Booklists

When Lowell Sencha finds the strange girl lying, as if dead. on the riverbank, he is startled to find that she is like them, waer. Human but able to assume the form of a wolf. The Sencha family's small community has kept itself sequestered and unnoticed, and free from persecution. The arrival of a fellow traveller, and a hunted one at that, threatens their very survival. When the soldiers of the blood-purist Daeman Leldh descend on the village, searching for her, Lowell and the mysterious stranger are among the few to escape.

It's the Second World War and Himmler's Lebensborn Program is in full flight when eight-year-old Zofia Ulinski is kidnapped by the Germans. She has blonde hair and blue eyes, just like the other Polish children taken from their families and robbed of their names, their language, their heritage. But when Zofia is adopted into a wealthy and loving German family, it is easier, it is safer to bury her past, deep down, so everything is forgotten. Until the Polish boy arrives. And the past comes back to haunt her.

It's the end of the world. Literally. Time travel is possible, but only forwards. And only a handful of families choose to remain in the 'now', living off the scraps that were left behind. Among these are eighteen-year-old Juliet and the love of her life, Romeo. But things are far from rosy for Jules. Romeo is in a coma and she's estranged from her friends and family, dealing with the very real fallout of their wild romance. Then a handsome time traveller, Ellis, arrives with an important mission that makes Jules question everything she knows about life and love. Can Jules wake Romeo and rewrite her future? Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

After the death of his parents, Rick goes to live with his cousins in the outback. He finds it very hard to adjust and his cousins have difficulty relating to his grief. A dangerous adventure changes everything. Some strong language in context.

Sal is coping with loss and change and is helped by her unusual friend, Phoebe, and her wise, loving grandparents.

Through annotated illustrations, journals, maps and dreamscapes, Peter Sis shows what life was like for a child, on the Communist side of the Iron Curtain, who believed whatever he was told. As news filtered in from the West, Sis learned about rock'n'roll, blue jeans and read banned books. The Soviet invasion meant this freedom was short-lived but Sis's eyes had been opened. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

In 1894, twelve year old Matilda flees the city slums to find her unknown father and his farm. But, drought grips the land and the shearers are on strike. Her father has turned swaggie and he's wanted by the troopers. This is the story of one girl's journey towards independence. It is also the story of others who had no vote and very little but their dreams.

The story of Jack McPee, an itinerant station and mine worker, from the Pilbara region of Australia.Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In this story about sailing, Sophie travels from Nova Scotia to England to visit the grandfather that she has never met.

Glenyse, an aboriginal Australian, is forcibly taken from her parents and raised in a strict Catholic institution. At seventeen, she's sent to work as a domestic on a rich, West Australian farm where she's treated very harshly. Housed in a dirty garage, fed inferior food after cooking sumptuous meals for the family to eat in their luxurious dining room, given unfamiliar tasks with no instruction, Glenyse is debased and humiliated.

Homer's magnificent epic poem, 'The Odyssey', brought to vivid life in an enthralling traveller's tale of the greatest voyage ever, with a spectacular cast of men, magicians and monsters.

Fairy-Tale Survival Rule No. 52: No matter how difficult the obstacles or all-powerful the evil villain, one can rest assured that the hero of the story never dies. The sidekicks though...they should be worried. Rexi Hood is proud to be an outlaw. After all, she's the daughter of the infamous Robin Hood. But sidekick? Accomplice? Sorry, that wasn't in her story description. Yeah, she and Princess Dorthea of Emerald have been inseparable since they teamed up to fight the wickedest witch. But if Rexi doesn't figure out how to break the curse that binds them, forget being overshadowed by the spirited princess, Rexi's going to become a Forgotten, wiped from the pages of Story and reduced to a puddle of ink. Not happening. No way in Spell.

In joining the Hitler Youth, Dieter finds belonging with other young men, and escape from his proud step father. Sasha and her family, having moved with her family from Sydney to France so her father can report on the war, find themselves under rule by the surging German army. Both have secrets to keep on the complex playing field of war and resistance, but as these two characters circle closer to each other, they need to decide if trust is possible.

This book recounts some of the most heroic, devastating and pivotal moments of World Wars l and ll. Stories range from those of the soldiers, sailors and airmen on the front line to those who faced the day-to-day hardships of life on the home front.

Dad is finally on his way home from The Great War. Everyone, especially Mum, is excited and full of plans for the homecoming and the future. Twelve year old Nell barely remembers Dad but when Spanish Influenza hits Perth, delaying his return, Nell begins to understand the gap in the family his absence has created.

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 twins of prophecy have been divided and the end is drawing near. Josh is standing alongside John Dee and Virginia Dare on Alcatraz, while Sophie is in San Francisco with the Flamels and other immortals.

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.

Unless FBI agent Chevie can return to nineteenth-century London and change the course of history, millions will die. With the help of Riley, the boy magician, they battle two crazed villains, who have brought the military technology of the future back in time, with potentially disastrous consequences.

FBI agent, Chevie Savano, is determined to help her friend, Riley, find his long-lost brother. But, the WARP wormhole has other ideas. Pulled two centuries into the past, Chevie and Riley are in the besieged town of Mandrake, whose only protector, the Witchfinder, has a hidden past and deadly powers. With Chevie branded a witch, to be burned at the stake, Riley must thwart the Witchfinder's plans before he destroys them all.

The FBI and WARP (Witness Anonymous Relocation Programme) hide witnesses in the past to protect the future. Riley is a Victorian orphan, hurtled into the twenty-first century and on the run from his evil master, Albert Garrick, the terrifying assassin-for-hire, pursuing Riley through time. As Garrick hunts them down, Riley and FBI agent Chevie, face a race to stay alive and stop Garrick from returning to his own time.

In Bronze Age Britain, Drem must overcome his disability in order to pass the tribe's test to become a warrior.

While the fateful first voyage of the RMS Titanic is a well known event in history, Allan Wolf tells this story through the voices of dozens of real passengers and also creatively created imagined voices. This book gives you insight into the thoughts and actions of everyone from the captain of the Titanic to the world's richest man to the stokers forever shovelling coal in the giant furnaces which powered the unsinkable ship!

