Booklists

A sophisticated picture book depicting the invasion and multiplying of the rabbits. The threat that this poses is symbolic of the coming of white civilisation to Australia.

An exciting retelling for younger readers of the desperate Antarctic bids, by Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen, to be first to the South Pole.

Discover how Rachel Carson changed the world through Science. How she discovered that chemicals were changing the natural world. What she did to warn people about the poisoning of our planet. Why she loved the natural world and what she thought it could teach us. How her discoveries have changed our understanding of the world around us forever.

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs. Most dogs love to chase cars, but Enzo longs to race them.He learns about racing and the world around him by watching TV and by listening to the words of his best friend, Denny, an up-and-coming race car driver, and Denny's daughter, Zoe, his constant companion. Enzo finds that life is just like being on the racetrack-it isn't simply about going fast.Applying the rules of racing to his world, Enzo takes on his family's challenges and emerges a hero. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

In 1930s Glebe, Joe Riley has to be creative to make pocket money. He's watched his dad keep ahead of the law and he's sure that he can too. When his parents send him to a Catholic boarding school, Joe is homesick and lonely. He meets the darker side of human nature and is at odds with the school, especially Brother Felix. Expelled, Joe is sent to a reform school where life is tough. But, through working the land, Joe eventually finds inner strength, peace and true freedom. Mature themes. Usually read by Years 9, 10 or above.

What if everything you set yourself up to be was wrong? Frances has always been a study machine with one goal, elite university. Nothing will stand in her way; not friends, not a guilty secret - not even the person she is on the inside. But when Frances meets Aled, the shy genius behind her favourite podcast, she discovers a new freedom. Then the podcast goes viral and the fragile trust between them is broken. Caught between who she was and who she longs to be, Frances' dreams come crashing down. Suffocating with guilt, she knows that she has to confront her past - She has to confess why Carys disappeared. Meanwhile at uni, Aled is alone, fighting even darker secrets. It's only by facing up to your fears that you can overcome them. And it's only by being your true self that you can find happiness. Frances is going to need every bit of courage she has. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

A missing neighbour, a mysterious boy, a murder? Fifteen year old Annie is off to her basketball game in her sleepy New Zealand town when she sees a raincoat floating down the river. This starts a chain of events that will rock Annie's world. Police want to investigate her neighbour for murder, but before they can, he blows up his own house and goes on the run. Strangers come to town, including a dark-haired cowboy with the most amazing horse Annie has ever seen. As her world begins to crumble around her, Annie sets out to uncover the secret that could rip her small community apart.

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

Redwall Abbey must withstand the assault of a fearsome enemy searching for what he believes is his rightful inheritance. All that stands in his path is an adventure seeking Rakkety Tam. This is an epic tale of courage, war and comradeship.

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.

Baron Morgarath escaped punishment for treason and, now in hiding, is planning his next move. King Duncan must assemble his troops for battle. Halt prepares for a seemingly impossible task, climbing the deadly cliffs of the Mountains of Rain and Night, and venturing deep into enemy territory to spy on Morgarath. The origin story of how Halt came to be Araluen's most famous Ranger and how war will decide the future of the next generation. Prequel to The Ruins of Gorlan.

Once, Halt and Crowley were young friends, determined to change the world. Scheming Baron Morgarath is attracting power-hungry knights and barons, King Oswald is wasting away and Prince Duncan is causing havoc in the north. Halt and Crowley set out to find the prince, uncover the truth and reform the weakened Ranger Corps. It will take determination, skill and leadership. Prequel to Ranger's apprentice series.

King Duncan and Princess Cassandra are trapped in the south tower of Castle Araluen and under near-constant attack from the Red Fox Clan. Sir Horace and Ranger Commandant Gilan are holed up in an old hill fort, surrounded by the enemy. And Ranger's apprentice Maddie is the only one who can save them all. With the help of Hal, Thorn, and the rest of the Heron brotherband, Maddie will have to break her father and his men out of the hill fort, but will they reach Castle Araluen in time?

Will and Maddie are imprisoned at Chateau des Falaises. Baron Lassigny is scheming to recruit them as spies for hire, but Maddie raises the stakes when she challenges Lassigny's garrison commander to a duel on horseback. Will is horrified - especially when he realises the treacherous baron won't fight fair. If Maddie can survive the duel, they still need to escape the heavily guarded chateau and rescue the kidnapped prince they were sent to retrieve. It will take all their ingenuity, courage and determination to triumph this time - and to solve the mystery of who betrayed them.

