Booklists

Mac has become a coolhunter for a popular webspace and won an all-expenses-paid trip to New York. His job is to find the Next Big Thing or be sent home. Mac gets taken to The Hive, where innovative kids are creating things way more cutting edge than anything you can buy. And, they're about to test an invention that could change the world. Mac has found the coolest thing in NYC but he's not allowed to tell a soul.

Mac's just crashed the latest prototype of his flying bike in front of the whole school. So, when the creators of Coolhunters tell him he's an Innovator, Mac thinks they're crazy. He lives in an old bus and doesn't have a TV, let alone a mobile. But, Tony and Speed suggest he compete to become the Australian coolhunter. But, hunting cool isn't easy and Mac's opponent will do just about anything to get the gig.

A brave Scottish general named Macbeth receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the Scottish throne for himself. He is then wracked with guilt and paranoia. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Luke lives in Australia with his mother and stepfather, Sam. Lulach lives in 9th century Scotland with his mother and stepfather, Macbeth. Knowing Macbeth to be a peaceful king, Luke wonders why Shakespeare made him a villain.

Set in a future post-nuclear world reclaimed by Samurai warriors, three witches plant the seed of criminal ambition in the warlord, Macbeth. Spurred on by Lady Macbeth, he embarks on a killing spree of former friends and rivals until, in a final confrontation, he realises too late that the witches have deceived him. Graphic (Manga) novel with authentic Shakespearean text. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Chas finds a crashed German bomber plane with a machine gun intact. During 1941, he and his friends believe that they can help the war effort in England.

An estranged father applies for the job of housekeeper to his children.

Like Mike and Lisdalia, this book deals with the issues of adolescence with the added complication of living within two cultures. Maddie is a Vietnamese Australian.

Maddie and her mother are to be evicted from their home in the grounds of the Delamore's big house. Maddie and Delia Delamore take the dog for a walk. They enter an alley to find a gang of kidnappers waiting, with surprising results.

Throughout history, people all over the world have invented stories to answer profound questions. These fantastical myths are fun but they don't really answer the questions. With its scientific method explanations of space, time, evolution and more, this book presents the real story of the world, and shows that its awe-inspiring beauty and thrilling magic far exceed those of the ancient myths. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Fourteen year old Sandry, a weaving mage, discovers that a young boy has magical powers and begins training him. Together they fight the terror of assassins using 'unmagic' and are drawn into a world of murder and violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In a futuristic Tasmania, where our sun is dying, an alien appears who may be able to help.

Sophie and Josh Newman flee to Paris with Flamel and Scatty, with Dr Dee on their heels. Dee enlists the help of Niccolo Machiavelli to capture them, whilst Sophie learns Fire Magic and Josh seeks one who can awaken his powers.

Students at the Magisterium are supposed to be safe. Under the watchful eyes of the mages, they are taught to use magic to bring order to a chaotic world. But, now, the chaos is fighting back. After the shocking death of one of their classmates, Call, Tamara and Aaron must use the powerful magic they've been taught and risk their lives to track down the killer. But, magic is dangerous. In the wrong hands, it could bring terrible destruction and reveal the deadliest secret of all.

Callum Hunt's summer break isn't typical, especially when he discovers that his dad might be trying to destroy both him and his companion, Havoc, a wolf. Call escapes to the magical world of the Magisterium but the Alkahest, a copper gauntlet capable of separating magicians from their magic, has been stolen. In their search, Call and his friends attract some dangerous foes and discover an even more dangerous truth.

Think you know magic? Think again. The final instalment of the epic series from bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. A generation ago, powerful mage Constantine Madden came close to achieving what no magician had ever achieved: the ability to bring back the dead. He didn't succeed . . . but he did find a way to keep himself alive, inside a young child named Callum Hunt. Facing up to what he is, Callum has battled chaos and evil across four years of magical training at the Magisterium, eventually defeating the armies of chaos in an epic battle. It came at a cost. Now, triumphant and heartbroken, Callum Hunt has just about had enough, and is ready to complete his training. But the evil Callum faced has not given up just yet . . .

Most people would do anything to get into the Magisterium and learn about the world of magic. But, not Callum. He's been told his whole life that he should never trust a magician, so he tries his best to do his worst - but fails at failing.

A generation ago, Constantine Madden came close to achieving what no magician had ever achieved: the ability to bring back the dead. He didn't succeeed . . . but he did find a way to keep himself alive, inside a young child named Callum Hunt. Now Call is one of the most feared and reviled students in the history of the Magisterium, thought to be responsible for a devastating death and an ever-present threat of war. As a result, Call has been imprisoned and interrogated. Everyone wants to know what Constantine was up to -- and how he lives on. But Call has no idea. It is only when he's broken out of prison that the full potential of Constantine's plan is suddenly in his hands . . . and he must decide what to do with his power. In this spellbinding fourth book of the Magisterium, bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare take us beyond the realm of the living, and into the dangers of the dead.

Mulan has been drilled in martial arts to fight the duel of her life - but what if her sworn enemy is also her secret love? A heart-thumping retelling that brings a much-loved heroine to life.

Mahtab's family live in Herat in Afghanistan amongst the ever present Taliban. They decide to leave everything they hold dear behind and journey secretly to Australia via Pakistan and Indonesia. This is an amazing story of struggle and hope for a better future.

Ally and Cat have been friends for ever. Each girl plays their part in the friendship, but when Ally wants to make decisions to pursue interests different to Cat, problems arise. In the pick-a-path format, you make decisions for Ally and follow the story from one storyline to the next.

Alice Dyson knows exactly how she'll be spending her final year of high school: with her head down, concentrating on her textbooks and homework. She's focused on the future, and nothing is going to get in her way. Until a bizarre encounter with the school's most notorious troublemaker derails all her plans, turning Alice into the unwilling centre of attention and her life into one enormous complication. And even worse? Now Teddy Taualai won't leave her alone. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, and above.

Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, was a small boy when white supremacists firebombed his family home. Such terrifying moments, along with years of daily racist insults and barriers, shaped Malcolm's life, transforming him into one of the most articulate and rousing black nationalist leaders of all time.

When Luke goes missing, his friends are dragged into the terrifying world of Malice, the underground comic. The evil Tall Jake takes children into a fantasy world where they can really die. It takes heroes like Seth and the loyalty of Kady to survive the violent, brutal comic-book pages. Be prepared to be very scared.

In the closing, catastrophic stages of Sri Lanka's civil war, Malini and her sister are separated from their parents, who are forced to act as human shields. Malini and Banni travel inland, through jungles and unsafe territories, seeking refuge with their grandfather in his village.They will need to stay alert for soldiers from all sides and work out who to trust.

Sandy Douglas knows that life at fifteen is hard - his mother died a year ago and his 18-year old brother, Red, has gone off the rails. As Sandy and Red deal with girls, friendship and their futures on their Mallee farm, both boys have to figure out who they want to be without their mum around. One thing is certain - the Mallee, where they live, may seem like the middle of nowhere, but it is going to be one hell of a year. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

An English theatre troupe travelling in the New Orleans area, in a world of voodoo, black magic and gangsters, are dragged into a suspenseful mystery that involves murder, blackmail and intrigue. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Max Jones, country detective, is determined to uncover the truth about Possum, the town hermit.

