Booklists

The true story of Edith Schwalb, a young Jewish girl, sent to live in a safe house after the Nazi invasion of France in 1938. An entire village heroically conspired to conceal hundreds of Jewish children, who went to the local school, roamed the streets and ate good food, all without having to worry about concealing their Jewish identity.

Ari and Malia are both students in Indonesia, but one comes from a wealthy family and the other from a farming family in a small village. Both of them find themselves tied up in moral and ethical dilemmas where their actions, while so clearly right to them,, will not be popular with family or friends. Knowing the right thing to do does not mean it is an easy choice.

A gifted student, Nia longs to attend high school so she can follow her dream and become a writer. She has notebooks filled with stories she's created about the mythological Dewi Kadita, Princess of the Southern Sea. But her family has barely enough money for food, let alone an education, so Nia's days are spent running their food cart and raising her younger brother. Following a miraculous escape from a bus accident, Nia is gifted with good-luck magic. Or at least that's what everyone's saying. Soon their family business is booming and there might even be enough money to return to school. But how long can her good luck last? When a secret promise threatens everything she's hoped for, Nia must find a way to break the mould and write her own future.

This informative, documentary style book contains wonderful, visual images of waves. Photographs portray the origin and parts of a wave, and the effects of river and ocean waves on the environment. Includes a glossary of terms.

Rosa Parks, the woman known for refusing to give up her seat on the bus, triggered a great shift in the fight for civil rights. Raised in Alabama, Rosa Parks knew all about the racism of her society from an early age. Discover how she became the brilliant activist we know today, in this beautifully illustrated book with real-life stories, timelines and facts to bring her extraordinary story to life.

The story of a woman who became an inspiration. Michelle Obama was born in Chicago, and was fighting for equality long before she became the First Lady of the United States of America. She inspired people everywhere as a campaigner for diversity and then as a bold voice in the White House, and she continues to use her influence to change the world.

When Emil's money goes missing on the train to Berlin, his determination to get it back leads him to team up with the local detectives.

This is what happened during Little Lunch: Tamara tried to find a new walking buddy for the school walkathon, Rory decided he was going to be Prime Minster of the whole country and the girls got into a big noisy argument and wound up locked inside the toilets. A lot can happen in fifteen minutes!

Terry and her little brother, Harry, always get exactly what they want from their parents. But, the situation changes drastically when Mum and Dad go on strike.

Anders and Rayna, along with their expanding group of dragon, wolf and human friends, get to the truth of their mother's fate and find a way that just might work to rebuild a united Vallen. But it will take a lot of courage and a little bit of luck for a group of kids to get the grown ups listen.

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.

In Vallen, Ice Wolves and Scorch Dragons are sworn enemies. So when twelve-year-old twins, Anders and Rayner, transform into one of each of these magical creatures, they are suddenly thrown into an age-old conflict that they never wanted to be a part of, but must now learn how to resolve. An exciting adventure as we follow Anders trying to navigate the world of the Ice Wolves, as he also desperately tries to find out who he can trust in order to find his sister.

Anders and his sister Rayna have defied the odds. He has transformed into a wolf and she is a dragon and, somehow, they have to work together to try to stop the wolves and dragons from going to war... again.

The inspiring true stories in this book, prove that no matter who you are or how old you are, nothing is out of reach when you decide to try. Reading each story motivates you to turn your thoughts into action: your dreams into reality. The best way to understand confidence and learn how to harness its secret powers is to see it in action for yourself. From Bali to Brazil, South Africa to Seattle, Australia to Afghanistan, these girls are pursuing their passions, struggling and stumbling, but along the way figuring out how to build their own special brand of confidence. The girls you meet in this book are change makers. We can all learn from their bravery and resilience.

