Booklists

Introducing Candice Phee: twelve years old, hilariously honest and a little... odd. But she has a big heart, the very best of intentions and an unwavering determination to ensure everyone is happy. So she sets about trying to 'fix' all the problems of all the people (and pets) in her life.

Discover thirty-five extraordinary houses, designed by the world's most prominent architects. Houses that look like pears, inflatable houses, igloos, tea houses and tree houses. Explains the inspiration behind each design and the materials used, including ecological options.

Australia is an island surrounded by ocean. Children grow up near the sea, have holidays by the sea or spend time on rivers, canals and dams. This collection of stories highlights the influence of water on children's lives.

When the residents of Tiger Beach Village claim to be visited by a ghost, Jake, Peter and Ruby set up a stake-out to catch the ghoul. Their surprise to find that the ghost is definitely not dead soon turns to determination to figure out who it is.

Michael has spent his life trying not to stare at his grandfather's scars. His grandfather's gruff manner and upsetting appearance always kept Michael from getting close. One summer, Michael must stay with his grandfather and he finally gets the courage to look directly at his grandfather and ask him to tell his story.

Fletcher Moon has graduated to be a fully qualified private detective. He's also only twelve years old. When a series of mysterious crimes occur across town, Fletcher finds himself in an exciting adventure, some violent incidents and in real danger.

Danny finds caring for his disabled dad very draining. Day to day tasks are repetitive and boring. But, all of that changes when Danny's neighbour goes away and asks him to feed the tropical fish. Danny discovers a secret in his neighbour's house that will change his life forever. He doesn't know much about sea creatures but he's sure that what he finds is extremely rare and magical.

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

Halo, abandoned as a baby and raised by centaurs, captured and torn from her happy home, disguises herself as a boy to have any freedom. Still under constant threat of enslavement and exposure, she lives the myths, legends and culture of ancient Greece from warring Sparta to Athens, searching for her identity.

Murder most foul. An action packed retelling of the blood-soaked story of Hamlet. This series gives young readers the chance to discover Shakespeare for themselves. Also included are useful notes on the themes within the stories and a background to the Globe Theatre.

More than an approaching cyclone hangs over Jeremy's family. His parents are struggling to save the farm during a drought and he spends his time squabbling with his younger sister, fishing with his best mate and failing to stay out of trouble. Includes some colloquial language within context.

Through letters written to loved ones, three characters reveal their most intimate thoughts about the conflict in World War II. Franz, a young Nazi soldier, has begun to question the rightness of the cause. Helga is a Russian girl, bent on joining the resistance. Susanna, a Jewess, has been separated from her husband and children, and condemned to the cruelty of a concentration camp.

Dogs and humans have been friends for thousands of years. Take a look at why dogs and humans have such a special relationship.

Hanna Kaminsky loves gymnastics, her best friend, chicken soup and reading. But, in September 1939, her happy life disappears. The Nazis have invaded Poland and are herding all Jewish people into ghettos in the cities. Hanna's family are forced into hiding in the country but this means trusting others. Hanna and her family are caught and sent to the Warsaw Ghetto where they must use whatever skills they have to survive.

Contemporary and humorous, this story is dotted with snippets of Japanese language and culture, as Hannah and her ghost friend attempt to solve an ancient riddle.

Eleven favourite Hans Christian Andersen classic stories, superbly bound and illustrated to celebrate his 200th birthday. Includes 'The princess and the pea', 'The emperor's new clothes', 'The Sandman' and 'The Nightingale'.

Neil Gaiman and Lorenzo Mattotti both remember the horror and fascination with which they read the Grimm Brothers' "Hansel and Gretel." The writer and the artist now join forces for a brilliant reimagining of one of humanity's most enduring tales.

Twelve-year-old Henrie is the first girl heir of the Melchior family in 200 years. This was deemed a dereliction of duty by the formidable Octavia Melchior, head of the House of Melchior (HoMe). For HoMe is in the business of heroes for hire. Boy heroes, that is. Girls have no place. When Henrie receives a mysterious note, it sets off a chain of events including a kidnapping, a fancy skateboard manoeuvre and a private jet and she discovers something rotten at the heart of HoMe. As past, present and future collide, HoMe is poised to come tumbling down... unless a new kind of hero can emerge from the rubble.

In 1942, Sergeant 'Griff' Griffin was a prisoner of war. With Christmas approaching, he decided to make a book for the children cooped up in nearby Changi Prison. The book was said to contain the secrets to happiness. Open this book and learn the true and inspirational story of the making of the Happiness Box book.

Harriet, a tortoise hatched in the Galapagos Islands, was brought to Australian in the 1800's. This is the true story of Harriet's life from colonial days to her death at 176 years old at Australia Zoo in 2006.

Harriet dreams of being a poet. Paul Picklebottom is constantly making her life difficult. Luckily, her best friend, Melly, is always there to comfort her. But, Harriet gets into a pickle when she finds out her best friend has a secret that she won't share.

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.

Harriet Bright is going to have the best holiday ever, as soon as four things happen in her life. Until then, she's in a real hullabaloo. The clever and zany Harriet Bright will get into your head and whisk you away on adventures.

Harriet Bright is a quirky, nine year old girl with a best friend, Melly Fanshawe. Three different, funny stories tell you why adults don't laugh as much as children, what might happen when you research your family history and what you do, if you enter a talent quest, to win a year's supply of chocolate bars.

Harriet spies on all the people in her neighbourhood and writes notes about them in her book.

