CBL Readers' Cup Challenge: Year 7 Readers' Cup Booklist

39 Clues Book Series by Rick Riordan The 39 Clues is a series of adventure novels written by a collaboration of authors, including Rick Riordan, Gordon Korman, Peter Lerangis, Jude Watson, Patrick Carman, Linda Sue Park, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Roland Smith, David Baldacci, Jeff Hirsch, and Natalie Standiford. The books chronicle the adventures of two siblings, Amy and Dan Cahill, who discover that their family, the Cahills, has been the most influential family in history. The main story arc concerns Dan and Amy's quest to find the 39 Clues, which are ingredients to a serum that can create the most powerful person on Earth.

CHERUB Book Series by Robert Muchamore The CHERUB series follows the life of a character named James Adams (formerly James Choke) and his younger half sister Lauren Adams (formerly Lauren Onions), a member of CHERUB (Charles Henderson's espionage research unit B), a top-secret branch of the British Secret Service. The organisation recruits orphan children and trains them as intelligence officers. Once qualified, they are used to investigate targets ranging from international terrorists to gang leaders. As children, they are considered innocent by their targets. CHERUB agents start basic training at aged 10. Basic training is a 100-day course that prepares CHERUBs for the dangers they may face during missions. CHERUB agents are then eligible for missions. Once passed basic training, agents take part in missions, before retiring at age 17.

Conspiracy 365 Book Series by Gabrielle Lord "Callum Ormond, an otherwise ordinary kid, has been thrown into the fight of his life. He races against time and ruthless criminals, in pursuit of the truth about the mysterious death of his father and the key to a treasure and history-changing secret ... He must survive 365 days."--Provided by publisher.

The Cut Out by Jack Heath An ordinary teenager's world turns upside down when he's mistaken for a ruthless young spy. An action thriller suitable for readers of Cherub or The Last Thirteen. Fero isn't a spy. But he looks exactly like someone who is: Troy Maschenov - a ruthless enemy agent. But what starts as a case of mistaken identity quickly turns into a complicated and dangerous plan. Fero is recruited to fight for his country. He will have to impersonate Troy, enter enemy territory, hunt down a missing agent and bring her home in time to prevent a devastating terror attack. Fero is in way over his head. Hastily trained, loaded up with gadgets and smuggled across the border, he discovers the truth about espionage. Getting in is easy. Getting out alive is hard.

Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner Friendship and trust inspire Standish to rise up againt an oppressive regime and expose the truth about a planned moon landing.

Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool Abruptly placed in a boy's boarding school in Maine after his mother's death at the end of World War II, Kansas youth Jack Baker befriends Early Auden, an unusual boy with whom Jack embarks on a quest along the Appalachian Trail in search of a legend

Two Wolves by Tristan Bancks One afternoon, police officers show up at Ben Silver's front door. Minutes after they leave, his parents arrive home. Ben and his little sister Olive are bundled into the car and told they're going on a holiday. But are they? It doesn't take long for Ben to realise that his parents are in trouble. Ben's always dreamed of becoming a detective - his dad even calls him 'Cop.' Now Ben gathers evidence and tries to uncover what his parents have done. The problem is, if he figures it out, what does he do? Tell someone? Or keep the secret and live life on the run?

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park Tree-ear, a thirteen-year-old orphan in medieval Korea, lives under a bridge in a potters' village, and longs to learn how to throw the delicate celadon ceramics himself.

A Step From Heaven by An Na Young Ju, a young Korean girl, and her family find it difficult to learn English and adjust to life in America.

Boys Without Names by Kashmira Sheth For eleven-year-old Gopal and his family, life in their rural Indian village is over: We stay, we starve, his baba has warned. With the darkness of night as cover, they flee to the big city of Mumbai in hopes of finding work and a brighter future. Gopal is eager to help support his struggling family until school starts, so when a stranger approaches him with the promise of a factory job, he jumps at the offer. But Gopal has been deceived. There is no factory, just a small, stuffy sweatshop where he and five other boys are forced to make beaded frames for no money and little food. The boys are forbidden to talk or even to call one another by their real names. In this atmosphere of distrust and isolation, locked in a rundown building in an unknown part of the city, Gopal despairs of ever seeing his family again. But late one night, when Gopal decides to share kahanis, or stories, he realizes that storytelling might be the boys' key to holding on to their sense of self and their hope for any kind of future. If he can make them feel more like brothers than enemies, their lives will be more bearable in the shop--and they might even find a way to escape.