When 16-year-old Shaun discovers a dead body in the lake of a quiet mining town in outback Queensland, he immediately reports it to the police. But when he returns to the site with the constable, the body is gone. Shaun's father drowned a few years ago, and now his mum and the authorities questions whether he saw a body at all. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

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

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.

Little street urchin ShaoShu has always wanted to belong. His small size makes him an easy target. This little 'mouse' always needs to find a place to hide. When he is befriended by Hok and Ying, he thinks he has found a new family, and eagerly tags along as they continue on their travels, not knowing that his new friends are the most wanted criminals in China.

Engaging biography of a young, Chinese peasant boy who, at the age of eleven, was taken from his school and family to be trained as a classical dancer in Beijing.

Having defeated the monstrous threat that nearly destroyed the peculiar world, Jacob Portman is back where his story began, in Florida. Except now Miss Peregrine, Emma, and their peculiar friends are with him, and doing their best to blend in. But carefree days of beach visits and normalling lessons are soon interrupted by a discovery - a subterranean bunker that belonged to Jacob's grandfather, Abe. Clues to Abe's double-life as a peculiar operative start to emerge, secrets long hidden in plain sight. And Jacob begins to learn about the dangerous legacy he has inherited - truths that were part of him long before he walked into Miss Peregrine's time loop. Now, the stakes are higher than ever as Jacob and his friends are thrust into the untamed landscape of American peculiardom - a world with few ymbrynes, or rules - that none of them understand. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Maphead, an alien boy, has the ability to produce maps of anywhere across his face.

Quinn Freeman may have won the race around the world, but when a new enemy appears he must travel beyond the edge of the map once more. Quinn is back! He finished his race around the world and is living a quiet life on the family farm, until he discovers that the King's enemies want to capture him. Quinn is forced to go on the run, taking to the high seas once more. Can he survive when he is double-crossed and left for dead?

Quinn, Ash, Zain and the crew of the Libertas are racing against the clock to get back to Verdania before the King's deadline. Quinn is trying to complete the first map of the whole world, while Zain must bring back enough treasure to satisfy the King. And, they're trying to win the race to the end of the world while enemies are trying to stop them from getting back at all.

Farm boy turned reluctant adventurer, Quinn, continues his voyage into the unknown, as the race to map the world continues. When the Libertas docks in an exotic jungle port, Quinn is captured by the ruthless Gelynion explorer, Juan Forden. On board Forden's ship, the Black Hawk, Quinn struggles to outwit his captors, makes new enemies and unexpected allies, and encounters bloodthirsty pirates.

The King wants a map of the world. But, everyone knows that if you sail too far in either direction, you would fall off the edge into the jaws of a fire-breathing dragon. With reluctant adventurers, a ship captained by a slave and a mysterious sea monster, Quinn has a fight on his hands just to survive.

Yvonne Edwards, a highly respected Aboriginal artist and community leader, was just six years old when the first bombs of the nuclear tests at Maralinga were detonated in Australia in 1956. The tests continued until 1963 and their consequences profoundly affected her family and the community.

Marian Anderson's majestic voice mesmerised the nation but her courage in confronting racism was equally inspirational. She became the first African-American to record spirituals for a major recording company. In 1939, she was banned from singing in Washington's Constitution Hall and made history by performing for 75,000 at the Lincoln Memorial.

The fictionalised diary of an adolescent Maria Antoinette beginning shortly before her arranged betrothal to Louis Auguste, the future and last king of France. Her diary includes descriptions of life at Versaille and an epilogue concludes the story.

Through her discovery of radium, Marie Curie changed not only the course of science but the course of the world. She was the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Prize and a PhD in physics. Find out about the importance of Marie's work and the tragic consequences of the dangerous radioactive materials she was researching.

Mariel is a young mousemaid who finds protection at Redwall Abbey after being caught in a sea storm. Mariel has no idea of her identity, which turns out to be vital in the battle against the evil sea rats.

When the strange creatures begin to appear in Mossflower Woods, it is clear that evil is abroad. A kidnapping and a cunning raid to steal the beautiful Redwall tapestry confirm the worst, that Redwall is under threat.

Ameera is seventeen, the daughter of an Australian Christan mother, and a Pakistani father who is a devout Muslim. Seeking to be like her Australian friends, Ameera discovers that her father strongly opposes social contact with non-Muslims. When her father discovers Ameera's interest in a Pakistani Christian boy, she is sent to Pakistan, thinking she is attending her cousin's wedding. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Raised on rival colonies on Mars, each long ago abandoned by Earth, Dee and Holt have been brought up to hate even the idea of each other. But when a mysterious object crash lands on a far flung plain, they both set out to investigate. Stranded in a hostile landscape, Dee and Holt must work together to survive while unpicking the web of lies they have both been told about their planet.

Tristan is heading to Mars, part of the colonising first fleet from Earth. He and his girlfriend, Izzy, are reality television stars for a reason - like their namesakes, Tristan and Isolde, their love story is destined for heartache. But it is the mysterious sabotage, aboard the spaceships hurtling towards Mars, that offers the most captivating aspect of the plot.

Martin Luther King Jr became the driving force of the civil rights movement when he led a black boycott of the city's bus lines. He brought hope that, rather than two Americas, one black and one white, there would be a united country with justice for all. His life came to a tragic end in 1968 when an assassin fatally shot him.

Badrang the Tyrant has his eyes set on ruling over his own empire and will do anything to make sure that his ultimate fantasy is fulfilled. Little does he realise that the quiet, nameless mouse he is holding captive will one day grow to be the legendary Martin the Warrior.

After surviving a shipwreck in 1766, Billy Marvel finds work in a London theatre. His family flourishes for generations as brilliant actors until 1900, when young Leontes Marvel is banished from the stage. Nearly a century later, Joseph Jarvis runs away from school and seeks refuge with an eccentric uncle in London. A gripping adventure and an intriguing invitation to decipher how the two narratives interconnect.

Mary, the young Scottish Queen, is sent a diary from her mother in which she records her experiences living at the court of France's King Henry II as she awaits her marriage to Henry's son, Francis.

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

Beka and her partner, Tunstall, are put on the biggest case of their lives. They are on the trail of kidnapping evil-doers who murder anyone that gets in their way or possesses any information about them or their organisation. Murder and treason are afoot, and Beka will be dealing with greedy nobles, a rising religious cult and a hunt throughout the kingdom that will either make her career, or end her life.

Cassia believes that Society provides only the best for its citizens. Everything and everyone is regulated, allocated and sharing is not permitted. Cassia is seventeen and excited about attending her Match Banquet, where she will learn the identity of her perfect Match. But, Cassia falls in love with another and is determined to make her own choices.

A collection of short stories about friendship.

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.

He risked the great unknown and became the first man to reach the North Pole. But, it took decades to overcome the racism and give African-American explorer, Matthew Henson, rightful recognition for his extraordinary achievements. This is the story of Henson's dramatic, groundbreaking life.

