Booklists

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.

A collection of thirteen short stories providing an eclectic mix of Garth Nix's writing spanning several years. Included are an Old Kingdom story, an Arthurian legend, a war story, a western, a traditional tale with a twist and a very funny, choose-your-own-adventure spoof.

A collection of ten, strange stories, including one about a person who swam so much, he grew fins.

Bestsellers. Award-winners. Superstars. This anthology has them all. With brilliantly entertaining short stories from beloved young adult authors Amie Kaufman, Melissa Keil, Will Kostakis, Ellie Marney, Jaclyn Moriarty, Michael Pryor, Alice Pung, Gabrielle Tozer, Lili Wilkinson and Danielle Binks, this all-new collection will show the world exactly how much there is to love about Aussie YA.

From paddle-boarding down the Thames in a Santa hat, to wild swimming in a glacial river, Bill considers the exhilaration of the outdoors, as well as the quieter pleasures of clearing out your moth-eaten grey t-shirts. He attempts to see beyond the mumbo-jumbo of the wellness industry and aims for the heart of real joy and contentment - and how we can all achieve it. This collection of funny, meditative and thoughtful essays seeks out simplicity and clarity as a corrective to the endless background noise of anxiety-inducing news chatter. Whether it's whooping aloud while cycling through a pine forest, putting pen to paper, or immersing yourself in music, Bill's guide to happiness is an antidote to the frenetic whirl of modern life. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Black is...sisters navigating their relationship at summer camp in Portland, Oregon, as written by Renee Watson. Black is... three friends walking back from the community pool talking about nothing and everything, in a story by Jason Reynolds. Black is... Nic Stone's high-class beauty dating a boy her momma would never approve of. Black is... two girls kissing in Justina Ireland's story set in Maryland. Black is urban and rural, wealthy and poor, mixed race, immigrants, and more -- because there are countless ways to be Black enough. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

The Book That Made Me is a celebration of the books that influenced some of the most acclaimed authors from Australia and the world. A perfect collection of personal stories from fantastic authors such as Markus Zusak, Jaclyn Moriarty, Shaun Tan, Mal Peet, Ambelin Kwaymullina, Simon French, Fiona Wood, Simmone Howell, Bernard Beckett, Ursula Dubosarsky, Rachael Craw, Sue Lawson, Felicity Castagna, Benjamin Law, Cath Crowley, Kate Constable, James Roy, Alison Croggon, Will Kostakis and Randa Abdel-Fattah. What stories inspired them, and made them who they are today? Read this book and find out! Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

All of the seven tales in this collection have one thing in common. They are stories of young women who face darkness and danger, but who prevail against the odds because of the brightness of their spirit and the strength of their resolve. The Moon is saved from the bog by the courage of those who love her bright light... Fenella stays silent for seven years and weaves cloth from nettles to save her brothers... Nastia must learn to survive alone in the land of the midnight sun... Jiayang, daughter of the Emperor of China, devises an impossible quest for her unwanted suitors...Jennet holds fast to her beloved, despite the cruel enchantments the Faery Queen casts upon him... Sofiya outwits the Tsar and so wins his love and respect... Molly Whuppie outwits a giant and saves her sisters... These stories of bright young women will remind readers of their own inner radiance, which gives them power to illuminate the whole world.

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

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

Helen Sykes has combined a selection of stories by some of Australia's best-known authors. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A collection of different versions of folk and fairy stories designed to encourage secondary students to consider different points of view and the ways stories can change over time.

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

Australian refugee stories is a unique anthology of essays, interviews, and stories written by children and young adults. The stories are the finest of hundreds collected through a nationwide schools competition in 2002. The essays and stories represent many different countries and themes. Some focus on survival, some on horrors, some on the experiences and alienation of a new world. This book is usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above, and contains stories featuring difficult and potentially confronting subjects and experiences.

A new version of this much-loved anthology features an exclusive, new tale - written by Naomi Alderman, author of The Power - that will star the Thirteenth Doctor, as she battles to save the universe with her three close and trusted friends. Other authors featured are: Eoin Colfer, Michael Scott, Marcus Sedgwick, Philip Reeve, Patrick Ness, Richelle Mead, Malorie Blackman, Alex Scarrow, Charlie Higson, Derek Landy, Neil Gaiman, and Holly Black.