Nips XI by Ruth Starke If white boys can't jump, can Asian kids play cricket? Lan's fed up with being called a nip. He wants to be a true blue Aussie. What better way than by playing the greatest Anglo game of all? Lan gathers a team together and defiantly gives it a name: NIPS XI. Now all they have to do is get some equipment, find a coach, get themselves a sponsor and learn the rules of the game. Then it's time to challenge the best cricket team in the district. A funny, empowering story of cricket and curry, spinners and leggies, NIPS XI is about overcoming cultural barriers, in sport and in life

My Name is Parvana by Deborah Ellis Fifteen-year-old Parvana has rebuilt her life after being reunited with her mother and sisters. But suspicion and fear towards the education of women have put them all in danger. When Parvana is held at an American army base in Afghanistan, suspected of being a terrorist, she must protect her family at all costs.

The Kite Fighters by Linda Sue Park In a riveting narrative set in fifteenth-century Korea, two brothers discover a shared passion for kites. Kee-sup can craft a kite unequaled in strength and beauty, but his younger brother, Young-sup, can fly a kite as if he controlled the wind itself. Their combined skills attract the notice of Korea's young king, who chooses Young-sup to fly the royal kite in the New Year kite-flying competition--an honor that is also an awesome responsibility. Although tradition decrees, and the boys' father insists, that the older brother represent the family, both brothers know that this time the family's honor is best left in Young-sup's hands. This touching and suspenseful story, filled with the authentic detail and flavor of traditional Korean kite fighting, brings a remarkable setting vividly to life. AUTHOR'S NOTE.

Blue Dog by Louis de Bernieres From the author of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, the spellbinding story of a young boy and his dog adventuring through the outback. When a family tragedy means Mick is sent to the outback to live with his Granpa, it looks as if he has a lonely life ahead of him. The cattle station is a tough place for a child, where nature is brutal and the men must work hard in the heat and dust. However, after a cyclone hits, things change for Mick. Exploring the floodwaters, he finds a lost puppy covered in mud and half-drowned. Mick and his dog immediately become inseparable as they take on the adventures offered by their unusual home, and the business of growing up, together. In this charming prequel to the much-loved Red Dog, Louis de Bernières tells the moving story of a young boy and his Granpa, and the charismatic and entertaining dog who so many readers hold close to their hearts.

Fly a Rebel Flag by Robyn Annear All Australians have heard of the Eureka Stockade or, at least, of the word 'Eureka'. Fly a Rebel Flag: The Eureka Stockade turns this part of Australian history into a living, exciting (but still true) story. People don't always like to be told what to do, especially when it's unfair. That's what happened when the gold miners in Victoria were forced to buy gold licences, even when they had no money. The miners ('diggers') challenged the police, and government representatives retaliated. This eventually resulted in a bloody battle that lasted only twenty minutes but was pivotal in the development of democracy in Australia. This book was shortlisted for the 2004 NSW Premier's Young People's History Prize.

Ned Kelly's Secret by Sophie Masson Hugo and his father are travelling through Australia, on the trail of tales of the gold rush. But after they're ambushed on the road by the notorious outlaw Harry Power, they decide to chase something wilder and far more exciting... the stories of the bushrangers. In Benalla, Hugo befriends a boy from the bush, a boy who's brave, bold and will do anything for his clan. A boy with a dark and dangerous secret -- 15-year old Ned Kelly!

Other Brother by Simon French Kieran wants to be part of the cool group at school. He wants to be on the football team. He wants to fit in. But his cousin Bon is different. Different from any kid Kieran has ever met. And he's ruining things for him. Why can't Bon just go away?

Racing the Moon by Michelle Morgan 13-year-old Joe Riley gets up to all sorts of mischief in this unsentimental portrait of Sydney during the Depression.

The Year My Life Broke by John Marsden You move into the most boring street in the most boring town in Australia. Tarrawagga is a hole. Its only ambition is to be a crater, and it has every chance of getting there. The last thing you expect is to have action all around you, dangerous strangers in the backyard, and bullets flying past your ears. At your new school, everyone thinks you're the biggest loser in Grade 6. Little do they know. When they realise the truth, teachers and students alike are in for the shock of their lives

Fletcher Smith: Sports P.I. Series by Jonathan Harlen "A teenage detective solving sports-related crimes - humorous."--Provided by publisher.

Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers Series by Franklin W. Dixon The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers is a detective fiction series of books published by Aladdin Paperbacks (an imprint of Simon & Schuster), which replaced The Hardy Boys Digest paperbacks in early 2005. All the books in the series have been written under the pen name of Franklin W. Dixon.

Lost Boy by Linda Newbery After Matt sees his initials on a roadside shrine, he becomes involved in a mystery where a confused old man is searching the hills for a lost boy - Why does he feel drawn into this situation and who is the boy that the old man is looking for?

Invisible Detective SERIES The Invisible Detective is a series of juvenile adventure novels, written by Justin Richards. Originally published in the United Kingdom between 2003 and 2005, the series has also been released in the United States. The books are detective fiction with science fictional and/or fantastic elements (depending on the book). Set in London in the 1930s, the series recounts the adventures of four children, Art, Jonny, Meg, and Flinch, who act as "Baker Street Irregulars" to the detective Brandon Lake, who is known as "the Invisible Detective" as no one has seen more than his silhouetted figure in a darkened room. In fact, Brandon Lake does not exist; he was invented by the four children, who investigate all his cases themselves. Art plays the Invisible Detective in weekly sessions held in a darkened room, during which the Detective addresses the concerns of local residents, in exchange for a small fee. Each book also has a parallel subplot set in the 2000s, where Art's grandson, also named Art, and his friend Sarah have related mysteries to solve.

To the Boy in Berlin by Elizabeth Honey (Illustrator); Heike Brandt "A postcard from Leo Schmidt? I can't believe it. I'm trying to solve the mystery of a boy called Leopold Schmidt who migrated to Australia years ago. Leopold is long dead, but this new Leo is very much alive and kicking." Henni lives in Melbourne, Leo lives in Berlin. Different countries, different lives, so far apart; but sometimes the person furthest away is just the one you need. Emails fly as they explore the world according to Henni and Leo. It's friendly and funny, but deadly serious, too. Without Leo, Henni would never unravel the dark secrets from the past. Without Henni, Leo would have to save his friend Felix single-handed. Readers will seldom meet two such quirky, endearing characters as Henni and Leo.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald dahl Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a 1964 children's book by British author Roald Dahl. The story features the adventures of young Charlie Bucket inside the chocolate factory of eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka.

Moby Dick by Herman Melville The original 'Great American Novel', Herman Melville's Moby-Dick is a masterful study of obsession. This Penguin Classics edition contains an introduction by Andrew Delblanco, with explanatory commentary by Tom Quirk. 'Call me Ishmael.' So begins Herman Melville's masterpiece, one of the greatest works of imagination in literary history. As Ishmael is drawn into Captain Ahab's obsessive quest to slay the white whale Moby-Dick, he finds himself engaged in a metaphysical struggle between good and evil. More than just a novel of adventure, more than an paean to whaling lore and legend, Moby-Dick is a haunting social commentary, populated by some of the most enduring characters in literature; the crew of the Pequod, from stern, Quaker First Mate Starbuck, to the tattooed Polynesian harpooner Queequeg, are a vision of the world in microcosm, the pinnacle of Melville's lifelong meditation on America. Written with wonderfully redemptive humour, Moby-Dick is a profound, poetic inquiry into character, faith, and the nature of perception. Based on the Northwestern University Press edition, this Penguin Classics edition includes a critical introduction by Andrew Delbanco, as well as valuable explanatory notes, maps, illustrations and a glossary of nautical terms. Herman Melville is now regarded as one of America's greatest novelists. Much of the material for his novels was drawn from his own experience as a seaman aboard whaling ships. He wrote his masterpiece Moby-Dick in 1851, and died in 1891. If you enjoyed Moby-Dick, you may like Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote, also available in Penguin Classics. 'After reading Moby-Dick, you will have enhanced your sense of wonder, you will have increased the size of your universe' E. M. Forster 'One of the strangest and most wonderful books in the world ... It moves awe in the soul' D. H. Lawrence

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens The classic story of a young boy who seeks his fortune on the streets of London. After Oliver Twist asks nasty Mr Bumble for more food, he has to flee the workhouse for the streets of London. Here he meets the Artful Dodger, who leads him to Fagin and his gang of pickpockets. When a thieving mission goes wrong, Oliver narrowly avoids prison and finds himself in the care of kind Mr Brownlow. But Fagin and the brutal Bill Sikes go in search of the young orphan, determined to drag him back . . . With an inspirational and light-hearted introduction by Garth Nix, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens is one of the twelve wonderful classic stories being relaunched in Puffin Classics in March 2008.

