Booklists

Funny and, sometimes, poignant verse novel about the kids in class 6C. They get a new male teacher, a pony-tailed hippy, who helps them put on an end of year concert.

Everyone has to wait until their twelfth birthday for the Name Bank to decide each person's name. Usually, safe botanical names are chosen. September wants a special, unique name and is enticed by spooky Madame Alcina to be able to choose her own name by playing a board game. What she is not told is that, so far, no one has managed to win and some players have not reappeared. Every dice roll leads to danger.

Griffin Silk lives in a loving home with his father, many colourful sisters and his grandmother, Nell. Until now, all the children have had home schooling but, because his mother has gone away, as has his baby sister, Griffin must attend the local school. Griffin finds school challenging until he meets Princess Layla, who helps him discover the courage to share his secret.

Derrick, Samantha and Michael should be in school. Instead they find themselves in NASA's space shuttle, which Nanny Piggins manages to accidentally launch, blasting them all into outer space. This time she has gone too far! In this thrilling fourth instalment of her adventures, Nanny Piggins wrestles with a crocodile, bungy jumps off the roof using the elastic from Mr Green's underpants, staples chicken wire over their chimney to keep out Santa, captures an apricot danish-loving jewel thief and rescues her brother, Boris, from an onslaught of professional wrestlers.

Never fear, Nanny Piggins is here! When Mr Green rings from a tropical island, begging to be rescued, Nanny Piggins' first instinct is to say no. However, a principle is at stake. No-one kidnaps her employer - at least not without written permission from her. So Nanny Piggins sets out to save the hapless tax lawyer, and to do so she must first dabble in a spot of bungy jumping, deceive immigration officials wearing a fake moustache and seduce the President with her most powerful weapon - the dance of the seven cakes.

Nanny Piggins gets in trouble with the law after some illicit tight rope walking, and is sentenced to 5000 hours community service. But she isn't the type of pig to take her punishment lying down, not when there are old people to rescue, pirates to impersonate and a great big bus to borrow.

In this riveting eighth instalment of Nanny Piggins' adventures, she sets out to thwart Mr Green's political ambitions by running for mayor herself. Her mission - to proudly fight for Liberty, Equality and Cake! Is democracy safe? Probably not. Will Nanny Piggins give everyone in the electorate diabetes from too much cake? Most likely. And along the way tremendous adventure abounds. Taking part in a diabolical fun run, being trapped in a sabotaged lift, faking seismic activity, safeguarding the local vacant lot and beating the world pole vault record is just the beginning.

In book five of her enthralling adventures, Nanny Piggins discovers some startling truths about the ruthless Ringmaster, provides counselling to a Molavadinian princess with pre-wedding jitters, inadvertently wins a Nobel Prize while impersonating her sister and catches up with her favourite 4-tonne friend, Esmeralda the forgetful elephant.

With a runaway lion loose in the neighbourhood, Derrick, Samantha and Michael feel scared. Nanny Piggins feels like a slice of cake. And Boris feels like that lion looks strangely familiar. In this third action-packed book of adventures, Nanny Piggins tames a lion and a lion tamer. She revolutionises the sport of ski jumping, introduces hot-pink leotards to the local Neighbourhood Watch, demonstrates trapeze skills on a moving bus, plays badminton with a wok and teaches Shakespeare a thing or two about how to write a play. All while thwarting Mr Green's attempt to send her favourite children to Nicaragua (she does find it wearisome having to put him in his place constantly). And yet, somehow, she still finds time to bake lots and lots of cake.

When Mr Green announces his diabolical plan - he has decided to get married - his children (Derrick, Samantha and Michael) are horrified. Especially when they discover his real motive - he wants to get married so he can sack their beloved nanny, Nanny Piggins. Obviously their father has to be stopped, and Nanny Piggins is just the pig to do it. Because you should never ever cross a flying pig. And so, in the process of ruining Mr Green's matrimonial prospects, Nanny Piggins and the children have many exciting adventures - including being blasted across Dead Man's Gorge with an armadillo, breaking into a maximum-security prison in search of Chinese food and fighting a Gypsy Queen over a pit of fire.

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.

Watch out Santa, Nanny Piggins is coming to town this Christmas! This is not a survival guide to Christmas. This is a guide to conquering the Yuletide season! That's right, it is time to take a stand - don't suffer through another year of brussels sprouts, gift-wrapped socks and slobbery kisses from great aunts who forget to put their teeth in. Take control of your Christmas and put the happy back in your holiday, using the handy hints, games and inspiring stories within this book.