King Philippe of Gallica appeals to King Duncan for help. His son is being held hostage by a power-hungry baron, and Philippe wants Duncan to send a Ranger to rescue the boy. Will and Maddie are perfect for the task. Travelling as father and daughter to allay suspicion, they will pose as entertainers to infiltrate the Chateau des Falaises, where the prince is being held. But travelling through Gallica has its own risks: armed bandits, wild weather and even a mysterious follower all have to be faced and overcome. Will they ever find the prince? And if they do, how will they rescue him from the evil Baron Lassigny?

Most of the time, Maddie is an apprentice Ranger, learning archery, knife throwing, unseen movement and combat skills under the guidance of the legendary Will Treaty. For one month each year, though, she must return home and resume her identity as Princess Madelyn. Forced to keep her Ranger training a secret, Maddie finds castle life dull. But when she discovers clues to a devastating plot against the crown, she realises her family - and the peace they've worked so hard to achieve - could be in terrible danger. To save everyone at Castle Araluen, and her father's forces who are trapped by an enemy army in the north, Maddie must find out the truth. Who is the man in the red fox mask?

The seventh book takes the reader back to the final year of Will's apprenticeship, before the events in books 5 and 6. When the Skandian Oberjarl is taken hostage during a desert raid, Halt and Will help to deliver the ransom. They face violent sandstorms, warring tribes and danger in a race against time.

Halt, Horace and Will are on the trail of Tennyson and his followers. The false prophet of the Outsider cult escaped justice for his crimes in Clonmel and Halt is determined to stop him before he crosses into Araluen. Will has defeated one of Tennyson's Genovesan assassins in Clonmel but there are still two left alive. Willl and Halt's extraordinary archery skills will be sorely tested during a duel with the Genovesans.

The kingdom of Araluen prepares for war against Morgarath, Will and Horace accompany Gilan on a mission to Celtica. But Celtica is silent. It is only when they find a girl called Evanlyn that they learn why.

Months have passed since Horace was sent on a military mission to the court of the Emperor of Nihon-Ja. Evanlyn, Will and Alyss discover that Horace has become embroiled in Nihon-Jan politics, staying to support the deposed,rightful Emperor. Now he and Will must find men willing to face the highly trained Senshi warriors. yss and Evanlyn must overcome their rivalry to seek aid from a mysterious group of mountain dwellers.

Will and Evanlyn are bound for Skandia as the captives of the fearsome Skandian wolfship captain, Erak. Halt has sworn to rescue Will, and he will do anything to keep his promise - even defy his King.

When Halt returns from investigating mysterious happenings in the west, he has bad news. Hibernia is in turmoil and a false, religious cult called the Outsiders are sowing confusion and sedition. Five of the six Hibernian kingdoms have been undermined and the sixth, Clonmel, is in danger. Halt, Will and Horace set out to restore order.

Until now, no-one has heard the whole story of the legends of the Rangers of Araluen. Find out what's gone before and what comes next for Halt, Will, Horace, Alyss, Evanlyn and Gilan, not to mention a certain stubborn little pony.

As spring approaches and Will and Evanlyn finally escape Skandia, Evanlyn is carried off by mysterious horsemen. Will sets out after them but one boy against six fierce Temujai warriors is impossible odds, even for a Ranger's apprentice.

After a senseless tragedy destroys his life, Will is obsessed with punishing those responsible, even if it means leaving the Ranger Corps. Halt's solution is for Will to take an apprentice, a request Will cannot refuse. Training a rebellious, unwilling apprentice is hard enough. But, when a routine mission uncovers a shocking web of crime, Will must decide where his priorities lie, in revenge, or saving innocent lives.

Will must prove himself as he comes of age in this exciting tale of young adults that shows how similar relationships can be, whether good and bad and no matter how different, and more adventurous, the times are.

The fierce Scottish tribesmen are waiting for the signal that Castle Macindaw is in friendly hands and the way is clear to mount an attack. Will's courage and ingenuity, and the arrival of an old friend, may be all that stand in their way.

It is five years since the Skandians and the Araluans made their treaty and Will has finally become a Ranger, with his own fief to look after. He soon learns that even sleepy little island fiefs have enough problems to keep him on his toes.

Raps and chants that are written by Indigenous Australians and use Aboriginal English will appeal to Aboriginal children.

Lily's had a charmed life and is off to London to pursue her dream of becoming a great actor. But, Lily finds that things don't always go her way at the London Drama Academy. Lily's got a secret that she's not sure how to handle. A room in one of the deserted towers makes a perfect refuge but Lily can't stay locked away forever. When she meets the mysterious Ronan Carver, everything starts to change.