Slagar, the Fox is bent on revenge and determined to bring death and destruction to Redwall Abbey. His cunning and cowardly plan is to steal the Redwall children and Mattimeo, Matthias's son, is to be the biggest prize of all.

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.

Max Ride and her best friends are up against a deadly force that's racing across the globe. And Fang, Max's best friend and soulmate, is gone He's creating his own gang that will replace everyone, including Max. But, with Dylan ready and willing to fight by her side, Max can no longer deny that his incredible intensity draws her in. Soon, Max, Dylan and the rest of their friends will have to join forces with Fang for an explosive showdown in Paris that's unlike anything you've ever imagined.

Angel says that Fang will be the first to die, and Angel is never wrong. Fang is Max's friend, her soul mate, her partner in leading her flock of winged children. Life without Fang is unimaginable. When Dylan, a newly created winged boy is introduced into the flock, their world is upended yet again. Raised in a lab like the others, Dylan was designed to be Max's perfect other half. Thus unfolds a battle of perfection versus passion that terrifies, twists and turns. Meanwhile, the apocalypse is coming.

Max and her flock of virtually indestructible part-human, part-bird hybrids must rescue her human mum who has been kidnapped by a criminal mastermind, with an elaborate plan to wreak worldwide, ecological catastrophe. But, in order to rescue her, fourteen year old Max and the five members of her flock must team up with the US Navy to determine why millions of fish are dying off the coast of Hawaii.

As Maximum Ride boldly navigates a post-apocalyptic world, she and her broken flock are roaming the earth, searching for answers to what happened. All will be revealed in this last spectacular ride.

Maximum Ride and her faithful friends stand ready to face the two greatest threats that humankind has ever known. And this time, the enemy truly can't be stopped. The danger mounts just as Dylan has finally worked his way into Max's heart and just as her beloved Fang unexpectedly returns to the flock. An explosive confrontation between the two boys with a claim to Max's heart ensues, and the entire world hangs in the balance.

Max and her winged flock face their ultimate enemy and discover their original purpose to defeat a sinister experiment to re-engineer a select population into a scientifically superior master race and terminate the rest. Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel have always worked together but now they are torn apart, living in hiding and captivity, across the globe from one another so defeating the forces will be very difficult.

In a flying fight with the Erasers, Fang is injured so seriously that Max and the flock take him to hospital. With wings and avian DNA, it's obvious he's not a normal human and the FBI is called. The lead agent takes the flock home to her farm, where they live a normal life for the first time and begin to search for their birth parents. Then, everything falls apart and the flock of six face betrayal and extreme danger.

Fourteen year old Max and her adopted family, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy and Angel, were created as experiments in a lab and are genetically enhanced enabling them to fly. Jeb, a sympathetic scientist, helped them to escape and they are on the run from part-human, part-wolf predators, called Erasers, who have orders to kill them so that the world will never know they existed.

Max and the five other members of the flock, who can fly, are asked to help a group of environmental scientists studying the effects of global warming. The expedition seems a perfect combination of adventure, activism and escaping government forces who are watching them. But, even in Antarctica, Max is an irresistible target in constant danger. For whoever controls her powers could also control the world.

Liam O'Connor should have died at sea in 1912. Maddy Carter should have died on a plane in 2010. Sal Vikram should have died in a fire in 2026. But all three have been given a second chance - to work for an agency that no one knows exists. Its purpose: to prevent time travel destroying history . . . When Maddy finally unlocks fragments of the secret that Becks has been holding on to, the TimeRiders start to piece together their true purpose. Racing through time to connect the clues, the team discover a Mayan tribe and an ancient relic provides a vital link to the past and future.

Maybe Gabriek, Anya and Felix will escape the revenge Gogol's brother Zliv intends. Maybe they will evade a lynch mob still angry at the displaced Jews. Maybe Felix's medical abilities will provide the solution for a better new life on the other side of the world. Maybe Felix will have to leave his friends behind.

In this story of reconciliation and courage, Boori is determined to carry on his late brother's tradition of storytelling and performing. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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

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 Gladers don't remember how they came to be in their strange world, escaping from Grievers and running to solve the bizarre maze, which changes every night. When Thomas arrives, he feels a strong urge to become a Runner and solve the maze. Includes some violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

'Mystery plague rocks Europe' and 'Beckett kicks bucket' are feature articles in this wonderful newspaper crammed full of historically accurate references. Homestores catalogue, spot the difference competitions and a personal column also included.

A lifeless body. One of many in the waters of the Mediterranean. Precarious boats navigate the waters of the sea, from south to north. And more often than not, it is not only hope that drowns. With eloquent and devastating imagery, the creator of the multi-award-winning book The Island again asks us to examine our responses to the plight of refugees. How long will we remain silent witnesses?

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.

Sophie lives with her mum and sister on a horse stud and we immediately discover that her life has been dramatically impacted by an accident involving her sister and dad a year earlier. Then a boy gets added to the narrative mix and a hurricane gives us the perfect setting for tension and adventure in this coming of age story.

This collection of eight plays includes information on the major elements of drama, explores different performance styles, plays with traditional tales and shines a light on contemporary Australian issues. Explores themes of friendship, racism, violence, sport, music and family relationships. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Four years have passed since Evvy left the streets of Chammur to begin her training as a stone mage. At fourteen, she's unhappy to be on a new journey with her mentor, prickly green mage Rosethorn, who has been called to the Battle Islands to determine why the plants and animals there are dying.

A new perspective on the ANZAC tradition and the implications of war on different generations.

One of Shakespeare's greatest and, in recent years, most controversial plays. After borrowing a large sum of money from the Jewish money-lender Shylock, the merchant Antonio faces a devastating credit crunch when his fleet of ships is sunk in a storm. Shylock insists on the small print of his terms and conditions, seeking a literal 'pound of flesh'. Usually read by students in year 9,10, and above.

A tale of young Bassanio, who, in order to win the love of fair Portia, entangles his dearest friend, Antonio, in a dangerous bargain with the moneylender, Shylock. Only Bassanio's heartfelt efforts and a clever intervention by Portia will save Antonio from paying Shylock 'a pound of flesh'. Graphic novel with authentic Shakespearean text.

Antonio, a Venetian merchant, complains to his friends of a melancholy that he cannot explain. His friend Bassanio is desperately in need of money to court Portia, a wealthy heiress who lives in the city of Belmont. Bassanio asks Antonio for a loan in order to travel in style to Portia's estate. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Mercy wakes on a school bus bound for Paradise, a small town where everyone knows everyone else's business... Or thinks they do. But Mercy has a secret life. She is an angel, doomed to return repeatedly to Earth, taking on a new human form each time she does, in an effort to resolve a cataclysmic rift between heavenly beings. In Paradise, Mercy meets Ryan, an eighteen-year-old whose sister was kidnapped two years ago and is presumed dead. When another girl is also taken, Mercy knows she has to act quickly and use extraordinary powers to rescue her, even if it means exposing her true identity. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

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

An exciting, modern story with elements from ancient mythology. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Tanmar's older brother is dead, her mum's gone away and her dad avoids talking about the things that really matter. Plagued by nightmares about her brother, Tamar has no interest in school or friends. When she discovers an old handwritten sheet of music and plays the tune, Tamar meets gifted violinist, Nathaniel, a man from her house's past. She is unwittingly drawn into a journey through time and music.

