Booklists

Every millennium, one age ends and another age dawns...and whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers is able to call the great Dragon God from the sea and be granted one wish. The time is near and the pieces of the Scroll are desperately sought by those who would demand ultimate power. A humble, peasant girl holds the first scrap of the Scroll, a girl with a dangerous secret. Demons have burned Yumeko's home to the ground, killing the master who trained her to hide and use her kitsune shape-shifting powers. She escapes the temple and is thrust into the path of a mysterious samurai, Kage Tasumi of the Shadow Clan. Yumeko realises quickly that he is under orders to find the scroll she carries...and to kill anything or anyone in order to do so, but she needs his help. Will her tricky kitsune ways be enough to keep her safe? A wish will be granted and a new age will dawn. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

By thirteen, Mariatu had experienced rape, genital mutilation, an unwanted pregnancy and witnessed the horrors of war in Sierra Leone. Both her hands were amputated when she was captured by rebel soldiers. Her honest and unembellished account of her life is inspiring with its hope for a better future and the great love that the survivors share. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

When Madeleine is shipped off to stay with her eccentric grandmother for the holidays, she expects the usual: politics, early-morning yoga, extreme healthy food, and lots of hard work. Instead, Madeleine tumbles back in time to 1900, where the wealthy Williamson family takes her into their home, Lyrebird Muse. At a time when young girls have no power and no voice, set against a backdrop of the struggles for emancipation, federation and Aboriginal rights, Madeleine must find a way to fit in with the Williamson family's four sisters - beautiful, cold Bea; clever, awkward Gert; adventurous, rebellious Charlie; and darling baby Imo - as she searches desperately for a way home. Meanwhile, the Williamson girls' enchanting German cousin, Elfriede, arrives on the scene on a heavenly wave of smoke and cinnamon, and threatens to shatter everything... Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Sixteen year old Rory (Aurora) is at the crossroads in her life. While her gang plans its next move in a racially motivated turf war, Rory refuses to reveal their names and takes the rap for an attack on the local immigrant community. She is sentenced to community care in an aged care facility. There, she meets resident and ex-boxer Jack, an encounter that leads her to Essam, a young migrant boxer, who will challenge her prejudices and force her to address the mistakes of her past. Some violence. Usually read by Years 9, 10 or above.

Selly has saltwater in her veins. So when her father leaves her high and dry in the port of Kirkpool, she has no intention of riding out the winter at home while he sails to adventure in the north seas. But any plans to follow him are dashed when a handsome stranger with tell-tale magician's marks on his arms commandeers her ship under cover of darkness: He is Prince Leander of Alinor, and he needs to cross the Crescent Sea without detection so he can complete a ritual on the sacred Isles of the Gods. Selly has no desire to escort a spoiled prince anywhere, and no time for his entitled demands or his good looks. But what starts as a leisure cruise will lead to acts of treason and sheer terror on the high seas, bringing two countries to the brink of war, two strangers closer than they ever thought possible and two dangerous gods stirring from centuries of slumber... Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Hanna, the commander's pampered daughter, and Nik, the reluctant member of a crime family, are struggling with life aboard the space station. When an elite strike team invades, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home from alien predators. And, there's a malfunction in the station's wormhole. Soon, Hanna and Nik are fighting to survive. The fate of everyone on the Hypatia, and possibly in the known universe, is in their hands. Mature read. Usually read by Years 9, 10 or above.

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

When their planet, Kerenza, is attacked by an unknown enemy, Kady and Ezra are separated and evacuate in different space ships. A deadly virus is spreading in one ship, the lead ship's computer has gone rogue and the enemy is close. Through long distance communication, Kady and Ezra try to find out what went wrong. As gamers, hackers and video geeks, they have great skills but reconciling their hearts, amidst machines and software, proves much more difficult. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Kady, Ezra, Hanna, and Nik narrowly escaped with their lives from the attacks on Heimdall station and now find themselves crammed with 2,000 refugees on the container ship, Mao. With the jump station destroyed and their resources scarce, the only option is to return to Kerenza, but who knows what they will find seven months after the invasion? With time running out, a final battle will be waged on land and in space, heroes will fall, and hearts will be broken. Usually read in years 9, 10 or above.