Thirteen year old Tully discovers she has had her DNA artificially manipulated by her father. Tully and her father are kidnapped and taken to the research facility where she learns she is part of a much larger human DNA experiment aimed at creating humans capable of surviving in underwater environments for the purpose of mining.

Calwyn, the chantress from 'The singer of all songs', and her friends travel the vast, unforgiving deserts of Merithuros to search the Palace of Cobwebs for enchantment. It will take all their ingenuity and magic to escape the Empire's dreadful secret. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

A warren of rabbits is being chased from its home by a land developer. The rabbits have their own language and culture which is as complex and fascinating as human society.

A mysterious watertower becomes more than a place to cool off for two outback youths. The suspense is powerful.

More adventures of Wayne Wilson. Wayne's sister is engaged, his hideous young cousin and wonderfully eccentric grandfather come to stay and his best mate seems to upstage him on every occasion, leaving Wayne's love life in tatters.

The story of homelessness and the city and the need for a boy and a cat to belong and to be safe.

1613. Japan is threatened with war and samurai are taking sides. As the battles begin, Jack's warrior training is put to the ultimate test. His survival depends upon him mastering the secret sword technique of the legendary samurai Masamoto. First Jack must recover his father's prize possession from the deadly ninja Dragon Eye.

1612. One year of training in samurai school and Jack is in real trouble. He is struggling to prepare for the Circle of Three which tests courage, skill and spirit to the limit. At the same time, Jack is caught in a running battle with fellow student Kazuki and his gang. Also he knows his deadly rival could strike at any moment.

It's1611 and Jack Fletcher is shipwrecked off the coast of Japan, his father and crew slaughtered by ninja pirates. Rescued by sword master Masamoto Takeshi, Jack's only hope is to become a samurai warrior. Life at the samurai school is a constant fight for survival. Jack is singled out by bullies and treated as an outcast.

Explore the human body from head to toe. Lots of interesting facts and details about how our bodies works for us.

The story is supposed to be over. Simon Snow did everything he was supposed to do. He beat the villain. He won the war. He even fell in love. Now comes the good part, right? Now comes the happily ever after... So why can't Simon Snow get off the couch? What he needs, according to his best friend, is a change of scenery. He just needs to see himself in a new light... That's how Simon and Penny and Baz end up in a vintage convertible, tearing across the American West. They find trouble, of course. (Dragons, vampires, skunk-headed things with shotguns.) And they get lost. They get so lost, they start to wonder whether they ever knew where they were headed in the first place... Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Follow in Greta Thunberg's footsteps and join the global mission to save our planet from the effects of climate change.

In this powerful and emotional book, Nobel Peace Prize winner and activist Malala Yousafzai shares various stories of displacement, including her own. Part memoir, part communal storytelling, the book introduces readers to some of the incredible girls Malala has met on her many journeys and lets each tell her story -- girls who have lost their community, relatives and often the only world they've ever known, but have not lost hope, with dreams for a better, safer world. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

After the death of her mother, Marin was shuffled between families before she eventually landed in the care of her grandfather. Marin is soon to graduate from high school and faces separation from her best friend, Mabel, and Mabel's loving family. There is something missing from Marin's life, and with further tragedy comes even more questions about her connections with others and where she belongs in the world. Marin must come to understand the loneliness she has been living with before she loses those few closest to her. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Stories about The Eureka Stockade usually feature men and their roles in the rebellion. This book provides a whole new perspective, featuring the remarkable, vibrant women of Eureka, whose sheer determination shaped our national consciousness. This is their story and the story of the thousands of men, women and children who risked everything in their quest for gold.

The Weather Makers has had a huge impact on our consciousness about climate change. It has changed minds and hearts. This book speaks to the school children who will inherit the new climate which their parents and grandparents have helped to create. Provides scientific examinations and some conclusions about climate change. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Jaime lives in Dalton's Bay with Aunty Dawn and Uncle Bobby. He spends his downtime hanging out with his mates, Dally and Lenny. Jamie's just an Aboriginal kid trying to find his way, but Mark Cassidy and the while lads take every opportunity they can to bully him and his friends. One night, Jamie, Dally and Lenny decide to retaliate...but things don't go as planned and the consequences are devastating. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above. Can Jaime mend his relationships with himself, his friends, his family, and his future?

There are four friends, it is summer, they are on a private island, they have the freedom to come and go as they please... throw in true love and terrible lies and it's hard to distinguish fact from fiction. The truth will leave you cold, and when people ask you about it, make sure you lie. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above,

Seventeen-year-old Priscilla Daalma's entire family are Hollow Warriors - legendary monster hunters charged with killing evil beasts from beyond our universe. She's desperate to live up to that legacy, but she's convinced neither she, nor her superpower - the ability to sense Hollow energy - is up to the task. But when Priscilla attempts a desperate ritual to enhance her abilities, she accidentally triggers a frightening new power: the power to summon monsters from the Hollow itself. Now, Priscilla must protect her loved ones from supernatural monsters, and also from herself. Because if her power gets out, all hell will break loose ... and Priscilla will risk losing everything. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, and above.

Even though you may not see them, our world is filled with algorithms. Algorithms that decide what advertisements you will see, what opportunities you will be presented with, and what costs you will have to face during your lifetime. Education, insurance, loans, health, and justice, are all at the mercy of these opaque lines of code. Mathematician and former finance industry worker, Cathy O'Neil has lifted the lid to show what is going on beneath the surface of big data. A fascinating, and frightening, insight into powerful forces that shape our lives everyday.

Two years ago, Fever Crumb escaped the war-torn city of London in a travelling theatre. Now, she arrives in the extraordinary crater city of Mayda, where buildings ascend the cliffs on funicular rails and a mysterious recluse is building a machine that can fly. Fever is the engineer he needs but ruthless enemies will kill to possess their secrets. Book two in the prequel to the Mortal Engines quartet,

Set inside a virtual internet world, two friends attempt to save earth's internet from evil.

The trouble on the Aching farm - monsters in the river, headless horsemen in the lane - climaxes when Tiffany's little brother is stolen away. Fortunately, the Nac Mac Feegle - the fighting, thieving, wee free men - will assist in his rescue. Tiffany will have a witty, inventive, sumptuous tale to tell.