Hope lives with her mum in the Pyrenees. It's always been just the two of them until Frank, a free-spirited traveller, arrives with Harry, his stubborn rescue donkey. Hope and Frank form a close bond and she feels lost when Frank decides to move on. Frank was more than just mum's boyfriend and understood Hope better than her mother does. Hope promises to look after Harry and, slowly, another special bond is made.

Harry Kruize is feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders. His father has left, starting another family elsewhere and he is the target of bullying at school, leaving him friendless and lonely. A term-long class assignment involving the writing down of personal wishes and documenting how they might be fulfilled allows Harry to tell his innermost feelings. He has six seemingly impossible wishes ranging from a normal family life, a dog, a friend, a certain bully to stop using him as a punching bag and to be an author. All of these will never happen or will they?

Liam just wants to go out running with his mates. It's not long till the Junior Great North Run. But, Mam needs him to help old Harry clear out his house. Harry knows a thing or two about running. He says when he was a lad, he ran twenty-one kilometres, from Newcastle to South Shields. This is the story of that day. Sweltering heat, clattering boots, briny sea air and the heavenly taste of ice cream.

Harry Potter is in his second year at Hogwarts and it is going to be just as exciting as the first. Harry must find out what is lurking in the Chamber of Secrets, and help defeat it in order to save his friends.

When a letter arrives for unhappy but ordinary Harry Potter, a decade old secret is revealed to him that apparently he is the last to know. His parents were wizards, killed by a Dark Lord's curse when Harry was just a baby, and which he somehow survived. Leaving his unsympathetic aunt and uncle for Hogwarts, a wizarding school brimming with ghosts and enchantments, Harry stumbles upon a sinister mystery when he finds a three headed dog guarding a room on the third floor. Then he hears of a missing stone with astonishing powers which could be valuable, dangerous or both. An incredible adventure is about to begin!

When Harry goes back for his third year at Hogwarts, the atmosphere is tense. There's an escaped murderer on the loose and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school. Lessons, however, must go on.

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.

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.

The soldiers came at night. 'Run" her father shouts "And don't stop". Hasina races into the forest to hide with her cousin and brother. When they emerge some days later everything has changed and her family has gone. Hasina must fight to save her family amid the escalating conflict that threatens her world and her identity.

Twelve-year-old Teddy is a footy star in the making. He plays rugby league at home on the farm. He plays for the Menangle Meerkats with his friends from school. But when a storm turns his team's playing fields into a mud-pit, Teddy is faced with the worst decision of his life: if he wants to keep playing, he will need to switch teams from the Meerkats to their arch rivals - the Camden Rams. But can a Meerkat really be a Ram? Based on James's own footy-playing childhood, Hat-Trick Teddy encourages kids to follow their dreams regardless of the obstacles in their way.

A gothic fairytale about an unusual family, comprising a grieving mother, an exceptional child, a grandpa who is an eccentric apothecary and a domineering aunty. The arrival of a three legged baby from a giant blue egg is the tonic that Mama needs and a delightful distraction for Martha, who is trying to find her own special talent in the world.

Jack is pleased that Mrs Stretchberry is his teacher again this year. The only problem is she likes cats and he hates them. Or, at least, he does until he gets to know some kittens and reads some poetry about cats.

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.

No matter how much Olive longs for a pet rabbit. it is never going to happen. Not when she lives in an Australian country town where most people think they are a pest. So imagine Olive's shock when she unexpectedly finds not one, but one hundred and one rabbits. And one of them can talk. How Olive will hide and protect the rabbits will be her greatest challenge and adventure. She is also preparing for the Year 5 play. At least she has her costume ready. But the old top hat she found in the local op shop is very odd and strange.

When Georgia and her brother, Ned, are sent for a holiday on their relatives' farm, they are not happy. Ned makes friends with his cousin so Georgia explores the farm on her own, discovering an old homestead which she thinks will make a cool hideout. But, Georgia is not alone and is befriended by a mysterious girl, Lily, who is not what she seems. The children soon discover they are playing with fire.

Slappy's back! The demented dummy and all his creepy pals are back for this sequel to the hit 2015 Goosebumps movie. Scholastic's early reader has all the chills, thrills, and laugh-out-loud horror of the new movie. Illustrated with 48 pages of color photos from the movie! Based on the 2018 Goosebumps film.

JUST CALL HIM PRUNE FACE! Steve Boswell will never forget Carly Beth's Halloween mask. It was so gross. So terrifying. But this year Steve wants to have the scariest costume on the block. So he gets a mask from the same store where Carly Beth got hers. It looks like a creepy old man. With stringy hair. A wrinkled face. And spiders crawling out of the ears! Steve's definitely got the scariest mask around. Too bad he's starting to feel so old. And so tired. And so evil...

Discover the original bone-chilling adventures that made Goosebumps one of the best-selling children's book series of all time! Carly Beth thinks she's found the best Halloween mask ever. With its yellow-green skin and long animal fangs the mask terrifies the entire neighbourhood. Before long, it has a surprising effect on Carly Beth too. She tries to take it off... but it won't budge! Halloween is almost over, but fright night is just beginning. Now with all-new bonus materials!

He's hearing voices . . . from another world! Tommy Frazer's dad just got married. Now Tommy's got a new mom. And he's going to a new school -- Bell Valley Middle School. Tommy doesn't hate school. But it's hard making friends. And his new school is so big, it's easy to get lost. Which is exactly what happens. Tommy gets lost -- lost in a maze of empty classrooms. And that's when he hears the voices. Kids' voices crying for help. Voices coming from behind the classroom walls...