Nazi Germany, 1942. As World War Two rages, Sophie Scholl reunites with her beloved brother Hansin Munich. Soon she meets his young student friends. Like her they can take no more of the war. Then leaflets calling for a revolt against Hitler start appearing, put out by a mysterious group called the White Rose. The Gestapo is determined to hunt them down and Sophie finds herself in terrible danger.

Thirteen year old Megan discovers her mother is still alive and living in Japan. Her mother has remarried a Japanese man who lives a traditional life and they have two children. Megan has difficult choices to make.

When Spaceman Bill lands in Sydney, supposedly from the future, he causes a sensation. Bill may not be what he appears to be.

Tilly dreams of becoming a marine biologist, but she doesn't even own a swimsuit. She lives in a drought-stricken town with her mum and brother Oliver who is autistic. Oliver's meltdowns are making life unbearable and after therapy there's no time or money left for swimming lessons. Tilly knows Oliver's needs have to come first but its hard feeling invisible all the time.

Apple is twelve and a bit of a social outcast at school. When she finds out she is on the list of the ugliest girls in her class, her world is shaken. Her so-called friends abandon her and music becomes her main escape. By escaping into music and with the help of the school music teacher, Apple finds her strength and some real, supportive friends along the way. For anyone who has ever felt like they just don't belong.

Four students from the same school will discover they are stronger and incredible in their own ways. In the course of the day these four children and a guinea pig discover the magic of acceptance and friendship. Each have their faults and differences and frightening moments bring out the best in others too. A story of friendship and bullying.

Soledad has always been able to escape into the stories she creates. Just like her mother always could. And Soledad has needed that escape more than ever in the five years since her mother and sister died, and her father moved Sol and her youngest sister from the Philippines to Louisiana. After her father leaves, all Sol and Ming have is their evil stepmother, Vea. Sol has protected Ming all this time, but then Ming begins to believe that Auntie Jove - their mythical, world-traveling aunt - is really going to come rescue them. Can Sol protect Ming from this impossible hope?

Meet three siblings in Park, Delaware in 1986, as the country waits expectantly for the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Cash, who loves basketball but has a newly broken wrist, is in danger of failing seventh grade for the second time. Fitch spends every afternoon playing Major Havoc at the arcade on Main and wrestles with an explosive temper that he doesn't understand. And Bird, his twelve-year-old twin, dreams of being NASA's first female shuttle commander, but feels like she's disappearing. The Thomas children exist in their own orbits, circling a tense and unpredictable household, with little in common except an enthusiastic science teacher named Ms. Salonga. As the launch of the Challenger approaches, Ms. Salonga gives her students a project-they are separated into spacecraft crews and must create and complete a mission. When the fated day finally arrives, it changes all of their lives and brings them together in unexpected ways.

The summer of 1899 is hot in eleven year old Calpurnia Tate's sleepy, Texas town. She begins a nature diary and, intrigued by an invasion of large, yellow grasshoppers, spends more time with her remote and cantankerous grandfather, an avid naturalist. When they are about to make an amazing discovery, the reality of Callie's situation catches up with her. She's a girl, expected to cook and clean and sew.

Horace Pork-Fowler's diary reveals an interesting invitation to Eatem Hall, the very strange abode of Dr Hunter. It appears to be an innocent weekend but it becomes doubtful that Horace and his lovely wife will survive.

The iconic song by Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody recounts the story of when Vincent Lingiari and other Gurindji workers walked off the Wave Hill cattle station in 1966. What began as a strike over wages and conditions became an eight year long struggle for the return of traditional lands. Illustrated by Gurindji schoolchildren.

Gowie is not a chicken but spending the night at Cricklepit School, where ghosts are rumoured to roam, is a big dare to accept.

Tamworth Pig is wise and bold and smart. He is the respected pig of the farm and the small English town where he lives. His very good friends, Thomas and Blossom, help Tamworth with his various projects like persuading people to stop eating meat and saving the trees. In turn, Tamworth is always there for Blossom and Thomas, especially Thomas when his mischievous ways get him in more trouble than he can manage.