Sixteen-year-old Jamie lives with his mum and his younger brother Oscar, who has Down syndrome. Though Jamie is still grieving the loss of his dad, life starts to look up when he meets Zara, the new girl at school. When their mum goes away for the weekend, Jamie volunteers to look after Oscar. But when the weekend is over and their mother doesn't return, Jamie faces the toughest challenge of his life.

It is 1654 in New England, native land of Algonquin tribes, among them the Pocasset, Wampanoag, and Narrangansett people. The pilgrims, called Coat-men by the Wampanoag, have settled here in the natives' territory at Patuxit, a place that the Pilgrims have renamed Plymouth. Weetamoo's father, Corbitant, is sachem, or chief, of the Pocassets. He is mistrustful of the colonists and imparts his beliefs about them to his daughter, who is next in line to become chief. Weetamoo must learn the fundamental values and disciplines of a true Pocasset chief.

When Kasienka starts her new school in her new country, she is lonely and unhappy; everything is strange and her halting English sets her apart from the other students. Her mother is obsessed with finding Kasienka's father who has deserted them. Eventually, Kasienka discovers something that she excels at and the good life begins again.

Two children, Susan and Colin, are sent to rural England, where they encounter a frightening local woman and an ancient wizard, named Cadellin. They find themselves on the run through abandoned mine tunnels, aided by a pair of heroic dwarfs.

Written by one of Australia's most prominent Indigenous voices, Welcome to Country is essential reading for every young Australian. The chapters cover prehistory, post-colonial history, language, kinship, knowledge, art, performance, storytelling, native title, the Stolen Generations, making a rightful place for First Australians and looking to the future for Indigenous Australia. This book is for the new Australian generations and works towards rectifying the wrongs of this country's past. You will quickly appreciate how lucky we are to be the home of the world's oldest continuing civilisation -- which is both diverse and thriving in Australia today.

After two rollicking New York Times bestselling adventures through Western literature, literary detective Thursday Next needs some downtime. She heads for the Well of Lost Plots, where all unpublished books reside. But, Thursday discovers that the Well is a veritable linguistic free-for-all and a murderer is stalking the personnel of Jurisfiction. Sophisticated writing and humour, some coarse language. Usually read by students in Years 9,10 or above.

Sixteen-year-old Quinn Hardwick's having a rough summer. Her beloved grandmother has been put into a home, her dad's gambling addiction has flared back up and now her worst enemy is back in town: Wesley James, former childhood friend - until he ruined her life, that is. So when Wesley is hired to work with her at Tudor Tymes, a medieval England themed restaurant, the last thing Quinn's going to do is forgive and forget. She's determined to remove him from her life and even the score all at once - by getting him fired. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Ken has been having problems with his training for squad swimming. The unexpected discovery of a Japanese relative and her tales of the migrating whales help him to succeed.

A play focusing on the combined rescue of these gentle animals by US and Soviet forces.

If you are the kind of person who... -Avoids disagreements because you don't want to fall out -Gets too embarrassed to say that you've changed your mind -Feels so overwhelmed that you don't know what to think ...then this book is for you. What do YOU think? will help young readers to discover what is influencing their ideas, from peer pressure to fake news. They'll learn how to form and change opinions, and how to debate their views with empathy. Readers will see how debates and disagreements can give you new ideas, stronger friendships, and help change the world for the better. I know you have loads of incredible thoughts and ideas and the world deserves to hear your voice. I want to know... what do you think?

Your brain is the most complicated and mysterious part of your body. It contains more than a billion cells and, every second, billions of electrical signals dart between these cells, at speeds of more than four hundred kilometres per hour. Find out why you laugh, why your parents can read your mind and why you have strange or scary dreams.

You know those movies where teenagers have the summer of their lives? This summer is probably not going to be that. Here lies Maisie Martin, dead from embarrassment, aged sixteen. The last thing Maisie Martin thought she'd be doing this summer is entering a beauty pageant. Not when she's spent most of her life hiding her body from everyone. Not when her Dad is AWOL for Christmas and her best friend starts going out with the boy she's always loved. But Maisie's got something to prove. And she's not going to let anything or anyone- including herself- hold her back. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Elizabeth is sixteen and has struggled with her body image for as long as she can remember. She's pretty sure her mother needs help even more than she does. Elizabeth has not only lost 20kg, placing her at an unhealthy weight, she has also lost friends, a boyfriend and the trust of her parents. After a terrible, public incident, she is admitted to Wallingfield, a treatment centre for girls with eating disorders. While at Wallingfield she begins to receive mysterious packages and needs to find out if they're from an admirer or if they are something more sinister. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Arthur is only in New York for the summer, but if Broadway has taught him anything, it's that the universe can deliver a showstopping romance when you least expect it. Ben thinks the universe needs to mind its business. If the universe had his back, he wouldn't be on his way to the post office carrying a box of his ex-boyfriend's things. But when Arthur and Ben meet at the post office, what exactly does the universe have in store for them? Maybe nothing. After all, they get separated. Maybe everything. After all, they get reunited. But what if they can't quite nail a first date . . . or a second first date . . . or a third? What if Arthur tries too hard to make it work . . . and Ben doesn't try hard enough? What if life really isn't like a Broadway play? But what if it is?

Katy Carr is untidy, tall and gangling, planning for the day when she will be beautiful and beloved. She is also very disobedient resulting in a terrible accident that threatens her daydreams and hopes for the future. Katy courageously overcomes her difficulties.

Eran has grown up to be a passionate citizen, concerned with his community and the world. He can also be an angry young man, something he is sure he inherited from his stern and serious mother. A protest Eran organises takes an ugly turn and a viral video unlocks many secrets which Eran's mother has kept locked away. Eran is certain that his quick and fiery temperament come from his mother, but the truth forces Eran to see beyond what he has inherited and look to who he chooses to be. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10, or above.

Find out what is DNA, why it is important and what we can do with it. Track it's discovery from Darwin's theory on evolution, to Mendel's experiments with pea plants, to modern gene research to treat blindness.