When a piece of glass angel smashes in front of him, Chris doesn't take any notice. Not even when a stranger tells him it's a warning. But, when Chris and his girlfriend are trapped on the moors, strange things start to happen.

Ed Kennedy is nineteen. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. When he receives his first playing card with three addresses written on it, Ed becomes the messenger. A cryptic journey with laughter, fists and love. Adult themes and strong language, used in context, may offend some readers. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

You may have heard of Joan of Arc. She had a short but inspirational life, fighting for freedom during the One Hundred Years War between France and England. She was a farm girl who became the leader of an army of men. Joan had an unflinching faith in God and in herself, and was prepared to risk everything for freedom and independence. She became the patron saint of France.

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.

Thirteen-year-old Mia lives on a bush block in the Pilbara, where she assists her mother's work as a vet and equine therapist. Although she is used to the seasonal cyclones that threaten the West Australian coast, nothing can prepare her for the ferocity of Cyclone Veronica when she finds herself home alone and needing to protect their property and the animals she loves. A compelling story of one girl's experience of 2019's Cyclone Veronica in Western Australia.

A very personal story about the loss of a loved one. It speaks to everyone whether they have experienced grief or not.

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.

It's a dog-eat-dog world, and Rafe Khatchadorian is just trying to live in it. Life in middle school is finally starting to seem bearable until Rafe spots his grandmother standing in the free-meal line at the local soup kitchen.To help earn some money for the family, Rafe concocts a brilliant plan, a dog-walking business that soon turns into a huge money-making neighbourhood empire. He'll even have extra cash to buy his own WormHole Deluxe Multi-Platform GameBox. That is, until two terrible twins launch the Great Dog War by sabotaging Rafe's flyers and stealing his customers. Plus, his bratty kid sister Georgia has skipped a grade so now she's in all of Rafe's classes. Throw a kid a bone.

After the worst year of his life, Rafe thinks he's it made in seventh grade. He's been accepted to art school and imagines a maths-free zone. But, It's more competitive than he expected and to score big in class, he needs to find a way to turn his boring life into the inspiration for a work of art. But, when his newest mission uncovers family secrets, he has to decide if he's ready to have his world turned upside down.

It's fair to say that Rafe's recent trip Down Under could not easily be called a success. In Australia, he and his Mom were forced to flee a pack of bloodthirsty zombies after the 'performance piece' by Rafe and The Outsiders traumatised Shark Bay. Yet, when Rafe receives an offer to attend an all-expenses paid campout in the Northern Territory, he takes precisely six seconds to agree.

Just when school was at its suckiest, things take a turn for the better when a cool, mysterious new girl shows up. Not only that, she actually wants to be my friend! But, you guessed it, things aren't that simple. And when Hollywood suddenly rolls into Hills Village, things get weird very fast. Somehow, unbelievably, I, Rafe Katchadorian, am in the movie business.

When I was told we were going to London to study Living History, I thought they were joking. But, here I am, Rafe Khatchadorian, global jetsetter. Now, all I need to do is find a way of avoiding the school bully, getting Jeanne Galletta to talk to me, and trying not to get lost in London. But, things are never that simple. So, fasten your seatbelts and hold on tight because this could be a very bumpy flight.

Rafe Khatchadorian is ready for a fun summer at camp until he finds out it's a school camp. Luckily, Rafe easily makes friends with his troublemaking cabin mates and bunkmate, a boy nicknamed Booger-Eater, who puts up with endless teasing from the other kids. Rafe soon realises there is more to a person than a nickname.

Rafe heads back to the dreaded Hills Village Middle School, where he's forced to take 'special' classes. He finds himself joining the school's football team, alongside his main tormenter, Miller the Killer. But, Rafe has grand plans for a better year: He decides to start a super-secret art project that's sure to rock the school. Then, if he manages to make a play to save his team, Rafe might have to deal wit something new, popularity.

When Rafe becomes the unlikely benefactor of a will, it's not all good news. Sure, he gets another free trip Down Under but he also has to go to school while he's in Sydney. Blergh. And not just any school . . . St Mungo's is the snobbiest of snobby establishments and you can bet your bottom dollar that Rafe won't quite fit in. Chaos ensues and Rafe is, once again, in the middle of a very big mess. Can he tidy this one up, or will he be sent packing with another black mark against the Khatchadorian name?

Georgia plans to excel at Hills Village Middle School in all the places her troublemaking brother failed. She's bet him that she'll become one of the most popular girls. But Rafe left a big mark and no one will give Georgia a chance. Rafe has sneakily signed up her band to play at the school dance, and she's terrified to embarrass herself in front of the snooty Princesses who run the school and the boy who's caught her eye. Will she be able to overcome her fears and win her bet with Rafe.

Life is finally starting to look up for everyone's favourite troublemaker, Rafe Khatchadorian. No bullying, zero girl dramas and rising grades. And, when Rafe wins an all-expenses-paid trip to Australia, he can't quite believe his luck. That is, until his dreams of beaches, surfer chicks and cuddly koala bears go horribly wrong. Australia isn't exactly the island paradise Rafe imagined. And, nobody mentioned the zombies.

Rafe is heading back to the dreaded Hills Village Middle School, the site of the worst years of his life. Rafe will repeat a year unless he can prove himself on an outdoor survival excursion, complete with dangerous white-water rafting, dizzying rock climbing and military style counsellors. But so far this is easy. Rafe and the rest of the pack of 'delinquent' trainees are forced to cooperate as they prepare for their final test.

Rafe has enough problems at home without throwing his first year of middle school into the mix. Luckily, he's got a plan for the best year ever, if he can pull it off. With his best friend awarding him points, Rafe tries to break every rule in his school's Code of Conduct. Chewing gum in class, running in the hallway, pulling the fire alarm. But when Rafe's game starts to catch up with him, he'll have to decide if winning is all that matters, or if he's finally ready to face the rules, bullies, and truths he's been avoiding.

The Khatchadorian kids are an opinionated duo and they don't exactly see eye to eye. But, when wild-card Rafe and mostly-straight-laced Georgia go at it, the only thing more fun than their ranting is getting to join in. Their back-and-forth banter covers a range of topics,from bullying to cafeteria food to school dress codes. There's room for readers to share their own points of view.

This is the story from World War I of Guy Haydon and his horse, Midnight, as they enlist with the army, travel across the world and play a starring role in a great cavalry charge.

In the city of Agora, anything can be bought and sold. Even children are possessions until their twelfth birthday. Mark has been sold by his father, and Lily, an orphan from birth, has bartered for her life. Thrown together, they face an existence of poverty and servitude, unless they can find a way to break free. But, unbeknown to Mark and Lily, they are being watched by the ruler of the city.

Twig, the young sky pirate captain who had dared to sail over the Edge, returned with his memory shattered and his crew flung far and wide. But, to recover his memory and take action, Twig must first find his lost crew. This means a dangerous journey back into the Deepwoods and beyond.

