Modern and contemporary fiction

A lyrical, meditative text on the power of reading and writing and how one child can change the world by the bestselling author of the Questioneers series One girl. One spark. Faint and fading in the dark. Flicker . . . Flicker . . . Flicker . . . Glow...

Children and parents alike will delight in this joyous declaration of toddler independence. This book celebrates the feats of growing out of babyhood and starting to embrace the world on your own terms. Whether it's being tall enough to reach a high...

A treasury of short stories, carefully selected because they make speedy bedtime reads. Each of these ten traditional tales takes just ten minutes to read aloud. Ideal for sharing with younger children; as children learn to read on their own they can...

Harry Potter is preparing to leave the Dursleys and Privet Drive for the last time. But the future that awaits him is full of danger, not only for him, but for anyone close to him - and Harry has already lost so much. Only by destroying Voldemort's...

As the Order of the Phoenix keeps watch over Harry Potter, troubled times have come to Hogwarts in a year filled with secrets, subterfuge and suspicion. The deliciously dark fifth instalment of Jim Kay's inspired reimagining of J.K. Rowling's classic...

Who lies? Who tells the truth? Death hangs on the answer... 'Highly recommended, especially for those who like their fantasy subtle but chillingly effective, and populated by characters they can believe in' (Starburst Magazine) Tell a lie and the...

An illustrated collection of dark and ancient fairy tales from the world of Doctor Who. These captivating stories include mysterious myths and legends about heroes and monsters of all kinds, from every corner of the universe. Originally told to young...

Newly repackaged with a fresh format and cover is Dr. Wayne W. Dyer's New York Times best-selling children's book, based on the 10 concepts from his New York Times bestseller for adults 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace. Wayne always said that it's...

This is the second book in a series of three children's books featuring Chris P. Bacon—the little pig that's been inspiring oodles of people. This story will pick up where the first one left off. Here's a quick bio of dear friend: Chris P. Bacon is one...

Told from the flora and fauna's point of view, Run Tree Run is the story of a simplified ecosystem threatened by mining. Run Tree Run was shortlisted in 2015 for the Wilderness Society's Environmental Education Award. A gentle and wise old tree helps...

Taylor and Sierra have been best friends for their whole lives. But Taylor's fed up. Why does Sierra always get what - and who - she wants? From kissing Taylor's crush to stealing the guy they both met online for herself, Sierra doesn't seem to notice...

Walking his dog at dusk, one boy catches glimpses of the lives around him in this lovely ode to autumn evenings, exploring your neighborhood, and coming home. Before your city goes to sleep, you might head out for a walk, your dog at your side as you go...

The Magician's Elephant is a classic tale by Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo, America's beloved storyteller. When a fortuneteller's tent appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchene knows the questions that he needs...

The multiple award-winning and bestselling Jon Klassen presents the final tale in his acclaimed and bestselling hat trilogy, giving his deadpan finale a surprising new twist Hold on to your hats! From the Kate Greenaway-winning creator of I Want My Hat...

The first book in Alison Lester s delightful Clive Eats Alligators series. While Frank eats muesli for breakfast and Rosie enjoys eggs and bacon, Clive prefers to eat alligators. Here is a group of children who all dare to be different in their own...

The new Christmas bestseller from the creators of the Fart Monster Straight from the prehistoric era comes an ex-STINK-tion story like no other! Life's hard when there's only one toilet and all the dinos need to go! There's a dumping pterodactyl, a...

From the cheeky duo who brought you There Is A Monster Under My Bed Who Farts and The Pirate Who Had To Pee comes a book that is perfect for naughty boys this Christmas. “There is a Monster Under My Christmas Tree Who Farts...

Barney Bean is keen to make his fortune and he hears a secret; a sailor's secret about the treasure of the colony.  But how can chasing whales make you rich? Is adventure at sea worth leaving everything he loves?  Written by award-winning author Jackie...

Brilliant in construct, compelling and extraordinarily moving, this is a book that speaks to each of us and reminds us that while we mightn't be refugees, we are all newcomers to this country and that everyone has a story worth hearing. Ages:10+ When a...

The 'War to end all Wars', as seen through the eyes of three young women War is being fought on a horrific scale in the trenches of France, but it might as well be a world away from sixteen-year-old New Zealander Midge Macpherson, at school in England...