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, regarded by many to be first novel in English, is also the original tale of a castaway struggling to survive on a remote desert island. This Penguin Classics is edited with an introduction and notes by John Richetti. The sole survivor of a shipwreck, Robinson Crusoe is washed up on a desert island. In his journal he chronicles his daily battle to stay alive, as he conquers isolation, fashions shelter and clothes, enlists the help of a native islander who he names 'Friday', and fights off cannibals and mutineers. Written in an age of exploration and enterprise, it has been variously interpreted as an embodiment of British imperialist values, as a portrayal of 'natural man', or as a moral fable. But above all is a brilliant narrative, depicting Crusoe's transformation from terrified survivor to self-sufficient master of an island. This edition contains a full chronology of Defoe's life and times, explanatory notes, glossary and a critical introduction discussing Robinson Crusoe as a pioneering work of modern psychological realism. Daniel Defoe (1660-1731) had a variety of careers including merchant, soldier, and political pamphleteer. Over the course of his life Daniel Defoe wrote over two hundred and fifty books on economics, history, biography and crime, but is best remembered for the fiction he produced in late life, which includes Robinson Crusoe (1719), Moll Flanders (1722) and Roxana (1724). Defoe had a great influence on the development of the English novel and many consider him to be the first true novelist. If you enjoyed Robinson Crusoe, you may like Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo, also available in Penguin Classics. 'Robinson Crusoe has a universal appeal, a story that goes right to the core of existence' Simon Armitage

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson Part of Penguin's beautiful hardback Clothbound Classics series, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith, these delectable and collectible editions are bound in high-quality colourful, tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design. The story grew out of a map that led to imaginary treasure, devised during a holiday in Scotland by Stevenson and his nephew. The tale is told by an adventurous boy, Jim Hawkins, who gets hold of a treasure map and sets off with an adult crew in search of the buried treasure. Among the crew, however, is the treacherous Long John Silver who is determined to keep the treasure for himself. Stevenson's first full-length work of fiction brought him immediate fame and continues to captivate readers of all ages.

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli Jeffrey Lionel "Maniac" Magee might have lived a normal life if a freak accident hadn't made him an orphan. After living with his unhappy and uptight aunt and uncle for eight years, he decides to run--and not just run away, but run. This is where the myth of Maniac Magee begins, as he changes the lives of a racially divided small town with his amazing and legendary feats.

Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Green Budo is Max's imaginary friend. He and his fellow imaginary friends watch over their children until the day comes that the child stops imagining them. And then they're gone. Budo has lasted a lot longer than most imaginary friends - four years - because Max needs him more. His parents argue about sending him to a special school. But Max is perfectly happy if everything is just kept the way it is, and nothing out of the ordinary happens. Unfortunately, something out of the ordinary is going to happen - and then he'll need Budo more than ever...

Paperboy by Vince Vawter This Newbery Honor winner is perfect for fans of "To Kill a Mockingbird, ""The King's Speech, " and "The Help." A boy who stutters comes of age in the segregated South, during the summer that changes his life. Little Man throws the meanest fastball in town. But talking is a whole different ball game. He can barely say a word without stuttering--not even his own name. So when he takes over his best friend's paper route for the month of July, he's not exactly looking forward to interacting with the customers. But it's the neighborhood junkman, a bully and thief, who stirs up real trouble in Little Man's life. A Newbery Honor Award Winner An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book An IRA Children's and Young Adults' Choice An IRA Teachers' Choice A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year A National Parenting Publications Award Honor Book A "BookPage" Best Children's Book An ABC New Voices Pick A Junior Library Guild Selection An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Recording An ALA-YALSA Amazing Audiobook A Mississippi Magnolia State Award List Selection " Vawter's] characterization of Little Man feels deeply authentic, with . . . his fierce desire to be 'somebody instead of just a kid who couldn't talk right.'" --"The Washington Post" ""Paperboy" offers a penetrating look at both the mystery and the daily frustrations of stuttering. People of all ages will appreciate this positive and universal story." --Jane Fraser, president of the Stuttering Foundation of America *" A] tense, memorable story." --"Publishers Weekly, "Starred "An engaging and heartfelt presentation that never whitewashes the difficult time and situation as Little Man comes of age." --"Kirkus Reviews" "Vawter portrays a protagonist so true to a disability that one cannot help but empathize with the difficult world of a stutterer." --"School Library Journal"