Everything is made of something... but the way we make things, from the materials we use to the science and technology involved, is changing fast. Learn how nanotechnology is the way of the future!

Simon lives with his cousins in Australia. He sees a star-like creature that moves at night and becomes involved in a life and death struggle.

The arrival of a little known grandfather from Scotland makes life miserable for the Nuttboard family. Fergus McCrane is self-centred, overbearing and rude. Nathan is forced to give up his bedroom and share with his sister, Nadine, and Fergus dobs Narelle in for being at a pub instead of studying. Mum also doesn't get on with her father who has never forgiven Dad for marrying his daughter and taking her to Australia.

Nathan is eleven years old with two sisters, one older and one younger. When the family goes camping, Paradise Bay doesn't quite fit its name. Nathan's father can't seem to catch any fish, the tent isn't up properly, the gas stove doesn't have a pipe and Nathan and his sister get swept out to sea. Depsite all this, Nathan learns how to surf, explores new relationships and learns to maintain often-difficult family relationships.

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.

Grade seven is not going well for Nathan Nuttboard. His mother is filling his sandwiches with pet food, his friends are crazy, his teacher is full of 'interesting' ideas and, when he is publicly dumped by the most popular girl in the class, he reckons things can't get any worse. But then, he's unexpectedly and unwillingly cast as the lead actor in the school's end of year play.

Scabs, swaggies, battling politicians, doddering generals, sheep stealers and heroic diggers played their part in Australia's history from 1880 - 1920. Life in Australia was relatively comfortable for some, but drought drove many out on the roads, and bad times made politicians dream of forming one nation. Then, a far-off war and its aftermath brought even greater changes than the discovery of gold.

Raymond goes to Barryjong Primary School and he is a follower. He knows that people think his school is rubbish and he knows they have a bullying problem. But he doesn't think he can fix it. Then the school gets another new Principal. They never last long... but this one is different. And when he announces his plan to have prefects and improve the school's reputation, Raymond decides to take a chance on maybe moving from Loser to Leader.

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.

Become an expert nature explorer with fifty easy-to-do activities, which can be done in the park, the garden or at home. From studying bird behaviour to growing crystals, you will discover lots about bugs, birds, rocks, fossils and many other wonders of nature.

Take a look at some pairs of animals that appear alike but are really very different. Find out how wasps differ from bees, and the difference between alligators and crocodiles. Easy to access information includes unusual or amazing facts, photographs, charts and maps.

Naveed is sick of war. The foreign powers and the Taliban, the warlords and the drug barons have torn Afghanistan apart. He has had to grow up quickly to care for his widowed mother and young sister, making little money from odd jobs and selling at the markets. When Naveed adopts Nasera, a street dog with extraordinary abilities, he has a chance to help rebuild his country.

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.

Travel back in time to the centre of a mighty civilisation that still fascinates the world. Find out more about the Egyptians - pharaohs and priests, farmers and scribes - the royal intrigues, religious beliefs and day-to-day dramas of life in ancient Egypt. Take a tour of a splendid palace, a bustling river port, an embalmer's chamber and the awesome Great Pyramid.

The ultimate visual guide to ancient Greek mythology, theatre, battles on land and sea, incredible minds and amazing cities. Encounter proud Trojans, ferocious Spartans, Olympic athletes, the Immortals of Persia and magnificent Roman war elephants.

Travel back in time to the bustling centre of a civilization that dominated the world. Find out more about Roman senators and citizens, soldiers and slaves, and the intrigues, power struggles and day-to-day dramas of life in ancient Rome. Take a tour of crowded apartment blocks, busy streets and markets, elegant bath-houses and the thrilling Colosseum.

Get up close and personal with all creatures of the animal kingdom. Fly high on an airborne hunt with an osprey, watch an anteater's tongue catch termites in their nest and dive in the deep ocean with a lantern fish.

Journey around the world, delving through layers of fossil evidence to uncover the secrets of prehistoric life. Step back in time and unearth some of the most awesome dinosaur specimens yet discovered. Find out about fierce fighting dinosaurs and horned dinosaurs, and discover how dinosaur hunters build pictures of the lives of these amazing beasts.