Edward the Vampire loves Bella the human - we've followed the journey of Edward and Bella's love story through the 4 Twilight novels, now we can relive the journey through Edward's eyes. Find out how Edward felt when he first met Bella, find out how Edward fought to control his feelings both of love and violence. Midnight Sun also delves further into Edwards own history and how he came to be with the Cullen family. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Two gypsy boys, carrying a secret bundle, are fleeing through a war-ravaged countryside during the night and come across a small zoo, untouched by the war. The animals are in need of hope, as are the boys.

A courageous bear and a bold boy find themselves in a magical forest full of faeries. Unfortunately, the bear ends up in a dungeon but he devises a clever escape, and goes into battle to save the monarch. This wordless picture book, a companion to The boy, the bear, the baron, the bard, is loosely based on Shakespeare's play, A midsummer night's dream.

In one of Shakespeare's funniest, most enduring stories, meddling fairies create unexpected love triangles among a group of teenagers. Hermia is in love with Lysander. Demetrius is in love with Hermia. Helena is in love with Demetrius. Add to the mix Puck, a fairy with a powerful love potion, and chaos is sure to follow. Now everyone's in love with Helena, Hermia is hopping mad, and the fairy queen Titania is in love with a man with a donkey's head! Using the style and visual language of manga, Kate Brown transforms Shakespeare's world into something new and vibrant. It's the perfect introduction to Shakespeare's work for reluctant readers and manga fans alike. Usually read by students in Years 9,10, or above

A Midsummer Night's Dream opens with Theseus and Hippolyta planning their wedding, which takes place in four days. Egeus enters with his daughter, Hermia, and her two suitors, Lysander and Demetrius. Hermia is in love with Lysander, but her father wants her to marry Demetrius. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In an enchanted moonlit forest in modern Athens, meddlesome fairies play havoc with the lives and loves of four young Athenian lovers and a troupe of amateur actors. Graphic (Manga) novel with authentic Shakespearean text. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In 14th century England, Alyce is taken from a life on the streets to be an apprentice to a village midwife.

Australia's greatest river system now and then, with many stories about the people who lived on or in the Murray Valley. Includes archaeological finds, Aboriginal legends, riverboat traders and dam engineers.

Mike and his mother have moved from Melbourne to live in Sydney's west. Mike soon wishes they had never left. At school, he becomes the victim of a bully, Shane and meets Riny, a neighbour with a secret success story.

Milad decides to go on one sea voyage to save his family's fortunes and embarks on a journey where he will find sea-battles, pirates, treasure, spies, perils and love. As part of a Phoenician fleet in the service of King Solomon, he experiences danger on the high seas and in deepest Africa, but he also finds the truest of friends in unexpected places. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Millie's artist mum needs a change but Millie isn't so keen. When they move, Millie must start Year 7 in a new school. Fitting in and making friends is hard but Millie is a very special girl and mum's love interest, the new boyfriend, helps.

Thirteen year old Y-Tin is an elephant trainer. His life revolves around Lady and the other elephants in their small herd. But, this is Vietnam in 1975 and, now that the American forces are gone, the North Vietnamese threaten the Dega people of the Central Highlands. When the feared attack comes, Y-Tin is captured. He must risk his life and save his elephants by fleeing into the jungle.

Torrad discovers that he has an affinity with animals that allows him to control their minds. However, is his power strong enough to thwart the evil Psykhan's attempt to dominate human minds and become the ruler of Quentaris?

Ben Harvester doesn't make friends easily, preferring to spend his time and his talent for drawing in graveyards. It is in one such cemetery that Ben discovers another of his gifts, the ability to see the newly-dead. He is drawn into a battle of good against evil, with grotesque creatures seemingly gaining the ascendency, while Ben is both the cause of the trouble and also its solution.

Men and women prove their worth in this exciting adventure. Minna, a Briton and a blacksmith's daughter, raises a sickly foal, commandeered by her brother, Cerdic, when he joins the soldiers. As bloodthirsty pirates plan to waylay the tiny Roman outpost, Cerdic and Minna risk all so that she can find reinforcements to save all their lives and that of her beloved defender, Theo.

Following a flood which has taken the lives of her family, a girl called Tom lives with Bill, with whom she falls pregnant. Many know her secret, including her grandmother and her good friend Jonah. Together, they will ensure the safe arrival of the Minnow. Contains mature themes and some language in context. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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

Raised in a family of circus performers, Helena has always dreamed of leading a more ordinary life. When she is drawn into a strange and magical realm, her real life is stolen by a runaway from the other side. Helena must rescue the realm from chaos in order to win back her not-so-ordinary life. Told in graphic novel style.

Keith's parents have become morose because of the grey, English weather. Keith intends to cheer them up with a trip to tropical, northern Australia.

When Cassandra and her brothers climb the garden wall hoping to spot the ghost in the old house, they discover an old woman living without electricity in a decaying house. They are drawn into her world long lost, and their developing relationship with Miss McAllister helps them cope with their parents' preoccupation with work, alcohol and their own lives. Some strong language may offend some readers. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

An horrific family tragedy sets sixteen year old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, and a strange collection of very curious photographs, it becomes clear that the children who once lived here were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. One of them was his grandfather. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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

Mackenzie's world has been turned upside down with the disappearance of her mother following a scientific journey photographing bats in Panama. Her father's sudden and rash decision for Mackenzie to join him in searching for Maggie where she was last seen becomes even more unsettling when he becomes ill and Mackenzie must decide what to do when she comes across some potentially helpful information.

Suitable for mature readers. We follow the growing relationship between a young pickpocket and 'the creature', as together they pursue the elusive Dr Frankenstein. Set in 1800s London.

Arthur Penhaligon is not supposed to be a hero. He is, in fact, supposed to die an early death, but he is saved by a key shaped like the minute hand of a clock. Arthur is safe but his world is not and Arthur must do what he can.

Maria discovers a group of Lilliputians and must protect them from her governess and a cunning vicar.

Fatimah is a devout Muslim. Steve has never given much thought to faith. Both are in the street the day a terrorist bomb explodes and their lives are changed forever. While their families are breaking down barriers, the terrorists have another target in mind. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The classic tale of Captain Ahab who has sworn vengeance on Moby Dick, the white whale that took his leg, told through the eyes of the sailor, Ishmael. Ahab's bitter hatred threatens to destroy everyone. Evocative drawings, the gorier practices of nineteenth century whaling and insightful notes on Melville's deeper themes compellingly invite readers to discover the full text. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In a galaxy of cutthroat companies, shadowy clans and hidden agendas, spy agency RIM barely wields enough control to keep order. Maximus Black, a cold-blooded killer, is RIM's star cadet but he has a problem. Someone is after him. One of RIM's best agents, Anneke Longshadow, knows there's a mole in the organisation. And, Maximus has a lot to hide. Includes violence and murder. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The Ravens sorority are witches. They need to protect themselves and their secret. After the last semester's disaster, they are determined to restore the balance and get back to being the ruling sorority on campus. When magic starts to go wrong, and a rival sorority is gaining power, their future could be in jeopardy. Scarlett, Vivi and their sisters need to protect their coven and Westerly from an unknown evil.