Tyke's good friend, Danny, gets into all sorts of trouble with his practical jokes.

Hilton and Tim can't stand each other. They are forced together via their parents' friendship and their bike has crashed in the middle of nowhere. The only way home is to walk. Danger lurks and, if the boys are to survive, they must work together.

Egypt of the Pharaohs comes to life in this brilliant account of the reign of two pharaohs, Seti I and his son, Ramesses II, known as Ramesses the Great. Ramesses reigned as Pharaoh of Egypt for sixty-five years and built more temples than any other ruler in Egyptian history. The life, death and successes of each pharaoh are described against the backdrop of life and customs in Egypt at the time.

Get inside the minds of scientists, engineers and programmers, and unravel the workings of the modern world. Discover the secrets of tunnel builders, the splitting of an atom and the adventure of a ride into orbit.

The story of Phar Lap is famous in Australia's history. His story is told in the form of a ballad accompanied by vivid illustrations that evoke the period.

In 1933, nine year old Anna was too busy with schoolwork and friends to take much notice of Adolf Hitler's rise to power in her native Germany, until she is forced to learn the skills needed to survive as a refugee.

Indonesia is our closest neighbour, made up of over seventeen thousand islands, with a population of over 230 million people. Explore this country of many languages, peoples, cultures and customs. Large glossy photographs provide additional understandings in this easy to read book. Find out which city is known as the Big Durian or on what the Garuda is.

A retelling of the classic tales of the Arabian Nights, with beautiful illustrations and detailed historical information.

Harry Harvard and Jessie Harrison's class at Average Primary School are going on an exciting excursion to Big City Museum. The good news is Mrs Payne, their fifth class teacher, won't be going. The bad news is the Principal is going instead. Most pupils are scared to do anything to upset Principal Dorking but Harry and Jessie can always be counted on to make or find trouble.

Harry and Jesse use their time machine to play a dastardly trick that involves Killer, the ferret. The joke backfires when Killer starts to grow and grow as a reaction to time travel, causing floods and mayhem. Harry and Jesse had better work out a way to make this right before they do irretrievable damage to their school and their fifth class colleagues.

Jesse Harrison and Harry Harvard have a new best friend, Rocky Rockman has left his prehistoric cave and is living in their tree house. He also goes to Average Primary School and, for the first time ever, Jesse and Harry are disappointed when the bell rings to end the school day. But, trouble really starts when Rocky's pet, prehistoric bird arrives and Principal Dorking calls in Captain Crash.

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.

In another disastrous day at Average Primary School, fifth class horrors, Harry Harvard and Jesse Harrison, have ended up on detention. Things start looking up when Harry and Jesse notice a space ship perched in the top of the tallest tree in Average Park. The aliens on board are able to be just as much trouble as our two heroes.

School has almost finished for another year and Harry Harvard and Jesse Harrison are looking forward to the summer holidays. But, first they're going to make sure that the last day of school is an unforgettable one.

It's time for the annual Average Primary School stage show. The bad news is that Principal Dorking is the producer but the good news is that students who are chosen to be in the play will get an extra two days off school. Naturally, Harry Harvard and Jesse Harrison are not going to miss out on this deal.

Jesse and Harry's winning streak at soccer is interrupted by Hugo and Howard, from the Planet Snoz, and their plea for interplanetary help. Hugo and Howard need a dastardly and devious plan and they both know how dastardly and devious Jesse and Harry can be. The boys must win the Interplanetary Soccer Championship and save the universe from Planet Dogsbreath.

Harry Harvard and Jesse Harrison have a major problem. Their friend Rocky Rockman's prehistoric pet bird is living in Average Park and tourists are coming from all around the world just to see him.

Harry Harvard and Jesse Harrison have found a time machine. Now, they can travel through time and do all kinds of cool things. Their average days in fifth class at Average Primary School are numbered. Harry and Jesse choose to travel to the World Cup and, of course, while they are there, they cause mayhem for the opposing French team.

