Booklists

Want to know what the biggest dinosaur is far discovered was? What about the smallest? The most colourful? Most feathery? All that and more is revealed in this book, as well as some amazing facts about the dinosaur's contemporaries - the pterosaurs and marine reptiles. Travel back in time and imagine what life was like in the Mesozoic Era.

Ten year old Inge Maria comes to live on a tiny island in Denmark with her grandmother. She is strict and the villagers too think that girls should not run wild or speak too much. Inge tries to fit in but her fun loving mischief and mishaps start to change the way the villagers feel.

For the first ten years of her life, Freja and her mother Clementine have roamed the Arctic in search of zoological wonders. Happy, content, together. Freja and Clem. Clem and Freja. But now, everything is changing, and Clementine must send Freja away to live with her old friend Tobias, a bestselling crime writer and, quite possibly, the most absent-minded man on earth. Tobias is not used to life with a child, and Freja isn't used to people at all, but together they stumble into an Italian adventure so big that it will change things forever.

Nettie Sweeney is the youngest in her family and wishes they had a Mum. When her new Mum finally arrives, it seems like the Sweeney family have it made. But tragedy strikes and nothing will ever be the same again: Nettie attempts to help fix things but will her actions lead to disaster?

War is not just the story of soliders and generals and battles, but it is also the story of children and parents, and families lost and found. As the second World War comes to an end, the Wolf family face their greatest test of survival when the reality of a German defeat comes to their village. Liesl is tasked with keeping her younger brother and sister close and alive while also trying to survive without losing all the things which make them human.

Olive is gobsmacked. Basil Heffenhuffenheimer has just hiked out of the Black Forest in 1857 and into Mrs Groves' Boarding School for Naughty Boys, Talking Animals and Circus Performers. When he offers to take Olive into the past, she cannot resist a time-travelling adventure. But, when Olive and her friends return to the present with a hungry dinosaur, an Elizabethan pirate and a scissor-happy servant boy, strange and disturbing things start to happen at Groves.

In the spring of 1942 Sasha and his family are enjoying the beautiful flowers and sunshine while still missing his father who has gone to war and not come back. This peace does not last very long before Sasha is on his own and running for his life across the Russian countryside. Sasha soon finds himself in the company of Russian soldiers and faced with keeping himself and his new friends alive.

Olive is excited to be going to boarding school but Mrs Groves' Boarding School for Naughty Boys, Talking Animals and Circus Performers is not what she expected. The headmistress is completely mad and Pig McKenzie, school bully and nasty swine, is determined to make Olive's life unbearable. But, Olive is clever and kind, and soon gains the loyalty of three rats, a short-sighted moose, a compulsive liar and a goose who faints at the sight of cherries. But, friendship and wits might not be enough against Pig's wicked plan.

The Queen is coming to tea at Mrs Groves' Boarding School for Naughty Boys, Talking Animals and Circus Performers. Nothing could possibly spoil this right royal moment. Except for the return of scheming villain, Pig McKenzie, and the arrival of a strange, harsh woman. And, if the Queen's visit doesn't run smoothly, the Inspector has promised to close the school forever. As nothing ever runs smoothly at Groves, someone needs to take control. Someone who is clever and brave, with big, practical ideas and an even bigger heart.

Through these challenging puzzles, find out about the many weird and wonderful creatures living in the sea. Each double page spread is crammed full of interesting facts and things for you to find.

Welcome to the virtual museum. The galleries, which are based on the geographical location of the archaeological finds, include Africa, America, Asia, Europe, The Middle East and Oceania. See objects of beauty, objects of functionality, objects of war, objects of life, death and burial. As you wander from room to room, explore the magnificence of what civilisations have left behind over thousands of years of human history.

The text shows the path taken by Nelson Mandela, raised in a small community, to defence lawyer, to public protester, through jail and how he became a great political leader. It traces the change in South Africa from apartheid to free state.

When Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane and their baby brother go digging in the gravel pit, the last thing they expect to find is a Psammead, an ancient Sand-fairy. Having a Sand-fairy for a pet means having one wish granted each day. But, the children don't realise all the trouble that wishes can cause.