Maloa is a young monk trained in Monkey style Kung Fu. Maloa loves joking around but now finds himself all alone in the woods and being hunted by hostile soldiers. Suddenly, his life is not as much fun as it used to be.

The year is 2425. Centuries after a catastrophic meteor collision, nature has retaken the earth. In a small town in what was once England, young Ocean Mooney and the monkey-owning Duke Smiff have just dug up a 400 year-old tablet computer. Meanwhile, in the present day, Thomas Reeve and his genius cousin Kylie create the Time Tablet - a device which they hope will allow them to communicate with the future. But when the Time Tablet malfunctions live on television, Thomas and Kylie are sucked into the year 2425 - and have only 24 hours to return home, and save the future of humanity...

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 monster showed up just after midnight. But, it isn't the monster thirteen year old Conor has been expecting. He expected the one from his nightmare, the one he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments for cancer. This monster is different, it's something ancient and wild, and tells Conor three stories. The monster wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor, it wants the truth. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Ellie Marsden was born into the legendary Lovinger acting dynasty. Grandmother of the infamous Lottie Lovinger as a child Ellie shared the screen with Lottie playing the child monster in a cult indie horror movie. The experience left her traumatised and estranged from family members. Now 17, Ellie has returned home to Hobart as Lottie is dying and Ellie wants to make peace with her before it's too late. Ellie meets Riya, a young film buff who leads a feminist horror film club. Is this someone she could show her true self to and at last come to terms with her family's legacy.

On a school visit to a nuclear power plant, Cameron Reilly and other students are killed by an explosion, created by a mad scientist to gather more subjects for genetic experimentation. Cameron and the others are physically altered, with scavenged body parts and bionic implants, to create an army of superhuman soldiers.

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

With the overthrow of the Shah in Iran, the very conservative, religious government controls every facet of life. Fifteen year old Farrin must keep quiet about her mother's political activities and lavish lifestyle. When Farrin meets funny, outgoing Sadira and they fall in love, the relationship takes a dangerous turn. It is against the law to be gay, the punishment is death. Some violence, usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

It's the Great Depression, and Abilene and her dad have moved around a lot, just trying to survive. Abilene is sent to stay in Manifest, a small town in Kansas, where her dad lived as a boy. When Abilene discovers a box of mementos under the floorboards, she begins to solve many mysteries about her Dad's past and the town of Manifest, and to come to terms with her own personal questions.

The Moon is the only natural satellite of the Earth and, since prehistoric times, it has been an object of fascination. Even after man has walked on the moon, it has retained its romantic appeal. The fortieth anniversary of the Moon landing provides an opportunity to look at that historic journey and to view the Moon from historic, scientific, artistic, literary and musical angles.

Joe hasn't seen his brother for ten years and it's for the most brutal of reasons. Ed is on death row. Now Ed's execution date has been set and this might be the last summer they have together. A novel that uses the beauty of lyrical verse to represent the ethical issues surrounding an ugly part of the American justice system but more importantly it is a story about knowing who someone is beyond the public perception of their guilt. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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.

AFLW player Tayla Harris was at work on the footy field when she kicked a goal. A photo of the kick, taken by Michael Wilson, showcased her incredible ability and was posted online. What happened next was an extraordinary turning point in Tayla's life. The photo quickly became iconic as Tayla stood strong against the online trolls. This is the inspiring story of Tayla's stellar sporting career and her hard-earned advice for navigating the ups and downs of social media.

As thirteen year old Bosnian refugee, Raiko, trains with an Aboriginal mate, Jay, his Olympic dream quickly draws both the local doctor and soccer coach to his side.

Luke and his twin brother Cullen are podcasters. In their final year of high school, their podcast has reached a cult level following. When Cullen and his boyfriend (also Luke's best friend) Zack release a recording of Luke singing a love song to an unnamed girl on the podcast, the whole listenership wants to know who this mystery girl could be. Luke is furious. Meanwhile, Luke's colleague Vada has a solid five year plan. Falling in love with Luke is not part of that plan. But with the release of this song, she starts to wonder if he could be part of her life. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

An engrossing, gripping tale about a mobile London city that devours towns. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

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

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

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 prequel to Redwall. Martin, the warrior, finds himself trespassing on the land of Verdagua, king of a thousand eyes and embroiled in a battle between good and evil against Verdagua's ruthless daughter, Tsarmina.

Arthur Dent hadn't had a day as bad as this since the Earth had been blown up. Depressed and alone, Arthur finally settles on the small planet Lamuella and becomes a sandwich maker. Looking forward to a quiet life, his plans are thrown awry by the unexpected arrival of his daughter. There's nothing worse than a frustrated teenager with a copy of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in their hands. When she runs away - Arthur goes after her determined to save her from the horrors of the universe. After all - he's encountered most of them before... Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Pandora has returned to her village. She is haunted by both her failure to bring her friend home and the vision she has seen of the last few days, The Burning, when creatures swarmed the city. How did these creatures come into being in the first place? Are the last remnants of humanity really safe from them? The River People and the Mountain People have survived for another season. But at what cost? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

A moving tale of secrets and survival bound together by the power of music. When Lesley is sent to interview world-renowned violinist Paulo Levi, she is told that she can ask him anything at all -- except the Mozart question and that presents no problem at all because she has no idea of what that means.

Living in the commission, Lexie is left to fend for herself. Her mother is mostly absent, out searching for something to help her forget the tragic death of Lexie's dad. After witnessing the aftermath of a shocking incident, Lexie finds solace in the most unlikely of places, a troubled old man called The Creeper. A chance, life-saving encounter on the commission's roof seeds a friendship between the two and when they enlist the help of Lexie's friend Davey, the three set off on a epic journey; one that will change their lives forever. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Take your place in the Globe Theatre of Shakespeare's day to see seven of his best-loved plays in performance. Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, The Winter's Tale and The Tempest are all brought life in comic-strip versions, which include the bard's own dialogue and the rowdy remarks of the audience.

Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City until she is suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the all-new Ms. Marvel? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! As Kamala discovers the dangers of her newfound powers, she unlocks a secret behind them as well. Is Kamala ready to wield these immense new gifts? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

In Much Ado About Nothing, Beatrice and Benedick trade insults and fall in love in the sunny Italian court of the Duke -- but the Duke's brother has devious plans to ruin the happy mood. Manga readers can now enjoy the wit and drama of these plays firsthand. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10, or above

Claudio falls in love with Hero and their marriage is agreed upon. Beatrice and Benedick despise love and engage in comic banter. The others plot to make them fall in love with each other, by a trick in which Benedick will overhear his friends talking of Beatrice's supposed secret love for him, and vice versa. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Shakespeare has never been out of fashion. In his lifetime, he was incredibly successful and, after his death, Shakespeare's works were published to the world. This is a new interpretation of Shakespeare's stages, a play on words, which sheds light on the colourful and exuberant world of Shakespeare's life and times. You won't find the sainted genius, solemn with quill and ink-stained hand. High of brow he may have been, but never high-brow. Shakespeare was in the thick of it.