WE ARE ALL STORIES, IN THE END... Fifteen tales of ancient wonder and mystery, passed down through generations of Time Lords. Dark, beautiful and twisted, these stories are filled with nightmarish terrors and heroic triumphs, from across all of time and space. Usually read by students in year 9, 10 and above.

In one of the four stories in this book of Stevenson's classic horror stories, the cursed Dr Jekyll finds himself transformed by a scientific experiment into the evil Mr Hyde.

A collection of science fiction and fantasy writing, including six graphic stories, showcasing twenty exciting writers and artists from India and Australia. Dive into these stories and see how girls cope with the dangers of worlds gone mad. Every story is a journey and each story has its own magic. Includes some violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Within this masterful collection, each setting is more strange and wonderful than the last, brimming with new technologies. Yet for all of the advances in these futuristic lands, the people must still confront deeply human problems. In these six short stories, Veronica Roth reaches into the unknown and draws forth something startlingly familiar and profoundly beautiful. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Sixteen stories, which centre round family life, are written by well-known and unknown writers. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Ten short stories about some of the worst fires in history, two with a strong environmental content. They include fires from the great fire in London in 1666 to the fire of the Chenobyl nuclear disaster in 1986.

Eight handsome, ambiguous pictures provide inspiration for eight creepy ghost and horror stories. Includes a cautionary tale for anyone who has been unkind to a younger sibling.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Amnesty International, this engaging book contains a great collection of entertaining and thought-provoking stories. Each story relates directly to one of the thirty articles about individual rights and responsibilities that make up the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Twenty short stories that tell the story of Mana, a young Walmajarri girl growing up in the Great Sandy Desert. The harshness of the landscape, the importance of water, how hunting was carried out, the complexity of family relationships and the obligations of kinship are captured at a time before European settlement dramatically changed the traditional way of life. Includes a Walmajarri pronunciation guide and language glossary.

This is a book for anyone who has loved a dog and known their love in return. It uses real life situations to show how a dog can improve our mental and physical health as well as our quality of life. With each story, it becomes more and more obvious how dogs can support us, comfort us and even save our lives. Drawing on science, research and in depth personal interviews, this book demonstrates that the dog-human bond is the most extraordinary cross-species friendship on the planet.

Diverse stories about family ties and personal experiences, written by Australian and Irish authors. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Within this series of short stories you will never be sure where reality ends and imagination begins. Paths are travelled by a variety of seekers, a boy searches for his true name, a beast discovers hope and a group of pilgrims is led by a song on a ancient journey. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

This is a compilation of ten stories about the human response to war, with settings such as the Falklands, Sarajevo and Jerusalem.

A beautifully bound and illustrated collection of some of the more unusual tales from The Brothers Grimm alongside the much-loved classics. With a translation by Margaret Hunt that pulls no punches, these retellings are as original as you will find, opening a magical world of fairy tales and folk lore to inspire imaginations and readers of all ages and generations. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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.

People of African descent have been in Australia for at least 200 years, having arrived here in many different ways- directly from the continent; via the Caribbean, the Americas and the United Kingdom; making the journey to Australia over one generation, or several. What is it like to grow up African in Australia? This anthology showcases diverse voices, experiences and stories in order to answer that question. Accounts from well-known authors and high-profile cultural and sporting identities sit alongside newly discovered voices of all ages, with experiences spanning regions, cities and generations. All of the pieces call for understanding, oftentimes challenging stereotypes, always demanding respect. Growing Up African aims to defy, question or shed light on the many stereotypes that currently exist about the vibrant extended African community in Australia. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

A collection of Wilde's classic stories that include The Selfish Giant and The Happy Prince. The story of the statue of a once pleasure-loving Prince who, with the help of a once selfish swallow, helps the poor and suffering people in their distress.

This #LoveOzYA anthology - the first to focus entirely on horror - unites a stellar cast of Australia's finest YA authors with talented new and emerging voices, including two graphic artists. The stories in this wide-ranging collection dig deep and go hard. While some are straight-up terrifying rollercoaster rides, others are psychologically rooted in our society's deepest fears and concerns: acceptance and fitting in, love and loss, desire and temptation, and the terror of a world threatened by catastrophic change -- and even collapse. From body horror to the supernatural, hauntings to transformations, and the everyday evil of humans to menacing outside forces, Hometown Haunts will have you glued to your chair... until you leap out of it! Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

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.