It's 1665. Rats have infested homes and alleys in Marie Perrin's provincial French town. Twelve-year-old Marie is set to become a maid, although she hungers for adventure. However, one mistake alters her fate and as punishment she is forced to apprentice for an intimidating rat-catcher. Away from her parents and twin brother, and handling gnarly rat traps under Gustave Renard's unusual mentorship, Marie must overcome a new set of challenges which come after a plague enters her town. Are rats responsible for the spread of the illness? Can Marie find a way out of the bubbling danger around her?

In 1900, thirteen year old Issy McKelvie reluctantly leaves school to start her first job in an undertakers. She hates it but there's worse to come. Issy becomes an unwilling rat-catcher when the plague, the Black Death, arrives in Australia. She loathes the rats and her father's four yappy, snappy, hyperactive rat-killing terriers. But, when her dad becomes ill, Issy must join the battle to rid the city of the plague-carrying rats.

In this eerie mystery, Eddie Haite becomes involved in monitoring the behaviour of radiation-affected rats on a remote tropical South Pacific island. Their roles appear reversed and the man who runs the lab seems to be going slowly mad.

A prose-verse novel, set amidst the chaos and brutality of the Victorian goldfields in the 1800s. The narrator, traumatised by a fire in which her family died, and her mangy dog, Ratwhiskers, are befriended by a Chinese boy. Posing as a boy, she flees to the Chinese camp, pretending to be Chinese and taking a new name.

Matt thinks he has trouble when the police catch him for a not so petty crime but that is nothing compared to when he is rescued by a supposedly do-gooding guardian. The darkest, black magic is unleashed and Matt begins to understand that he is not only different, but that it is up to him, alone, to escape the torture of these cruel, violent, supernatural forces and to stop them. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Sent to Yorkshire on a rehabilitation programme, Matt finds himself in the midst of a conspiracy of witchcraft and murder, and that he, alone, stands between the forces of evil and the annihilation of humanity. Featuring striking, high-contrast black-and-white art, this distinctive graphic novel captures the requisite brooding atmosphere. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Shelby and her best friend Davey live quiet low-tech lives in a closed community, in a world healing itself after a global pandemic that had an unimaginable impact on humanity. When they climb through a hole in the perimeter fence to venture into the surrounding jungle, they find the past and the present about to collide to threaten the future. It will take all of Shelby's daring and determination to ensure the past does not repeat itself.

At first glance, The Ravens seem like typical sorority sisters. These girls are the most admired at Westerly College. Looks can be deceiving, and these are not just girls but a coven of witches. With a new intake of Littles and a painful secret returning to haunt them, the girls will need to put rivalry aside to save a fellow sister.

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

It's 2044, and the world has become an ugly place. We're out of oil. We've wrecked the climate. Famine, poverty, and disease are widespread. Wade Watts escapes this depressing reality by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia where you can be anything you want to be. And like most of humanity, Wade is obsessed by the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this alternate reality- OASIS founder James Halliday, who dies with no heir, has promised that control of the OASIS will go to the person who can solve the riddles he has left scattered throughout it. For years, millions have struggled to attain this prize. And then Wade stumbles onto the key to the first puzzle. Suddenly, he finds himself pitted against thousands of competitors in a desperate race to claim the ultimate prize, a chase that soon takes on terrifying real-world dimensions. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

An entertaining and accessible look at the how and who of scientific discovery; the wonder and mysteries of time and space; the frequently bizarre and often obsessive scientists and the methods they used; the crackpot theories which held sway and the extraordinary, accidental discoveries which advanced whole areas of science.

Daine and her mentor are about to be killed when Daine's parents, who are gods, sweep the pair up into their domain. They are saved, but both Daine and Numair want to return to mortal regions to help their country fight against the deadly foes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

When she died and came back as a Reboot, Wren 178 thought she'd left her human side behind. Then, Callum 22 came along and changed everything. Now, they have both escaped the Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation, ready to start a peaceful life. But, Micah 163, who runs the reservation, has darker plans to wipe out the humans. All of them. Some violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

After she was shot dead, Wren Connolly came back to life in 178 minutes as a Reboot, stronger, faster, able to heal and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are on return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot around. Callum 22 is slow and pesky but he makes Wren feel alive. When ordered to eliminate Callum, Wren risks her life to save him. Some violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The love of an older brother and a girlfriend must be strong enough to overcome terrifying obstacles or Will is lost to them forever. This is Jacob's story, he is familiar with this treacherous, violent land full of intrigue, power-lust, violence, cruelty, fear, dangerous liaisons and dark secrets. 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.