The Baron of Muddle Earth's only hope is an incompetent wizard, a boy, his dog, a cynical budgerigar, a not-very -big ogre and an intrepid silver teaspoon. Anything could happen in the land of pink, stinky hogs and exploding gas frogs.

Jim Liddell is different from other thirteen year old boys, living in a world of imagination. He takes home the class pet, a mudlark called Mudlark. Its escape teaches Jim some lessons and helps him come to terms with his mother's death.

Orphaned twelve-year-old Hattie travels to the remote and mist-shrouded Fens to live with her Egypt-obsessed aunt and uncle. It is 1873 in England. Her aunt hosts ancient Egyptian mummy-unwrapping parties in London, aided by the mysterious and sinister Ravens. When the mummy supply unexpectedly runs out, the family embarks on a perilous and illegal search for more, a thousand miles up the Nile.

In an alternate reality a lot like our world, every person's physical size is directly proportional to their wealth. The poorest of the poor are the size of rats, and billionaires are the size of skyscrapers. Warner and his sister Prayer are destitute - and tiny. Their size is not just demeaning, but dangerous: day and night they face mortal dangers that bigger richer people don't ever have to think about, from being mauled by cats to their house getting stepped on. There are no cars or phones built small enough for them, or schools or hospitals, for that matter - there's no point, when no one that little has any purchasing power, and when salaried doctors and teachers would never fit in buildings so small. Warner and Prayer know their only hope is to scale up, but how can two littlepoors survive in a world built against them? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Colonel Protheroe, the much-loathed magistrate of St Mary Mead, has been found shot through the head. It isn't his murder that raises eyebrows, it's the scandalous secrets his death exposes. Miss Marple has her work cut out to find the right trail to the killer who obviously has something to hide. Beautifully illustrated by Norma.

When the wife of the expedition leader of a large archaeological dig in Mesopotamia starts receiving letters from her dead husband, she is terrified. When she turns up dead in a room that nobody could have entered, it is up to Hercule Poirot, the famous Belgian detective, and the nurse to find the answer. Beautifully illustrated by Chandre.

13 year old Grace loves her new charity shop coat. It is perfect! Except for one tiny thing. When she wears it, she sees visions of the previous owner's life....and their murder! Grace and her best friend, Suzy, decide to investigate but digging up the past reveals secrets some people want kept hidden. Can Grace solve a fifty-year-old murder or will she become the killer's next victim?

When Ben's Dad leaves home, Ben and his Mum move to the country to find a better life. Their neighbour, Luke, bullies Ben remorselessly about his city ways and his pet crow, Joe. When Luke threatens to hurt Joe, the crows take their own revenge.

The murder of a wealthy widow in a small English village leads Hercule Poirot into a strange mystery involving a determined, curious spinster, the local doctor and a wide range of suspects. All have possible motives and mysterious, sinister relationships. Beautifully illustrated by Bruno Lachard.

By the time Hercule Poirot, the famous Belgian detective, receives Monsieur Renauld's urgent plea, the millionaire has been stabbed to death and is lying in a newly dug grave on the golf links adjoining his estate. The suspects are many - the ignored wife, the embittered son and the demanding mistress. The police think they have the culprit but Poirot begs to differ. Beautifully illustrated by Marc Piskic.

Sally Jones is not only a loyal friend, she's an extraordinary individual. In overalls or in a maharaja's turban, this unique gorilla moves among humans without speaking but understanding everything. She and the Chief are devoted comrades who operate a cargo boat. A job they are offered pays big bucks, but the deal ends badly, and the Chief is falsely convicted of murder. For Sally Jones this is the start of a harrowing quest for survival and to clear the Chief's name. Powerful forces are working against her, and they will do anything to protect their secrets.

Like her father and mother, Merrith is apprenticed to become an assassin with the Murderers' Guild. But, Merrith is hopeless with a dagger and sword, inept at mixing poison and doesn't want to kill people. Her talent seems to lie elsewhere.

Mercy is an angel, exiled from heaven, and when she wakes in the body of nineteen-year-old Irina, Mercy discovers that she is one of the world's most infamous supermodels on the verge of a very public breakdown. Against the glamorous background of Milan's opulent fashion world, Mercy continues her increasingly desperate search for Ryan Daley, the mortal boy she remembers falling for in a past life. But this time, Mercy's memories and powers are growing ever stronger - and she begins to doubt the pleas of her dream lover, Luc, as more of her mysterious past is revealed. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Heloise lives with her godmother in an isolated cottage and, next door, is a sinister museum dedicated to the memory of Mary Child. Visitors enter it with a smile but depart with fear in their eyes. When Heloise finds a doll under the floorboards, she keeps it against her godmother's advice. That's when the delicate truce between Heloise and her godmother begins to unravel.

What use is music your body can't hold, that can't take you from this world? Each of these poems is a portrait of someone with or reputed to have had Marfan Syndrome. Many of the poems emerge out of personal interviews, while others are portraits of public figures: Abraham Lincoln, Akhenaten, Mary Queen of Scots , Edith Sitwell, Niccolo Paganini, John Tavener, Sergei Rachmaninov, and Robert Johnson, among others. Usually read by students in Year 9, 10 & above.

Rosa goes to the Ballarat goldfields with her parents in 1854, during the lead up to the Eureka Stockade. She keeps a daily journal of her experiences - a fresh and interesting minutiae of daily life on the goldfields.

As the horrors of the First World War are drawing to a close, an influenza pandemic has arisen that will kill more people around the world than the Great War. Charlotte McKenzie, assisting the doctor, finds herself experiencing first hand the effects of this devastating disease. This is Charlotte's diary, written in post World War I Melbourne in 1918.

Set in the seventies, Jan Packard is a Melbourne thirteen year old growing up in changing times. She discovers the sexual revolution, politics, the anti-Vietnam moratorium, the impact of war service, boys and that parents are fallible and human. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Billy Shanghai Hamilton has been snatched by pirates in the Torres Strait and forced to work on a pearling boat. Greed for pearls drives men mad and the seas are full of danger. Soon Billy is fighting for survival in a dangerous world of assassins, treasure hunters, deep-sea diving, underworld crime and mutiny.

A fictionalised account of the devastation wrought by Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Eve, 1974. Fourteen year old Ryan shares his perspective of life in Darwin with stories of his family life, his friendships and his first girlfriend.

Jack McLaren, a fourteen year old, is offered a mechanics apprenticeship in Longreach, Queensland. He gets to travel north with two World War 1 pilots in a model T Ford, finding the best route for an air race. The beginning of QANTAS.

Victor March is 14 years old and looking for adventure. He lies about his age and enlists in the 10th Battalion to fight in the Great War. He is among the first soldiers to land at Anzac Cove in 1915 and his world will forever change.

During World War II, Archie's two brothers are fighting the Japanese in the jungles of New Guinea. In his diary, Archie records how Townsville becomes a base for the pacific campaign, as the Australian coastline reels under Japanese bombs. Archie also records his own battle against the local bully.

Adventures on the high seas for an accidental stowaway with a mysterious and frightening past. But, it is yet to be established if the stowaway is Jules, or Julienne.