Discover just how exciting and dangerous life on planet Earth can be. From the awesome power of the Sun as the driver of the Earth's atmosphere, to the eye of a developing storm, and how weather plays a role in tough and difficult jobs like an air-sea rescue mission and life at a polar research station.

Travel from head to toe, and all the parts in between, in this visually spectacular guide to the inner workings of the human body. Find out about DNA, muscles, blood vessels, antibodies and viruses. An incredible physiological adventure.

Get up close and personal with some of the planet's deadliest predators, from the feeding frenzy of a school of piranhas to crushing snakes, polar hunters and the strike of a scorpion.

Travel back in time to an age of battles and bloodshed. Find out all about knights, their chivalry, valour, jousts, weapons and battles. Watch history come alive with the colour and drama of the Middle Ages, and take a tour of some of the world's greatest castles.

Mammals are fantastic creatures, living in an amazing array of habitats. Join a pack of wolves on their chase for prey across a wintry landscape, glide through an underwater kelp forest with otters and sealions, and shrink down into the miniature underground world of burrowing rodents.

Dive in and explore the wonders of the world's waters. Discover how the oceans looked in ancient times and how they've changed to the oceans we know today. Find out why oceans and seas are a phenomenal force when effected by the weather and humans.

For action, romance and adventure, no historical figure can hold a candle to a pirate. Take to the seas on a pirate ship and meet some of history's most terrifying characters. From the earliest records when Cilician pirates kidnapped Julius Caesar, to the seventeenth century buccaneer who cut out his victim's heart, and the exploits of the most fearsome pirate, Blackbeard.

Find out about Planet Earth, the planet we call home. Discover the forces that made it, its environments, weather, landscapes, resources, and the impact humans continue to have on its fragile processes.

Journey from the forest floor right up into the emergent layers of the rainforest, home to the most diverse and exciting range of wildlife on the planet. Find out where the rainforests are located, what makes them so special, who lives there and how we can protect their future. Meet the creatures that are unique to these environments, and see them in action.

This intergalactic travelogue takes space lovers where they have never gone before. Come and visit Mars, disappear inside a black hole, dodge asteroids and speculate on the future of human endeavours in space.

Get inside the minds of scientists, engineers and programmers, and unravel the workings of the modern world. Discover the secrets of tunnel builders, the splitting of an atom and the adventure of a ride into orbit.

Tara Finn has always loved books and reading. When she was five, she told everyone she was going to be a writer, and at age ten she has published a collection of over thirty of her poems.

A biography of the infamous outlaw and bushranger, including his family background, exploits and the legacy he left behind.

Every month, Mrs Bracker has an historical theme for Years 5 and 6 to study, and there's always a prize for the best project. This month, the class are bushrangers holding up local businesses for donations. The prize is a state-of-the-art billy cart so Robbie and the McGoogly will do anything to win, even trying out some ancient technology to locate a real souvenir of the bushranger period.

On 20 July 1969, hundreds of millions of people watched on television as Neil Armstrong stepped onto the powdery surface of the moon. This book provides an insight into his life.

One night, while listening to Nell play the beautiful Tennessee Waltz, Perry thinks of the perfect way to bring his two favourite people together: he wants to put on a dance - a proper one with petticoats and posies and a real band. Perry shares his idea with his sisters, and before long the dance turns into a wonderful winter festival. But when something happens to Nell, will Perry's wish come true?

It's 1849 and Nellie and her best friend, Mary, are starting new lives as kitchen maids in a grand Adelaide house. But Nellie's desire to live out her dreams soon leads to a battle with the spiteful cook, Bessie Rudge. Nellie must try to keep her temper and avoid being thrown out to beg on the streets. And she doesn't know why Mary is acting so strangely.

Words and illustrations tell the story of the famous opera singer's life.

It's 1850 and Nellie is returning to Adelaide after searching for the Thompson family at the Burra. She's keen to get back to her best friend, Mary, who is ill in hospital. But she's in for a terrible shock. Even Nellie begins to feel that all is lost and that she might never achieve her dreams. Will her spirit be crushed, or can she turn her fate around?

It's 1850 and Nellie's best friend, Mary, is gravely ill. To provide Mary with the care she needs, Nellie must break a promise and go on a quest to find the Thompson family. Nellie's not sure if they will be able to help. Then Nellie's problems compound when her own life is in danger.

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.

