upside down. The evil Nightshade cult is out for revenge and has Alex in their sights. Danger is everywhere as Alex fights to survive.

In this eerie mystery, Eddie Haite becomes involved in monitoring the behaviour of radiation-affected rats on a remote tropical South Pacific island. Their roles appear reversed and the man who runs the lab seems to be going slowly mad.

On a school visit to a nuclear power plant, Cameron Reilly and other students are killed by an explosion, created by a mad scientist to gather more subjects for genetic experimentation. Cameron and the others are physically altered, with scavenged body parts and bionic implants, to create an army of superhuman soldiers.

With news of the death of her father on a distant battlefield, 14-year-old Angelique Lacroix must grow up very quickly to take care of her mother and her farm so that her brother who is also away fighting, has something to return to. The only way to do that however, is to travel across war-torn France with her flock of Toulouse geese. She learns heartbreaking but valuable lessons along the way about the nature of human beings when pushed to the brink of survival, and what she is prepared to personally sacrifice to save the ones she loves.

For ten year old Eli Book, the summer of 1976 threatens to tear his family apart. There's his distant mother, his traumatised Vietnam vet dad, his rebellious sister, his anti-war protesting aunt, and his tough, yet troubled, best friend, Edie. As tempers flare and his father's nightmares rage, Eli watches from the sidelines. But, soon, even he cannot escape the current of conflict.

A witty, tongue in cheek cooking manual for witches, with recipes collected from around the world. Each witch presents her method with kids as an ingredient, lots of word play, and cultural and linguistic humour.

Maphead, an alien boy, has the ability to produce maps of anywhere across his face.

A community in Yorkshire, England, devastated by unemployment, has another problem to contend with. An unknown beast is roaming the moors.

Sophie lives with her mum and sister on a horse stud and we immediately discover that her life has been dramatically impacted by an accident involving her sister and dad a year earlier. Then a boy gets added to the narrative mix and a hurricane gives us the perfect setting for tension and adventure in this coming of age story.

A contemporary love story between an Earthling and a resident of the planet Isis.

Thirteen year old Joan's home in Liverpool is under threat from the Nazi's terrifying nightly air-raids. It is not an easy time to be a teenager, with sweet rationing, curfews and blackouts. When Joan encounters an army deserter lurking near their home, he seems to think she can help him. As the Blitz worsens, Joan and her friends make a discovery that will tear the whole community apart.

An anthology for reciters of poetry.

A very ordinary boy. Nobody noticed him, he was just like everyone else. But Fred knew he was different. He just didn't know quite how different. And when he did.... Well, what then?

The original splendid classic with detailed historical information and beautiful illustrations. The story of Esmeralda, the dark-eyed gypsy beauty and Quasimodo, the hunchbacked, bell-ringer of Notre-Dame.

Staying with his father on New Zealand's wild remote coast, Zac finds some animal pawprints on the beach. What is the exotic animal that is being hunted and what does the Russian billionaire have to do with this mystery.

Before her grandfather dies he shares a tiny concertina button box with the family. The box changes everything; crops die, flowers wilt, a drought spreads over the land and Oma, her grandma, becomes very ill. Ellie decides to get rid the box to save her grandmother. Her journey takes her with a horse and the family goat into the Gleam country. Ellie learns the truth about her gifts and her family.

Luke Manchett is 16 years old with a place on the rugby team and the prettiest girl in Year 11 in his sights. Then his estranged father suddenly dies and he finds out that he is to inherit six million dollars! But if he wants the cash, he must accept the Host. A collection of malignant ghosts who his Necromancer father had trapped and enslaved! Now the Host is angry, the Host is strong, and the Host is out for revenge! Has Luke got what it takes to fight these horrifying spirits and save himself and his world?

Described as a kind and gentle man, who was also a bank robber, thief and murderer, Ned Kelly is Australia's most famous bush ranger.

From the first bounce to a future timeline and everything in between, including the tallest, the shortest, the best and fairest, this book covers just about everything you would ever want to know about the game of Aussie Rules.

All her life, Safina's parents have dreamed of returning to Grandpa's native village in Crimea. But, exchanging their sunny Uzbekistan house for a squalid camp is more like a nightmare for twelve year old Safi. She wonders whether this strange land can ever become home. A compelling story about the Crimean Tatars' struggle to reclaim the land from which they were exiled in the Second World War.

Ben and Noah play in opposing teams in a footy-obsessed town. They each dream of playing on 'The G' and this is their make or break season. When an ugly sledging incident occurs in a match, Ben and Noah's worlds intersect and a fledgling friendship develops. But, their friendship seems impossible as Noah faces racial prejudice and Ben must decide whether to reject the racism, which is even coming from his own family.