Booklists

Seventeen-year-old Gwendolyn P. Pearson has become very good at not thinking about the awful things that have happened to her family. But following a strange disturbance at the cafe where she works, Gwen is forced to confront what happened to her family all those years ago. And she slowly comes to realise that people aren't as they first appear and that like her, everyone has a story to tell. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Throughout his life, Picasso took risks, experimented and pushed the boundaries. Like his art, his life was full of passion. Whether painting, producing sculptures or working with ceramics, he produced some of the greatest art of the twentieth century.

A humorous, futuristic tale of irrepressible Paddy, a Year 8 student. Due to a series of mishaps, Paddy is seen as a troublemaker and his teacher has it in for him. His mission in 3005 AD is to get through life without losing the plot or anything else.

Set in 1187, Pagan is the young squire for a knight in Jerusalem, fighting in the Crusades.

Kel has passed her probationary year, and is now a fully-fledged page at the Tortall palace. But this hasn't made her year-mates any happier about training with a girl. In fact, the plotting and bullying is about to get worse.

Maggie Butt's world is under siege. Not only is a stranger taking over her mother's life but her own as well, and Maggie is not going to let that happen. But, then, there's Sister Evangelina, the one-eyed, snaggle-toothed cat, senior subject choices, the dream date and Cyber Boy, the geek in the library, to contend with as well.

Chrissie is twelve years old and very close to her dad, an artist, who is dying of lung cancer. Her mother buries herself in her work and Chrissie has to work through her own great grief, clinging to the special gifts her father has given her. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Joss, a mysterious boy with a tragic past, has only ever dreamed of being a Paladero. A cowboy knight of the Thunder Realm. Will he be able to complete his quest of crossing the savage lands to the doomed Ghost City of Vaal? With his fellow questors and his Raptor mount, Joss must complete this traditional rite of passage or die trying.

Sam could never have imagined how one good deed would change his world. Finny knows a lot more about changing worlds than she has let on. Together, these two strange friends will find their true calling in a land far from their own, one where danger and magic go hand-in-hand.

Pan Harris is brash, loud and damaged. Ordered into foster care, Pan is full of anger at her mother who abandoned her and her older sister who kept her from her father. Pan is certain that she knows the reality of her past until she meets Hunter, the boy who understands her story better than anyone else. He may be the key to unlocking the truth of Pan s memories but that would mean breaking her most important rule. Never. Trust. Anyone.

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.

Pandora Jones awakes from nightmares to find her world has been decimated by a pandemic. The few survivors have been gathered in a school, which is trying to prepare them for a society emerging from catastrophe. As Pandora bonds with her team, she begins to suspect they have powers that they have not been told about. Each clue she collects makes her question all her experiences and memories. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Pan is still struggling to distinguish between her dreams and reality. When she wakes in the Infirmary, her mind replays the sight of Nate running and then flopping after he was shot. But, her memories hold more questions than answers, and she doesn't know who to trust. When she forms an unlikely alliance with Jen, she encounters unexpected enemies. Pan and Jen are determined to seek the truth, no matter what rules they must break or how terrible the danger they face. Usually read by Years 9, 10 or above.

Pandora Jones' problems appear insurmountable. She must convince her team that nothing is as it seems, and that they must escape and expose The School to save the world from the plague she unwittingly inflicted on it. The only things Pan has on her side are her gift of intuition and her belief in the people she cares about. But, with the clock ticking, she must find a way to stop the plague, perhaps at any cost. Pan and her friends face off against the might of The School. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Suffering from an incurable disease, Adam Auttenberg sees the hospital as his second home. With some long-term special friends and an exciting new friendship he faces the toughest challenge. Peter Vu uses his own experiences to create an emotive text as a page turner. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The dramatic story of two children who rescue Papio and Upi, male and female baboons, from an experimental research station in Central Africa, only to find freedom brings problems for the animals and themselves. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A unique and fascinating account, from an Indigenous perspective, of the history of Western Desert communities.

When Marcus goes on a boring holiday to the beach, things quickly become much more interesting when he discovers his smelly old caravan has a hidden cellar, filled with amazing fantasy worlds.