Nelly enjoys the constant surprises associated with babysitting monsters but finds some of the residents at Eclair Towers rather frightening.

Nelly loves monsters and spends much of her spare time babysitting them. Consequently, she has some incredible adventures.

Nelly's monster-sitting adventures continue with three new unpredictable and exciting monster families.

Nelly's monster sitting adventures are always full of surprises. She certainly can't believe it when she sits a monster who wants to do absolutely nothing. Or, when she has to rescue the smallest monster she's ever encountered. But, nothing can prepare Nelly for Christmas Day with the Dendrilegs.

Nelly's monster sitting adventures are always full of surprises. Things just seem to get stickier and stickier when she monster sits for the Ultravores but it doesn't compare to how lost for words she is at the Rimes. And, with even more fighting with Asti to add to the mix, her time with the Wattwatts is shocking to say the least.

The life and work of a political activist, his imprisonment and election as the president of South Africa.

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

The tale of a tiny worm, the bacteria that live inside her, and a tree being munched on by a grub. When a tree cries out in pain, some unexpected heroes come to the rescue. Nema and her gang of young nematodes (tiny worms) embark on a dangerous journey underground. The Xenos, a group of wise but deadly bacteria, hitch a ride. The story of how they help the tree is full of action, life-or-death challenges and microscopic warfare. It is a story of co-operation and ancient partnership, about events happening all over the Earth, in the hidden worlds beneath our feet.

Fascinating facts about the planet, Neptune, and the solar system. Includes photographs, a glossary and website links.

Cassie is a great swimmer but has to move to a country town with no swimming pool. But when asked to deliver an important message to the underwater city of Neptunia, Cassie has to use all her strength and skill to survive a marathon swim.

Neil Andertol is a hero...Just not in real life. In video games, Neil - or as his online friends know him, ManofNeil - is a superstar. He's just one spot away from the top score on Chameleon, the cool new jet-flying game where the plane supposedly goes invisible at the highest level. But while ManofNeil can take out a whole squadron of enemy planes, regular Neil still gets picked on by the class bully. Until now. When Neil mysteriously wakes up at an undisclosed military base along with eleven other kids, he learns that Chameleon isn't just a game - it's the training simulator for a real fighter jet! Now the Air Force needs their help piloting the jets on a top-secret rescue mission. Can Neil put his gaming skills to the ultimate real-life test? Because this time Neil isn't just playing for points - he's playing to save the world!

John, a convict child, is transported to the penal colony of NSW. Starving and alone, he is taken in by Australia's first schoolteacher, Isabella Rosson. In her simple classroom, John learns to read and write. He never forgets Isabella's lessons, the power of words and the hope for a brighter future.

From Picasso, who changed the art world forever, to Malala Yousafzai, the brave teen who was shot for advocating education for girls, the 50 kids profiled in Never Too Young! will inspire and empower young readers. Some, like Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges, and Stevie Wonder, are prominent figures, while others are lesser known though their achievements are just as compelling. They come from a variety of historical periods and backgrounds, and have made an impact in politics, sports, the arts, science, and more.

Fantastica is slowly decaying, its childlike empress dying. Only a human can set things right. Unicorns, dragons and sprites inhabit this enchanted world, into which Bastian ventures through the pages of an old book.

Bee and her fellow runaways are their own found family. So when a stranger named Paco saves her life, Bee invites him to join their crew, thinking he's another lost teen. Someone else the world has overlooked. The truth is Paco's not just a lost teen, he's a Lost Boy from Neverland. And he needs Bee and the others to come back with him. When the group is then spirited away by a foul-mouthed Tinker Bell, they discover that Neverland is not some fun-filled hideaway. It's a war zone under siege by a horde of pirates with a merciless new leader who will stop at nothing to steal the land's magic. Tink leads a fairy army that barely holds them at bay. Peter Pan is gone. And rest of the Lost Boys have been killed. Paco is all that remains . . . but he hopes that this group of teens will become the new Lost Ones. These young runaways may be Neverland's only hope--but they're about to learn that it'll take a lot more than happy thoughts to win a war.

Sometimes it takes a little courage to discover magic. Eleven-year-old Lina has never seen the world beyond the prison camp until the night she escapes with her best friend, Bogdan. As the pair journey across a snowy Russian wilderness, they are pursued by a vengeful sorceress and her pack of shadow wolves. The children will need a lot of bravery and a little sorcery of their own if they are to survive.