A middle class family, living in London at the end of the eighteenth century, falls on hard times when their father unexpectedly goes away. They move to a simple cottage in the country where they befriend the local railway porter who goes by the name of Perks. The children have exciting adventures around the railway but the mystery about their father remains.

The new occupants in the apartment upstairs turn out to be two women friends who are heavily involved in the suffragette movement. Polly is inspired by their beliefs and finds herself questioning the views of those around her.

Discover all the magic, excitement and beauty of famous ballets. See how ballet dancers perform, what their costumes convey and interesting snippets about each ballet.

Have you ever seen a fish that could do a handstand? This is the story of a quirky and primitive little fish that is famous for two things: walking on its 'hands' (pectoral fins), and being the first marine fish anywhere in the word to be listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Spotted Handfish has survived since the time of the dinosaurs -- until now. Invasive sea stars, pollution and climate change mean that this unique Australian is in real trouble -- raise your hand if you want to know more!

The animals of Australia are amazing. Find out what some of them look like and where you might see them. Whether you're on a trip to a national park or relaxing in a comfortable spot, you'll love dipping into this book. It includes 55 national parks and reserves and is full of up-to-date fascinating facts for more than 120 animal species, large and small.

The legendary, mouthwatering Punjabi Pappadum is doing it tough against the flashy new Burger Barn. There's something sinister going on and it's down to best mates Veejay, Dexter and Travis to get to the bottom of it.

A realistic novel told by twelve year old Aggie who lives in Melbourne with her mother, siblings and new dog, Bruce.

A recognised art expert looks at the astonishing diversity of visual work done by Indigenous Australians today, while exploring the traditions and influences that shaped their work. Although much Indigenous art is part of an artistic movement over forty thousand years old, Indigenous artists also have a remarkable capacity to use new media, styles and subject matter in their work.

An illustrated, factual book about shells, nests, mounds, bowers, galleries, dens and lodges. These are homes that animals around the world build to shelter themselves and their young.

Explores the developing technology and economy of Australia at the hands of the new white settlers: whaling, sealing, farming, timber-felling, ship-building, exploring and transporting goods by land and sea.

The complete history of Australian homes from pre-European settlement to modern day dwellings.

Magical pearl-shell pendants, greenstone axe-heads, belts made of human hair, outriggers for canoes, songs and dances, body paint, feathers, extra strong glue, cloaks made of 80 possum skins sewn with kangaroo sinew were traded around Australia before white settlement. All this happened without money until the Macassans and then the Europeans arrived.

Find out how steam power changed Australia. You can read about paddle steamers trading up and down the nation's waterways, steam-powered factories churning out everything from biscuits to iron ships, new railways slashing travel times and all kinds of new jobs for fettlers and firemen, puddlers and pumpers, barge-masters and billy-boys.

This is the real life account of the seemingly impossible ride from Tamworth to Port Macquarie which Lorin undertook as a sixteen year old school student. With his father as backup, Lorin rode his trusty, old mountain bike 275km across the Great Dividing Range in just three days and with less than ten per cent vision.

Arianwyn fails her witch's assessment. To the delight of her arch-rival, Gimma, Arianwyn is awarded the dull bronze disc of an apprentice and, in disgrace, sent to protect the remote, dreary town of Lull. But, Arianwyn's new life is far from boring. Dark spirits and strange creatures creep out of the wood. And just as Arianwynn starts to get her feet under her, shadows start to creep into her own magic.

Dr Boogaloo was no ordinary doctor. Not at all like the one you might visit if you had a sore tummy. No, Dr Boogaloo was a very different type of doctor. He treated folks who suffered from rather unusual complaints. And how did he treat them? Why, with the most powerful medicine known to mankind...Music! Blue was no ordinary girl. For starters, her name was Blue. But what was truly extraordinary about Blue was the fact that she hadn't laughed for 712 days. Not a hee hee, a ho ho or even a tiny tee hee. According to Dr Boogaloo, music can cure anything. But no laughter was definitely a case for alarm. Can Dr Boogaloo compose a cure before Blue loses her laughter forever?