Paper Planes by Allayne Webster Eleven year-old Niko and his family are caught up in the siege of Sarajevo, and as the years pass, they become more desperate. First person recount.

Refuge by Jackie French Refuge centres around a 14-year-old male Afghan who spent much of his life in Pakistan refugee camps before making the voyage from Indonesia to Australia. As the boat crashes against the rocks of Christmas Island he loses consciousness and awakes to find himself in the life he has always dreamed of in Australia, but with no memory of how he got there: not unusual, says his doctor father. As it is the school holidays he becomes one of a gang of kids who roam the beach, led by an older boy, although he slowly realises that the true power is wielded by ten year old Susanna - who has been ten years old for twenty years. Each of the children in the gang has come to Australia as a place of hope or refuge and they represent the times and places of Australia's greatest migrations. Their life is everything they have dreamed of, from the wonderful House of Women for Chinese Tien Ling to Irish Dairmid's farm, Luis's fishing boat, the library that goes on forever, and the musical concerts for German David Goldberg. Slowly our Afghan boy realises that each day he can make the choice: to stay in the dream or walk through the door on the beach, or to go back to the sea and the rocks and accept real life instead.

Horowitz Horror SERIES by Anthony Horowitz Horowitz Horror was first published in 1999 and contained nine short stories. The stories in Horowitz Horror are written in a mixture of first- and third-person narrative. Out of the nine stories, two ("Light Moves" and "The Man with the Yellow Face") are conveyed from the viewpoint of the leading character.

Oliver Nocturne SERIES by Kevin Emerson Oliver is unlike any vampire you've ever known. He's been raised by a vampire family beneath Seattle that is at once old-school and completely modern. He is thirteen, on the cusp of receiving his demon and becoming a fully evil vampire like his brother, Bane, and yet... something doesn't feel right. Oliver can sense it as he lies awake in his coffin each day. Something about his past, and his future... But he can't put his finger on it until Emalie, a human girl, and her cousin Dean sneak into his vampire home. Their unlikely and dangerous friendship sets off a series of stunning revelations and heart-pounding adventures across worlds and time, at the center of which is a boy caught between what he wants, and what everyone wants him to be.

Skulduggery Pleasant SERIES by Derek Landy When twelve-year-old Stephanie inherits her weird uncles estate, she must join forces with Skulduggery Pleasant, a skeleton mage, to save the world from the Faceless Ones.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman After the grisly murder of his entire family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where the ghosts and other supernatural residents agree to raise him as one of their own.

Follow You Home by Mark Edwards It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime, a final adventure before settling down. After a perfect start, Daniel and Laura's travels end abruptly when they are thrown off a night train in the middle of nowhere. To find their way back to civilisation, they must hike along the tracks through a forest...a haunting journey that ends in unimaginable terror. Back in London, Daniel and Laura vow never to talk about what they saw that night. But as they try to fit back into their old lives, it becomes clear that their nightmare is just beginning... Follow You Home is a chilling tale of secrets, lies and deadly consequences from the author of #1 bestsellers The Magpies and Because She Loves Me.

Birrung the Secret Friend by Jackie French Birrung, a young indigenous girl, befriends orphaned Barney and his friend Elsie. Birrung is living with Mr Johnson, chaplain to the Australian colony in 1790, and his family. Generous in spirit, the Johnson family also take in Barney and Elsie who have only just been surviving on their meagre daily rations. Despite living with the Johnsons, Birrung's connection to her people remains strong, and when Mr and Mrs Johnson see how Barney's feeling for Birrung are growing, they gently explain that his friendship with a 'native' girl and all that she taught him about her language and lore must remain a secret - forever.

The Burnt Stick by Anthony Hill, Mark Sofilas ohn Jagamarra grew up at the Pearl Bay Mission for Aboriginal children in the far north-west. It was beautiful there, but it wasn't home. This is a tale for everyone about the pain of separation, and the strength of the human spirit.