Sammy Baker, 12, is a quiet kid who wishes he wasn't so shy and timid. He is frightened but eager to prove he can be brave. On Halloween night, he follows his friends to the Barlow House, an abandoned mansion on the edge of the woods. Just past midnight, he feels a cold tingle at the back of his neck. The cold seeps down, a heavy chill he has never felt before. Sammy doesn't realise that his body has been invaded by a ghost known as The Haunter. The Haunter takes over Sammy's brain and gives him instructions that he has to obey. But The Haunter's commands become more and more dangerous. And then life-threatening. And to his horror, Sammy realises The Haunter's goal-to turn Sammy into a ghost, too!

Hazel's plan backfires and she finds she's the villain. It will take courage and determination to prove what really happened.

Hazel Green is a precocious eleven year old that people either love or hate. When she gets an idea in her head no-one can stop her, not even the many intimidating adults that she must contend with.

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.

When Poppy Fields and her best friend, Graham, design a murder mystery trail for the school fete, it's supposed to be a bit of fun by choosing the head teacher to be the corpse at the end. But, when the first person to finish discovers that the head really is dead, Poppy and Graham set out on a real life murder trail.

While on school camp, Tenille has an accident that leads to a close encounter with an alien called Zem. In fact, the alien is too close, closer than she could ever imagine.

They've got a real head start . . . . Everyone knows about Hill House. It's the biggest tourist attraction in town. That's because it's haunted. Haunted by the ghost of a thirteen-year-old boy. A boy with no head! Duane and Stephanie love Hill House. It's dark. And creepy. And totally scary. Still, they've never actually seen the ghost. Until the night they decide to go on a search. A search for his head . . . .

Jessica Bowen and Ryan Chang bring home a two-headed "joke" coin from the HorrorLand souvenir shop. A simple coin toss transports them to a world of terror. They find themselves back in time, being chased by guards who accuse them of beheading the prince. Unless they can avenge him and reunite him with his head, their own heads will be on the chopping block!

Once there was a girl whose life was filled with wonder at the world around her. Then, one day, something happened that made the girl take her heart and put it in a safe place. However, after that, it seemed that the world was even emptier than before. It takes another little girl to demonstrate that life is there to be lived.

Stacey wishes she could be more like her friend, Twyla. Twyla is confident, Stacey isn't. Twyla is daring, Stacey isn't. When a gypsy gives Stacey a gold heart pin, everything changes and Stacey starts behaving like the person she has always wanted to be.

At five, little orphan Heidi is sent to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. The villagers are afraid of him but Heidi is fascinated by his long beard and bushy eyebrows. She loves her life, playing in the sunshine amongst the goats and birds. But, one terrible day, Heidi is collected by her aunt and made to live with a new family in town. Heidi can't bear to be away from her grandfather and wants to find her way back up the mountain.

A cross between Dickens and Monty Python, this is the second book in the Unlikely Explots trilogy chronicling the adventures of the McNally family. Fergal McNally's pickled brain has been stolen. The McNally children must stop fiendish Mr Maggs.

Find out all about the amazing types of helicopters, how they are made, how they operate and how to fly them.

"Hello and welcome to our corroboree. Hello and welcome to our gathering. Father Sky, Mother Earth, together here with me. Different colours, different people, together in harmony." Feel the welcome as we celebrate Indigenous culture, Elders and future generations. Join the corroboree in the traditional Gamilaraay language of the Kamilaroi people as we listen and learn together. A wonderful companion to Gregg Dreise's highly acclaimed My Culture and Me, this joyful picture book celebrates Australia's Indigenous heritage and the diversity we enjoy today.

A family is walking home on a very dark night. It;s hard to see clearly - what is that shadow? And what is that noise??? Turn the pages of this intriguing and atmospheric book and join the family as they discover what the dark night is hiding. Hello, Hello was written and illustrated by students from Laverton, Menzies and Tjuntjuntjara remote community schools at the third Spinifex Camp, sponsored by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. The students were joined by ILF ambassador and award-winning illustrator Ann James and singer/songwriter Chris Aitken, and together they have produced a book that will intrigue, surprise and delight readers of all ages.

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.

Ludo's dad has just been elected as an Independent in Federal Parliament, which means a big move to Canberra. Top on his list of priorities is to find the local Scout group and continue his journey with the Scouts. Little does he realise just how important his scouting skills will turn out to be.

Twelve-year-old twins Jillian and Jackson are startled when they discover they can read each other's thoughts. But that's not all. They can read other people's thoughts, too! The strange new powers are exciting...at first. But soon they discover that somebody else knows their secret. Somebody who will stop at nothing to control their powers. They can't start trusting people in HorrorLand, either. One of the kids might be a traitor. Every time it looks as if they are getting away, the bad guys are waiting for them. Who's to blame?

There's no doubt about it, our planet is in trouble. So what can YOU do to help? This hands-on guide to practical choices and actions provides helpful checklists of things you can do. You'll find clear guidelines on planet-friendly shopping, eating and travel, as well as ways to save energy, deal with waste, and get drastic about plastic. With the help of this book, YOU can make a difference to the future of our planet.

