A Monster Calls by
Thirteen-year-old Conor awakens one night to find a monster outside his bedroom window, but not the one from the recurring nightmare that began when his mother became ill--an ancient, wild creature that wants him to face truth and loss.
Mao's Last Dancer by
Li Cunxin was born in 1961, in the New Village, Li Commune, near the city of Qingdao on the coast of north-east China. The sixth of seven sons in a poor rural family, Li's peasant life in Chairman Mao's communist China changed dramatically when, at the age of eleven, he was chosen by Madame Mao's cultural advisers to become a student at the Beijing Dance Academy. After a summer school in America, for which he was one of only two students chosen, he defected to the West and became a principal dancer for the Housten Ballet. Li went on to become one of the best male dancers in the world.
Catching Teller Crow by
Nothing's been the same for Beth Teller since she died. Her dad, a detective, is the only one who can see and hear her - and he's drowning in grief. But now they have a mystery to solve together. Who is Isobel Catching, and what's her connection to the fire that killed a man? What happened to the people who haven't been seen since the fire? As Beth unravels the mystery, she finds a shocking story lurking beneath the surface of a small town, and a friendship that lasts beyond one life and into another. Told in two unforgettable voices, this gripping novel weaves together themes of grief, colonial history, violence, love and family.
How to Be Remy Cameron by
Everyone on campus knows Remy Cameron. He's the out-and-proud, super-likable guy who friends, faculty, and fellow students alike admire for his cheerful confidence. The only person who is not entirely sure about Remy Cameron is Remy himself. Under pressure to write an A+ essay defining who he is and who he wants to be, Remy embarks on an emotional journey toward reconciling the outward labels people attach to him with the real Remy Cameron within. From the author of the bestselling novel Running With Lions, a story about overcoming the labels that try to define our lives.
Can You See Me? by
Tally is autistic, but she hides it as much as she can. She knows how uncomfortable people feel around her -- they don't understand autism. They don't understand her. By masking her autism, Tally is hiding her real self. But when your real self is fierce and wonderful, it can't stay hidden forever.
The War That Saved My Life by
An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds, set during World War Two. Nine-year-old Ada has never left her one-room flat. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada's twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn't waste a minute - she sneaks out to join him. So begins a new adventure for Ada, and for Miss Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take in the two children. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan-and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother? This masterful work of historical fiction is equal parts adventure and a moving tale of family and identity.
Does My Head Look Big in This? by
A refreshing perspective on the impact of a Muslim upbringing on a teenager attempting to assimilate in contemporary society. The story is one of first hand experiences told with good humour and cheekiness.
Storm Boy by
This 55th anniversary edition of the Colin Thiele classic is being released to coincide with a new major movie remake of Storm Boy starring Jai Courtney and Geoffrey Rush. Storm Boy is the timeless story of Mike "Storm Boy" Kingley who rescues three pelican chicks after their mother is shot. One of the birds, Mr Percival, forms a very special bond with the boy which brings into focus the conflict between his lifestyle in the remote Coorong of South Australia and the external pressures of society including his schooling. Treasured by generations of children, this is a heartwarming- tale about unusual friendship and unconditional love.
Wonder by
This is a funny, sweet and incredibly moving story of Auggie Pullman. Born with a terrible facial abnormality, this shy, bright ten-year-old has been home-schooled by his parents in an attempt to protect him from the stares and cruelty of the outside world. Now, for the first time, Auggie is being sent to a real school - and he is dreading it.
Holes by
Stanley Yelnats isn't too surprised to find himself at Camp Green Lake, digging holes in the dried-up lake bed, day after scorching day. After all, his family has a history of bad luck.
The boys at Camp Green Lake must dig one hole each day, five feet deep and five feet across. But what are they digging for? Why did Green Lake dry up? And what do onions and lizards have to do with it all? The answers lie in Stanley's own past ...
Out of My Mind by
Over 1.5 million people have read the #1 New York Times bestseller Out of My Mind and discovered the brilliant mind of Melody Brooks. Out of My Mind spent two years on the New York Times bestseller list! "If there's one book teens and parents (and everyone else) should read this year, Out of My Mind should be it." --The Denver Post "A gutsy, candid, and compelling story. It speaks volumes." --School Library Journal (starred review) "Unflinching and realistic." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Uplifting...This moving novel will makes activists of us all." --Booklist (starred review) From award-winning author Sharon Draper comes a story that will forever change how we all look at anyone with a disability, perfect for fans of RJ Palacio's Wonder. Eleven-year-old Melody is not like most people. She can't walk. She can't talk. She can't write. All because she has cerebral palsy. But she also has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She's the smartest kid in her whole school, but NO ONE knows it. Most people--her teachers, her doctors, her classmates--dismiss her as mentally challenged because she can't tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be defined by her disability. And she's determined to let everyone know it...somehow.