Parkland is an enclosure that houses humans and human-ape hybrids. They are controlled by vicious creatures called leopards. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A middle eastern sheik wants to capture wild brumbies roaming the Kimberley Ranges and train them to become race horses. A horse vet and his daughter Rachel go into the outback to round up some horses with the help of local aborigines. Rachel finds her feelings divided between wanting freedom for the horses and serving her father.

This story depicts the injustice and brutality of life for a young girl under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. 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 gripping story of a young girl's journey in search of her family somewhere in war-ravaged Afghanistan, and of her courage and compassion in the face of many shocking hardships along the way. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Parvana, now fifteen, is found in a bombed-out school and held as a suspected terrorist by American troops in Afghanistan. She could tell the woman was watching her through the small window in the door. Parvana kept her back against the door and didn't move.

This beautiful graphic-novel adaptation of the Academy Award nominated film, inspired by Deborah Ellis's beloved novel, tells the story of eleven-year-old Parvana. When soldiers burst into her home and drag her father off to prison, Parvana is forced to take responsibility for her whole family, dressing as a boy to make a living in the marketplace of Kabul, risking her life in the dangerous and volatile city. By turns exciting and touching, Parvana is a story of courage in the face of overwhelming fear and repression. Readers will want to linger over this powerful graphic novel with its striking art and inspiring story.

Parzival meets three mounted men in armour and is determined to have adventures in the court of King Arthur.

New York violin prodigy Etta loses everything one night when she is pulled through time to 1776 to the midst of a fierce sea battle. Etta discovers that the powerful Ironwood family are looking for a long lost object that could remake the future, and they think Etta holds the clue to finding it. Along with the swashbuckling privateer Nicholas, who has his own painful history with the Ironwood family, Etta must embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents to piece together the clues and stay one step ahead of the Ironwood clan. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Rico is unusual. His head gets mixed up but Rico is brilliant at noticing little things - like the strange goings-on in the next apartment block. When his new and only friend, the gifted, anxious Oscar is kidnapped, Rico gets a chance to put all his special skills to the test in a violent, dangerous adventure.

A lonely girl discovers that she has inherited a property in northern Queensland. The grandfather she has never known goes with her to this unfamiliar, rural community.

The colonial governor gives his account of life on Kirabati and Tuvalu, two islands in the Pacific.

Declan seems to have it all, a loving family, friends he's known for years and a beautiful girlfriend. But, something in Declan's past just won't go away and he makes the only decision he thinks he has left. As the train approaches and Declan teeters at the edge of the platform, two versions of his life are revealed to him. One moment. One pause. One whole new life. A challenging, confronting read. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Halima, 18, has moved with her family to London and her horizons are beginning to expand. Then, just as she is about to start university, she discovers her father's plan to marry her to the son of a distant relation in Pakistan who once did him a favour. Halima is to be the repayment of the debt. And it's payback time. Adult themes and strong language in context. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

On the isle of Sampetra, Emperor Ublaz, also scarily known as Mad Eyes, sends his fearsome lizards and seascum on a murderous mission to Redwall.

Don't get yourself noticed and you won't get yourself hanged. Bartholomew Kettle and his sister live by these words. They are Peculiars, half-human, half-faery, and hated by both. But, one day, when a mysterious lady magically whisks away a little boy, Bartholomew forgets the rules. And gets himself noticed.

Following a car accident in which her neck is broken, a teenage karate champion has to recover from this tragedy with the help of her family. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

As the city of San Juan pulses to summer's sluggish beat, its teenage football prodigy El Brujito, the Little Magician, vanishes without trace. Paul Faustino, South America's top sports journalist, is reluctantly drawn into the mystery. As a story of corruption and murder unfolds, he is forced to confront a bitter history of slavery, and the power of the occult. Includes some adult themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In a shocking accident, Cameron's wife, Sam, suffers a near fatal fall that leaves her paralysed and deeply depressed. Into their lives comes Penguin, an injured magpie chick, abandoned after she fell from her nest. A true story of hope and courage. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

It's 1939 and George is the son of an English father and German mother. When a ceremony turns into a pro-Nazi demonstration, Georg is smuggled to London in a suitcase, and then across the seas to Australia, to begin a life under a different name and with a new family, in order to survive.