Erik the Viking's father and the entire clan have been kidnapped. But, Erik isn't interested in swinging spiky balls and swords, so it is going to be very difficult for him to save his father from the Dorks and the Jerks.

Using the very latest information and in full colour, Dr Millard takes us through some of the mysteries surrounding the life and death of ancient pharaohs. King Tutankhamen and others are featured in this up-to-date look at ancient Egypt.

Adjusting to a new country and a new school was never going to be easy for Herschelle. It's so different to South Africa. The food is strange and, worst of all, no one understands the Aussie slang that he's learnt on the web. But, it's the similarities that make things really hard. Herschelle will have to confront racism, bullying and his own past before Australia can feel like home.

Isabella and her friends have escaped the floodwaters of Grimsdon for the modern world of New City. Uncertainty and fear have brought dark times, with refugees fleeing the world's rising waters and becoming imprisoned in a miserable camp. Isabella and her friends face new threats, with eyes watching them everywhere.

As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds -- and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighbourhood friends and staying true to himself?

Explore the fascinating story of Australia, from its ancient Indigenous past to the present day, through the biographies of significant people. Find out how these people brought important changes to Australian society through their knowledge, actions or achievements.

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.

Dip into fascinating facts all about New South Wales. Did you know that there are about 100 plants and animals in NSW that are endangered or that people from over 220 countries live in NSW? Read these and many more interesting facts about NSW in this fascinating book.

In this book you'll read fascinating stories about towering skyscrapers and deep subways and the Yankees loudest fans. This book shows you a New York your parents probably don't even know about.

Raised in Beagle Bay mission, Magdalene had been exposed to her traditional culture by her elders. Her account of the coming of the missionaries, and the resulting destruction of law and culture, is interwoven with the poetry of Nyulnyul stories.

Nginingawila Ngirramini - Tiwi language for 'Our Story' - is a celebration of pride and a window into the lives of nine talented, intelligent and funny teenage girls from the Tiwi Islands. In this collection of inspiring pieces, the girls share stories about their heroes, their sacred places and the happiest moments of their lives.

One of the many inventions of Nicholas is a belt that lets him travel through time. His teacher sees it as a way to gain world domination. They become locked in an hysterical, time-hopping battle that Nicholas has to win to save the world.

Nicola Berry's life is turned upside down the day a man from another planet comes to Earth on a strange mission. He's looking for somebody to travel back to his home planet and convince their stuck-up princess not to turn Earth into her planet's giant garbage dump. When Nicola is chosen as the Earthling Ambassador, she's not sure that she's up to the task. Can Nicola and her friends save the planet in time? Or will the nasty Princess Petronella cover Earth in a galactic ton of garbage?

Nicola Berry and her friends have barely caught their breath from their last trip to space when they are called on another intergalactic adventure! This time, they're on their way to Shobble, a beautiful snowy rainbow planet where nothing bad ever happens or so they say. It turns out there is trouble brewing beneath this glittery exterior, and Nicola is put in a tough position. Should she risk defying the planet's dangerous commander-in-chief to help the people of Shobble? Leading the Space Brigade is no easy task!

Nicola and her friends' whirlwind tour of the galaxy isn't about to stop! The Space Brigade's third adventure takes them to a strange pair of planets that couldn't be more different. On one side is a planet covered in volcanoes. On the other side, a beautiful place full of daydreamy poets. Nicola and the Space Brigade find themselves caught in the middle of a war between the two, and must find a way to make peace before it's too late!

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.

Sue and her brother Eddie are visiting London when they run into a little problem. They can't find their tour group. Still, there's no reason to panic. No way their tour guide would just leave them. All alone. In a gloomy old prison tower. No way they'd get locked inside. After dark. With those eerie sounds. And a strange dark figure who wants them ... dead! A favourite Goosebumps, now with all-new bonus features including author secrets, fear facts and haunting games!

A Give Yourself Goosebumps story WoodsWorld? Or WerewolfWorld? Get out your bathing suit! You and your family are off on a summer vacation to a place called WoodsWorld. You can't wait to mess around down at the lake. Then at the Kids only Campfire you hear the rumor about WoodsWorld. Legend has it, werewolves roam the woods at night. But you're not scared. You're ready for adventure. Will you explore the deepest, darkest part of the woods? Brave the Tunnel of Waves, home of the terrifying lake monster? Or battle an army of red fire ants? The choice is yours in this scary GOOSEBUMPS adventure that's packed with over 20 super-spooky endings!