In the glittering society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires Inez Olivera has everything except the one thing she really wants; her parents who frequently leave her behind on their adventures to Egypt. Then she receives a terrible letter from her uncle explaining her parents have died in mysterious circumstances. Determined to uncover the truth, Inez sets sail for Egypt bringing only her sketch pads and an ancient ring that her father had sent her. But upon her arrival in Egypt the ring flares with ancient magic and Inez is thrust into a treacherous game that could threaten her life. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Witches only exist in stories. Everyone knows that. But when four friends are caught in the woods at dusk, their worst nightmare may just become their reality.

If you've got a question, find out the answer. Lots of facts, stats and graphics about your world.

Discover what life is, how it works and why Biology is more exciting today then ever before...

Discover how the universe is made up of tiny atoms, how they work and why chemistry is vital to our everyday lives.

Discover what's around you and how it works, from the tiniest particles to stars and planets, and even life itself.

Charles Dickens is one of the world's greatest novelists whose stories have been translated and adapted into plays, films, cartoons, musicals and television dramas. An engaging and witty exploration of the man behind the pen, what inspired him and four of his best-known novels; Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations and David Copperfield.

Someone somewhere is the world is reading, writing or quoting Shakespeare, acting in or watching his plays. An engaging and witty exploration of Shakespeare's life, the tumultuous times in which he lived and four of his plays, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, King Lear and The Tempest.

In this sequel to 'The Peculiar', twelve year old Pikey Thomas is missing an eye, a family and friends of any sort. He doesn't seem to have a great deal going for him and he feels it. But, Pikey sees things and people worth knowing that others don't. When he finds out that faeries are real and the past is both a guide and a trap, Pikey begins an adventure that will lead him to know himself and face his fears.

It's been two years since Ha and her family arrived in Alabama as refugees from the Viet Nam War. They have worked hard to make a life for themselves in America, but it hasn't come easy. Ha has only just begun to feel settled when Mother decides that the family will move to Texas for a new job. Ha knows how hard starting over is and does not want to do it again. But sometimes even an unwanted change can bring opportunity, new friends and a place to call home.

Sala's village survives at the edge of a lake, hidden by poison ivy, to keep them safe from giant water-ants and wyann trees, which spear passing prey with their roots. Everyone is safe as long as no-one goes out on the lake. The unexpected appearance of a space ship puts everyone in danger, stirring rivalries into a terrifying conflict set to change the world. Sala and her pet pointer must do whatever it takes to face the truth of who she is, to save her village, to save her family, to save herself.

Meet Dimple. Her main aim in life is to escape her traditional parents, get to university and begin her plan for tech world domination. Meet Rishi. He's rich, good-looking and a hopeless romantic. His parents think Dimple is the perfect match for him, but she's got other plans...Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works even harder to prove itself in the most unexpected ways. As joyfully refreshing as Rainbow Rowell, Jenny Han and Nicola Yoon, When Dimple Met Rishi is a frothy, funny contemporary romance told from the dual perspectives of two Indian American protagonists. While Dimple is fighting her family traditions, Rishi couldn't be happier to follow in the footsteps of his parents - could sparks fly between this odd couple, or is this matchmaking attempt doomed to fail? Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Beautifully depicts the migration of Jewish people to the United States.

When Michael meets Mina, they are at a rally for refugees, standing on opposite sides. Mina fled Afghanistan with her mother, via a refugee camp, a leaky boat and a detention centre. Michael's parents have founded a new political party called Aussie Values. They want to stop the boats. Mina wants to stop the hate. Michael and Mina will need to overcome their differences to find some common ground. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Lissa finds herself without her best friend, with a brother who is talking less and less to her, on the outside of a friendship group she is not so sure she wants to be in, and without her mum who is spending more and more time with a new boyfriend. One winter night a stranger shows up with a baby in his arms and asking all sorts of questions about a part of Lissa's life she knows nothing about. It is only as people come together that any sense can be made of the situation and crisises averted.

Adele loves being one of the popular girls at Keziah Christian Academy. She knows the upcoming semester at school will be great with her best friend Delia at her side. Then Delia dumps her for a new girl with more money, and Adele is forced to share a room with Lottie, the school pariah, who doesn't pray and defies teachers' orders. As they share a copy of Jane Eyre, Lottie's gruff exterior and honesty grow on Adele, and together they take on bullies and protect each other from the vindictive and prejudiced teachers. When a boy goes missing on campus, Adele and Lottie must work together to solve the mystery, in the process learning the true meaning of friendship. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

The sixties are in full swing and, for sixteen year old Kathy, it's all about miniskirts, the Beatles and her fab new boots. But, the world is rapidly changing, her brother is fighting in the Vietnam War and her best friend is protesting against it. When the chance comes to dance with an entertainment troop in Vietnam, Kathy slips on her boots and leaves her convent school. She soon finds the reality of war is no song and dance. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

When Madeleine is shipped off to stay with her eccentric grandmother for the holidays, she expects the usual: politics, early-morning yoga, extreme healthy food, and lots of hard work. Instead, Madeleine tumbles back in time to 1900, where the wealthy Williamson family takes her into their home, Lyrebird Muse. At a time when young girls have no power and no voice, set against a backdrop of the struggles for emancipation, federation and Aboriginal rights, Madeleine must find a way to fit in with the Williamson family's four sisters - beautiful, cold Bea; clever, awkward Gert; adventurous, rebellious Charlie; and darling baby Imo - as she searches desperately for a way home. Meanwhile, the Williamson girls' enchanting German cousin, Elfriede, arrives on the scene on a heavenly wave of smoke and cinnamon, and threatens to shatter everything... Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

When Switzerland falls under the Tripods' spell, Laurie, accompanied by two other boys, flees with his family to a remote spot in the Alps. The small band resolves to devote their lives to fighting the Tripods

Gentle cartoon pictures belie the hard hitting message as an elderly couple prepare for the nuclear holocaust with typically British, stiff upper lips.

Lucy, Fin and Max have survived the missile attacks which have devastated Australia and its population, now they are fleeing Sydney on the promise of safety in a compound with people who will shelter and protect them. Not long after their arrival they find their safety may come at a price they are not willing to pay...It soon becomes evident that missiles and starvation aren't the only threats to their survival. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Dan and his brother, Eddie, take off for the coast, in search of their lost mother, in search of a better life. But, it's a long road they face and Dan must use all his wits to get them there in one piece. When they are taken under the wing of a group of would-be soldiers, marching over the mountains to join up for the Great War, Dan and Eddie's journey becomes something quite unexpected.