Kitty wrote her diary living in the slums of the Rocks in 1900. She describes the harsh experiences of her surroundings and details of life in early twentieth century Sydney.

The Taliban in Afghanistan are seeking out young boys to become fighters. Fourteen year old Ali is smuggled out on a small boat. After a gruelling journey, Ali is rescued and transferred to Woomera Detention Centre in the Australian desert.

Life in the early days at Sydney Cove is told through the diary of a young girl.

David Bellamy is afraid. He fears the strange new land of New South Wales, its inhabitants and its wild creatures. He fears his relatives who have taken him in and the swearing, cursing Governor Bligh. And then, on Anniversary Day, 26th January, 1808, David and his new friends, Kitty and Ralph, are on the streets of Sydney Town when the military march on Government House.

Mary is ten when she begins to write in her diary. She documents her life as an Aboriginal child who was taken from her natural parents and raised by a non-Aboriginal foster family. Mary doesn't fit in and starts to question why.

The author's life on the island of Corfu with his family and an assortment of animals.

Kaya is completing her HSC when she is woken in the middle of the night by her mother. They are to pack immediately and go to their holiday home in the Blue Mountains. Her father is not coming back, after giving evidence against some dangerous criminals in court. Months later, they are still in hiding and the mysteries are multiplying. Kaya is not sure who to trust: her mother'd new friend, the policeman or her new friend, Eric, from the local store. She is also recovering from memory loss caused by PTSD after a chilling encounter with the criminals. She is seeing a psychologist in an attempt to recall the evidence she might have to give in a forthcoming trial. Will she remember - and what dangers will her memories lead to? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

From the shores of Anzac Cove and beyond, the Gallipoli peninsula was the place where thousands of men fought, suffered, endured or died during the eight months of occupation in 1915. For each of them, their nurses and their families, Gallipoli means something different.

When a boy has bullies, a scary monster lurking about at night, and a strange noise outside his window to contend with, the last thing he expects is for a little green tree frog to be his saviour. But he names the frog Girragundji and together they learn how to be brave and face the world together.

What's a girl to do when her parents have split up; her dad has a new girlfriend, her mum is internet dating and one of her best friends has decided not to invite her to the biggest party of the year (which she then has to watch the party unfold on everyone's else's social media!). If you're a girl called MC, you get mad as hell, that's what you do. But what begins as one girl's private no-holds-barred rant soon snowballs in the most public way possible. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Mina empties her thoughts, stories and dreams into her notebook, creating an extraordinary journal of her transition from school to homeschool and of life in her neighbourhood. Prequel to Skellig, also on 7-9 booklist,

Will Thompson is a bit of a misfit. He verges on dyslexia, provokes numerous family problems and has something of a bizarre view of life. He rises to a degree of fame, if not notoriety, when he and two of his friends take on the state to stop the closing of the Goongara Learning Centre.

An autobiography of three generations of Sally Morgan's Aboriginal family that traces her search for identity. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Jade Hameister is a truly remarkable Australian. At fourteen she decided on a goal: To be the youngest person in history to complete the Polar Hat-Trick. In this book you will be taken on her journey as she travels through polar lands hostile to human life and accomplishes something truly remarkable. An inspirational true story that might very well change your perspective on the limits on what is possible.

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.

Pearl and Jodie, boy-mad sisters and best friends, are full of teen and pre-teen angst. Mum just can't cope with little girls who don't do as they're told, especially precocious Jodie whom, in her frustation, she often lashes out at physically. Pearl can't believe that Jodie would ever choose to leave her but perhaps her story won't have a happy ending. Coarse language used in context. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Since the death of his sister, Rose, in a terrorist attack, life for ten year old Jamie has been torn apart. A move to the country with his dad and older sister only increases Jamie's torment. His father mourns through alcohol and a wild rage against the killers. Jamie is bullied at his new school and yearns for his absent mother. Jamie knows he should feel sadder but he barely remembers his sister.

Phoebe's non-Indigenous mother, a busy event manager, and her father, an Aboriginal man and uni lecturer, have split up and she's moved to sleepy old Willunga with him and his new health-obsessed girlfriend. It's only a few kilometres from Phoebe's old friends and the city, but it feels like another world. Her new school is full of hippies, but some of the kids are cool and the local basketball team is tight, and before long Phoebe's fitting in. But as her mum becomes increasingly unreliable, Phoebe's grades begin to suffer, her place on the basketball team is under threat and her worries spiral out of control. Phoebe can't tell her friends and is worried her dad will get angry, but pretending everything is fine is breaking her heart. How can she help her mum without tearing her family apart? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Jenkin Lloyd is fourteen and about to embark on the adventure of his life when he goes off to war, as an archer, for King Henry V to fight against the 60,000 strong French troups at Agincourt. Jenkin knows there is not much chance of surviving the day.

Amelia Earhart was the first female aviator to cross the Atlantic. This courageous pilot disappeared in terrible weather conditions after flying out of Australia. She believed women must attempt the same challenges as men.

When the potato blight strikes Ireland, fourteen year old Phyllis McCormack goes into service to help feed her family.

Now Paul Lelaud has turned fourteen years old, he can escape from his Nazi sympathising teacher, Monsieur Armignac. He desperately wants to do something to free France of the Germans so his Uncle Maurice takes him into the French Resistance.

Thomas Morris thinks something mysterious is going on in Bunbury. The telegrams he delivers carry cryptic messages and strangers are acting in odd ways. Tom writes down his exciting adventures as he becomes part of a mysterious and amazing plot.

Peter is the son of a merchant sailor during the Second World War whose father survives a bombing by a German U-Boat. This motivates Peter to be more actively involved in the English war effort.

Kitty is a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) nurse stationed at Standhaven military hospital. She doesn't know if she has it in her to nurse the young wounded soldiers coming in from France but they desperately need her help.

From the True Stories series, here are tales of hidden treasure and lost temples deep in the rainforests.

The keepers of the Eilean Mor lighthouse all disappeared without a trace. Find out what secrets the lighthouse hides in this picture book for older readers.

Aboard the luxurious Blue Train running from London to the Riviera, a pampered millionaire's daughter, Ruth Kettering, is found murdered and her expensive jewels stolen. There is talk of the infamous jewel thief, the Marquis, but Poirot's suspicion falls closer to home and Ruth's unhappy marriage. The Belgian detective is not to be trifled with. Beautifully illustrated by Marc Piskic.

After a frightening car accident, Izzy's mum is in a coma. Her family is in pieces. Her best friend at school has dumped her. And her nightmares are haunted by a shadowy man stealing all the colours from her world. She's trying so hard to be brave, but Izzy thinks everything is her fault. Then she meets her new neighbour, Toby, paralysed after a skateboarding accident, and together they find a nest of cygnets who need rescuing. Particularly the odd one out, called Spike. Will saving Spike save Izzy? Will she and Toby solve the mystery of the colour thief and bring hope and happiness back to Izzy's life? Written with insight, compassion and empathy - an authentic story about real life and how to survive it.

Shey can't resist exploring the locked room in Uncle Ruben's house. Looking through a pair of antique opera glasses, Shey is transported to a strange land depicted in one of Ruben's paintings where there are lots of clues to be followed.