World-famous television interviewer, Harpo Whiney, has left the comfort of her studio and ventured to Average Primary School to interview Samantha Smithers. Sam has nominated those fifth-graders, Jesse Harrison and Harry Harvard, in a worldwide contest to find the worst-behaved children.

Amina and her best friend are starting year six and changes are happening around Amina which worry her. Her best friend now wants to change her Korean name to an English name and wants to hang out with one of the popular girls. Amina feels like she is losing her closest friend and wonders if she must also change to keep her friend. Events happening around her cause her to see both the challenges and rewards of being Pakistan American.

Malala was born in a beautiful valley in Pakistan, she looks positively at her life and works hard to get an education. At 15 years old her life changes forever. Malala will not be beaten she becomes a voice for girls and an inspiration for those facing adversity.

Each double page of this book comprises an illustrated scene from a different period of history, crammed with people and events. The fun comes in finding the people, animals and objects in the scene. Smaller pictures around the edges show the things to be spotted and captions give more information.

The history of the Trojan war, a well-told story of the folly of gods and men. The Greeks attack Troy to force the Trojan prince, Paris, to return their queen, Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world.

Emily, Navin, and their crew of resistance fighters charter an airship and set off in search of the lost city of Cielis, which is believed to be located on an island high above the clouds. The mysterious Leon Redbeard is their guide, and there's a surprising new addition to the crew: the Elf King's son, Trellis. But is he ally or enemy? And will Emily ever be able to trust the voice of the Amulet?

Navin and his classmates journey to Lucien, a city ravaged by war and plagued by mysterious creatures, where they search for a beacon essential to their fight against the Elf King. Meanwhile, Emily heads back into the Void with Max, one of the Elf King's loyal followers, where she learns his darkest secrets. The stakes, for both Emily and Navin, are higher than ever.

Emily, Trellis, and Vigo visit Algos Island, where they can access and enter lost memories. They're hoping to uncover the events of Trellis's mysterious childhood -- knowledge they can use against the Elf King. What they discover is a dark secret that changes everything. Meanwhile, the Voice of Emily's Amulet is getting stronger, and threatens to overtake her completely.

Emily and her friends think they'll find the help they need in Cielis, but something isn't right. Streets that were once busy are deserted, and the townspeople who are left live in crippling fear. Emily is escorted to the Academy where she's expected to compete for a spot on the Guardian Council, the most powerful Stonekeepers. But as the number of competitors gets smaller and smaller, a terrible secret is slowly uncovered a secret that, if left buried, means certain destruction of everything Emily fights for.

Emily and her brother Navin head for Kanalis, a beautiful and mysterious city of waterfalls, where they hope to find the antidote for the poison that felled their mother. That cure lies in the eggs of a giant serpent atop Demon's Head Mountain, but the kids' archenemy, Trellis, is headed for the peak, too. A battle that will engulf all of Kanalis is looming. It's up to Em to triumph over evil while controlling the amulet's power . . . without losing herself!

There's something strange behind the basement door... After a family tragedy, Emily, Navin and their mother move to an ancestral home to start a new life. On the family's first night in the mysterious house, Em and Navin's mum is kidnapped by a tentacled creature. Now it's up to Em and Navin to figure out how to set things right and save their mother's life!"

Emily has lost control of her Amulet and is imprisoned in the Void, where she must find a way to escape the influence of the Voice. Meanwhile, Emily's brother, Navin, travels to Lighthouse One, a space station where the Resistance is preparing to battle the approaching Shadow forces that would drain planet Alledia of all its resources. Emily and Navin must be smarter and stronger than ever to ensure Alledia's survival.