High on the snowy slopes of the Mabombo ranges lies the Grandest Hotel on Earth. This is the most magical, fantastical place on Earth where even seeing is not believing. When ordinary Vincent has the opportunity to leave his life for a short while and experience this grand place he cannot believe his fortune. What he doesn't count on are the temptations and life altering choices he will have to make.

A mind-boggling expedition into the secrets of the Animal Kingdom with only an invisible map of the human heart as a guide. (Unless, of course, you count the talking parrot.) What on Earth could possibly go wrong? Sal has always had an affinity with animals - especially the lost kind. But when two rare and endangered creatures appear out of nowhere, life takes a detour into strange and uncharted territory... One elephant, one kakapo, one unlicensed teenage driver, one boy waiting for the world to end and one twelve-year-old girl with a very special gift.

The security guard at the Town Hall Gallery has a big problem. Some of the priceless masterpieces have been stolen and replaced with cunning forgeries. The guard needs your sharp eyes and patience to identify the fake paintings.

The yellow letter arrived on a Saturday, otherwise Henry would have been at school. The envelope was such a bright, sunny colour, no one would have believed that it contained a bombshell. Less than 10 minutes after the arrival of the mysterious letter, Henry is on the run with his Auntie Pearl, possibly never to return home. Henry has a secret. He is twelve, but he hasn't aged a day since the moment he was thrust a hundred years into the future. Now his secret has put him in danger. His only hope is the protection of the Guardians of the Lost.

Anya and her older sister Morven are the Princesses of Trallonia. But life is not easy for the royal sisters, especially since their evil step-step-father Duke Rikard has arrived with plans of ruling the kingdom for himself. Worse still, he is a clever and powerful sorcerer whose latest spell has turned Morven's boyfriend Denholm into a frog! While Morven doesn't seem to even care about losing her friend, it's now up to Princess Anya, Ardent the talking royal dog and a magically transformed newt to save both Denholm and the Kingdom from the ambitions of the wicked Duke Rikard. Steeped in fairy tale lore, this book is a celebration of fantasy writing.

A collection of four fantastic stories in which rude video pirates kidnap an unfortunate boy, a feisty princess takes on a monster, a foundling is sure his lost parents should be scientific types like him and not the monsters and pirates who keep turning up to claim him, and a rather interesting sea serpent and an enchanted penguin get together.

Jack and Jaide Shield have defended themselves against The Evil before -- but it's never been as dangerous as this. It isn't just the town of Portland that's threatened, it's the whole Earth . . . and certain dimensions beyond. The Wardens have devised a plan to get rid of The Evil once and for all. The only problem is that destroying The Evil may also mean abandoning some innocent people -- including one of the twins. The battle against The Evil is going to places it's never been -- places Jack and Jaide would have never even imagined possible. Their mission is clear: survive the storm that's coming, and save the ones who are missing.

The ancient instruments in the antique shop begin registering evil activity, and Grandma X knows more than she's willing to reveal. Meanwhile, their companion cats must fight a bloodthirsty battle of their own.

Can twins Jack and Jaide find the mysterious Golden Card of Translocation and make it out of the castle alive, fighting animal agents of The Evil.

After their home explodes around them, twins Jack and Jaide are sent to stay with a grandmother they have never met. Grandma X and her cats are a little strange, but the swarms of cockroaches and a miniature tornado in their bedroom makes this town dangerous.

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 Erdas, the spirit animal bond bridges the human and animal worlds. Conor, Abeke, Meilin and Rollan have this special gift and the grave responsibility that comes with it. But, the Conquerors are trying to destroy this balance by swallowing whole cities, in their rush for power. Meilin has set off into enemy territory with her spirit animal, a panda named Jhi. Her friends aren't far behind but the enemy is everywhere.

An illustrated book depicting environmental concerns by Oodgeroo Noonuccal, a poet and an activist for Aboriginal rights.

Meet the prehistoric masters of the earth and discover how ancient fossils and footprints reveal their awesome world. See a dinosaur's skin and examine evidence that proves some species were cannibals.