Evie sees things. She's wary of the other kids at school- she doesn't want them to see her drawings or know how different she is...what would they say? She tries hard to block it all out and pretends to be normal, just like every one else. But a missing girl is trying to tell Evie something. A girl who is very persistent, who will not give up. A girl who once wore the red cardigan Evie now wears. As much as she tries, Evie can no longer ignore the question that demands an answer...who is the girl in the red cardigan? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Set in a modern-day small town among the remnants of a Japanese POW camp, this is the story of Charlie. Charlie has synaesthesia and hence sees and hears differently: people have auras; days of the week are coloured; numbers and letters have attitudes. But when Charlie meets Japanese exchange student Kenichi, her senses intensify and she experiences flashbacks, nausea, and hears unfamiliar voices in her head pulling her back to the town's violent past.

A balanced view of the Vietnam War is presented but it does not tell the whole story, nor does it pretend to. For mature students, the book has evocative and harrowing descriptions of war, the role of the allied soldiers and the tactics of the Vietcong. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Yann Margoza, a gypsy boy with supernatural gifts, raised by a dwarf, Tetu, is pursued by the sinister, truly-evil Count Kalliovski who holds half the French aristocracy in his power. Yann meets Sidonie, the unloved daughter of the Marquis of Villeduval. Suddenly, all their lives, present, past and future are intertwined against the momentum and violence of the French Revolution. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite with god-like superpowers. When Mare Barrow begins work in the Silver Palace, she discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power. This is a world of betrayal, lies and danger. Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The time has come at last for Elspeth Gordie to leave the Land on her quest to find and stop the computermachine Sentinel from unleashing the deadly Balance of Terror arsenal. But, before she can embark on her quest, she must find a lost key. Although she has long prepared for this day, nothing is as she imagined.

When young Amy goes to stay with her aunt in the central outback, she befriends Lana. Together, they must overcome racial and cultural barriers and join forces to foil a criminal who is stealing artefacts.

For three sisters growing up in Australia in the 1950s, the news is full of the Petrov affair and spies. Their ordinary lives are juxtaposed with their parents' marriage, their father's attempted suicide and the big events of the adult world. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Stunning artwork and minimal text tell the story of a young girl drifting through landscapes which reflect feelings of sorrow and helplessness, until she comes across a sign of hope. Deeply thoughtful.

Imagine the worst soccer team that you can think of and then triple it. This is a description of the debut of the Redback Leftovers, one of the most unlikely and inspiring soccer teams you are ever going to meet.

In this book from the Redwall series, the animal inhabitants of Redwall Abbey have to fight to stop the evil one-eyed rat warlord from taking control of their home.

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 a boat carrying a group of asylum seekers is sunk by a freak wave, Faris wakes from the shipwreck in an Australia he's always dreamed of. There are kangaroos grazing under orange trees and the sky is always blue. On a nearby beach, Faris meets a group of young people who have come from far different times and places.

A family is tested when asked to hide a Timorese refugee. They must take some personal responsibility for a global issue.

Three different kids. One mission in common: escape. Joseph is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. Isabel is a Cuban girl in 1994 with riots and unrest plaguing her country. Mahmoud is a Syrian boy in 2015 with his homeland torn apart by violence and destruction. All three go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge.

The little-known story of Reg Saunders, the first indigenous Australian to become an officer in the Army. He survived the World War II battlefields in the Middle East, North Africa, Greece, Crete and New Guinea, and excelled as a military leader. Find out how war transformed a determined young man, born in 1920 from country Victoria, into a war hero. Reg went on to serve with distinction in the Korean War and become a pioneering figure for indigenous rights. He died in 1990. A graphic novel.

When Jenny discovers that the virtual database holding vast quantities of gatekeeper knowledge has been corrupted, she sneaks back to medieval England to investigate. War, treachery and intrigue are raging in England and France. During these travels through time, one stranger intrigues her.

Seventeen years ago, an eclipse cloaked the kingdom of Relhok in perpetual darkness. In the chaos, an evil chancellor murdered the king and queen and seized their throne. Luna, Relhok's lost princess, has been hiding in a tower ever since. Luna's survival depends on the world believing she is dead. But that doesn't stop Luna from wanting more. When she meets Fowler, a mysterious archer braving the woods outside her tower, Luna is drawn to him despite the risk. When the tower is attacked, Luna and Fowler escape together. But this world of darkness is more treacherous than Luna ever realized. With every threat stacked against them, Luna and Fowler find solace in each other. But with secrets still unspoken between them, falling in love might be their most dangerous journey yet. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 & above.

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

Milo and Layla run into each other after an extended separation. As kids, they shared everything, but five years apart has taken their lives in different directions. Layla is dealing with the death of her mother, and Milo is feeling trapped, his life on hold since he finished year 12. Deals with the decisions that people make about their relationships, and the directions their lives will take. A moving, powerful story.