'It's not easy being a hero. Ask Henrie Melchior. She's about to begin her very first Hero Hunt. Marley Hart needs a hero, but she's not convinced Henrie's the hero for her. When a message from the grave, a missing Egyptian statue, a pea man and secret codes collide with Violetta Villarne from Villains Incorporated. Henrie Melchior wishes she'd never left HoMe. Two girls. One boy. A great aunt. A mystery.

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.

Henry Hoey Hobson arrives at his sixth school, a small, Catholic school, to discover he is the only boy in his grade. There are three male misfits a year below him. Fatherless, friendless and non-Catholic, Henry earns a reputation as a vampire when ill-fitting braces make his mouth bleed.

Henry V presents the story of a battle for power after the legendary Hundred Years War. This series gives young readers the chance to discover Shakespeare for themselves. Also included are useful notes on the themes within the stories and a background to the Globe Theatre.

Although Siobhan's mother died when she was small, she can remember her mother's hands, her voice and her words. But, no matter how hard she tries, Siobhan cannot remember her mother's face. She'd ask her father but he is too sad and Siobhan carries her grief deep within her. One day, a woman shows her how to remember and has a message for Siobhan's father.

In a strange mansion miles from anywhere, an orphan named Almanac and a twelfth daughter named Etta find themselves working - and bickering - side by side in the largely deserted rooms. But soon they realise that the house and its inhabitants are not quite what they seem, and there's more at stake than just their jobs. Can they solve the puzzle of Her Perilous Mansion before it's too late?

The infamous, Most Wanted Goosebumps characters are out on the loose and after you.. Kelli and Shawn Anderson are not excited about having to move to another state - especially because their new home is directly next to a giant swamp. But their dad is a scientist and he's going down there to study the local flora and fauna. Unfortunately for Kelli and Shawn, there seem to be some very strange creatures that live around their house. They keep hearing about the legend of the Shaggedy, an ancient beast that lives far below the surface of the swamp and can cause a whole lot of damage. Can Kelli and Shawn convince their dad to move back home before it is too late?"

Nine year old Sam is always in trouble. He has a kind heart but more challenges than most children his age. After getting into trouble with the police, Sam thinks things can't get any worse. But, it seems that this is just the beginning.

Ware is looking forward to a summer with his lively grandmother instead of the loud and sweaty recreation centre where he is usually sent. However, after his grandma has an accident he finds himself sent back to the dreadful rec centre. Then he meets tough but secretive Jolene who brings him to an abandoned chuch which becomes a place of refuge, but this special place is threatened and Ware promises to save it. Can he be this hero in the real world?

Heritage is a complex concept. Heritage helps to make us who we are and shapes our local community and our country. Selected Australian heritage sites introduced in interesting photographs, location maps and websites for further research.

Stephanie Owen Reeder's award-winning Heritage Heroes series retells the remarkable true stories of famous Australians, while providing historical insights into their lives. 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.

From real-life stories of rangers around the world. Do you have the courage to be a ranger in danger? You're going to South America as a ranger in training and you can't wait! Stinky skunks, gigantic tarantulas, Mayan ruins, and flesh-eating piranhas... Someone's threatening the last Pinta tortoise in the world. Can you save him and stop the evil mastermind, Hernando? Your fate is in your hands.

Leo dreams of being a hero. In his imagination, he is a fearless gladiator but he wants to be a hero in real life. When the boys at school dare him to do something he knows is wrong, Leo lets everybody down.

In 1942, a World War II campaign between Australia and Japan occurred on a track, the Kokoda Trail. The track begins in Kokoda, in Papua New Guinea, and winds its way through rugged mountains towards Port Moresby. The Kokoda Track is only one hundred kilometres long but the tropical conditions made it a mudslide. Australian troops were ill-equipped and unprepared, and completely outnumbered.

Twelve-year-old Louie lives with her brothers, Bert and Teddy, and their Hungarian grandparents, in the Majestic Boutique Hotel, an old-world establishment surrounded by magnolia trees and an aura of peace. But when Louie finds an old rose-gold locket covered in mysterious writing, she learns that it isn't just the magnolias her grandparents have carefully cultivated at the Majestic -with their peace and tranquility comes secrets they would prefer remain buried. As Louie and her brothers attempt to discover the truth, they are thrown back in time to 1944, into the middle of their grandparents' experiences in Nazi-occupied Budapest. The old locket holds the mystery of the young heroes of Budapest's secret Jewish underground, and the history Louie's grandparents want to keep hidden. And until it can be revealed, there can be no peace for anyone - in the past, present or future.

Powerful and exciting: here are seven inspiring stories about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from history. Amongst these are Patyegarang, a Darug woman who worked with a British officer of the First Fleet, teaching him words from local Aboriginal languages - together they made the first written record of any Aboriginal languages; Mohara Wacando-Lifu, a woman of Torres Strait Islander, Niue Islander and Papua New Guinea heritage and the first Indigenous woman to receive the Royal Humane Society's Gold Medal for bravery; Yarri and Jacky Jacky, who led the rescue of sixty-nine people during the Gundagai floods of 1852.

This is not just history, it's Her Story! It is the story of brave leaders, talented artists, gentle healers, committed teachers and gifted problem-solvers. It is the story of women and girls who bravely faced challenges, overcame difficulty or danger, and even gave up their lives to follow their dreams and make the world a batter place.

Hester wants to be the next court jester, but it is unheard of for a girl to take on that role. There is also the slight problem of a king who is quite happy to chop off heads if he is displeased. Hester must fulfil her ambition without losing her head.

Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden were good at math...really good. They participated in some of NASA's greatest successes, like providing the calculations for America's first journeys into space. And they did so during a time when being black and a woman limited what they could do. But they worked hard. They persisted. And they used their genius minds to change the world.

Peng meets Jax after he fell from the stars. Twelve years later, Jax stumbles across a hidden monastery, deep inside an ancient park and begins to discover his destiny, what it means to be a Peng Master. Contains some martial-arts style violence.

Shelby resolves to find Brenda Edel's champion stallion that has disappeared. She also toys with the idea of joining a troupe of trick riders.

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.

A bizarre circus creeps into Nod's Limbs, bringing with it strange and wonderful entertainers. The mischievous twins might join the circus when it leaves town just to avoid the wrath of Heimertz.

Learn about the different jobs that people do on high-rise buildings and bridges.

Find out about robots performing surgery, saving lives and working in volcanoes.

When Susannah and her brother are orphaned, she is forced to live on the charity of distant relatives in England while he seeks his fortune in America. When news arrives that her brother is dangerously ill, Susannah will stop at nothing, even highway robbery, to get the money she desperately needs to save his life. It is 1670, when times are hard and punishments harsh.

Meet Hilda: explorer, adventurer, avid sketchbook-keeper and friend to almost every creature in the valley! Join our beloved heroine as she encounters her very first troll, negotiates peace with some very persnickety elves, and reunites two lovelorn ancient giants. Fantastic creatures and daring adventures are all just part of another average day for Hilda, but what will she do if she is forced to move to Trolberg city, far away from her beloved valley home?

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.

Prelude to The Lord of the Rings series in which Bilbo Baggins, at the request of the great wizard, Gandalf, sets off on an adventure fraught with danger. Nasty things adventures, they often make you miss dinner. Bilbo reclaims the dwarves' treasure and discovers the all-powerful ring that binds them all.

A "Give Yourself Goosebumps" story. Snooping around backstage at Mysterio's magic show, you find his Bag of Tricks. The warning label says Do Not Touch! Who cares! You've got to check out cool stuff like Disappearing Powder, Reappearing Spray, and Mysterio's magic wand!

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!

When their cliff top habitat is destroyed by fire, a pair of peregrine falcons must find a new one. They end up in the city but they wonder if they will be able to make it to their home.

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

It's 1808 and Grace loves caring for baby, Alice, and working with her mistress, Beth, on the property at Rose Hill. Grace tries so hard to be a good servant but still her master doesn't trust her. Grace thinks he blames her for what happened to his beloved horse. It's injured and growing sicker every day. Grace wants to do something to help but she doesn't know who to turn to.

Not only do bees provide us with honey and beeswax, they are responsible for much of the food we depend on every day. Take a closer look at these important insects.

Through the friendship between a black boy and a white girl, race relations and conservation are dealt with in this play.

Why does Twig NEVER win an award? Why? WHY? Anyway, he doesn't. In school assembly everyone else (even Basbo) wins Mr Croft's Awards Certificates - Sarah-Jane Silverton has so many that her parents have actually built an extension to display them all. There's only one solution: Hooey and Will decide to invent their own AWARDS OF AWESOMENESS, strategically tailored to Twig's ... erm ... talents. But one mayhem football game and one Green "innovation" later, Twig is still tragically prizeless. Will he EVER be Awarded an Award, Awesome or otherwise?

Hooey and his friends, Twig and Will, think they have built a boat that will win the home-made boat race. If they win, they plan to hold a pirate party for Twig. However, another team of boys also wants to win the race and they are willing to play dirty to take out the prize.

Ever been up to your neck in a croc-infested swamp with enemy soldiers tracking your every move? Me neither! But don't let that stop you coming to the Outdoor Activity Centre, where Basbo is on red alert for sharky-sharks, Twig is searching for brains, courage and a heart (he's seen The Wizard of Oz) and Hooey is flying high without a plane. Come on, there's no time for biscuits slap your kayak and let's GO, GO, GO!

Welcome to Shrimpton-on-Sea where the folks are a bit unusual and you can meet Hooey, Twig, Will and Dingbat the dog. They are naughty, slightly scruffy boys who'll do anything to make some money. It all starts with the giant chocolate egg, then there's catching the shark in the bed and then Twig dresses up as a sea urchin and gets chased by Basbo, the bully.

Like flying? Like dogs? Like to see a FLYING DOG? Well, hurry on down to Shrimpton-on-Sea... Shrimpton-on-Sea is being walloped by some serious weather. Basbo is looking for a "lucky charmsy" to keep him safe; Will is inventing Wet and Windy Weather Gear, including Float Coat and Wind-Cutting Wimple ... oh, and there's a flying dog in the skies above the town. So, will Dingbat the Dog survive his aeronautic adventure? Will Basbo survive the tree that falls on his toilet? Will Will's Wet and Windy Weather Gear be ANY HELP AT ALL? Find out in this seventh wet-and-windy adventure about Hooey and friends. Gales of laughter are forecast.

The world is a dangerous place and Hooey, Will and Twig are working on their genius health and safety invention, the all-new super TremTroo. These are super protective trousers to keep them safe from crocodiles, flying toffee-apples and log-flume malfunctions.

Want to see Twig run really fast? Then get yourself a ticket to the Shrimpton-on-Sea Games. See Hooey hitting the high jump, Samantha wanging the welly, and Twig versus Basbo in the sprint. And what is Hooey, Will and Twig's secret weapon? Cheese!