A collection of short stories by the 2012 finalists of The Sydney Morning Herald Young Writer competition.

Set in Sydney, this heart-warming, first person narrative of a boy's love for his family and his enjoyment of soccer and music is told by eleven year old, German born, Ari.

Thirteen year old Hayaat is on a mission. She believes that a handful of soil from her grandmother's ancestral home in Jerusalem will save her life. The problem is the impenetrable wall that divides the West Bank, as well as the checkpoints, the curfews, the permit system and Haany's best friend, Samy, who always manages to attract trouble.

Claire and her father encounter a storm in which a whale overturns their boat and Claire, with an injured knee, is left to fend for herself.

Anna has high expectations for herself and her future. She is hardworking and focussed, but while she would like life outside of studying to stay in the shadows, her family's dark history summons her to the country and to the grandparents she has never met. Anna discovers secrets she never knew existed and answers to questions she never thought to ask. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Being a teenager is hard enough. But after losing her hearing, Demi's life is even harder. After all, how do you know what people are saying about you when you can't even hear them whisper? Demi is struggling with losing her hearing and trying to fit in at a new school while trying to bridge the gap between her old friends and her family who don't seem to understand how shut out she feels from everything and everyone around her.

Thirteen year old Joan's home in Liverpool is under threat from the Nazi's terrifying nightly air-raids. It is not an easy time to be a teenager, with sweet rationing, curfews and blackouts. When Joan encounters an army deserter lurking near their home, he seems to think she can help him. As the Blitz worsens, Joan and her friends make a discovery that will tear the whole community apart.

Geraldine has a guinea pig thrust upon her by a school acquaintance, to be minded during the holidays. The guinea pig disappears and and that's just the beginning of the problems.

An adventure story which reflects on free will when alien machines try to rule.

After the St Bartholomew Massacre in 16th-century France, a sea captain vows to sail until he finds a world without persecution. Centuries later, his ship is seen each sunset by a girl on an island, and is tugged off course by her cries of distress. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Toby and Rhys are forced to spend a week together in a holiday house by the sea. Surfing makes Rhys happy but Toby is not so keen. Both boys have a secret that they are unwilling to share.Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Imagine that you're made a king at twelve. You have tons of gold, a network of spies and a million soldiers. You also have plenty of enemies. This is the incredible story of Zheng Ying, who in 221BC conquered all the states, unified them under one banner and declared himself the first Emperor. He was brilliant and brutal, and his legend has lived on for thousands of years. Includes cartoon style illustrations.

My name is Amy Gumm, and I'm the other girl from Kansas. After a tornado swept through my trailer park, I ended up in Oz. But it wasn't like the Oz I knew from books and movies. Dorothy had returned, but she was now a ruthless dictator. Glinda could no longer be called the Good Witch. And the Wicked Witches who were left? They'd joined forces as the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked, and they wanted to recruit me. My mission? Kill Dorothy. Except my job as assassin didn't work out as planned. Dorothy is still alive. The Order has vanished. And the home I couldn't wait to leave behind might be in danger. Somehow, across a twisted and divided land, I have to find the Order, protect the true ruler of Oz, take Dorothy and her henchmen down, and try to figure out what I'm really doing here. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Boa is really Boadicea and her grandfather is a retired admiral, who has a chequered past involving pirates.

For Quinn and her siblings, Fern and Reed, summer means working as counselors at their family's summer camp, The Hundred, a place known for its magical feel. But last summer was different. Last summer they all fell in love with the same boy, their best friend Dylan. But six months later and everything has changed. The summer camp is empty and covered in snow, and Quinn, Fern and Reed aren't speaking to each other anymore. Something happened that summer that tore them apart, and their memories won't let them forgive. Maybe the lake monster is not the only monster in camp. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Following the death of her father, a young girl attempts to regain her grip on life.

Daine loses her entire family to a bandit attack. Her grief sees her rely on her heightened animal instincts and run with a wild wolf pack. On her return to the human world, she begins the long process of harnessing her magic power. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

A fantastic collection of true cowboy stories from the Old West. Contains stories of real life cowboys from Jesse James to Billy the Kid, the men who broke the law and those chasing them.

A poignant, sad story of the bond between two brothers, Alexi and Misha, who salvage and sell Soviet space junk. When Misha suffers seizures, Alexi takes his young brother to Moscow for proper treatment, leaving behind their family and livelihood.

Finn, Kas, and Willow have survived the winter. Severe winds and cold have kept the Wilders at bay. Now that spring has come, everything has changed. They're being hunted again, and they won't be safe while the brutal Ramage wants their blood. But Finn and Kas made a promise to Rose - to find her baby, Hope, and bring her back...but finding Hope, means finding Ramage...and Finn will face the toughest decision of his live. Usually read by students in Year 9, 10 and above.

Raxter's School for Girls was meant to be the perfect place for young woman to receive an outstanding education. But when the Tox hits, leaving most of their teachers dead and their peers' bodies mutated, Raxter's becomes a living nightmare for Hetty, Reese and Byatt. Left to fend for themselves by the authorities, the surviving students of Raxters adhere to the strict quarantine designed to protect them from the wild and mutated beasts that roam the forest. When Byatt goes missing, Hetty is determined to do everything to bring her back - even if it means breaking quarantine and facing the horrors beyond Raxter's fence. Once outside though, she uncovers much more to the Tox and life at Raxter than she ever thought possible. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10, and above

A young boy, who can communicate with animals, has a strong link to a wild falcon.

Merry, Zed and Liliana are on a perilous quest to the Palace of Zarissa. Amid the splendour and treachery of court, they watch and wait, planning the rescue of Princess Rosalina, held captive in the dazzling Tower of Stars. The excesses of the banquet table platters are described in sickening and disturbing detail.