It's not easy when the Chosen One goes to your school. The one who fights the zombies or the soul-eating ghosts or whatever new thing there is. Mikey just wants to graduate and find the courage to ask Henna out before school gets blown up, again. Sometimes, there are problems bigger than this week's end of the world and you have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life. Mature themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

If you've done six impossible things this morning, why not round it off with breakfast at Milliways, the Restaurant at the end of the Universe? Which is exactly what Arthur Dent and the crew of the Heart of Gold plan to do. There's just the small matter of escaping the Vogons, avoiding being taken to the most totally evil world in the Galaxy and teaching a space ship how to make a proper cup of tea. And did anyone actually make a reservation? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Third story in Tolkien's classic fantasy, in which the forces of Gondor and Rohan must make a last desperate stand against the monstrous armies of the Dark Lord, Sauron. The fate of Middle Earth rests in the hands of two weary hobbits.

The Word Spy returns to take you on a dazzling journey through the strange and wonderful world of words. Discover hidden and silent languages, the secrets of grammar, dying and newborn words, and crack a code along the way.

Against her better judgment, Callie is persuaded to re-enter her father's virtual reality program to save the life of Howell's friend. But instead of reversing recent events, Callie, her sister El and their friends find themselves back in Camelot.

Luxe Revelle, star of her family's fantastical show, knows the splendor is just an illusion. With Prohibition threatening their livelihood, her family struggles to make a living, watering down champagne and patching holes in their sequined costumes. So when the son of Charmant's wealthiest family makes her an offer - everything the Revelles need to stay in business, in exchange for posing as his girl and helping him become mayor - she can't refuse. The moment Jamison Port sets foot in Charmant, he can't shake the feeling of familiarity. An orphan with as few memories as gemstones, he's desperate to learn what happened to his parents. But as he delves into the island's secrets, he risks angering the wrong person and discovering a truth that just might break his heart. When Luxe and Jamison accidentally meet, the sparks that fly are more than her magical enchantments. But keeping secrets from powerful people is a dangerous game . . . one that could destroy them both.

Life in the city of Quentaris is never dull. Down in the caves, where rifts lead to magical other worlds, monsters are stirring. The city's two feuding families, the Blues and the Greens, have just held a battle in the market. There has been a duel between wizards and a burglary at the Order of Villains. And the Chief Soothsayer has just prophesied another disaster.

Ling lived a comfortable life with her parents until Comrade Li moved into their apartment. Her life changed dramatically at home and at school, and Ling soon feared for the lives of her family and friends. She endured extreme hardship just to survive, as she struggled to understand the Chinese cultural revolution. Her love for Chairman Mao and his teaching was tested to the limit.

Growing up can be problematic but, for Jayden Hayden, life is extremely difficult. He has to cope with a very embarrassing name and a football obsessed mother. When a school father-son day is announced, Jayden's quest for his biological father becomes a puzzle he needs to solve, and quickly.

Set in medieval times, Richard III seizes the English crown by plotting the murders of his brother, his nephew and niece, the sons of his brother King Edward IV and poisoning his own wife. A scheming and seductive rogue is portrayed in one of the bloodiest chapters of the British monarchy. Graphic novel llustrated by Patrick Warren. Graphic (Manga) novel with authentic Shakespearean text. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Richard, Duke of Gloucester, is determined to gain the crown of England from his brother, the Yorkist King Edward IV. He woos the widow, Lady Ann at the funeral of her father-in-law, King Henry VI. She yields to his advances and marries him. Usually read by Students in Years 9, 10 and above.

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

Angie is an excellent judge of character and a very patient person. She has to be. As major babysitter to her two younger siblings, her stamina is tested to the limit.

Vaughan gets caught up with an evil Pastor who has created division in his town. He desperately wants to belong. In fact, Vaughan wants to gain entry to the gang so badly he is willing to accept their terrifying challenge. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

When the Rift opens, death follows. For generations, the Rangers of Black Water Island have protected its sacred creatures from the horrors released by the powerful Rift. Cal West, an apprentice Ranger with rare gifts, fights daily to prove he belongs with the other rangers. Meg Archer, an old friend, returns to Black Water Island after nine years only to discover that the Island is facing a new threat that no one is prepared for. Can Meg and Cal fight their darkest fears to save the Island from disaster? Usually read by students in Year 9, 10 & above.

Adyren, a junior archivist in the Great Library of Quentaris, loves to read about the adventurers who have come out of the Rift Caves alive to tell their stories of danger and excitement. She thinks her life is so dull by comparison until she is accused of not one, but three thefts.