When Kasumi leaves her remote village for the teeming city of Edo, her life is transformed. She has been chosen by a samurai to become a lady-in-waiting to his new wife. Kasumi is surprised as she has no skills for this role and, worst of all, she is always in trouble for speaking her mind. Surely, this will get her into trouble with her new mistress. When Kasumi learns of a secret that puts them both in danger, she must solve the mystery, behind the danger they face, in order to save herself and her mistress.

An arresting story about a strange and sinister religious sect called The Temple and how Frances discovers its secrets. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

From the very early days of Australia, the people shared the land with dangerous beasts and began to develop a culture and traditions.

But when Brougham catches Darcy in the act of collecting letters from locker 89 - out of which she's been running her questionably legal, anonymous relationship advice service - that's exactly what happens. In exchange for keeping her secret, Darcy begrudgingly agrees to become his personal dating coach. The goal? To help him win his ex-girlfriend back. Darcy has good reason to keep her identity secret. If word gets out that she's behind the locker, some things she's not proud of will come to light, and there's a good chance Brooke will never speak to her again. Okay, so all she has to do is help an entitled, bratty, (annoyingly hot) guy win over a girl who's already fallen for him once? What could possibly go wrong? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Tab is caught up in the Battle of Begonias when she meets Azt, a mysterious stranger. Suddenly, she is helping him escape and also finding out about the Perfect Princess who left Quentaris years ago.

Meet 29 icons, including pop star Ariana Grande, Hollywood icon The Rock, sporting hero Serena Williams, and even royalty - Prince Harry - and discover how they have dealt with mental health issues to live inspiring lives. Whatever you are going through, learn why it is ok to not be ok with these perfectly imperfect stories.

Life hasn't been easy for Permanent Rose but shoplifting will only complicate it further. Lots of family secrets are uncovered, with sadness turning to forgiveness, and Rose is at last reunited with the person she loves. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

An anthology of stories about a range of sports written by two authors from Australia and New Zealand.

From the lessons of a high-performance athlete's career to appreciating the small things in life - this inspiring illustrated book, for fans of Ellyse Perry, features stories and reflections from her childhood and career on the themes of dreaming, belief, work, resilience, acceptance, opportunity, balance and perseverance - and their importance in everything we do.Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Peta Lyre is far from typical. The world she lives in isn't designed for the way her mind works, but when she follows her therapist's rules for 'normal' behaviour, she can almost fit in without attracting attention. When a new girl, Sam, starts at school, Peta's carefully structured routines start to crack. But on the school ski trip, with romance blooming and a newfound confidence, she starts to wonder if maybe she can have a normal life after all. When things fall apart, Peta must decide whether all the old rules still matter. Does she want a life less ordinary, or should she keep her rating normal? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

In a fast-paced adventure on the high seas and on a faraway island, an orphan boy named Peter and his mysterious new friend, Molly, overcome bands of pirates and thieves in their quest to keep a secret safe and save the world from evil.

Staying with his father on New Zealand's wild remote coast, Zac finds some animal pawprints on the beach. What is the exotic animal that is being hunted and what does the Russian billionaire have to do with this mystery.

Prince Narmer is fourteen, clever and handsome and, as his father's favourite, destined to be King of Thinis one day. But, when he is involved in a terrible accident that leaves him lame and horribly scarred, Narmer decides to leave his home to travel with the Trader, whose healing skills saved his life.

Includes two macabre and twisted stories, The phone goes dead, in which David seems to have a hotline to heaven and hell, and Bath night, in which the Victorian bath tub presents Isabel with more of a blood bath than a bubble bath.

Jack and Hoshi are soldiers on opposite sides who meet on the Kokoda Track during World War Two. Graphic illustrations enrich this sensitive, realistic and harrowing story of the personal tragedy of two soldiers and their loved ones at home. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

When mean, self centred bully Luke meets Guy, he just thinks he's another weirdo to hate, but soon enough Luke finds out that Guy is not quite what he first seems. To begin with, he catches wild snakes with his bare hands and seems to have a way with animals that is just too intriguing for Luke to ignore. But what Luke discovers is that becoming friends with Guy could change his life, and indeed himself, in ways he never would have previously dreamed. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Olive Garnaut is in Year 7 and likes things in pairs. But, even with her own perfectly symmetrical family, birthday and bedroom, Olive has only ever felt half. How extraordinary, then, that her twin sister, Pip, appears one day. But, Pip is visible only to Olive.