A "Give Yourself Goosebumps" story. A summer vacation on Cat Cay Island is turning into a nightmare as the reader's brother mysteriously vanishes and Katrina the Cat Woman sets out to make the reader the next Keeper of hundreds of evil mutant cats, in a scary adventure featuring more than twenty separate endings.

Ket is desperate to learn the druid's secrets. He can predict the future from the stars, understand the raven's cry and speak words of power that can halt a battle. Five other fosterlings are competing with him to become the chosen one and, at each new moon, one of them is sent away. Friendships are strained as they all try to impress the druid.

Welcome to the Hall of Horrors, HorrorLand's Hall of Fame for the truly terrifying. When 11-year-old Steven Sweeney is tricked into drinking a strange mixture of chemicals by his classmates, things begin to get strange. Either his toothbrush is growing, or he is shrinking! Steven has to navigate his way through gigantic dust bunnies, enormous birds, and other once seemingly harmless, everyday items to get to his best friend's house for help. Will he be able to make it through the day and return to his original size?

Discover the fan-favourite thriller and chiller that first introduced the world to the wooden face of fear. The puppet who pulls all the strings. None other than Slappy the Dummy! With all-new bonus material revealing Slappy's secrets and more.

Amy's ventriloquist dummy, Dennis, has lost his head... for real. So Amy begs her family for a new dummy. That's when her dad finds Slappy in a local pawnshop. Slappy's kind of ugly, but at least his head stays on! Amy loves practicing her new comedy routine. It's like this dummy knows what she's thinking. Like he can move by himself. And it's a lot of fun... until Slappy starts a routine of his own. A nasty horrible, routine that isn't funny at all. Slappy may have a new owner, but he's up to the same old tricks...

Trina O'Dell's dad used to have a ventriloquist act. That's why he has all those dummies in the attic. He calls it his Dummy Museum. There's a dummy with freckles. And one with a sneer just like Rocky. Trina and her brother, Dan, think the dummies are pretty cool. But now there are voices in the attic. And dummies keep showing up in the strangest places. No way those dummies could be alive...right?

Ben and Jenny Renfro are terrified of puppets and they don't know why. It's just been a fear that the twins have shared for as long as they can remember. Yes, they are creeped out by all kinds of puppets, but especially marionettes. Something about all of those wires is extra scary. The twins are determined to defeat their class rivals by winning their school's talent contest. And that means doing whatever it takes. Even if they have to surround themselves by the thing they hate most--puppets! But there is more to these guys than just string and glue. Something evil is hanging around. Will Ben and Jenny be able to take control?

Jem's dad drove the Cobb and Co mail coaches between Braidwood and Goulburn, it was dark and dangerous work. They only drove at night, but sometimes Paw let Jem take the reins. This was a difficult job with 5 horses up front and passengers in the carriage. Tonight, was going to be an even more interesting drive - although they didn't know that. Jem was sitting on top of the carriage with his Paw, the mail had been packed, a mystery passenger was on board, an extremely heavy trunk too as well as all sorts of obstacles along the way. What were the secrets the passengers on this particular coach ride hiding?

A group of children spend the night in a big old school and go on a chilling journey of self-discovery when they decide to play a game. They must travel from room to room, picking up a lantern and writing down their names to ward off the dark. But, the old school holds a secret that they must confront if they are to succeed in their journey.

It's 1854 and the Ballarat goldfields are a place of dreams and rebellion as Sam, a homeless teenager, is called back to the past. As the summer days get hotter and the miners protests are ignored, Sam experiences at first-hand the power of a united stand which will change her life forever.

Ray Gordon really likes the circus. His uncle, Theo, is a performer in Koko's Klown Academy and he invites Ray to come join him for the summer. At first, Ray's parents are reluctant-they know their son has a habit of getting himself into strange situations. But Ray manages to convince them that he'll be on his best behaviour. The circus itself is very cool. The clowns stay in their makeup all day and only go by their clown names. Ray becomes a clown-in-training named Mr. Belly-Bounce. But the longer he's there, the scarier things become. There are whisperings about a place called Clown Street and nobody, including Murder the Clown, wants to go there. Will Ray be able to survive the dark secrets of the circus?