Only half-fey Arjun Desai can cross the realms to the Sylvan Vale to find a healer who can save his dear friend Odette. Leaving the tare between the realms open, he is oblivious to the fact that Pippa has observed his departure and followed him through in her quest to find Celine. The dangerous, duplicitous world on the other side of the gateway is no place for a sheltered mortal, especially one who is engaged and confused by feelings for a half-fey. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Jack Fletcher is on the run. With no sensei to guide him, he has just his wits and his swords against many new and unknown enemies. Kidnapped by ninja and led to their village deep in the mountains, Jack has no means of escape. The only question is who will kill him first - the ninja or samurai.

After a snowstorm forces him to take shelter, Jack enters a village in need of protection from raiding mountain bandits. Torn between moving on or helping, Jack is persuaded to stay and fight the villagers' cause. But, Jack is the first and only samurai to do so. Now, he must enlist other warriors to the villagers' aid before the bandits return to steal their harvest. No easy task when the reward is so little and he is a foreigner. If only he had his friends to call on.

The Shogun has deemed that any Christian or foreigner discovered outside the bounds of an official trading port will be instantly put to death. For Jack, Nagasaki is within reach but the Shogun's samurai are closing in, with the help of Jack's old school rival, Kazuki, who has a score to settle. Jack must try to reach the city alive and find a ship bound for England.

This prequel to the Bartimaeus trilogy sees the return of the sarcastic, chatty and mischievous djinni. Now, Bartimaeus is in Jerusalem and the court of King Solomon in 950s BC. The great Bartimaeus may have finally met his match. He'll have to contend with an unpleasant master and his sinister servant, and he runs into a fair bit of bother with King Solomon's magic ring.

Autumn, 1614. Bruised and battered, Jack Fletcher wakes up in a roadside inn wrapped only in a dirty kimono. He has lost everything, including his memory of what happened. Determined to discover the truth, Jack goes on a quest to retrieve his belongings, his precious swords, his friend Akiko's black pearl and, most important of all, his father's prize possession. Relying on his samurai and ninja training, Jack realises The Ring of Water is the key to his survival.

Ambushed by the Shogun's samurai, Jack and his friends have only one hope of escape, the Seto Sea. But, with ferocious storms, man-eating sharks and ninja pirates at every turn, their chosen route is fraught with danger. A treacherous crew only adds to their problems as they flee south from a ruthless samurai sea lord. Unless Jack can harness the Ring of Wind, he and his friends are destined for a watery grave.

Alice's family is proud of their historical links to Norfolk Island and are amazed to find out when they move there that their ancestor is considered to have been a tyrant. Trying to prove them wrong, Alice unearths a previously unknown diary which provides an insight into the way of life in the penal colony during the 1840s including the conflicting attitudes towards the treatment of convicts.

Something is terribly wrong. An evil sorcerer has figured out how to time travel and Jenny has to go back to the year 1347 to stop him. A dark wizard who could be far more dangerous than the sorcerer Rudigor. A wizard who is using the power of Jenny's beloved mentor Gwenelda in his evil schemes. Has Gwenelda turned to dark magic? Is she helping this wizard topple the entire Gatekeeper Fraternity? Jenny will stop at nothing to find out the truth, no matter how dangerous it gets. Even if it means risking her very life.

Victorian York is a prejudice society with a vendetta against aberrations. Wrench is a burgeoning Brasswitch. As she discovers her powers, she also discovers that being a Brasswitch can get you killed. When recruited by the department of Regulators, Wrench is drawn into a dangerously deceitful and deadly world.

For sixteen years, Sam Thaiday has entertained Broncos, Queensland Origin and Australian fans, both on and off the field. This book tells his story. With his trademark humour and honesty, Sam reveals his roots as a Townsville boy and a die-hard Cowboys fan, his family connections to the Torres Strait, how his Mum taught him to pass and tackle, and all the ups and downs of a career playing the game he loves. Including advice for setting and reaching goals, handling setbacks, and finding what really matters in life, Rise: The Sam Thaiday Story (Young Readers' Edition) is a must-read for any young league fan, regardless who they barrack for.

Taylor and Sierra have been best friends their whole lives. But, Taylor's fed up because Sierra always gets what and who she wants. So, when Sierra asks her friends to cover for her while she meets Jacob, a guy she's chatted to online, Taylor 's refuses to show any interest. But, Sierra doesn't come back for one, two, three days. When Taylor finally tells Sierra's mum that her daughter is missing, Taylor and her friends are thrown into a dark world they never even knew existed.

In Simbala's village, they have two treasures. There is the River, which is their road and their god, and the Book, which contains their history, their oracle and their soul. Simbala is a Keeper of the Book, the latest in a long line of women who can use it to find answers to the villager's questions. As developers begin to poison the River on which the villagers rely, the Book predicts change. But, this does not come in the form that they expect.