A skateboarding story with a twist.

When 12 year old Ben's father loses their ancestral home in 1809 as payment for a gambling debt, Ben reluctantly joins him in a desperate venture to win it back, capturing enemy trading ships off the west Australian coast. While at sea, Ben must face not just the giant waves of the Southern Ocean but also the guns of a Dutch ship, along with unexpected treachery. And only the friendships of the mysterious convict Higgins and the young Indigenous sailor Guwara will help Ben survive, as well as show him the true meaning of loyalty and riches.

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 . . . Relocated to Victorian London, the TimeRiders joy-ride back to 1666 to witness the Great Fire of London. In the ensuing chaos, Liam and their newest recruit, Rashim, find themselves trapped between the fire and the Thames. They escape onboard a river boat, only to be confronted by an unscrupulous captain with his heart set on treasures of the high seas . . . Can Liam and Rashim survive the bloodthirsty and barbaric age of piracy long enough to be rescued?

When the sky pirates begin flying over the city, Kiall has an idea. If he can get on a pirate ship and sneak through the caves, he might be able to steal gold from the pirates.

There is a place inside of me a space deep down inside of me where all my feelings hide. In this powerful, affirming poem by award-winning author Zetta Elliott, a Black child explores his shifting emotions throughout the year. Summertime is filled with joy-skateboarding and playing basketball-until his community is deeply wounded by a police shooting. As fall turns to winter and then spring, fear grows into anger, then pride and peace.

The year is 1665 and the plague has come to the city of London. For apprentice Henry Harper, life will never be the same. His father has died of the plague, and his mother and brother have fled to the country. Now Henry is alone and he must find a way to escape from the city he loves, before he, too, is struck down.

On the last night of that Three Day Dark, some said they saw a shape in the starry sky. A black void, where no star shone. A void in the shape of a rat. Is this sign a foreboding of fantastical events to befall Quentaris? What part do the rat children, Lucien and Zoe, play in this horror? Is this the final calamity that will destroy the mighty city?

During the Plague in London in 1665, Rachel fears for her life and that of her missing cousin when, one day, he fails to return. Robert's side of the story is also told. Contains violence and gruesome facts in context. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Plantastic! presents 26 of Australia's most unique and incredible native plants. Discover and identify native plants found in your local park, bushland or even your own backyard. With its perfect balance of fun facts, activities, adventurous ideas and gorgeous illustrations Plastic! will prove just how fantastic Australia's native plants really are.

Fourteen year old Abigail finds herself transported back to Sydney's Rocks area in the nineteenth century when she follows a mysterious girl, who appeared during a scary game with other children in the neighbourhood.

Poetry, written by a young Sydney girl, to inspire primary and junior high school students. Some of the poems have challenging themes for older readers, including insightful views on death. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Catalina Parkes Perez is used to living a normal life. But when her mum becomes Prime Minister her whole life changes. Life at The Lodge means having every moment scheduled and every outfit preapproved. But Cat and her mother disagree on practically everything, especially the government's climate policy. Now someone is trying to sabotage the new PM, putting Cat and everything she loves, in danger. Will she, with the help of some new friends, be able to make things right for her family and the country?

Beatrice May Ross, otherwise known as Bee, is in her element working at the taxidermy department at the Museum of Natural History. But, her summer job is full of surprises. For starters, there's a dead body, a mysterious benefactor, a large stuffed tiger and a pocketful of glass eyes. Bee must sift through the clues to discover whether a murder has been committed.

Seven of Edgar Allan Poe's most famous and best love stories and poems are collected here in one handsomely illustrated graphic novel for young readers. Poe's classic works have been skilfully adapted to the graphic format in a way that will entrance and terrify a young generation of horror fans without losing their original atmosphere and thought provoking depth. Poems including The Raven are presented in their entirety.