Boarding in the wilderness, sixteen year old Sibylla expects the gruesome outdoor program but not friendship and love complications. New girl, Lou, who is grieving and fragile, must consider her self-imposed detachment as she becomes intrigued by an unfolding drama involving Sibylla. As Sibylla confronts a tangle of betrayal, she needs to renegotiate everything. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Spectacular photographs and interesting facts bring you face to face with some of the most fascinating animals on Earth. Journey through scenic and rich animal habitats, from the Amazon rainforest to the Himalayas, the Sahara to the South Pole. Discover how these diverse and fascinating creatures feed, interact, mate, play and survive, and why it is important for them to survive.

Will Grayson meets Will Grayson. One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two strangers are about to cross paths. From that moment on, their world will collide and lives intertwine. It's not that far from Evanston to Naperville, but Chicago suburbanites Will Grayson and Will Grayson might as well live on different planets. When fate delivers them both to the same surprising crossroads, the Will Graysons find their lives overlapping and hurtling in new and unexpected directions. With a push from friends new and old - including the massive, and massively fabulous, Tiny Cooper, offensive lineman and musical theatre auteur extraordinaire - Will and Will begin building toward respective romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history's most awesome high school musical. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

This is an introduction to Shakespeare's life and work, and his theatre, The Globe, which was reconstructed in London.

An overview of the life and plays of this famous poet and playwright.

In this timeless classic, Rat, Mole, Badger and Mr Toad of Toad Hall have rollicking adventures along the riverbank and in the Wild Wood.

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.

Kestrel hates the rules of Aramanth and, in defiance, climbs the wooden tower known as the wind singer. This brings the wrath of the Chief Examiner against her family and Kestrel and her twin brother must travel on a terrifying quest.to save their beloved father. Sometimes violent and cruel but always compelling. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

In a new city and new school, Laurel is apprehensive about how she will fit in. When something blooms in the middle of her back, Laurel discovers that she is a faerie and was placed with human parents as a child. As Laurel learns about her true background and the dangers that face the faerie realm, she struggles to find her place in both worlds.

The St Clairs are an adventurous flying family in Victoria post First World War and Kitty is inspired to fly just like her mother. After the tragic death of Kitty's mother, everyone rallies to help with her pain. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Ross Maloy just wants to fit in. But after he is diagnosed with a rare eye cancer in Year 7, he suddenly becomes the 'cancer kid' of his school. Now he has to deal with weird hats, a squinty eye and hardest of all, disappearing friends, social media bullies and the threat of losing his eyesight. Wink is a heartbreaking and hilarious story of survival. A story of finding music and laughter in all of life's weirdness.

The most important thing in the boys' lives was running. Every day they raced each other. But when Yosef, the quiet Egyptian boy, starts to beat the champion, their lives begin to change and besides, the school gardener is acting very suspiciously.

Winter is 16. She has just returned to her family home. She has not been here since she was four years old, when both of her parents died within six months of each other. Some of the locals are happy to see her. Others are not. Her decision to return, to restore her family home, and to settle down is met with some joy and some hostility. Getting to the bottom of why people feel the way they do will reveal things about her past she might wish she had never known. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mark her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana. Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won't approve of her feelings for her childhood friend--the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn't as weak as Levana believes her to be and she's been undermining her stepmother's wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long. Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters? Fans will not want to miss this thrilling conclusion to Marissa Meyer's national bestselling Lunar Chronicles series.

In the great floating city of Sanctaphrax, blizzards howl through the streets as the Edgeworld descends into endless winter. Quint, the son of a sky pirate, has just begun his flying training. But, when Quint breaks the rules and heads out to Open Sky on his own, he runs into the great sky leviathan known as a cloud-eater, and catastrophe is about to strike the Edgeworld.

King Leontes of Sicilia begs his childhood friend, King Polixenes of Bohemia, to extend his visit to Sicilia. Polixenes protests that he has been away from his kingdom for nine months, but after Leontes's pregnant wife, Hermione, pleads with him he relents and agrees to stay a little longer. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 & above.

Billy's mother, champion surfer, Kitten Brown, has died and he has to spend time with his Aunty Mary who he barely knows. He is very surprised to find he can make a difference to Mary's life.

Exploding oil wells. Millions of cars out of control. Two DARE winners in mortal danger. After Andy and Dylan are caught in a fiery explosion, Zander, JJ, Yasmin, Mila and Isabel realise their only chance to stop the next attack is to get one step ahead of The Signmaker. But the evil mastermind is far from their only problem, with the DARE winners now on the run from police, government agents and sinister suited thugs. Nowhere is safe. No-one can be trusted. Can they stay free long enough to decode the Third Sign, stop the next attack and reveal The Signmaker's true identity? If you could be a hero, would you DARE? Seven Signs . Five days left to save the world.

Fourteen year old, Colm Bell, and his younger sister, Lydia, wake to the smell of smoke and the sound of gunfire as raiders attack their home and their father. They flee to the hills, alone in a hostile landscape, a land without rain and empty cities, where small groups of people live in suspicion. They hear of the Wish Kin, people who may have the power to heal the earth. But, the sinister Clan are tracking the children.

Meg Finn is in a tough spot. In her last act on Earth, she committed a crime and died. With an even tally of good and evil deeds, Meg's spirit is stuck in limbo. For salvation, she must return to Earth and do more good deeds. Satan has other plans. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

When hatred opens the homestead gates and the enemy is so close to home, do you fear the fall, or find courage to fly? A heritage listed home in the Riverina is up for grabs and Isabella's Mum falls hopelessly in love. Yet it seems the new immigrant family who come to pick oranges at the orchard become a target for intolerance. But when Isabella's brother Abel takes leave from the Army barracks to disappear without a trace, the family's tree change plummets them into their worst fears. As the hours march irrevocably on, hope is the only weapon they possess, as each of them learn that a hero is made, not born. Usually read by students in years 9, 10, or above.

Evey and her sister have to escape when they witness their mother being accused of witchcraft. Left in a state of bewilderment, who can they trust and where can they turn for help? Their journey unexpectedly shows them the resilience of family, and helps them to learn to trust again. But can they ever reveal their own witch craft leanings?

When Ned and his identical twin tumble from their raft into a raging river, only Ned survives. Villagers are convinced the wrong boy lived. Across the forest that borders Ned's village, Aine, the daughter of the Bandit King, is haunted by her mother's last words: "The wrong boy will save your life and you will save his." When the Bandit King comes to steal the magic Ned's mother, a witch, is meant to protect, Aine and Ned meet. Can they trust each other long enough to cross a dangerous enchanted forest and stop the war about to boil over between their two kingdoms?