Set in Bondi, a boy moves from the country to the city following the death of his father.

The Great Barrier Reef is so huge it can be seen from space and the whole thing runs on solar power. The wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and the need to protect it are revealed through beautiful photographs, interesting information and a glossary of terms.

For us air-breathing land dwellers, life under the water is curious and amazing. The deeper you go, the more extraordinary life becomes. An amazing variety of octopuses and squids are revealed through beautiful photographs, detailed information and a glossary of terms.

Some are shy, some are curious and some are grumpy enough to give you a slap as you walk by. But, all penguins are amazing. Includes seventeen different species of penguin, with fact boxes and descriptions of penguin physiology and habitats.

Sharks have been around since before the dinosaurs and there are more than 370 types of sharks in the world. Some are ferocious and others are just plain shy. Beautiful photographs and detailed information reveal the majesty of the shark and why many varieties are protected.

From the surface to the deepest depth, meet the amazing, bizarre and, sometimes, creepy creatures that live in the ocean.

Antarctica is at the bottom of our planet and the coldest place on earth. Find out about the animals that live there and how these clever creatures survive. Includes detailed information, beautiful colour photos and a scale to measure each animal against humans.

Jack is surprised but delighted when his big brother, Tom, invites him to go fishing. Of course, there's a catch. Jack is just the right size to fit through the shed window to borrow Dad's favourite fishing lure. There's also another job for Jack, he's to be the lookout to spot crocodile bubbles while Tom and his mate fish for barramundi.

When Julius Zebra finds himself shipwrecked on the shores of Egypt with his trusty companions, little did he know he would soon finds himself mistaken for an Egyptian horse God, Heter. While he enjoys all the perks, there is a downside. What happens when the Egyptian people realise he is not really Heter but a Zebra? Follow the adventures of Julius, Brutus and their friends to see if they escape.

Meet Julius Zebra. We all know zebras are handsome, eat lots of grass and are always getting eaten by lions. Let's face it, they can be a bit boring and stupid, too. But, a tussle with a grumpy gladiator can change a zebra. So, cheer on our stripey hero, Julius, as he scraps for survival in history's deadliest theatre, the Colosseum. Just don't call him a horse or Debra.

From a smelly watering hole, deep in the heart of the Serengeti, to the ferocious clamour of the Colosseum, join Julius Zebra and his motley menagerie of friends as they gear up to be gladiators. Only if they win the love of the Roman crowds will they win back their freedom.

It's the beginning of term for Elizabella and her gang, but instead of being a fresh start, it's a rotten one. The school is falling apart and misery sets in when a big corporation takes over the tuckshop, leaving poor Miss Duck out of a job. Meanwhile, there's a lice outbreak at Bilby Creek Primary and a competition to write the School Song. How will Elizabella deal with all of this? In true Elizabella style, of course!

Excitement is in the air as Elizabella - poet, fixer of fairytales and the biggest prankster in the history of her school - heads off to camp with the rest of her class. But when Larry the Lizard learns she's headed to Lizard Lake he stows away in her suitcase, dreaming of discovering the other sentient lizards rumoured to be living there. Soon, Elizabella begins having strange dreams and wonders if Lizard Lake is haunted. Meanwhile back at Bilby Creek, Martin madly searches for Larry, eventually stumbling on another lizard who looks exactly like him. After discovering who is really haunting Lizard Lake, Larry and Elizabella return home to solve another mystery. Who is the imposter hanging out with Martin?

It's the end of the year and everything is changing at Bilby Creek. Elizabella and her gang are about to become seniors, cousin Isabeth comes to stay and Toddberry (or "Todd" as he insists on being called now) gets a girlfriend! Not to mention huge news from Minnie which could turn everything upside down. With all that going on, there may be just enough room for another Elizabella prank or two before the curtains close on Year Four... After an excursion to the theatre, Elizabella is determined to put on a play at school. And while Mr Gobblefrump agrees, he insists on a budget of exactly zero dollars. Can she pull it off? With a little help from her friends, you never know. Good luck, Elizabella - or "Break a leg" as they say!