Mia and Jules are desperate to warn their home planet about the impending invasion from the Undying. They escape the Undying's ancient spacecraft, crash land back on Earth managing to avoid being killed, only to find that no one will believe them about the alien threat in orbit. When they realise that no one is going to take them seriously, they must take things into their own hands. All they need to do is escape the powerful International Alliance, avoid being killed by aliens, prevent a horrific plague, while racing across Europe to save the people they love...no pressure. Mature themes, Usually read by students in Year 9, 10 and above.

When Earth intercepts a message from a long-extinct alien race, it seems like the solution the planet has been waiting for. For Jules Addison the discovery of an alien culture offers unprecedented opportunity for study... as long as scavengers like Amelia Radcliffe don't loot everything first. Mia and Jules' different reasons for smuggling themselves onto Gaia put them immediately at odds, but after escaping a dangerous confrontation with other scavvers, they form a fragile alliance. In order to penetrate the Undying temple and reach the tech and information hidden within, the two must decode the ancient race's secrets and survive their traps. But the more they learn about the Undying, the more their presence in the temple seems to be part of a grand design that could spell the end of the human race...Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Jacob wakes up in a field unable to remember anything but his name. Why is he there, how can he get home? An intriguing story, raising issues about life after death, hopes and dreams. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Sophia is smart, like genius-calculator-brain smart. But there are some things no amount of genius can prepare you for, and the messiness of real life is one of them. When everything she knows is falling apart, how can she crack the puzzle of what to do with her life? Joshua spends his time honing magic tricks and planning how to win Sophia's heart. But when your best trick is making schoolwork disappear, how do you possibly romance a genius? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10, and above.

Year 12 is finished. Some students can't wait to escape their small town, others don't want to leave. Alba is unsure whether to pursue her drawing talents or stay working in the bakery. When Doomsday enthusiasts flock to the town to survive an apocalypse, Alba's childhood heartthrob, Daniel, arrives. Compared to figuring out her heart, Armageddon might be the least of her problems. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A swim in the sea results in Libby catching an infection which paralyses her legs and leads to a different life. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

After their home is destroyed in an attack, Derin's father is missing and Derin travels across the world to look for him. His quest leads him into the conflict between the people of the mountains and the people of the plains. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The dramatic story of two children who rescue Papio and Upi, male and female baboons, from an experimental research station in Central Africa, only to find freedom brings problems for the animals and themselves. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Parkland is an enclosure that houses humans and human-ape hybrids. They are controlled by vicious creatures called leopards. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Ben comes upon Taronga Zoo which seems unaffected by a nuclear holocaust, or is it? Ben and his Aboriginal friend, Ellie, are aware that decisions they make may have huge implications for the future. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Nothing is the same for Kaida, Zeke and Joy after the accident. They return to their ordinary lives but the world has ceased to make sense. Perhaps this world, with no hope and no cures, is not their world at all. The nightmare begins. They must rely on their own resourcefulness to identify what the problem is and then how to solve it, or they could be trapped in the nightmare forever. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Juliet Young always writes letters to her mother, a world-traveling photojournalist. Even after her mother's death, she leaves letters at her grave. It's the only way Juliet can cope. Declan Murphy isn't the sort of guy you want to cross. In the midst of his court-ordered community service at the local cemetery, he's trying to escape the demons of his past. When Declan reads a haunting letter left beside a grave, he can't resist writing back. Soon, he's opening up to a perfect stranger, and their connection is immediate. But neither Declan nor Juliet knows that they're not actually strangers. When life at school interferes with their secret life of letters, sparks will fly as Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Unnecessary Drama is a funny and romantic coming-of-age story set in a student share house in Melbourne. The story focuses on Brooke's initial experiences living out of home while starting her first year of university. Rule-oriented and organised, Brooke is ready for anything, until she discovers her second housemate is really her friend-turned-enemy from high school, Jesse. She vows to ignore him. However, dealing with anxieties, mishaps and the unexpected complications of life might make this promise harder to keep than she thought. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Lottie collects dead creatures and lovingly cares for them, hoping to preserve them, to save them from disintegration. Her father understands - Lottie has a scientific mind, he thinks. Her aunt wants it to stop, and she goes to cruel lengths to make sure it does. And her mother? Lottie's mother died long ago. And Lottie is searching for a way to be close to her. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Zoe Kelly is starting a new phase of her life. High school was a mess of bullying and autistic masking that left her burnt out. Now, with an internship at an online media company, Zoe is taking her first steps on the road to her dream career. When her article about her non-existent love life goes viral, 18 year old Zoe is overwhelmed and more than a little surprised by the response. But with a deadline for her next piece looming and a list of romantic contenders from the past, she is hoping that one of those old sparks will turn into a new flame. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