Emily survived the chaos of the Guardian Academy but Max Griffin has stolen the Mother Stone. With it, the Elf King forges new Amulets that will give him the power to invade and destroy the nation of Windsor. Emily and her friends lead the soldiers of the Cielis Guard in a fight to stop him but Max stands in their way. Emily seeks information from the Voice of her Amulet - but instead she discovers the Voice is much more sinister than she ever could have imagined.

Sometimes, grown-ups tell scary stories to teach kids a lesson. And, sometimes, those scary stories turn out to be true. Sarah, Jay and Rene find out the hard way what sort of tale their Nan's Woordatj story is when they wander off into the bush, despite her warnings.

These school holidays, Eli is going by himself to visit his much-loved Thamu (grandfather), who lives near the goldfields. They're going camping and prospecting, and Eli will listen to Thamu's stories and learn about country. But, when they camp to speck for gold, Eli seems more interested in chasing a white rabbit.

At the back of Jack's school is a special place. He can't tell anyone except his mate, Lizard, about all the things that can happen there. When Jack meets the mysterious Birdman, he learns secrets about the past that he just can't tell anyone.

Cultural and racist issues are explored in this story about a girl who befriends an Aboriginal family, who live next door.

Mup was an ordinary girl, so she thought, until the day her aunty died. That night she sees witches following the car home from hospital, and the next morning there are reports of a helicopter disappearing, which later reappears with one of its passengers missing - her dad! Now Mup, Tipper (her little brother) and Mam must set off on a rescue mission. Mup's life is suddenly turned upside down as she enters another world full of rhyming ravens, colour, witches, and wild magic. What other adventures await her as she begins this quest to find her father?

The queen has left Witches Borough and Mup is back! Her family are moving into the castle. A castle that holds many memories of the past. Mam begins to right the wrongs of the tyrannical queen, bringing back magic to all, but many are finding it hard to change. They have lived by the Queen's laws for so long and believe she may still be watching. Then strange things begin happening. Old memories and angry ghosts emerge. Do Mam and Mup have the power to fight this new threat?

Mam and Mup are trying to rebuild Witches Borough but the Earth is drying out and the land is dying. To add to their problems, Crows Mam is back and turning everything she touches to ashes. She is looking for Mup and wants her to take her to Mup's grandmother -- the old Queen. Will they be able to save Witches Borough and stop the Raggedy Witches? A true tale of friendship and bravery, with a thrilling ending to the story of Mup and her family.

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.

In a wondrous world deep within a coral reef, sea creatures assemble for a contest. Each creature has a special skill or a magic trick to display. Find out who wins the contest to become reef superstar.

At 12 years old, Liberty already has a lot of changes in front of her, including her approaching start at high school, but her parent's separation and divorce makes it feel as if her life is crashing to earth. Neither of her parents speak openly about what is happening or why, which leaves Liberty to understand her dad's depression and her own reaction to this huge life change.

A collection of Australian lyric poetry.

Daniel is the back-up punter for the Erie Hills Elephants. Which really means he's the water boy. He spends football practice perfectly arranging water cups-and hoping no one notices his strange habits-he calls them Zaps: avoiding writing the number four, for example, or flipping a light switch on and off dozens of times over. He hopes no one notices that he's crazy, especially his best friend Max, and Raya, the prettiest girl in school. His life gets weirder when another girl at school, unkindly nicknamed Psycho Sara, notices him for the first time. She doesn't just notice him: she seems to peer through him. Then Daniel gets a note: "I need your help," it says, signed, Fellow Star Child-whatever that means. And suddenly Daniel, a total no one at school, is swept up in a mystery that might change everything for him. With great voice and grand adventure, this book is about feeling different and finding those who understand.

A piglet becomes famous after being adopted and trained as a sheep dog.

While cleaning chimneys, Tom emerges in Ellie's bedroom and she mistakes him for a thief. In this classic story, Tom runs away, slips into a cooling stream and falls asleep to become a Water Baby, with a quest to the Other-end-of-Nowhere.

+++++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.