A wonderful, creative collection of works by young Australian poets, aged from eight to eighteen years to inspire would-be poets and readers. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking. But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers - especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. With Mami's determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself. So when she is invited to join her school';s slam poetry club, she doesn't know how she could ever attend without her Mami finding out. But she still can't stop thinking about performing her poems. Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.

Two of the world's most powerful men, both of whom had sons at Point Blanc Academy, meet 'accidental' deaths. Fourteen year old Alex Rider, reluctant M16 spy, must infiltrate the academy as a pupil to find the truth.

Two of the world's most powerful men, both of whom had sons at Point Blanc Academy, meet 'accidental' deaths. Fourteen year old Alex Rider, reluctant M16 spy, must infiltrate the academy as a pupil to find the truth.

As a very young girl, Polina Oulinov is taken on as a special pupil by the famous ballet teacher Professor Bojinsky. He is very demanding and refuses to adapt his standards to the talents of his pupils, and Polina has to work hard and make great sacrifices in order to reach the level Bojinsky senses she has the talent for. When she graduates and is admitted to the official theatre school, she discovers that Bojinsky's view of ballet is only one of many and that she can't adapt to new rules, new visions. She flees Russia for Berlin, where she meets a group of drama students. Together they create a new form of theatre, and conquer the world. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Something odd has happened to the public swimming pool, its claimed to have curative powers. When 16 year old Wolfgang Mulqueen takes a summer job there, he befriends Audrey, a blind girl, who claims she's nocturnal. The discovery of a black butterfly, unknown to science, and an unusual request from Audrey's father change Wolfgang's life forever. Deals with serious issues in a sensitive manner. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Will must fight the Tripods who have dominated and ruled humanity for many years.

Poppy is fifteen, beautiful and clever but, in 1914, society has already carved out her destiny. She will become a servant at the big house. But, Poppy's life is thrown dramatically off course, through a forbidden love then her decision to tend the wounds of injured soldiers at war. As she experiences the best and very worst of humanity, Poppy will find an unexpected freedom and discover how to be truly her own person.

When Poppy learns that the love of her life is marrying someone else, she is devastated and volunteers her nursing skills overseas. But, the journey to Flanders is full of horrors, the hospital's Ward Sister is spiteful and the nurses are unfriendly. The dangers of frontline warfare soon make Poppy forget her own troubles and she finds that comfort for a broken heart can be found in the most unexpected places.

Following the death of her father, Bayley's family is not coping, with her sister's rebellious behaviour and her brother feeling guilt about his role in the accident. Bayley is trying to keep things together for everyone. Mum decides a move to an old family home in the country is best, where there is the 40 year old unsolved disappearance of Bayley's cousin, who is using Bayley to seek revenge. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Lucy's parents drag her off around Australia to learn about Indigenous Australian culture. She sends lots of letters back home to her friend, Jess. Just as well Jess kept them and put them in this book because they are full of interesting stories and information about various places from Fraser Island to Karratha, and from Darwin to Ceduna.

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.

When Roberto arrives in Italy from Australia, he discovers dark family secrets, la magia, the power that is feared and suppressed, a tragic story of love and icy revenge. He and Angelica must stop the curse spreading beyond their family into the world.

In the fifties, Colm McCabe is sent from England to an Australian orphanage. He suffers terribly under the cruel nuns and brothers. His faith shines through as he searches for self and family. Strong language used frequently in context. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The disfigured, bitter Hester and gentle Tom, whom she has come to trust since their first meeting in the doomed London, escape to a safe haven in the northern ice wastelands. They set up home in Anchorage, a place that doesn't travel. Hester has an ungovernable temper and great jealousy of Freya's crush on Tom. When loyalty is all that will save them, Hester's betrayal has far-reaching consequences. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Step back to a time when giant goannas and marsupial lions stalked the Australian bush. Imagine herds of two-tonne animals roaming the plains and flocks of flightless ducks, bigger than emus, striding across the shallow, inland sea. This book reveals an Australia when humans shared the land with giants.

Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she's completely popular. It's everything she's ever wanted. But beneath all the fun -- the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom -- is a nagging sense that something's wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally's ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what's wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold. Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life -- because the authorities don't intend to let anyone with this information survive. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 & above.