A father keeps his family locked in a time warp, away from the 20th century. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Raina Petree is crushing her senior year, until her boyfriend dumps her, the drama club (basically) dumps her, the college of her dreams slips away, and her arch-nemesis triumphs. Things aren't much better for Millie Goodwin. Her father treats her like a servant, and the all-boy Mock Trial team votes her out, even after she spent the last three years helping to build its success. But then, an advice columnist unexpectedly helps Raina find new purpose in a pair of knitting needles and a politically active local yarn store. This leads to an unlikely meeting in the girls' bathroom, where Raina inspires Millie to start a rival team. The two join together and recruit four other angry girls to not only take on Mock Trial, but to smash the patriarchy in the process.

A collection of interlinked stories set in the late 1940s in an Australian country town which focus on the four young Melling sisters. Each story links the girls and their friends together in a variety of domestic events and problems. The stories present a nostalgic feel for the post-war years. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Eleven year old Seymour meets Angie, who is older and beautiful, a dream girl. Seymour is unaware that Angie is a drug addict. Their friendship, and the revelation of this secret, changes both their lives. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

An arresting story about a strange and sinister religious sect called The Temple and how Frances discovers its secrets. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In Nova City, there are the Extraordinaries - Shadow Star: a protector who can manipulate darkness in his quest to protect those who cannot protect themselves. His arch-nemesis is Pyro Storm: an Extraordinary capable of controlling fire who is bent on bringing Nova City to its knees. And then there's 16 year old Nicholas Bell: who isn't Extraordinary in the slightest. He's Shadow Star's number one fan, writing fan fiction of their adventures together. Too bad ADHD isn't a superpower, otherwise Nick would be golden. Instead of stopping villains, Nick must contend with starting his junior year, a father who doesn't trust him, and a best friend named Seth, who may or may not be the love of Nick's short, uneventful life. It should be enough. And it is...until a fateful encounter with Shadow Star forces Nick to realize his true destiny. He's tired of being ordinary, and he'll do whatever it takes to become something more. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages. When Linus is summoned by Extremely Upper Management he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they're likely to bring about the end of days. But the children aren't the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Sixteen year old Canny has always been a little different and able to see something 'Extra'. When she joins her stepbrother to research a strange coal mine disaster, Canny discovers an enchanted valley with children who can perform a strange type of magic. With the help of the alluring Ghislain, Canny starts to untangle the mysteries of the valley, only to find out that its secrets are hers, too. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

All 16-year-old Connor is trying to do is avoid his ex-best friend when he stumbles upon a trapdoor to a secret chamber under his school. But when Sally Rodgers breaks into the same secret chamber looking for an ancient being, things take an unexpected turn and Connor's life will never be the same again. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The swimmer, the rebel and the nerd. Ryan, Harley and Miles live different lives, have different interests and keep different secrets. All they have in common is their shared, best friend, Isaac. They were his sidekicks. But, now, Isaac has gone. A mature and challenging book. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Lemon Fresh has seen better days. After the climactic battle in Babel, she finds herself separated from Ezekiel and Cricket in the wastelands. Lemon's abilities to manipulate electricity mark her as a deviate, and deadly corporate operatives are hunting her to use as a weapon in the war between BioMaas Incorporated and Daedelus Technologies. Instead, Lemon finds herself falling in with a group of fellow deviates-a band of teenagers with astonishing abilities, led by an enigmatic figure known as the Major, who may hold the secrets to Lemon's past. Meanwhile, Cricket find himself in possession of the puritanical Brotherhood, a religious cult set for a head-on collision with the Major and his band. Searching for Lemon, Ezekiel finds a strange ally in an old enemy, and uncovers a plot that may see him reunited with his beloved Ana. And inside Babel, a remade Eve hatches a plan to bring an end to the world. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