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.

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.

Information about the camels of the desert and their role in Australia's development. Coloured photographs and maps cover every imaginable aspect of camels and their presence in Australia.

Author Onjali Q Rauf shares some of her favourite books and characters as she leads readers on a journey to better understand how our own actions, and the actions of others, can have great and positive effects on others. Navigating our world can be an adventure where even small acts of kindness can have an enormous impact.

Discover the original bone-chilling adventures that made Goosebumps one of the best-selling children's book series of all time! Camp Jellyjam is no ordinary sports camp. The counsellors seem a little too happy. And why are they so obsessed with winning? It might have something to do with the hideous, slimy discovery lurking in the darkness... With all-new bonus features including an author interview, bizarre sports trivia, and more!

Take a little Horror home with you! Jonathan Chiller has called the kids from books #13-18 back to HorrorLand to collect payment. The only way for the kids to get back home is for them to win at a HorrorLand-style scavenger hunt. They each must find a red chest. Inside, the miniature Horror will act as a portal to send them back home. They'll be competing against Murder the Clown, Chef Belcher, Mondo the Magical, and three other unsavory characters from the previous six books. Little do they know that all six adversaries are actually Chiller in disguise. And Chiller will lie and cheat his way to victory.

Learn all about horses and ponies, from their origins and breeds to their role in human civilisation. Discover why a zebra has stripes.

This horse amuses with his witty observations about human behaviour, and sense of equine superiority. The horse and his boy hope to travel north to Narnia, and encounter numerous adventures and strange characters.

Penny has to cope with the saddest moment in her life, involving her pony, Manny. Everyone is willing her to come back and compete in the next event. Hopefully, a horse called Darling will encourage her.

Matt befriends an abused horse, Elvis, that touches the lives of his family struggling to stay together. Some coarse language and cruelty to animals in a realistic story of a father's efforts to overcome his own shortcomings for love of his children.

Nell is surprised when her mum wants her to stay with her family in the country. While unpacking her bags she is startled by a large wild horse and a mysterious girl, which leads Nell on a mystery and a chance to discover secrets about herself.

Ashleigh has arrived at Waratah Grove Riding Academy. It's a dream come true for any horse-mad kid, but, as Ashleigh discovers, things don't always turn out like you hope they will

Riding her horse, Honey, always clears away Ashleigh's problems, but she will have to work even harder to save Shady Creek Riding Club from a tough lawyer.

Ashleigh has landed a riding scholarship to the prestigious Linley Heights School and she's on top of the world. Her classroom is the riding area and her horse can board with her. But, Ashleigh finds it hard being the new kid and missing her best friends.

Ash comes home from Waratah Grove Academy to find that the baby is due any day. Best friend Becky's cast is off, which means riding together again at last.

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.

Ashleigh lives in the country where she can indulge her passion for horse racing. When her friend, Jenna, arrives from the city, Ashleigh struggles to unite her two best friends.

Ashleigh has to learn the western style of riding in readiness for the upcoming Western Riding Show but she feels she is losing control. She has her job at Shady Trails Riding Ranch, two horses to look after as well as helping out with her parent's Bed and Breakfast. At least her friend Jenna is coming to visit.

Ashleigh Miller recovers from her accident and discovers Natural Horsemanship and horse whispering. This helps her to understand Lightning, the horse that injured her. Meanwhile, the anti-horse campaign at Linley Heights School is growing and Ashleigh must speak out for the riding program and Lightning.

Billy Marks is a pickpocket, transported to the penal colony of NSW. He and his mate reckon they'll become bushrangers, buying a brumby stallion, covered with scars and refusing to bend to any man's will. Jackie French has used, in context, language and opinions of the times which are now unacceptable.

Whether you own a horse or just dream about it, find out everything you want to know about caring for horses, identifying breeds and colours, and basic riding skills.

The Baudelaire orphans are on the run after being accused of murder. They find themselves at Heimlich hospital, along with Count Olaf and his troupe, who are working to perform a 'cranioectomy'.

Shelby and her friends can't resist buying a beautiful, young pony that is going cheap at the horse auctions. Unfortunately, Hotty is not as easy to hide, or train, as they had imagined.

Set in the west of Ireland, this story tells of the coming of the Great Queen, the Morrigan, who is bent on bringing destruction to the world. Only Pidge and Bridget can stop her and their task seems impossible as they're constantly trailed by the Queen's hounds. But, they're aided in their quest by a host of willing helpers, a glorious array of unforgettable characters from Irish legend and lore.

A beautiful house in Venice, rich in history, revisits its past stories in the context of the present. It is a house that has shunned all inhabitants but eventually it welcomes a fragile cat and opens its heart to life.

When Brendan, Cordelia and Nell move to Kristoff House they have no idea that they are about to unleash the dark magic locked within. Now the Walker family must battle against deadly pirates, bloodthirsty warriors and a bone crunching giant. If they fail they will never see their parents again and a crazed witch will take over the world.

Brendan, Cordelia and Nell are trying to save the world, but they better be able to fight for their lives. Just when they thought they had defeated the Wind Witch forever, their home is blasted into a crazy world of battles beasts and cyborgs. From the searing heat and clashing swords of the Colosseum, to the snow capped Tibetan mountains and some seriously freaky monks - the stakes have never been higher.

There is a fire coming, and we need to move quickly. Mum and Dad start packing bags, grabbing woollen blankets, the first-aid kit, torches, and then the photo albums. Dad puts Ruby on her lead and ties her up near the back door. My chest feels hollow, like a birdcage.

