OLDER READERS RESOURCES

 
 

Kensy and Max 1: Breaking news by Jacqueline Harvey

What would you do if you woke up in a strange place? If your whole life changed in the blink of an eye and you had no idea what was going on? Twins Kensy and Max Grey’s lives are turned upside down when they are whisked off to London, and discover their parents are missing. As the situation unfolds, so many things don’t add up: their strange new school, the bizarre grannies on their street, the coded messages they keep finding and the feeling that, all around them, adults are keeping secrets...

Things can never go back to the way they were, but the twins are determined to uncover the truth!

New City by Deborah Abela

Isabella and her friends are nervous about what they'll find in the New City. It's inland and it's dry - far from the flooded city they've just left. Will their lives here be as luxurious and carefree as Xavier says? In fact, bleak, uncertain times have brought darkness and danger to New City.

The city has been divided in two- the citizens who have, and those who the ruling Major General says have come to steal from them - the refugees who have fled the rising waters, who are imprisoned in a camp on the edge of the city.

The kids of Grimsdon once faced sea monsters and evil harbour lords, but now they face new threats. From freakish weather events that whip up with little warning to the fierce misinformation that swirls around the city to the theft of their freedom, now they face the prison-like restrictions and control of the New City.

Unlike the refugees, they're heralded as heroes. But what does the Major General really want from them?

Funny Kid 3: Prank Wars by Matt Stanton

Every kid wants to laugh, but Max is the boy who can make it happen. As he and his classmates head off on a camping trip, the new boy, Tyson, decides to play some jokes of his own. Max is the funny kid... and now there is a prank war to be won! Monsters in the lake, smuggling ducks, dig-your-own toilets, capsizing canoes, absolutely not falling in love and beans that give you the runs are just some of the things in store for Max and his friends in this brand-new adventure.

Pie in the sky by Remy Lai

El Deafo meets Inside Out and Back Again in this funny, emotional illustrated middle-grade debut novel about immigrating to Australia, being upstaged by an annoying little brother, baking cakes and overcoming loss.

When Jingwen moves to Australia, he feels like he’s landed on Mars. School is torture, making friends is impossible, since he doesn’t speak English, and he's stuck looking after his (extremely irritating) little brother, Yanghao. To distract himself from the loneliness, Jingwen daydreams about making all the cakes on the menu of the bakery his father had planned to open before he unexpectedly passed away. The only problem is his mother's rule: no using the oven while she's at work. As Jingwen and Yanghao bake more elaborate cakes, they'll have to cook up more elaborate excuses to keep their baking a secret - and continue the dream their father started.

Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables by Tim Harris and James Hart

He’s the first teacher to cook us breakfast.

Is his spark-maker beetle really that dangerous?

I heard he drank yak’s milk in Mongolia.

He’s the only person who isn’t afraid of Canteen Carol.

My mum says he used to be in the circus.

The class in room 12B has a new teacher, and nothing is ever going to be the same . . .

Runt by Craig Silvey

'You don't have to carry the weight of the world in your tool belt.'

Annie Shearer lives in the country town of Upson Downs with her best friend, an adopted stray dog called Runt. The two share a very special bond.

After years evading capture, Runt is remarkably fast and agile, perfect for herding runaway sheep. But when a greedy local landowner puts her family's home at risk, Annie directs Runt's extraordinary talents towards a different pursuit - winning the Agility Course Grand Championship at the lucrative Krumpets Dog Show in London.

However, there is a curious catch: Runt will only obey Annie's commands if nobody else is watching.

With all eyes on them, Annie and Runt must beat the odds and the fastest dogs in the world to save her farm.

The Book of Wondrous Possibilities by Deborah Abela

Arlo Goodman lives with his Uncle Avery in a run-down flat above their bookshop. He has no friends, except for his pet mouse, Herbert.

But when a girl called Lisette bursts into the shop and begs him to hide her from a murderer, Arlo's life changes forever.

He's swept up into an adventure involving kidnappers, car chases and a story in The Book of Wondrous Possibilities, where Arlo and his skymouse battle dragons. But can Arlo find the courage to battle an even greater enemy, who threatens to destroy everything he loves?

The Glimme by Emily Rodda and Marc McBride

Finn loves to draw. It helps him escape his hard life in the village of Wichant. Finn's imagination comes to life on the pages of his sketchbook where the shapes of dragons, ogres and giants lurk beneath the surface of the rugged cliffs and coastline. Is he drawing what exists beyond the veil? He is soon to find out when his grandfather sells him to the mysterious housekeeper from Edge House and he slips through a magical painting into another world. A mighty fantasy adventure with extraordinary illustrations that will transport you into the wonders and perils of the Glimme.

Wylah the Koorie Warrior 1: Guardians by Jordan Gould and Richard Pritchard

Meet Wylah: warrior, hero and friend. Her adventures have been 40,000 years in the making!

Wylah is brave, clever and strong-willed, and all her best friends are giant megafauna animals. But she isn't a warrior. Not yet, anyway.

Then comes the day when her family is stolen by the dragon army, and her life is forever changed. She must find the courage to set out on a journey to save them. What will it take for Wylah to become a warrior, like her Grandmother before her?

Introducing an unforgettable cast of characters, Wylah The Koorie Warrior is a heart-stopping and imaginative adventure, inspired by First Nations history and grounded in culture.

Wolf Girl 8: Welcome to Paradise by Anh Do and Lachlan Creagh

Wolf Girl and her trusty pack are in for a really WILD adventure!

Wolf Girl and her pack have escaped their enemies' clutches - only to find themselves in a canoe hurtling down a croc-infested river towards a terrifying waterfall!

But saving themselves from certain death is only the beginning! Soon after, the pack is marooned on a mysterious island filled with wild animals. Why does it exist? And what could it possibly have to do with Gwen's long-lost sister?

From jungle to savannah, it will be the most unlikely allies who come to their aid...irl 8: Welcome to paradise by Anh Do.