On an island junkyard beneath a sky that glows with radiation, a deadly secret lies buried in the scrap. Seventeen-year-old Eve isn't looking for trouble--she's too busy looking over her shoulder. The robot gladiator she spent months building has been reduced to a smoking wreck, she's on the local gangster's wanted list, and the only thing keeping her grandpa alive is the money she just lost to the bookies. If she's ever had a worse day, Eve can't remember it. Her discovery of a handsome android named Ezekiel--called a "Lifelike" because they resemble humans--will bring her world crashing down and make her question whether her entire life is a lie. With her best friend Lemon Fresh and her robotic sidekick Cricket in tow, Eve will trek across deserts of glass, battle unkillable bots, and infiltrate towering megacities to save the ones she loves...and learn the truth about secrets of her past. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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

Best friends have become enemies. Lovers have become strangers. And deciding whose side you're on could be the difference between life and death. For Eve and Lemon, discovering the truth about themselves - and each other - was too much for their friendship to take. But with the country on the brink of a new world war - this time between the BioMaas swarm at CityHive and Daedalus's army at Megopolis - loyalties will be pushed to the brink, unlikely alliances will form and with them, betrayals. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above

I know quite a lot about people. Let's start with you. Obviously, I know where you live. I know where you are right now. I know where you buy your clothes and where you eat for lunch. I know what all your fandoms are, who your OTPs are and where you wish you could go on vacation. Lots of people have gadgets that pretend to be an AI. Those gadgets are listening all the time, day and night to everything people say around it. They're not really AIs. But if they listen to you, then so can I. I know you all so well. And sometimes... Sometimes I wish somebody knew me. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Dr Karl is on a mission to track down Awe and Wonder in the Universe. Why do wombats poo cubes? Do fish drink water? What nearly destroyed humanity on Halloween 2015? How do you use an incinerating toilet? Find out why we've sent a spacecraft with Dr Karl's name on it to kiss the Sun, whether cannibalism is nutritious, how birds fly when they're asleep and much more. So strap in and get ready for a random ride through everything, from atoms to rogue planets and everything in between, including the Big Question - why does spaghetti always break into three parts? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Dr Karl is surfing the Universe for all that's gnarly, awesome, weird and wonderful. Why is sharpening a pencil in space a risky business? What makes a sunset red and not blue? How far would the Earth's viruses reach if you laid them end to end? Which animal grows an anus every time it needs to poo? Find out how spiders can fly and count, whether 5G networks are safe, why we're running out of sand, and the answer to the Question on Everyone's Lips - how to make the best coffee. Plus loads more, including pop-up Karl holograms! So take a surfing safari with Dr Karl and get ready to Hang Ten - or wipe out. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Thomas escapes from hypocrisy and domestic violence with wild imaginings and sightings of Jesus. A deeply moving story of a Dutch family, ruled by a violent, bible-wielding father, who survive because of a special child and some very, strong women. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Ember Crow is missing. To find her friend, Ashala Wolf must control her increasingly erratic and dangerous Sleepwalking ability and leave the Firstwood. But, Ashala doesn't realise that Ember is harbouring terrible secrets and is trying to shield the Tribe and all Illegals from a devastating new threat, her own past. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Injured, vulnerable and with her powerful sleepwalker ability blocked, Ashala is forced to succumb to a machine which will pull secrets, about her tribe of illegals, from her mind, into the hands of a powerful Chief Administrator. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Living on Stolen Land is a prose-styled look at our colonial-settler present. A perceptive and thoughtful examination of the colonial contextual history of Australia. It pulls apart the myths at the heart of our nationhood, and challenges Australia to come to terms with its own past and its place within and on Indigenous Countries. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Georgie Spider has foretold the end of the world and the only one who can stop it is Ashala Wolf. But, Georgie has also foreseen Ashala's death. As the world shifts around the Tribe, Ashala fights to protect those she loves from old enemies and new threats. Georgie can see the future but, in her fight to save Ashala, she must also try to change it. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Nothing's been the same for Beth Teller since she died. Her dad, a detective, is the only one who can see and hear her - and he's drowning in grief. But now they have a mystery to solve together. Who is Isobel Catching, and what's her connection to the fire that killed a man? What happened to the people who haven't been seen since the fire? As Beth unravels the mystery, she finds a shocking story lurking beneath the surface of a small town, and a friendship that lasts beyond one life and into another. Told in two unforgettable voices, this gripping novel interweaves themes of grief, colonial history, violence, love and family. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.