A community in Western Australia decided to honour the ANZACs by building a house in one single day and giving it to a returning wounded ANZAC soldier. It is the oldest memorial in Western Australia and one of the oldest nationally.

As Oak and Alder start school together, they can't imagine ever becoming friends. But the two of them soon discover a series of connections between them -- mysterious, possibly even magical puzzles they can't put together. At least not without each other's help.

Marinka lives with her grandmother Baba Yaga. Baba Yaga's job is to guide people through The Gate into their next life. Their house has a gate made of bones and chicken legs. A couple of times a year, the house stands up in the middle of the night and walks to another location. This sounds exciting, but Marinka longs to stay somewhere long enough to make real friends. Based in Slavic folklore, this novel is about finding your own way in life even when you think your destiny might be decided.

Do bees need cement mixers to build hives? Do beavers use cranes to construct dams? No, of course not! Like many animals, they're building geniuses who don't need building site tools to create incredible work. Welcome to nature's very own, super-clever world of construction.

Here is a travel planner for all those who dream of taking a holiday in outer space. Includes what to pack, how to get there and home again, what to wear, how to sleep, brush your teeth and even burp in space.

Discover the lost monster kangaroos, how indigenous people hunted and used kangaroos, how to tell a kangaroo from a wallaby and what to do if you find a kangaroo by the side of a road.

After discovering a long buried, mysterious device in his back yard, Michael inadvertently causes his Gran to become inhabited by an alien. Michael and his best friend, Elvis set out to remedy the situation, only to discover the future of the Earth is at stake. Elvis is the expert in science fiction and technology, while Michael is quick thinking and can scheme his way out of trouble, as quickly as he gets into it.

What has two eyes, a mouth and wrinkly green skin? Mark's shrunken head! It's a present from his Aunt Benna. A gift from the jungle island of Baladora. And Mark can't wait to show the kids at school! But late one night the head starts to glow. Because it's actually no ordinary head. It gives Mark a strange power. A magical power. A dangerous power...With all-new bonuses including an author interview.

Wilson Schlame loves to make Jack Johnson feel like a total loser. And Jack's had it. That's how he ended up down at the beach. In a creepy, old abandoned house. In the dark. Trying to hide from Wilson. But everything is about to change. Because Jack just dug up the coolest book. It's called 'Flying Lessons'. It tells how humans can learn to fly. Poor Jack. He wanted to get back at Wilson. But now that Jack's learned how to fly, things down on earth are getting really scary...

Night for Noah Bienstock is a scary time. He keeps having the scariest dream that he's being hunted by a monster and can't escape. Daytime isn't much better for Noah, a shy, lonely 6th grader. But then Noah meets Monroe Sternom, the new kid in town. Monroe is assigned the seat next to Noah in school and they instantly hit it off. But there are some strange things about Monroe. Can he trust Monroe with the details of his dream? Noah must do what ever it takes to make sure his nightmares don't come true!

Luke Abbott's school is the losing-est school in the history of losing. And that's just fine for him. He'd rather be at home playing video games and avoiding his older brother Rob and the Greatest Betrayal of All Time. But now he's being forced to join the robotics team, where surely he'll help uphold the school's losing streak. He'll also meet a colorful cast of characters, including: Mikayla, the girl who does everything with her toes; Jacob and Jacob, who aren't twins but might as well be; the sunflower seed-obsessed Stuart; and Missy the Cruel, Luke's innocent-looking bully since they were six-years-old. But it's an unlikely connection with a mysterious boy known only as "Lunchbox Jones" that will change Luke's life. Turns out, Luke and Lunchbox Jones have a lot more in common than just robots.

Through labelled diagrams, the Brainwaves present the inventing of the lens, steam engine, light bulb, generator, internal combustion engine, transistor, gunpowder, and many other everyday inventions and scientific discoveries.

Maddie tries to be nice to everyone. Even weird, chicken-obsessed Tahlia. But she'd way prefer to hang out with the cool girls at school. The only problem is that they don't seem interested in her, at least not until Year 6 camp. That's when Maddie has a decision to make: how far will she go to be popular? Will she be able to live with the guilt when she finally has everything she's been hoping for?

Obelix is shy, overweight and bullied. Asterix decides to help him by getting him to drink some of Getafix's magic potion. But, Obelix slips and falls in.

Learn about how robots move, are programmed and feel.

Claudia is convinced the stain on the path is blood. That means murder and she wonders who is dead and who is the killer. Claudia sets out to gather the evidence and to bring the killer to justice, jumping to conclusions along the way.

Whetstone is a wannabe thief. Lotta is a wannabe Valkyrie. A case of mistaken identity will bring the two of them together on a quest that will have you wondering what will happen next and whether they will both achieve their goals. Will one of them become a hero? What is a hero anyway?

When an everyday dad accidentally becomes Prime Minister it throws his family into a new world. One with new rules, and a new school. This is a challenge on its own. When he disappears, his daughters need to cover for him and get the opportunity to make some big decisions regarding their future.

Factual guide for people who fish. Contains images, diagrams and text boxes with descriptions and Information about different breeds.

The humorous account of a fifty dollar bet for Billy to eat fifteen worms.

This book enables the reader to select seeds, grow, cook and eat the produce.

Gretchen and Clark are staying with their grandparents, and they're not alone. They've got to kill the swamp monster who lives in a locked room upstairs before he eats them out of house and home.