Hayley, or Pig to her school mates, is a curvy, funny girl in a world of skinny, pretty girls. She wants to be a stand up comic, her friends want to find the right mascara and hot boyfriends.

Sixteen-year-old Winter Mae Jones knows exactly what she wants. A career in fashion design. There's only one thing standing in her way. She's fat. And fat girls don't work in the fashion industry. So Winter decides to take matters into her own hands. She goes on a diet, which at first makes her feel fab and in control. It's only when things get out of hand that she comes to realise that, not only has she less control than she thought, but also that her weight has nothing to do with what's holding her back.

Wren is a planner, but breaking news of a comet hurling towards Earth leaves her careful itinerary in tatters. Left behind after her senior-year trip to London she meets cute Prince Theo, the British crown prince. Wren and the Prince are soon forced into the highest-stakes journey of them all, racing through Europe to get her back home before the end of the world. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Luke does not adequately anticipate the future changes to his primitive society.

Black parachutes fall from the sky. Young soldiers and a dog are on a rescue mission in a remote part of Afghanistan. But, the mission ends in chaos. Eighteen year old Corporal Mark Hollis and Prince, the dog, embark on a perilous journey. To get back to base, they must navigate an unforgiving landscape and avoid capture or death at the hands of the Taliban. Mark and Prince must depend on each other to survive. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Mia Thermopokis is not herself any more. According to her dad, she is now Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo, Princess of Genovia. Mia so does not want to take princess lessons from grandmere or move to Genovia or, worse still, have anyone find out about this princess thing. Life gets a whole lot more yucky when mum starts dating one of Mia's teachers and everyone else has a date except Mia. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Nothing is simple for the new princess of Genovia. With her mother dating her Algebra teacher, a secret admirer sending her emails and a bad case of the hots for her friend Lilly's brother, Michael, life as Princess Amelia Mignongette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo can be just as bad as Mia Thermopolis's. Mia might have to sacrifice Michael for someone more appropriate like Prince William, not the biggest sacrifice.

Tamaika undergoes a mysterious change after reading an ancient book. She uses her powers to fight the shadow monster who changes people into stone.

Jenna is excited to be chosen to act in a movie about a princess, amazed when her mother gives her permission to fly off for the filming and confused when she realises she is the spitting image of the missing Princess of Scandia.

Nothing is the same for Kaida, Zeke and Joy after the accident. They return to their ordinary lives but the world has ceased to make sense. Perhaps this world, with no hope and no cures, is not their world at all. The nightmare begins. They must rely on their own resourcefulness to identify what the problem is and then how to solve it, or they could be trapped in the nightmare forever. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Survive at any cost. Ten concentration camps. It's something no one could imagine surviving. However, based on a true story, it's what Yanek Gruener has to face. As a Jewish boy during WWII, he is at the mercy of the Nazis who have taken control of everything.

Valor is under arrest for the attempted murder of the crown prince. Her parents are outcasts from the royal court, her sister is banished for theft of a national treasure, and now Valor has been sentenced to life imprisonment at Demidova, a prison built from stone and ice. But that's exactly where she wants to be. For her sister was sent there too, and Valor embarks on an epic plan to break her out from the inside. No one has escaped from Demidova in over three hundred years, and if Valor is to succeed she will need all of her strength, courage and love. If the plan fails, she faces a chilling fate worse than any prison.

For Gretchen Muller, Hitler is her friendly uncle who has always been there for her and her family since the death of her father. But, as Hitler's hold over Germany strengthens, he will be forever changed in Gretchen's eyes. She will do anything to uncover the truth, with the help of a young Jewish reporter. Contains some violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Finegan, beloved King of the Leprechauns, decides to venture through the rift caves to assess this dangerous land for himself, where he is taken captive by angry giants

Sixteen year old Liza expects to make her debut in 1830s London but, when her parents die, she is left penniless and must enter service. She becomes a maid to young Princess Victoria. Liza slowly adjusts to her new life and the temperamental, lonely princess. Liza befriends a young boy and a newspaperman to confront the public slander surrounding the princess. Includes some adult themes and violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