Greg Heffley, an undersize weakling, is starting high school where he has to share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner and already shaving. He desperately wants to be cool and is always looking for an angle to raise his profile. In notes and cartoons, he documents his experiences of school and family life, and offers advice on how to survive.

Greg Heffley is in big trouble. School property has been damaged and Greg is the prime suspect. But, the crazy thing is, he's innocent. Or sort of. The authorities are closing in but, when a surprise blizzard hits, the Heffley family is trapped indoors. Greg knows that when the snow melts he's going to have to face the music, but he wonders if any punishment could be worse than being stuck inside with your family for the holidays.

In Diper Overlode, book 17 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Greg Heffley is finding out that the road to fame and glory comes with some hard knocks. When he decides to tag along with his brother Rodrick's band, Loded Diper, Greg doesn't realize what he's getting into. But he soon learns that late nights, unpaid gigs, fighting between band members, and money troubles are all part of the rock'n'roll lifestyle. Can Greg help Diper Loded become the legends they think they are? Or will too much time with Rodrick's band be a Diper Overlode?

It's summer holidays, the weather is great and all the kids are having fun outside. Greg Heffley is inside his house, with the shades drawn, playing video games. But, Greg's mother has a different vision for an ideal summer, one packed with outdoor activities and family togetherness.

The pressure is really piling up on Greg. His mum thinks video games are turning his brain to mush so she wants him to put down the controller and explore his creative side. As if that's not scary enough, Halloween is just around the corner and the frights are coming at Greg from every angle. When Greg discovers a bag of gummy worms, it sparks an idea. If he makes a movie, it might just get his mum off his back and also make him rich and famous in the process.

Greg has been on a losing streak and he decides to take a leap of faith and leave all decisions to chance, rolling a dice to try and turn his luck around.

Up until now, middle school hasn't exactly been a joyride for Greg Heffley. So when the town threatens to close the crumbling building, he is not too broken up about it. But when Greg realises this means he is going to be sent to a different school to his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, he changes his tune. Can Greg and his classmates save their school before it is shuttered for good? Or is this the start of a whole new chapter for Greg?

Life was better in the old days. Or I think it was. That's the question Greg Heffley is asking as his town voluntarily unplugs and goes electronics-free. But, Greg isn't cut out for an old-fashioned world. With tension building inside and outside the Heffley home, Greg wonders how he will survive.

As Greg Heffley enters the new school year, he is eager to put the past three months behind him, and one event in particular. Unfortunately, his older brother, Rodrick, knows all about the incident Greg wants to keep under wraps. But, secrets have a way of getting out, especially when a diary is involved.

Greg Heffley and his family hit the road for a cross-country camping trip, ready for the adventure of a lifetime. But things take an unexpected turn, and they find themselves stranded at an RV park that's not exactly a summertime paradise. When the skies open up and the water starts to rise, the Heffleys wonder if they can save their vacation -- or if they're already in too deep.

Greg Heffley and his family are getting out of town. With the cold weather and the stress of the approaching holiday season, the Heffleys decide to escape to a tropical island resort for some much needed rest and relaxation. A few days in paradise should do wonders for Greg and his frazzled family. But the Heffleys soon discover that paradise isn't everything it's cracked up to be. Sunburn, stomach troubles, and venomous critters all threaten to ruin the family's vacation. Can their trip be saved, or will this island getaway end in disaster?

Greg Heffley will never change his wimpy ways. Somebody just needs to explain that to Greg's father. Frank Heffley thinks he can get his son to toughen up and he enlists Greg in organised sports and other manly endeavours. Greg is able to sidestep his father's efforts to change him but, when his dad threatens to send him to military academy, Greg realises he's to shape up or get shipped out.

A family road trip is supposed to be a lot of fun. The journey takes off full of promise, then quickly takes several wrong turns, at a gas station bathroom, crazed seagulls and a runaway pig.