Seven short plays explore interesting ways of portraying characters to excite and shock audiences, with lots of guidance on delivery and stage directions.

Marguerite's father is desperate for a son. Instead, he's stuck with a feisty, stubborn daughter who refuses to behave like a lady. Shaking off the strict expectations of court life, Marguerite roams free, learning to ride, to fence and to outwit the boys. But, the count of Flanders has plans for his wayward daughter. Some violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 and above.

For Miri and her family, life in Warsaw is full of simple joys. The smell of freshly baked challah, the pink flowers that bloom in their courtyard and Fridays, when everyone comes together to celebrate Shabbat. But, the Nazis have a hold on Europe and have stepped up their discrimination and attacks on Jews. Miri's world closes in on her as she and her family are forced into the ghetto, where they must try to survive, against impossible odds. Based on true events.

Louis and his siblings are abducted from Paris by their father and taken to England. They have to change their names and their looks. Louis and his siblings face a choice, either to stay with their Dad and take on new identities or return to Paris.

Todd is running late for school when he witnesses a ruthless attack and robbery on Mr Wilson, a local shopkeeper. Something is vaguely familiar about the attacker and, when Todd finally recognises him, Todd's life and that of his friends are in danger.

Ged, a young wizard in the magical worlds of Earthsea, has to struggle against the forces of evil.

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.

Once there was Magic, and the Magic lived in the dark forests. Until the Warriors came. Xar is a Wizard boy who has no Magic, and will do anything to get it. Wish is a Warrior girl, but she owns a banned Magical Object, and she will do anything to conceal it. In this whirlwind adventure, Xar and Wish must forget their differences if they're going to make it to the dungeons at Warrior Fort. Where something that has been sleeping for hundreds of years is stirring...

Wish and Xar are outlaws on the run, hunted by Warriors, Wizards and worst of all by WITCHES ... Can they find the ingredients for the spell to get rid of Witches before the Kingwitch gets his talons on the Magic-that-Works-on-Iron? Their next Quest is the most terrifying and treacherous of all ... and someone is going to betray them. Are you ready to KNOCK THREE TIMES?

The No.1 bestselling series from the author of How to Train Your Dragon. Can Xar and Wish unite their worlds in time to save the Wildwoods? Will it be Never... or Forever? The final book in the magical The Wizards of Once series. Xar and Wish have found the ingredients for the Spell-to-get-rid-of-Witches. Now the Kingwitch is calling them to the lake of the lost. But first they must mix the potion in the Cup of Second Chances ... Can they defeat the hungry Tatzelwerm monster and escape with the cup? And will the spell be strong enough to lift the CURSE OF THE WILDWOODS... or will Witches reign FOREVER?

This was once the story of a young boy Wizard and a young girl Warrior who had been taught since birth to hate each other like poison. But now, the boy Wizard and girl Warrior have been brought together in the Badwoods and they have witnessed the shocking consequences of the Stone That Takes Away Magic. They will need to cast aside their differences once more - for an Evil Spell has broken free. It's up to Xar and Wish to find the ingredients. But it means entering the Druids Castle unannounced.

It's six thousand years ago and evil stalks the land. According to legend, only twelve year old Torak and his wolf-cub companion can defeat it. Their journey takes them through deep forests, across giant glaciers and into dangers they never imagined. Torak and Wolf are terrified of their mission but they must battle to save their world.

Experimented on during her time in a concentration camp, Yael has the unique ability to skin shift, to change her appearance at will. Now, ten years on since the Nazis won the war, Yael has just one mission, to kill Hitler. To get close to him, Yael must transform into Adele Wolfe, Germany's most famous female rider, and win the legendary Axis Tour, an epic, long distance motorcycle race from Berlin to Tokyo. Only the strongest and wiliest riders survive. Includes violence. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

All her life, twelve year old Annabelle has lived in Wolf Hollow, a quiet, small Pennsylvania town, still scarred by two world wars. But, when cruel and manipulative Betty Glengarry arrives in class, Annabelle's calm world is shattered, along with everything she's ever known about right and wrong. When Betty disappears, suspicion falls on strange, gentle loner, Toby. As the community turns against him, Annabelle must do everything in her power to protect Toby and find Betty, before it's too late.

Orphaned Daine, now fourteen, has always been able to mind-speak with animals, but now she is also learning to heal their wounds magically, to enter their minds and see with their eyes, and to change temporarily into animal form. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Two cousins who live in Willoughby Chase are left in the care of a cruel governess.

The BookWorld's leading enforcement officer Thursday Next is four months into an enforced semi-retirement following an assassination attempt. She returns home to Swindon for what you'd expect to be a time of recuperation. If only life were that simple. Thursday is faced with an array of family problems - son Friday's lack of focus since his career in the Chronoguard was relegated to a might-have-been, daughter Tuesday's difficulty perfecting the Anti-Smote shield needed to thwart an angry Deity's promise to wipe Swindon off the face of the earth, and Jenny, who doesn't exist. And that's not all. With Goliath attempting to replace Thursday at every opportunity with synthetic Thursdays, the prediction that Friday's Destiny-Aware colleagues will die in mysterious circumstances, and a looming meteorite that could destroy all human life on earth, Thursday's retirement is going to be anything but easy.

Newly knighted, Alanna of Trebond seeks adventure in the vast desert of Tortall. Captured by fierce desert dwellers, she is forced to prove herself in a duel to the death.

A study of the role of women in Roman and medieval periods in history.

The stories of nine women of Camelot are illustrated and written in modern language.

Diana longs to prove herself to her legendary warrior sisters. But when the opportunity finally comes, she throws away her chance at glory and breaks Amazon law, risking exile, to save a mere mortal. Even worse, Alia Keralis is no ordinary girl and with this single brave act, Diana may have doomed the world. Alia just wanted to escape her overprotective brother with a semester at sea. She doesn't know she is being hunted. When a bomb detonates aboard her ship, Alia is rescued by a mysterious girl of extraordinary strength and forced to confront a horrible truth: Alia is a Warbringer - a direct descendant of the infamous Helen of Troy, fated to bring about an age of bloodshed and misery. Together, Diana and Alia will face an army of enemies, mortal and divine. determined to either destroy or possess the Warbringer. If they have any hope of saving both their worlds, they will have to stand side by side against the tide of war.