One summer, Philippa's life is changed forever when she meets a furry, shadowy little creature called a nimbin, who adopts her and takes over her beach bag as its home. A delightful tale about a mythical Australian creature.

Eleven year old Aya has arrived in Britain with her mother and baby brother seeking asylum from Syria. A local ballet teacher notices Aya's talent and her fascination with the dance classes. While Aya finds friends and begins to settle into life in Britain, she and her family must fight for survival and to stay in the country.

25 women, 25 exciting careers and every one is possible if you are willing to dream big and work hard. From mountaineer to astronomer, citizen scientist to volcanologist, enjoy their stories and learn some fun facts about the people, places and creatures of the amazing world we live in.

Taken from his home in the middle of the night, Jack is placed in a home for 'Orphans and Unwanted Children.' He loves telling jokes but not many people laugh in the orphanage. There are no names, only numbers on shoes, and Jack has become Number 49. The spirited, ever-optimistic Jack struggles in the loveless, cruel environment and begins to wonder if he will ever return to the family he misses so much.

KLAUS (Knowledge Learning and Understanding System) the robot is here to take you on a journey of discovery. With fun facts and challenges to solve, this book of general facts will answer all your questions about space, humans, Earth, science, animals, and maths.

Clive Prendergast is a fox with a regular job and a place to call home in a busy city. His friend, Humphrey, is a struggling donkey with no fixed address. Life in the city isn't easy but a special-looking, blue envelope is about to change everything, at least for one night.

Ron's family is broken. He isn't able to live with his mum or dad. Now he's being fostered by his aunt who has three sons of her own. It's a chaotic, angry environment, and Ron isn't at all happy. When strangers, Rosie and Bob, offer to care for him, he jumps at the chance. It's the kind of home he's always dreamed of. There is only one thing missing. He aches to be with his dad.

Augustus Nod has launched a treasure hunt from beyond the grave. The race is on, and the twins must solve the riddles and discover Nod's lost golden limbs before the Knightleighs bury the past and the diabolical duo with it.

Andy and his father, a Vietnamese former refugee, return to Hanoi for the first time in over twenty years. Andy experiences a real cultural shock as he feels very Australian and doesn't like being called by his Vietnamese name. Over time, Andy discovers a lot about his relatives, his father and himself, as he helps his dad tell them about his life in Australia.

From the frozen polar regions to warm ocean currents, scorching deserts to tropical rainforests, animals all over the world respond to the four seasons in very different ways. Their survival depends on it. Learn about their conservation status and see how animals adapt to the changing seasons in their Northern and Southern Hemisphere homes.

Cecilia Undergarment likes a challenge. When she discovers a sad and neglected dog, she is determined to rescue him. But, her daring dog rescue lands her in deep trouble, in the form of being lost in the dark forest of Northwood. A forest where ferocious black lions roam. A forest that hides a secret castle, an unlikely king and many a mystery. A forest where those who enter never return.

What do you think of when you hear the word 'hero'? Is it the wall-climbing, cape-wearing, villain-fighter you see in comics and films? Heroes can actually come in all forms, shapes and sizes. Some cook for the hungry. Some nurse the poorly back to health. Others raise money for important causes. From small acts of kindness to inventions that have saved the lives of hundreds of people, every person in this book has found their passion - or their superpower. No matter how big or small it might be, your power can be used to change the world for the better too.

Twelve year old Nick loves cricket but he isn't going to play next season. Sledging opponents has become the norm at weekend games and Nick doesn't want to be a part of it.

Lana's dad and Guy's mum are going to get married but Lana and Guy hate each other. After trying to sabotage the wedding so they don't have to live in the same house, their problems are solved in an unusual way.

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.

Full of warmth and humour, the poems provide snapshots of everyday family life, the fun of a beach holiday, raiding the fridge after school, fighting over whose turn it is to do the dishes, camping in the backyard and much more.

Twelve year old Olivia Grace considers herself to be totally average. Following her mother's death, Olivia Grace lives with her aunt and cousins, and has never met her father, although she has received letters from him. Olivia's world is turned upside down when the most popular girl at school attacks her for lying. But, rescue is at hand, in the form of a princess who whisks her away in a limousine.

The first Aboriginal Olympic gold medallist, Nova Peris Kneebone's rise to fame is the subject of this book.

Numbers are amazing. They help us make sense of the world around us and we use them in lots of different ways every day. Find out just what numbers are in this fascinating book.