When snow shuts down Greg Heffley's middle school, his neighborhood transforms into a wintry battlefield. Rival groups fight over territory, build massive snow forts, and stage epic snowball fights. And in the crosshairs are Greg and his trusty best friend, Rowley Jefferson. It's a fight for survival as Greg and Rowley navigate alliances, betrayals, and warring gangs in a neighborhood meltdown. When the snow clears, will Greg and Rowley emerge as heroes? Or will they even survive to see another day?

A Valentine's Day dance at Greg's middle school has turned his world upside down. As Greg scrambles to find a date, he's worried he'll be left out in the cold on the big night. His best friend, Rowley, doesn't have any prospects either, but that's a small consolation. An unexpected twist gives Greg a partner for the dance and leaves Rowley the odd man out. But, a lot can happen in one night, and, in the end, you never know who's going to be lucky in love.

Although Greg is not a teenager quite yet, he feels as if he's hit his childhood expiration date and, when you're no longer a cute kid, nothing is as easy as it used to be.

An unexpected inheritance gives the Heffley family a chance to make major improvements to their home. But they soon find that construction isn't all it's cracked up to be. When things get rough, will the Heffleys be able to stay... or will they be forced to move?

Rowley's best friend Greg Heffley has been chronicling his middle-school years in thirteen Diary of a Wimpy Kid journals... and counting. But it's finally time for readers to hear directly from Rowley in a journal of his own. Rowley agrees to play the role of biographer for Greg along the way. (After all, one day Greg will be rich and famous, and everyone will want to know his life's story.) But Rowley is a poor choice for the job, and his "biography" of Greg is a hilarious mess.

In Big Shot, book 16 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series from #1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney, Greg Heffley and sports just don't mix. After a disastrous field day competition at school, Greg decides that when it comes to his athletic career, he's officially retired. But after his mom urges him to give sports one more chance, he reluctantly agrees to sign up for basketball. Tryouts are a mess, and Greg is sure he won't make the cut. But he unexpectedly lands a spot on the worst team. As Greg and his new teammates start the season, their chances of winning even a single game look slim. But in sports, anything can happen. When everything is on the line and the ball is in Greg's hands, will he rise to the occasion? Or will he blow his big shot?

Grab a flashlight, crawl under the covers, and dive into the twisted, unexpectedly hilarious world of Rowley Jefferson's imagination. You'll meet zombies, vampires, ghosts, and much more in these comically terrifying tales. Rowley's spooky stories might leave you laughing, but beware - you could end up sleeping with the lights on!

Distant lands, the beautiful gardens of splendid palaces, the sea, the jungle and its beasts, even the desert, are the exotic settings for classic stories that deal with the origins of things in the animal world, such as how the elephant got his trunk.

When Ellen arrives at her new house, an old mansion with actual towers, she senses something stirring. When the dried-up fountain in the overgrown garden suddenly spouts water and weird messages appear, Ellen is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. But, first, she needs to find a way into the peculiar tower with no door.

Otilla is on the run from something unnamed but formidable. The night is cold and dark, but just as she begins to lose her resolve a very large and very old house appears in the forest. The house appears abandoned except for a skull offering shelter but maybe not safety.

Required to accompany her mother, who works at a hostel for the disabled, Shelley is more than a little unhappy. Eventually, she chooses to teach Ben, who is mentally disabled and very fearful of the water, how to swim.

A family from the planet, Zyrgon, arrive on Earth after travelling half way across the galaxy and turning left.

Alison is a perfect only child who has everything - beauty, clothes and money. Erika is so jealous, she has to find a way to get rid of Alison Ashley, once and for all.

Fantasy characters travel through the body explaining various organs and their functions. A fun and matter of fact look at the internal functions of the human body, both pleasant and unpleasant.

Gorgomoth the Unclean is back and he's up to no good, of course. Can Wednesday and the gang beat Gorgomoth to the long-lost Stone of Power, or will the world be plunged into Never-Ending Darkness?