Counting By 7s by
Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. Adopted as a baby, Willow is self sufficient and not at all bothered by her oddness, and her parents love and accept her idiosyncracies. But their unexpected death in a car crash means she can longer avoid facing the challenge of human relationships and emotions. As Willow pieces her life back together, she discovers the connections that bind us all as families.
My Brother's Name is Jessica by
Sam Waver's life has always been pretty quiet. A bit of a loner, he struggles to make friends, and his busy parents often make him feel invisible. Luckily for Sam, his older brother, Jason, has always been there for him. Sam idolises Jason, who seems to have life sorted - he's kind, popular, amazing at football, and girls are falling over themselves to date him. But then one evening Jason calls his family together to tell them that he's been struggling with a secret for a long time. A secret which quickly threatens to tear them all apart. His parents don't want to know and Sam simply doesn't understand. Because what do you do when your brother says he's not your brother at all? That he thinks he's actually... your sister?
Every Day by
A has no friends. No parents. No family. No possessions. No home, even. Because every day, A wakes up in the body of a different person. Every morning, a different bed. A different room. A different house. A different life. A is able to access each person's memory, enough to be able to get through the day without parents, friends, and teachers realizing this is not their child, not their friend, not their student. Because it isn't. It's A. Inhabiting each person's body. Seeing the world through their eyes. Thinking with their brain. Speaking with their voice. It is a lonely existence - until, one day, it isn't. A meets a girl named Rhiannon. And, in an instant, A falls for her, after a perfect day together. But when night falls, it is over. Because A can never be the same person twice. But yet, A cannot stop thinking about her. She becomes A's reason for existing. So each day, in different bodies - of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, walks of life - A tries to get back to her. And convince her of their love. But can their love transcend such an obstacle?
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens agenda by
Straight people should have to come out too. And the more awkward it is, the better. Simon Spier is sixteen and trying to work out who he is - and what he's looking for. But when one of his emails to the very distracting Blue falls into the wrong hands, things get all kinds of complicated. Because, for Simon, falling for Blue is a big deal . . .It's a holy freaking huge awesome deal.
The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by
Anna Chiu has her hands pretty full looking after her brother and sister and helping out at her dad's restaurant, all while her mum stays in bed. Dad's new delivery boy, Rory, is a welcome distraction and even though she knows that things aren't right at home, she's starting to feel like she could just be a normal teen. But when Mum finally gets out of bed, things go from bad to worse. And as Mum's condition worsens, Anna and her family question everything they understand about themselves and each other. A nourishing tale about the crevices of culture, mental wellness and family.
The Little Refugee by
Anh Do's inspirational story about his family's incredible escape from war-torn Vietnam and his childhood in Australia, told especially for children.
The Peasant Prince by
So begins The Peasant Prince, the true story of Li Cunxin's extraordinary life. Based upon his internationally best-selling memoir, Mao's Last Dancer, this remarkable picture book captures the essence of one of the most inspiring stories to come from China in many years.
Sparrow Girl by
Ming-Li looked up and tried to imagine the sky silent, empty of birds. It was a terrible thought. Her country's leader had called sparrows the enemy of the farmers-they were eating too much grain, he said. He announced a great 'Sparrow War' to banish them from China, but Ming-Li did not want to chase the birds away. As the people of her village gathered with firecrackers and gongs to scatter the sparrows, Ming-Li held her ears and watched in dismay. The birds were falling from the trees, frightened to death! Ming-Li knew she had to do something-even if she couldn't stop the noise. Quietly, she vowed to save as many sparrows as she could, one by one . . .
Black Fella White Fella by
This iconic song is one that marks the history of the Aboriginal Rights movement along the way to reconciliation. Though written 30 years ago, the lyrics have become the inspiration for a picture book project in which school children around Australia were invited to illustrate the meaning of the song. The simple power of the lyrics have been captured in a diversity of styles and motifs by the children’s frank images, all filled with the brightness of hope for the song’s theme – we are one. It’s the kind of book to pore over while listening to the song in the background, something that would make an inspirational experience for children.