Join Eddie Woo, award winning teacher and star of the Woo-tube channel) as he tells us how he came to love maths. Eddie mingles anecdotes with facts to bring the world of maths to life and make it fun, even for the most sceptical maths student. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Plain Kate lives in a time afraid of magic. She has a gift for carving 'lucky' wooden-charms and is known as Witch-Blade. Her unusual gift attracts dangerous attention in a place where witches are burned. When her village falls on bad times, suspicion falls on Kate and, scared for her life, she seeks the help of a mysterious stranger. In exchange for her shadow, the stranger will assist her, but Kate becomes part of a terrifying plan, darker than she ever dreamed.

A boy living alone must face his greatest fear, the woolvs (wolves). A dark, brooding story with strong illustrations. Ideal for visual literacy.

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.

Twins, Lexi and Al Hunter, have almost nothing in common, except their parents and their birthday. At school, Lexi hangs with the cool crowd while Al hides in the library reading about history, battles and faraway places. When the twins stumble upon an old dictionary, their world changes. They are blasted into history to hunt down the words that threaten to vanish from our past and our present. Their lives and the future of the world are at stake. Now, more than ever, they need to depend on each other to survive.

Lexi and Al thought they had seen it all - time travel, epic battles, ancient cities on the point of collapse and vomiting rats. But, nothing has prepared them for the realisation that their missing grandfather is a word hunter too and has been lost in the past. Only Lexi and Al can save him. But,it will be very difficult to find someone in three thousand years of history.

Lexi, Al, Mursili, Will and Caractacus are back in new word quests and new adventures. There's all the behind-the-scenes information you have ever wanted to know about the words that make up the language we speak.

The final battle is coming, the grey-robes are armed and dangerous and ready for war. Lexi, Al and their friends are as ready as they can be. The journey so far has been harder than they imagined. They have fought ancient warriors, searched long-lost cities for clues, and trained night and day for the moment when they face their arch enemy. They hope it is enough to defeat him and save the English language forever.

Come with the Word Spy on an entertaining journey through the English language. Find out where the alphabet came from and what anagrams stand for. Make up your own palindromes and impress your friends by speaking Pig Latin. Includes cartoons, riddles and special codes to solve along the way. Lots of information that's fun to read.

This is a love story. It is the story of Howling Books, where readers write letters to strangers, to lovers, to poets. It is the story of Henry Jones and Rachel Sweetie. They were best friends once, before Rachel moved to the sea. Now, she's back, working at the bookstore, grieving for her brother, Cal. She's looking for the future in the books people love and the words they leave behind. Mature themes. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

It's been two years since Gia Basso witnessed archangels and demons waging war upon each other beneath the dome of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan. Traumatised, Gia has been in self-imposed exile on the English coast.But the sudden reappearance of Mercy in her life, in a new and terrifying incarnation, draws Gia into a desperate struggle to locate Lucifer -- who holds Ryan Daley captive in order to keep him from Mercy, his beloved, forever. Tasked by the archangels to destroy Lucifer, and by Mercy to help her trace and free Ryan, Gia is pushed to the limits of human endurance as she traverses the earth -- with the help of friends old and new -- to do the impossible. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

A story of survival about two children who discover a rusty freighter on their beach after a cyclone. It appears to be calling them but it could just be a trap.

Tamara Bennett is going to be the first journalist to strictly report only good news. Finished with high school, Tamara is ready to say goodbye to her sleepy little town and part-time job at the local paper. But things take an unexpected turn when Tamara arrives home to find her house ransacked and her life in danger. What is the mysterious note her attacker wants - and why is he willing to kill for it? A tragic boating accident five years ago holds the clue that could keep Tamara alive. But how can she find the truth when she can't tell who's lying?

True stories about mysteries and disasters at sea.

In 1732, a mysterious box is taken from the Cornish sea and hidden in the wall of the nearby cliff-top manor house. A century from now, sixteen years after London is destroyed in an apocalyptic attack, five teenagers spend the night in the abandoned house. They discover the box and take it home. What lay within is only dormant, waiting for the time when it would be released upon the world. And that time is now.

Red Read never sets out to find trouble, but trouble sure has a way of finding him. After a disagreement with his cruel schoolteachers, Red is expelled and sentenced to a horrifying punishment. However, he is whisked to safely by the infamous smuggler Captain Black Bowen, who will take him on an adventure involving crazed wreckers, killer diseases and lost treasure.

In 1903, on the windy dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the dream of humans to fly finally came true. Two brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright, were former bicycle mechanics who built their first toy plane, a rubber-band powered rotary when they were just children. They finally solved the flying problems that had grounded so many others.

The violence of the pigeon shoot disturbs Palmer and contrasts with his reaction to bullies and to pets.

Written Portraits is a national writing competition that showcases young Australian writing, providing young writers with the opportunity to express inner feelings and emotions associated with being a teenager. The theme of this anthology is portrait at home. The short stories in this powerful anthology are all written by teenagers who are from a range of backgrounds. Each story expresses the sense of belonging or displacement to home, place or others. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.

Morrigan Crow has been invited to join the prestigious Wundrous Society, a place that promised her friendship, protection and belonging for life. She's hoping for an education full of wunder, imagination and discovery - but all the Society want to teach her is how evil Wundersmiths are. And someone is blackmailing Morrigan's unit, turning her last few loyal friends against her. Has Morrigan escaped from being the cursed child of Wintersea only to become the most hated figure in Nevermoor? Worst of all, people have started to go missing. The fantastical city of Nevermoor, once a place of magic and safety, is now riddled with fear and suspicion...

As the snow begins to fall, a man is forced to take shelter at the dark, foreboding Wuthering Heights. This house is haunted by memories and the dangerous story of Cathy and Heathcliff, who fell violently in love but could not be together. Cruelly separated by social class, fate, the actions of others and their own bitterness, Cathy and Heathcliff are united in an all-consuming passion that lasts beyond death. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10 or above.