Home to Mother by Doris Pilkington This young reader's version of a best-selling, true story of courage and love will grab readers of all ages and take them on a journey through a country as beautiful as it is harsh - a journey home.

My Girragundji by Meme McDonald, Boori Pryor Alive with humour, this is the vivid story of a boy growing up between two worlds. With Girragundji, the little green tree frog, he finds the courage to face the Hairyman, the bullies at school, and also learns the lessons of manhood that his father teaches him. Winner of the 1999 CBC Book of the Year for Younger Readers.

The Spirit of Barrumbi by Leonie Norrington This book is about friendship and saving people. A flood has come, and the Spirit of Barrumbi is angry because Sean went into Death Adder Ridge. Many monsoons and rains follow, and the Old Men are very angry at Sean for this. The raging waters will try at all costs to take a life, but which one will it be?

Tow Hands Together by Diana Kidd Lily and Jake make friends with the new neighbours, against their father's wishes.

Dropping In by Geoff Havel Sticks and Ranga live on the same street, go to the same school and love the same things - skateboarding and PlayStation. When new kid James arrives in his wheelchair, Sticks isn't sure they can be friends. But Sticks quickly discovers they have a lot in common. Cerebral palsy stops James from doing some things but it hasn't dulled his sense of humour - and he's pretty brainy, too. The only thing James can't do is join Sticks and Ranga when they go skateboarding - or can he? Three mates, a beat-up old couch, a couple of skateboards and a steep hill ... what could possibly go wrong?

Extra Time by Morris Gleitzman When 13-year-old Matt is discovered impressing the livestock in an Aussie country town with his remarkable soccer skills, he's offered the chance of a lifetime - a try-out at one of Europe's biggest and most glamorous soccer clubs. His younger sister Bridie goes with him as his manager and tells us their story - warts, goals and all. The funny and moving story of a sister's love for her brother, and how it survives everything fate throws at it, including the millions of pounds and mountains of pressure at the top of the world's most popular sport.

Glory in the Cup Series by Bob Cattell Hooker, Azzie, Erica and the rest all play cricket in their spare time, but they've never taken it very seriously until one of their teachers suggests they form a team; but it isn't as easy as it sounds.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander 2015 Newbery Medal Winner 2015 Coretta Scott King Honor Award Winner ""With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . .The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. Cuz tonight I'm delivering, "" announces dread-locked, 12-year old Josh Bell. He and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood, he's got mad beats, too, that tell his family's story in verse, in this fast and furious middle grade novel of family and brotherhood from Kwame Alexander ("He Said, She Said" 2013). Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes at a terrible price, as their story's heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family.

The Whole of My World by Nicole Hayes Joining a motley crew of footy tragics - and, best of all, making friends with one of the star players - Shelley finds somewhere to belong. Finally she's winning, so why don't her friends get it? Josh, who she's known all her life, but who she can barely look at anymore because of the memories of that fateful day. Tara, whose cold silences Shelley can't understand. Everyone thinks there's something more going on between Shelley and Mick. But there isn't - is there? When the whole of your world is football, sometimes life gets lost between goals.

You Don't Even Know by Sue Lawson When the one thing that anchors Alex Hudson to a fragile world is ripped from him, life becomes pointless. He finds himself in hospital recovering from an accident. In the next bed is a girl recovering from cancer. What does the future hold for them both?

Harry's War by John Heffernan Grandpa talks about his war adventures all the time. And Harry loves listening. His father was a soldier too, in a different war. But Harry never knew his dad, and his mother will not talk about him. In finding out why, Harry discovers a deeper truth, one that will change his life forever. Some wars do not just happen on a battlefield.

Naveed by John Heffernan A heartfelt story of a teenage boy living in the conflict zone of Afghanistan ""The explosion jolts him awake. He sits up, gasping for air, heart thumping. Was the blast real? Perhaps it had only happened in his head, a bad dream. Demons of the dark, his father had called them. 'Push them away. They'll only poison your thoughts. Seek the light and they can't hurt you.'"" Naveed is sick of war--of the foreign powers and the Taliban, the warlords and the drug barons that together have torn Afghanistan apart. He's had to grow up quickly to take care of his widowed mother and little sister, making what little money he can doing odd jobs and selling at the markets. When he adopts Nasera, a street dog with extraordinary abilities, he has a chance to help rebuild his country. But will a new friend's betrayal crush his dreams of peace forever? From the winter of war comes the spring of hope.