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.

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

The book tells the stories of the Butchulla people, the Indigenous people of Fraser Island and the Fraser Coast, Queensland. Published in 1964, it was the first Aboriginal children's book to be published and was written and designed by Butchulla siblings Moonie Jarl (Wilf Reeves) and Wandi (Olga Miller), both of whom have since passed away. The Legends of Moonie Jarl gives a deeper understanding and appreciation of Butchulla culture among the broader community, and contributes to community pride locally.

A compilation of prize-winning stories from the annual ""Tim Winton Young Writers Competition"".

Sophisticated, simply well-written short stories that would appeal to both boys and girls dealing with mature themes including life choices, complex relationships and even time travel. Some strong language in context, may offend some readers. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

This is a collection of short stories about the ups and downs of adolescence.

A collection of short stories about friendship.

Meet Me at the Intersection is an anthology of short fiction, memoir and poetry by authors who are First Nations, People of Colour, LGBTIQA+ or living with disability. The focus of the anthology is on Australian life as seen through each author's unique, and seldom heard, perspective. With works by Ellen van Neerven, Graham Akhurst, Kyle Lynch, Ezekiel Kwaymullina, Olivia Muscat, Mimi Lee, Jessica Walton, Kelly Gardiner, Rafeif Ismail, Yvette Walker, Amra Pajalic, Melanie Rodriga, Omar Sakr, Wendy Chen, Jordi Kerr, Rebecca Lim, Michelle Aung Thin and Alice Pung, this anthology is designed to challenge the dominant, homogenous story of privilege and power that rarely admits "outsider" voices. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Includes five long stories and a novella. A girl is sent across the world to discover her destiny in the dark tunnels of the Metro. Another seeks a lost sister in a park where winter lasts forever. A young man fulfils a dying wish. A mother works magic to summon a princess for her son. A man seeks an ending to his story. An old man goes in search of his shadow. This is a world of desire and transformation, the real and the not real.

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.

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.

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.

In Norse Mythology, Gaiman takes the Norse myths and gives them new life; from the genesis of the legendary nine worlds, he delves into the exploits of the deities, dwarves, and giants, and culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and the rebirth of a new time and people. Gaiman stays true to the myths while vividly reincarnating Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin's son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki, the son of a giant, a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

In On Hope, one of the lead organisers of the Australian Climate strike, 17-year-old Daisy Jeffrey shows how ordinary people are fighting back and demanding we address climate change to help save our planet. Daisy was at the centre of a movement that joined people together to drive change. She reveals what prompted the action, what she and her friends believe and why she is choosing hope over indifference and standing up to speak truth to power.

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.

A collection of five inspiring and thought-provoking stories. Two stories have a fantasy theme and the others have a more conventional approach.

Children around the world have very different experiences of family and potential. Through poems, illustrations, novel excerpts and short stories 28 of the very best children's authors convey the obstacles that many face and strive to overcome with varying levels of success. Conceived and edited by a fifteen year old Australian school girl, this book demonstrates the power of the individual in making a difference.

Well-behaved women seldom make history. Good thing these women are far from well behaved . . . Rejected Princesses pays homage to an awesome collection of strong, fierce, and yes, sometimes weird, women: warrior queens, soldiers, villains, spies, revolutionaries, and more who refused to behave and meekly accept their place. An entertaining mix of biography, imagery, and humor, this thoroughly researched exploration salutes these awesome women drawn from both historical and fantastical realms, including real life, literature, mythology, and folklore. Each profile features an eye-catching image of both heroic and villainous women in command from across history and around the world, from a princess pirate in fifth century Denmark, to a rebel preacher in 1630s Boston, to a bloodthirsty Hungarian countess, and a former prostitute who commanded a fleet of more than 70,000 men on China's seas.

Stories about horses with some told by the horse. The collection includes the story of the first horse tamed by a young girl, King Arthur's horse and the special relationship between a boy and stallion.

Short stories from a range of authors using characters from the life and times of the legendary King Arthur. Each tells the story of a turning point or magical moment in the early life of that character and the consequence for the future.

Twelve short, engaging stories send readers on some humorous, tough and thought provoking journeys. The stories suit a wide range of reading abilities.

Eight short stories that provide a window into the little known world of teenagers growing up in different parts of the Arab world, including Iraq, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

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.