My Island Home by
The story behind 'My Island Home' is that it was written by a white man for a black man and the black man sang it like it was his own. That doesn't sound like much but in the context of Australian history it represents the crossing of a mighty gulf. Aboriginal people sing 'My Island Home' like it's theirs. White people sing it like it's theirs. People in Australia who have come from other countries, other cultures, sing 'My Island Home' like it's theirs. That's what makes it such a great song.
The Drover's Boy by
Based on a popular Australian song that tells of the time when it was illegal for whites and Aborigines to marry, and how such relationships were hidden by Aboriginal women dressing as boys. This book is a tribute to Aboriginal stockwomen, in the hope that one day their huge contribution to the Australian pastoral industry might be recognized.
The Lost Girl by
The girl had lost her way. She had wandered away from the mothers, the aunties and the grandmothers, from the fathers and the uncles and the grandfathers. Who will show her the way home?
Malala, a Brave Girl from Pakistan/Iqbal, a Brave Boy from Pakistan by
Meet two heroes of Pakistan who stood up for the rights to freedom and education in these inspirational nonfiction tales from acclaimed author-illustrator Jeanette Winter. Two stories of bravery in one beautiful book--including the story of Malala Yousafzai, a winner of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize! One country: Pakistan. Two children: Iqbal Masih and Malala Yousafzai. Each was unafraid to speak out. He, against inhumane child slavery in the carpet trade. She, for the right of girls to attend school. Both were shot by those who disagreed with them--he in 1995, she in 2012. Iqbal was killed instantly; Malala miraculously survived and continues to speak out around the world. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for her work. The stories of these two courageous children whose bravery transcended their youth, beautifully written and illustrated by celebrated author Jeanette Winter, are an inspiration to all.
Razia's Ray of Hope by
Razia's Ray of Hope is the story of one girl's dream of getting an education and attending a new school in her village in Afghanistan. But her father and brother are against the idea. Can she persuade them that it is a good idea? Razia falls asleep every night dreaming of going to school like her brothers Jamil and Karim. So when she learns that a girls' school is being built just down the road from her home, she is filled with hope... This is a compelling story of one girl's aspirations to go to school in Afghanistan during the Taliban regime. It is a moving account of how she finally persuades her father and older brother to let her go. Razia Jan, who appears in the story, founded the Kabuli Education Centre in Afghanistan to offer local girls an education in a story reminiscent of Malala Yousafzai's campaign for female education in Pakistan.
The Island by
Absolutely the story of our time - an amazing and powerful picture book. Winner of several international awards and available for the first time in English. 'One of my ten favourite picture books of all time.' - John Marsden
One Minute's Silence by
A moving and powerful story about the meaning of Remembrance Day, drawing on the ANZAC and Turkish battle at Gallipoli
Home and Away by
What would happen if a typical Australian family found themselves refugees? Mum is a rehab counselor for people with alcohol problems. Grandma Raynor lives next door. Dad is a driver for Elgas. Then there's me, fifteen, into a lot of different stuff. Music, surfing, animals, tennis, swimming, computer games. And my sister, Claire, and brother Toby. We re a typical Australian family. Barbeques, footy, gardening, school, Holden Commodores Then one day things change. April 26, Dad burns the toast, yells at Toby, thanks me for cleaning the cab of the truck, kisses Mum and Toby, then he's gone April 27, the war starts May 21, the city's in ruins, blackouts nearly all the time, food is hard to find September 13, Dad's heard news of a boat. We might get out of here yet September 28, it is just after dawn. A boat from their Navy has found us. We waved and cried and cheered. But then, slowly, we realised they were shouting at us, telling us to go away September 30, we are in a huge prison, with razor wire all around us. The government says there's no room for us. The Prime Minister says that if they let us out into the community it ll just encourage other illegal immigrants. The Deputy Prime Minister says we re not genuine refugees. The Minister for Immigration says we should have gone through the proper procedures and applied to come here the prescribed way. Apparently there was a queue or a waiting list or something, and we were meant to find an Immigration Office and put our names down to be considered. I guess they re right. I feel terrible about the trouble we've caused them.