A boy in search of a missing book, lost over two hundred years ago, looks in a library that holds a complete collection of all the books ever published. The shelves come alive at night when the watchman has fallen asleep.

Twelve days. Five kids. Many special effects. One giant mystery. Hayley Whelan has spent her whole life dreaming of making a horror movie - and not just the type of movie that kids make on their dodgy second-hand iPhones. When her grandma passes away, she inherits the money for a proper, grown-up camera. But before Hayley even calls 'Action!', strange things start happening... Someone is sabotaging Hayley's movie - but who? Why? And can Hayley finish her movie in time for the premiere? From Australia's brightest new middle-grade talent comes this love song to movies, friendship and the summer holidays.

Pablo is homesick. He's only twelve years old, but he's lived in more countries than he can count. After his parents divorced, he and his mother have moved from place to place for years, never settling anywhere long enough to call it home. And along the way, Pablo has collected more and more fears: of dirt, of germs, and most of all, of the ocean. Now they're living in the Philippines, and his mother, a zoologist who works at a local wildlife refuge, is too busy saving animals to notice that Pablo might need saving, too. Then his mother takes in Chiqui, an orphaned girl with a cleft lip -- and Pablo finds that through being strong for Chiqui, his own fears don't seem so scary. He might even find the courage to face his biggest fear of all... and learn how to make friends with the sea.

All you need to know about choosing and raising your dragon. Detailed information on differing breeds, the advantages of one over another as a pet and valuable information on equipment and lifestyle changes that may be required.

Cooper and Molly are twins but, on the eve of his tenth birthday, Cooper discovers Molly is actually an alien sent to protect and help him fulfil his destiny. One day, he is going to save the universe. Cooper doesn't think he has any special skills so he wonders how on earth, or rather Peregrination, is he going to do it.

Attention all waste warriors, this is a garbological adventure for you. From the moment you dive into the rubbish bin, you will be on an interactive journey of investigation and experimentation to earn badges and save the whole stinkin' planet.

Lily's life seems to revolve around her half-brother, Adam, who has autism. She has little time for friends or activities. Her stepfather doesn't acknowledge that Adam needs to attend a special school and Lily has yet to get over the grief of losing her mother in a car accident. When Adam meets Nori, a young dolphin with cancer, they bond instantly. But, Lily wants to get real help for Adam and help Nori to regain her freedom, without betraying her family.

This book brings together the language and sounds of over 100 animals and creatures. Explore the way creatures and critters communicate in the wild.

'It's about time the grown-ups got up to speed... After all, Pluto hasn't been a planet since 2006! In this guide from Britannica astronomer Dean Regas reveals why Pluto was kicked out of the planet club.

Discover the secrets behind some of the natural world's most unusual creatures of camouflage and mimicry. Find out about the chameleon who changes colour to communicate with its friends, the burrowing owl who copies the sound of a fiercer animal to protect itself from threats, and the harlequin filefish that has come to smell like coral to blend in with its surroundings. You'll be amazed by how these clever creatures use disguise and imitation to find food, send out warning signals and, most of all, avoid predators!

When Nima makes a wish on the seeds of the star fruit she releases and evil that should never have been set free. Now with Kai, Indie and Jabar she must travel to the City of Emperors to put things right again. But the journey is long and treacherous and the water spirits are waiting

Left behind in Melbourne after his parents have to leave for Beirut unexpectedly, 12 year old Akeal finds himself, along with his six siblings, being held to the whims of an atrocious babysitter. Through the bold plans of younger sibling Huda, Akeal then finds himself roped into a courageous adventure with Huda travelling abroad as "unaccompeed" minors.

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.

Hugo Pepper, a foundling raised by reindeer herders, discovers that he is really the child of ill-fated explorers. As Hugo searches for his true identity, he learns that his grandfather has mysteriously disappeared, leaving his Gazette, the Firefly Quarterly in the hands of an unscrupulous gossip slinger. Hugo must piece together the mystery of his grandfather and restore the Gazette to its former glory.

Our bodies, inside and out, can seem disgusting. There's blood and guts, burps and farts. We secrete spit and snot and sweat. Everywhere we go, we're shedding bits of ourselves. Skin. Hair. Nails. And our bodies are a breeding ground for germs, bacteria, fungus, lice and more. The Human Body Survival Guide will take you on a weird and wonderful journey, and teach you just how amazing and complex your body is.

When a skull - believed to be that of a yeti - is stolen by an evil collector of curiosities, Jack Stalwart must brave one of the most inhospitable places on Earth to retrieve it. Jack may be a top rock climber, but no amount of practice can prepare him for the most gruelling climb of all: Mount Everest.

The animal kingdom is a dangerous place, especially at mealtimes. While hunters are out searching for their dinner, the hunted are using all sorts of tricks just to stay alive. Welcome to the frightening and dangerous world of the hunters and the hunted.

Find out how catastrophic storms and hurricanes form, and why they rage through the same regions. Chart the deadliest hurricanes in history and the damage they cause. Eyewitness accounts and dramatic photography tell the story of the world's deadliest weather.

This series presents the science behind some of the world's worst natural disasters. Find out what causes these catastrophic events, where they happen, how warning systems work and what distaer relief is provided. Includes photographs, maps, disaster files and a glossary of terms.

A joyous compilation of short stories, poems and artwork by 30 renowned Australian authors & illustrators. A CD of music is included.