On the battlefields of World War 1, young Private Thomas Peaceful looks back over his childhood. His memories of his loving family come vividly alive. But, every moment takes Tommo closer to something he cannot bear to think about. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Ren Mittal's last memory in the year 1996 is getting on a bus to visit his mystery pen pal Georgia. When he wakes up in 2122, he thinks he might be hallucinating...he's not!Tech conglomerate Chronotech sponsors a time-travel program to help students in 2122 learn what history was really like...from real-life subjects who've been transported into the future...and Ren is one of them.In 2122, Ren's life in the 1990s is practically ancient history-and Ren's not sure how to feel about that. On top of it all, he learns that his memory will be wiped of all things 2122 before he's sent back to the '90s. Adding to Ren's complicated feels, he's forming a crush on his student guide, Mars.And when he crosses paths with the absolute last person he expected to see in the future, he has a bigger problem on his hands: What if Chronotech isn't the benevolent organization they claim to be, and he and his fellow subjects are in great danger.

A frantic rooftop race, alchemy lessons on the zepplin, a booby-trapped pyramid ... just the start of semester two at Prometheus High. Join Athena and Marceline on their mission to unearth Marceline's past. Does it have anything to do with the ancient monster on the airship and how far are they willing to go to reach their answers?

At 15, Lene is questioning everything. She is sick of the compulsory League of German Girls meetings, and everyone being made to fight for a final victory that never seems to come. She is in love with Ludwig, who lives upstairs and listens to enemy broadcasts. Like Lene, he rejects the war and the endless Nazi indoctrination. When Ludwig is ordered to the Eastern Front, can Lene and Ludwig hold on to their promise to one another and resurface from the darkness of the abyss in post-war Berlin? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Harry is tired of being the tall new kid with red hair, big feet, and freckles. The one with the dead sister who's voice follows her every where she goes. People tell her she's imagining Sissy, but they are wrong, surely she wouldn't be such a pain if Harry was making her up? When Harry's wish for a horse comes true and Marksman comes into her life she wonders if she should have wished so hard, because Marksman is big, huge even, and Harry wonders if she has taken on more than she can deal with. But could this challenge be just what she needs to learn the difference between standing out and standing up?

Azra is sixteen, smart and enthusiastic. When she wins a place in a national science competition, Azra thinks her biggest problem will be getting her parents' permission to go. But, she doesn't know that they're busy arranging her marriage to an older cousin she's never met, in Pakistan, in just three months time. Azra's dreams of finishing high school with her friends then studying science are suddenly overshadowed. Her dreams and ambitions do not include marriage.

Hannah's world is in pieces and she doesn't need the counsellor to tell her she has issues. With a depressed mum, an injured dad and a dead sister, Hannah should feel terrible but, for the first time, she feels a glimmer of hope. Maybe it's because Josh is taking an interest in her or maybe it runs deeper than that. In a family torn apart by grief and guilt, Hannah's struggle to come to terms with years of torment shows how long old wounds can take to heal. 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.

They were just pretending. Until they weren't. And now Lara Jean has to learn what it's like to be in a real relationship and not just a make-believe one. But when another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean's feelings for him suddenly return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

London is teetering on a knife-edge, with strikes, riots and general unrest. The Prime Minister is largely controlled by two advisors, seventeen year old Nathaniel and the theatrical impresario, Quentin Makepeace. Meanwhile, living under a false identity, Kitty has been researching djinn; believing that the only way to destroy the magicians is for an alliance between djinn and ordinary people.

Thirteen year old Nick Diamond is in prison, framed for a jewel heist. Nick finds himself sharing a cell with public enemy number one, Johnny Powers. Nick's only chance of clearing his name is to nail the Fence, a master criminal.

Johnny has seen his childhood bestie turn into an attractive teenage girl that he now wants to turn into his girlfriend. How can he get her to see through the boy she is going out with, turn to Johnny and come to take him seriously. He will use all his comedic wit and romance her with entertainment.

Against a background of domestic violence and animal cruelty, the strong friendship between a boy and a dog provides a positive outcome for the characters in the story.

When her grandmother dies, Deirdre is left alone in a crumbling block of flats. Looking out the window one misty night, she sees a boy who seems familiar. Together, he and Deirdre must discover the secret of the old building, before it collapses and the secret is lost forever.