Elizabella, ten and a quarter, is a poet, fixer of fairytales and the biggest prankster in the history of Bilby Creek Primary. And when her plans involve making a swimming pool in the playground without consulting a single teacher, the students are behind her every step of the way. But what happens when Minnie, an even bigger prankster, shows up? Can Bilby Creek handle them both? And more importantly, can they handle each other?

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.

Cara lives in the shadow of the Wall, a wall which protects its citizens from the outside world. By following the government's rules, Cara and her sister are safe, even when their parents are away doing important work for the government. When Cara befriends Leon and Ava, she begins to question what she has always known. Ava doesn't seem to think the rules are all that important. Perhaps that is why she disappears.

Maud Mulligan is 12 years old and her life in the slums of London is going from bad to worse. Fortune telling is all the rage but Maud wonders if it's better not to know what's coming. When she is suddenly pulled into the car of a rich and commanding woman, Maud must use all of her wits, determination, new found friends and special gift to take hold of her own destiny.

Having lost their home, the family must start a new life in a lost boot. Arrietty finds the outdoors exhilarating, while Homily finds it dangerous and dirty. They believe there must be other 'Borrowers' or little people out there but they don't know where.

Pod, Homily and Arrietty must leave the safety of their new house and venture out into the great, big world. On the way to Little Fordham, a miniature model town, they discover the world is a dangerous place for someone as small as a Borrower.

The Clocks are starting their new life in Little Fordham. Unknown to them, the greedy Mr. Platter has built a rival model village. He kidnaps them for his own model. These little people must escape or remain the prisoners of huge human 'beans'.

The Clocks have escaped and moved from the lovely miniature village to the rectory at Little Fordham, finally reunited with relatives who are also 'Borrowers'. The terrible Platters return, as desperate as ever to capture Arietty and her family.

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.

The Borrowers are human-like but only a few centimetres tall. They live under the floorboards, borrowing what they need from the 'human beans' above and sometimes placing themselves in great danger doing so.

The last time the peacocks, William Shakespeare and Virginia, went missing Cassie found them sitting on a coiled hose behind the fire station, and Dad called 'Cassie Andersen, Peacock Detective'. So this time she knows what to do - she'll look for clues, write down all the important details in her Notebook for noticing and track them down. But the clues lead her in unexpected directions, and Cassie finds herself investigating a puzzling mystery about her family, searching for a missing friend, and facing her worst fear. And, in the middle of it all, she is working out how to be a writer.

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.

Jack is a savvy twelve year old who may not be a genius like his foster siblings, Ava and Matt, but is funny, brave and capable of great things. When the trio meets Dr. Hank Witherspoon, an eccentric inventor, the tweens agree to work for him and are thrilled to be invited to Antarctica where Hank will judge the prestigious Clutterbuck Prize. Thrust into the extreme world of McMurdo Station, they find intrigue when a scientist and her groundbreaking research goes missing. With the collaboration of his innovative siblings and their wacky gadgets, can Jack piece together the clues to solve the mystery in time?

Jack is a savvy twelve year old who may not be a genius like his foster siblings, Ava and Matt, but is funny, brave and capable of great things. Together with their mentor, Dr. Hank Witherspoon, the trio are off to Hawaii to the island home of Ashley Hawking, tech billionaire. Hawking and engineer, Rosa Morris, have built a revolutionary underwater electricity plant that harvests energy from the deep ocean. But someone has sabotaged their project. There are many suspects on the island and Jack and the geniuses find themselves in deep water when they attempt to expose the culprit. They will need to use all their creativity and resourcefulness to survive.

Jack is a savvy twelve year old who may not be a genius like his foster siblings, Ava and Matt, but is funny, brave and capable of great things. When Dr. Hank Witherspoon's lab is broken into and Hank disappears, the trio find themselves trekking through the Amazon jungle in search of their mentor. It seems Hank's project to generate and store electricity inspired by electric eels is highly sought after. There are many dangers, strange creatures and shady characters to contend with. When they are captured and discover a dark secret the innovative group devise a bold but risky solution. Does Jack have the courage to scale the heights and save the rainforest?