A collection of true maritime adventures across the seven seas with maps of the voyages. Contains the true life stories of danger, daring and saltwater including Francis Drake's first voyage across the Pacific Ocean.

Twelve of William Shakespeare's most famous plays are presented in narrative form.

A collection of short stories and poems in which to dip in and out. Some of Australia and New Zealand's best known writers and illustrators for children are featured as well as contributions from young people.

A range of authors and illustrators, both well known or not, present stories, poems and illustrations on the huge range of things which scare them, from freaky fairies to technology taking over.

A number of Michael Morpurgo's beautifully written short stories, each one preceded by insights from the author relating to the background of the story and how he came to write it.

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.

A brand new Skulduggery Pleasant novella for World Book Day: a hilarious and thrilling standalone story in the internationally bestselling series - perfect for new readers, and essential for Skulduggery fans! Three ancient gods are freed from their prison with only one desire: to destroy the planet and everyone on it. To save us all, Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain must go undercover in a Dublin school. Skulduggery has to blend in with the teaching staff, while Valkyrie has to pass for an ordinary schoolgirl. Above all else, no matter what happens, they both must act completely and utterly normal. We are so dead.

Smash the glass, climb through the window and enter the world of Skulduggery Pleasant with this complete story collection. After all, doors are for people without imagination.

The two halves of this book combine to bring together a collection of Dreaming stories and stories reminiscent of the author's childhood on Stradbroke Island.

Bug has a secret. Actually, he has lots of secrets. Number one: He has formed a basketball team at his new school based on a giant lie. Number two: his parents do not know he is playing basketball again. Number three: his new team mates have no idea he isn't allowed to play and they definitely do not know why. Bug will do anything to keep his secrets, keep his new team and keep his life from falling apart. No one can know the biggest secret of all.....

World-renowned artist Shaun Tan applies his unique imagination to a reflection on the nature of humans and animals, and our urban coexistence. From crocodile to frog, tiger to bee, this is a dark and surreal exploration of the perennial love and destruction we feel and inflict - of how animals can save us, and how our lives are forever entwined, for better or for worse.

These stories, legends from ancient Egypt, are of gods, magic and adventure, including the great myths of Amen-Ra of Isis.

Well-written, easily read short stories for young adults using simple, effective language to tackle mature themes like war and relationships including racial prejudice. Contains language that may offend some readers. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Thirteen short stories about being thirteen years old written by thirteen different authors. Includes spoilt birthday parties, peer pressure, embarrassing parents, finding your identity and being true to yourself.

Stories of ghostly fiction. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Sixteen short and very varied stories from modern fairy tales, comic essays and complex tales using poetic language. Mature themes and fantastic endings make for some great reads. Strong language used in context might offend some readers. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

A collection of eleven tales from the land of Tortall, featuring both previously unknown characters and old friends.

Stories of children famous for their talent, fortunes, protests, rebellion, prayers, heroism or just for hanging on through oppression and war, such as a young Genghis Khan, a seventeen year old maths professor, the wolf girls and a chess genius.

Short stories examining the mysteries, misconceptions, tragedies and the personal costs of the First World War. A well-written book giving young readers a sense of the past in the context of one of the bloodiest battles ever fought. A great read and ideal for reluctant readers.

Epic naval encounters between titanic warships, monumental battles involving hundreds of thousands of men and duels between lone snipers facing almost certain death. Dramatic and real life tales examine the tragedies and personal costs of the Second World War. For those who survived, it would remain the most intense and vivid experience of their lives.

An assortment of short stories and poems from 50 Australian authors, poets and illustrators. The contents are sorted by genre so, as the mood takes you, dip into adventure, horror, romance, crime, thriller, fantasy, science fiction, humour, historical or poetry. Try something new and discover an author, poet or writing style that you may not have considered before.

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.

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.

Written Portraits is a national writing competition that showcases young Australian writing, providing young writers with the opportunity to express inner feelings and emotions associated with being a teenager. The theme of this anthology is portrait at home. The short stories in this powerful anthology are all written by teenagers who are from a range of backgrounds. Each story expresses the sense of belonging or displacement to home, place or others. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Ten fanciful short stories offer vibrant snapshots of life. Each story is unique, covering a range of time periods and places, with weird and wonderful characters.

An excellent collection of classic and modern stories which speculate about the nature of aliens.