Millie lives in the bush with her mother and sister when, with the help of an old charm, she gains access to the past. There we meet Charlotte Atkinson, whose family is in danger of losing their beloved home, as well as their lives, due to marauding convicts, bushrangers and an abusive stepfather. The law is against Charlotte and her mother, but they're determined to survive. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Born a princess but with a magick so frightening no-one can teach you how to use it. Born into a world that you could one day rule as queen, however to do so you will need to fight your sister in a battle to death. This is Eva's life. if she is to be Queen she needs to master her dangerous magick and kill her sister or be killed herself. Will her mother the Queen support her or her sister, will her absent father be her ally or her sister's? Can Eva trust the strange fairy hunter who has offered to tutor her in her magick and who is the khimaer prince who has appeared to 'protect her' and what can she do about her growing feelings towards him. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

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

Bluebell Laurence, crippled in a house fire, is rescued from her home by circus folk who warn of her imminent demise. Madam Zlosky administers a healing brew and Blue becomes Belle Magnifico, a mermaid and harem dancer who rides the pick-pocketing, gentle natured, circus elephant The Queen of Sheba. They travel and come to Gibber's creek where the story unfolds and Blue discovers the truth about herself and the magnanimous Madam Zlosky.

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.

Since a deadly virus and the ensuing violence wiped out his parents and his community, Finn and his loyal dog have survived two winters on the rugged coast. He avoids the Wilders, a dangerous gang, led by the ruthless Ramage. But, when Rose runs onto the beach, she needs Finn's help. She is a Siley, an asylum seeker, who has escaped from Ramage. Rose is desperate and sick, and her younger sister is still missing in the bush. Ramage wants them back, at any cost. Challenging read. Usually read by Years 9, 10 or above.

The summer is finally here, and Pearl Nash is on a mission to save her slowly disintegrating friendship with a whirlwind end-of-year road trip. However, suddenly Pearl ends up stuck in the middle of the desert beside Obi Okocha, a boy with an irritating attitude. Add a breakdown, multiple arguments, an AWOL nana and a kiss; the perfect ingredients for a perfect disaster. Or is it? Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

The fascinating life story of the famous author, Roald Dahl, who has thrilled young readers with his fanciful and imaginative books. Timelines, websites and further reading help paint a complete portrait of the writer, his successes and tragedies.

Robin is a skilled archer but when his archery gets him in trouble with the leader of the town gangsters, he heads for the Sherwood Forest to stay alive. However, unlike his classic counterpart, this twenty-first century Robin uses his computer hacking skills to steal from the rich and give to the poor.

The classic story of an English sailor marooned on a desert island for nearly thirty years.

There was no going back; there was no choice, anymore. I'd chosen out and this was it: hot-cold, dry-wet, bright-dark and lonely. Hayley has gone rogue. She's left everything she's ever known - her friends, her bees, her whole world - all because her curiosity was too big to fit within the walls of the underwater home she was forced to flee. But what is this new world she's come to? Has Hayley finally found where she can belong? Or will she have to keep running?

Redwall Abbey has never seen a creature more evil or more hideous than Razzid Wearat. Captain of the Greenshroud, a ship with wheels that can sail through water as well as the forest, this beast is a terror of both land and sea, traveling Mossflower Country, killing nearly everything-and everyone- in his path. And his goal? To conquer Redwall Abbey. From Salamandastron to the High North Coast, the brave hares of the Long Patrol team up with the fearless sea otters of the Rogue Crew to form a pack so tough, so rough, only they can defend the abbey and defeat Razzid Wearat once and for all.

Being a coloured girl in America's South during the 1930s, teaches Cassie much about prejudice and hatred.

An historical consultant has helped provide accuracy in this wonderfully funny account of Roman times in newspaper layout.

Titus Cotta Maximus, a young boy, travels through the city of ancient Rome. Stephen Biesty's wonderfully detailed cutaway drawings convey daily life in these times with a touch of humour.

Romeo and Juliet fall in love at a party. But they come from families which hate each other. They are sure they will not be allowed to marry. Nevertheless, helped by Friar Laurence, they marry in secret instead. Unfortunately, before their wedding night Romeo kills Juliet's cousin in a duel, and in the morning he is forced to leave her. If he ever returns to the city, he will be put to death. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

Shakespeare's most famous love story of revenge, violence and tragedy. Romeo, a rock star, falls in love with Juliet and Verona becomes a street in Tokyo's highly fashionable Shibuya district. The star-crossed lovers are caught up in a feud between two Yakuza, Japanese mafia, families which erupts into violence and killing. Graphic (Manga) novel with authentic Shakespearean text. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The people of the Valley have been protected for twenty generations by a magic force. The spell is weakening, enemies are waiting. Tilja, her companions and an obstinate horse seek a man who can control the rope of time, the Ropemaker.