The Happiest Refugee by
The laugh-out-loud, reach-for-your-hanky story of one of Australia's best-loved comedians. Anh Do nearly didn't make it to Australia. His entire family came close to losing their lives on the sea as they escaped from war-torn Vietnam in an overcrowded boat. But nothing - not murderous pirates, nor the imminent threat of death by hunger, disease or dehydration as they drifted for days - could quench their desire to make a better life in the country they had dreamed about. Life in Australia was hard, an endless succession of back-breaking work, crowded rooms, ruthless landlords and make-do everything. But there was a loving extended family, and always friends and play and something to laugh about for Anh, his brother Khoa and their sister Tram. Things got harder when their father left home when Anh was only nine - they felt his loss very deeply and their mother struggled to support the family on her own. His mother's sacrifice was an inspiration to Anh and he worked hard during his teenage years to help her make ends meet, also managing to graduate high school and then university. Another inspiration was the comedian Anh met when he was about to sign on for a 60-hour a week corporate job. Anh asked how many hours he worked. 'Four,' the answer came back, and that was it. He was going to be a comedian! The Happiest Refugee tells the incredible, uplifting and inspiring life story of one of our favourite personalities. Tragedy, humour, heartache and unswerving determination - a big life with big dreams. Anh's story will move and amuse all who read it.
I Am Malala by
'I come from a country that was created at midnight. When I almost died it was just after midday. We'd finished for the day and I was on the open-back truck we use as a school bus. There were no windows, just thick plastic sheeting that flapped at the sides and a postage stamp of open sky at the back through which I caught a glimpse of a kite wheeling up and down. It was pink, my favourite colour.' In 2009 Malala Yousafzai began writing an anonymous blog for BBC Urdu about life in the Swat Valley as the Taliban gained control, at times banning girls from attending school. When her identity was discovered, Malala began to appear in Pakistani and international media, campaigning for education for all. On 9 October 2012, Malala was shot at point-blank range by a member of the Taliban on the way home from school. Remarkably, she survived. In April 2013, Time magazine named her one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. I Am Malala tells the inspiring story of a schoolgirl who was determined not to be intimidated by extremists, and faced the Taliban with immense courage. Malala speaks of her continuing campaign for every girl's right to an education, shining a light into the lives of those children who cannot attend school. This is just the beginning...
We Are Displaced by
Malala presents true stories of the refugee experience interwoven with her own story of her displacement in this incredibly moving follow up to her internationally bestselling memoir. Nobel Peace Prize winner and bestselling author Malala Yousafzai introduces some of the faces behind the statistics and news stories we read or hear every day about the millions of people displaced worldwide. Malala's experiences visiting refugee camps caused her to reconsider her own displacement - first as an Internally Displaced Person when she was a young child in Pakistan, and then as an international activist who could travel anywhere in the world, except to the home she loved. In We Are Displaced, which is part memoir, part communal storytelling, Malala not only explores her own story of adjusting to a new life while longing for home, but she also shares the personal stories of some of the incredible girls she has met on her various journeys - girls who have lost their community, relatives, and often the only world they've ever known. In a time of immigration crises, war and border conflicts, We Are Displaced is an important reminder from one of the world's most prominent young activists that every single one of the 68.5 million currently displaced is a person - often a young person - with hopes and dreams, and that everyone deserves universal human rights and a safe home.
Ugly : a beaut story about one very ugly kid by
Robert was born ugly. Real ugly. So ugly his own mum didn't want to take him home. But his brothers and sisters voted to keep him, and the whole family fell in love with him. Even his mum.
Reaching Out by
Fifteen-year-old Victorian schoolgirl, Mariah Kennedy, brings together a collection of bestselling children's authors and illustrators to highlight social injustice. All author royalties will be donated to UNICEF. Fifteen-year-old Mariah Kennedy is passionate about fighting for social justice. As the UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador, Mariah created REACHING OUT as a fundraising project and all author royalties will be donated to UNICEF. Heartfelt and inspiring, this book contains stories, poems and illustrations that have been donated by some of the most world's renowned and respected authors and illustrators, including Graeme Base, Jackie French, Michael Leunig, Bruce Whatley, Michael Morpurgo, Andy Griffiths, Anna Perera, Libby Gleeson, Melina Marchetta, Alison Lester, Morris Gleitzman and many more. Ages: 10-14
No Place Like Home by
A collection of stories creating a narrative picture of Australians, past and present, this title includes stories of hatred and love, war, aftermath, and resolution, fear and hope, great suffering and great heroism, small journeys and unimaginably huge journeys.