Wednesday Weeks is a sorcerer's apprentice. She would rather be studying science, but when her grandpa is kidnaped, she has no choice but to rescue him from the Gobin King in the Tower of Shadows. To do this, she must combine her love of science and her new knowledge of magic. Luckily her best friends Alfie and his super cute robot are there to help her, because the Goblin King is going to challenge them in ways they never imagined.

A fun, informative guide about food that's good and not so good for you, and how to exercise. Find out why junk food tastes so good, what food additives and processed food are, and what's in a burger. Includes simple recipes for healthy snacks and burgers, ideas for exercise, information on food labels and advertising, and how food is grown.

The war of words is coming up. Victoria is the very best Word Smith in the city. But will she be knocked off the top place by the competitive Mei Lei?

Follow the journey of a red jacket around the world, from being made to going in the rubbish, from the cells of a prison, to a boat floating in the ocean, connecting many people.

Sean is in Year Five at his new school. He doesn't play soccer and doesn't like his new friend copying his maths homework. When Sean forgets his hat and has to sit in the shade, he discovers that there are kids he likes at this new school.

When Buddy wakes up in the middle of a garbage dump, he is aware he is a teddy bear that was waiting patiently for a child to love him but something has gone terribly wrong. After finding other discarded teddies, he takes lead of the troop who are determined to get back to the store. This perilous and unforgiving journey will present them with unsurmountable challenges which may claim a few of them before the end.

Victor Starspeeder is psyched to be starting school at the Jedi Academy. His sister, Christina does not share an enthusiasm for Victor's newfound educational path. She's horrified that her annoying baby brother will be there to cramp her style. While Victor means well, his excess energy leads him to spend a lot of time in detention with the little, green sage, Yoda. Yoda wants to channel Victor's talents, so he makes the young Padawan join the drama club. Victor is not pleased. "Learn to control your anger, you must! Successfully manage their emotions, a good Jedi can. Box step and jazz hands ... hee hee ... young Padawan will!" Victor will have to make new friends, get on his sister's good side, learn to use the force, and hope the year's drama club performance ("Wookie Side Story"? "Annie Get Your Lightsaber"?) goes off without a hitch!

Victor Starspeeder is back at Jedi Academy for year two, but it's not going the way he'd planned. He was thrilled about Drama Club and hoped to get the lead in this year's musical... But a new kid got the role! What gives?! Plus, he keeps oversleeping and getting to class late . . . Worst of all, his big sister Christina is getting ready to graduate from Jedi Academy, and there are rumors going around that she's a Sith! What's a Padawan to do? In times when he feels more alone than ever, Victor will have to trust the ways of the Force and his friends if he's going to survive year two in this all-new chapter in the Jedi Academy series.

it's Victor Starspeeder's third year at Jedi Academy! It's also his first year EVER without his sister, Christina. Plus, things at Jedi Academy are... weird. After last year's security breach, Principal Marr has been demoted and replaced with Commander ZC-04, a big, scary droid. There's a curfew, new regulations, and everyone is on edge. But when Victor and his friends dig a little deeper into the changes at the school, they find that there's a lot more to this story than the droids want to admit! It's an all-new, out-of-this-world Jedi Academy adventure as The Principal Strikes Back!

From creepy crawlies and the world under the water to the biggest, longest, loudest, sleepiest and stinkiest animals of all. Here are lots of facts to astonish, puzzle and perplex, codes to crack, things to draw and colour, odd ones out, and differences to spot,

Sometimes stuff happens that you would do anything to try to avoid. But you can't. And that's what happened to us. Penguin Bloom tells the true story of Sam Bloom, a young mother whose world is turned upside down after a horrible accident that means she cannot walk. Sam's husband, mother and three young boys are struggling to adjust to their new life when an unlikely ally enters their world in the shape of a magpie chick they name Penguin. The birds arrival is a welcome distraction and ends up making a profound difference in their lives.