She wouldn't get up, refusing to relinquish her seat for a white man. With that simple, courageous act, Rosa Parks struck a blow against injustice. She showed what one person, without guns or violence, could do to change the course of history. Her arrest mobilised the black community for a citywide bus boycott that led to a landmark Supreme Court decision.

War is being fought on an horrific scale in the trenches of France. It is a world away from sixteen year old Midge Macpherson, at school in England learning to be a young lady. Desperate to do their bit and avoid the boredom of school, Midge and her friends start a canteen in France, caring for the endless flow of wounded soldiers returning from the front. Midge is thrust into carnage and scenes of courage she could never have imagined.

The world seemed a beautiful and friendly place, and fulfillment of her brightest dreams appeared to be possible for Rose. Of course this could not last, and disappointment was inevitable, as life presents all its highs and lows.

Isaac and Ivy are siblings and close in age yet seem to be on very different paths. Ivy is often in trouble and struggles to focus while Isaac is motivated and responsible and in control. A series of events bring both siblings to the attention of Addi and Roxy, pharmaceuticals become gods meddling in the affairs of humans. Both drugs offer so much to the brother and sister, but they will also demand something in return. 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.

Jenny returns to the Middle Ages to prevent her friends dying in the Black Death, a plague that took the lives of one third of England's population. There is danger and great responsibility in returning. Jenny already abhors the filth, poverty and deprivation. True courage is found facing personal demons but more will be needed to avoid death at the hands of Rudigor, the malevolent wizard.

Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents' brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped. But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge, Em sets off on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera's borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. But in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family. 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.

Fourteen year old, Rusty-James, runs one of the meanest gangs in his neighbourhood. His reputation remains safe because his brother is the widely-feared Motorcycle Boy, but his brother is a peace-loving loner, unlike Rusty-James. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

"I am restless, my feet need to fly." Amber is trapped - by her father's rules, by his expectations, by her own fears. Now she's ready to fight - for her mother, for her sister, for herself. Freedom always comes at a price. Run, Rebel is a trailblazing verse novel that thunders with rhythm, heart and soul - perfect for fans of Sarah Crossan, Elizabeth Acevedo and Rupi Kaur. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Young Maddy Smith is despised and feared because of her runemark, showing she has magic powers. Since the war which destroyed the Norse Gods, the Order has taken hold, decreeing all magic should be banned. Maddy is befriended by a mysterious old man who asks her to journey into the earth to bring back the Whisperer, an oracle which foreshadows amazing changes to the balance between Worlds. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A gritty, compelling book, set in Melbourne in the early 1900s. Charlie becomes a runner for an underworld crim, Squizzy Taylor, to support his mother and train to become a professional athlete. Some coarse language used in context.

Eleven year old Ebony has a secret, one not be shared with anyone. The eldest of three, soon to be four, children, Ebony has a difficult second role after school, looking after her siblings, farm chores such as chopping wood and gathering the cow manure, all at the forceful directive of her father. Every so often the roaring, terrifying tiger that dwells within her father springs to the surface leaving the rest of the family nowhere to hide and Ebony becomes protector of her sisters, becoming the target of his vocal and physical abuse. It is only through a new friendship when Teena arrives at the school, that Ebony sees a way of dealing with the tiger. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

When a young artistic boy is asked to draw a portrait of his neighbour, a disabled Vietnam veteran, the neighbours gossip. An uneasy relationship begins to unfold, one that will force the boy and the veteran to confront their darkest secrets, secrets of violence and abuse. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

For ten year old Will and his mother, going to Indonesia isn't just a holiday, it's a chance to put things behind them. At first, it seems just what they both need but, then, the tsunami comes crashing in. Oona, the elephant, that Will is riding on the beach, begins to run. When the tsunami has gone, Oona keeps on running. With only a bottle of water to sustain him, Will must learn to survive deep in the jungle.

Thirteen year-old Leo hates his new house, his new school and his new step-brothers. He wants to be somewhere else, far away. When he uncovers an old music box and turns its key, he is finds himself in Prague, amid whispers and fears of a second world war. But that war ended decades ago. There Leo meets Ivan, a Czech boy, and the two become friends. But when the war does come, the boys are imprisoned and have to frantically search for an escape. The search sens them running. Running against time. Running for their lives.

When Ian Rider died at the hands of the assassin, Yassen Gregorovich, Alex was thrust into the world of international espionage and vowed revenge. Yet, years ago, it was Alex's father who trained and mentored Yassen, turning him into the killer he would eventually become. In some ways, Alex and Yassen are mirror images of each other but they are mortal enemies.This is Yassen's story. A journey down a darkened path.

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