No More Borders for Josef by Diana Chase Orphaned in the brutal Balkans conflict, thirteen year old Josef is forced to flee dramatically through the forest to the border. Frightened, angry and deeply traumatised he then suffers the uncertainty and boredom of a refugee camp before finally being plucked to safety in Australia by an uncle he never knew existed.Cast adrift from everything familiar to him, Josef must battle with a new culture, a new language and a strange landscape. His strength of character and quiet determination save him from desolation as he forges new friendships, and discovers a world of healing in a native animal refuge.No More Borders for Josefis an emotionally charged and uplifting story that highlights the resilience of youth in the face of trauma and adversity.

On Two Feet and Wings by Abbas Kazerooni This amazing true story of a boy fleeing Tehran on his own during the Iran-Iraq War provides a powerful child's-eye view of political tumult, separation, survival, dreams and triumphs in a moving memoir that chronicles extraordinary times.

Pennies for Hitler by Jackie French It's 1939, and for Georg, son of an English academic living in Germany, life is full of cream cakes and loving parents. It is also a time when his teacher measures the pupils' heads to see which of them have the most 'Aryan' shaped heads. But when a university graduation ceremony turns into a pro-Nazi demonstration, Georg is smuggled out of Germany to war-torn London and then across enemy seas to Australia where he must forget his past and who he is in order to survive. Hatred is contagious, but Georg finds that kindness can be, too. The companion book for Hitler's daughter, this book examines the life of a child during World War 2, from a different perspective.

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo Joey the horse recalls his experiences growing up on an English farm, his struggle for survival as a cavalry horse during World War I, and his reunion with his beloved master.

Harry Potter SERIES by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy until he is rescued by an owl, taken to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, learns to play Quidditch and does battle in a deadly duel. The reason: Harry Potter is a wizard.

Infinity Ring SERIES by Various authors The Infinity Ring is a series of young adult science fiction adventure novels written by multiple authors, including James Dashner, Lisa McMann, Matt de la Peña, Matthew J. Kirby, and Jennifer A. Nielsen, in a similar fashion to The 39 Clues and Spirit Animals. It is focused on the adventures of Dak, Sera, and Riq as they try to fix changes in time through time travel.

The Keys to the Kingdom SERIES by Garth Nix Arthur Penhaligon is supposed to die at a young age, but is saved by a key that is shaped like the minute hand of a clock. The key causes bizarre creatures to come from another realm, bringing with them a plague. A man named Mister Monday will stop at nothing to get the key back. Arthur goes to a mysterious house that only he can see, so that he can learn the truth about himself and the key.

Legend SERIES by Marie Lu A New York Times bestseller! What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians SERIES by Rick Riordan Percy Jackson & the Olympians, often shortened to Percy Jackson, is a pentalogy of adventure and fiction books written by Rick Riordan. Five supplementary books, along with 3 graphic novels, have also been released. More than 45 million copies of the books have been sold in more than 35 countries.

Project Earth Mend SERIES by David P. Reiter The Greenhouse Effect is the first in the Project Earthmend Series of environmentally conscious but enjoyable novels for kids who want to learn about how to save the Earth.When Tiger the Cat moves to Canberra with his owner Alexander, there are bound to be a few rough patches in settling in. The dogs next store are anything but friendly, and the nearby park is crawling with snakes and other creatures of the night.But Tiger makes friends with Wanda, the blue-tongued lizard and then finds himself wanting to become a Member of the Sacred Few, a group of magical frogs, actually extra-terrestrials in disguise. This crew has come to Earth on a mission to spread the word about the Great Danger, and the need to heal the planet of pollution and energy waste before it's too late.

Warrior Heroes SERIES by Benjamin Hulme-Cross Travel back in time with brothers Arthur and Finn to help stop the castle of Sir William Malory falling and prevent the death of his daughter Eleanor. Fascinating historical facts combine with action packed fiction to create a dramatic and gripping adventure. This fast paced and exciting narrative will leave the reader wanting more and more. Will the boys escape after being imprisoned, manage to save Eleanor and succeed in changing the course of history?