Dive into the world of Blinky Bill, the timeless tale of a mischievous little koala created by Dorothy Wall. Set in the Australian bush, this classic children's story follows Blinky as he embarks on exciting adventures with his friends, facing challenges...

The Paul Jennings phenomenon began with the publication of Unreal! in 1985. Thirty years and nine million books later, young readers all around the world continue to devour his stories. In this special volume, Paul has personally selected 30 tales from...

Daniel finds the poetry in the everyday activities of his own neighborhood, in this gorgeous companion to Ezra Jack Keats Award winner Daniel Finds a Poem. The people in Daniel's neighborhood always say, "Have a good day!" But what exactly is a good...

National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and two-time Pura Belpre Illustrator Award winner Rafael Lopez have teamed up to create a poignant, yet heartening book about finding courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone. There will be...

Eric Carle's classic Christmas book is now available as a board book! It's December 24th, and the old farmer settles down for a winter's nap, wondering how Christmas can come when there is no snow! In his dream he imagines a snowstorm covering him and...

In this edition of the Newbery Honor Book Ramona Quimby, Age 8, the timeless classic features a special foreword written by actress, producer, and author Amy Poehler, as well as an exclusive interview with Beverly Cleary herself. Ramona likes that she's...

Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary expertly depicts the trials and triumphs of growing up through a relatable heroine who isn't afraid to be exactly who she is. Ramona Quimby is excited to start kindergarten. No longer does she have to watch her...

When people say that "the children are the future" they aren't talking about me.' Jonathan Murray, aged 12, Evanston, Virginia When Jonathan and Shelley are summoned to work for The League of Unexceptional Children they're more than a little bit...

A delightful and entertaining peek into the life of one very busy wombat! MondayMorning: Slept.Afternoon: Slept.Evening: Ate.Scratched.Night: Ate. A typical day. Don't be fooled. this wombat leads a very busy and demanding life. She wrestles unknown...

A little Vietnamese girl tries to come to terms with her grief over the loss of her family and her new life with an Australian family. The swallows are here again. They have come south looking for summer. Did they fly over my country? Did they see my...

The much-anticipated final journey in the story of Felix, hero of Morris Gleitzman's multi-award-winning Once, Then, Now, After, Soon and Maybe. It’s fifteen years since readers were first introduced to Felix in Once and across six celebrated books, our...

A fast-paced and poignant novel of survival by Justin D'Ath that draws on his own experience of escaping the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. Zeelie wonders if they're in danger.  When temperatures soar to 47 degrees one hot summer day, 12-year-old...

Fart is excited! He’s desperate to make friends and have fun. But no one likes a fart. Not even a fart with a heart. Too smelly. Too embarrassing. Too gross. Zoë has written lots of grown-up books, none of which mention a single fart. She is the mother...

Friday Barnes is Europe's most wanted in this latest installment of the bestselling detective series. Friday's Mum, the Nobel Prize winning physicist, has been accused of espionage. The police think she's been selling secrets about the CERN Hadron Super...

Blueback is an achingly beautiful story about family, belonging, and living a life in tune with the environment, from Tim Winton, one of Australia's best-loved authors. 'Winton ... convince s us of the preciousness of our oceans not through lectures but...

Despite the tumour-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid...

From the author of The Carousel comes a delightful new picture book about a little rabbit who learns that some things in life aren't as scary as they seem. Andrew Joyner's bright, energetic illustrations and Ursula's lively rhyming text combine to make...

My uncle's donkey is allowed in the house! And in the house, the donkey gets up to...

When Uno arrives in the forest one beautiful day, there are many fascinating and extraordinary animals there to greet him. And one entirely unexceptional Snortlepig. Uno loves the forest so much, he decides to live there. But, in time, a little village...

Bestselling author, Tim Winton, delivers the iconic trio of books that are still the foremost definitive texts on contemporary Australian life for teenage boys. Lockie's survived his first year of high school, settling into a new town and his first mad...

hree children have been sent to live in the countryside, safe from the war in London. When they find two boys hiding in a castle, the past and future come together to make an extraordinary adventure. Three children have been sent to live in the...

The shots were so close they seemed to explode inside Vithy's head. He threw himself to the ground and clapped his hands over his ears . . . It's Cambodia. The killing machine that is the Khmer Rouge is in power. Vithy has lost everyone and everything...

One bright spring morning in the woods of France, a soldier, blinded by the war, is found by a little girl named Coco, and her older sister Marcelle. In return for their kindness, the soldier tells the sisters marvellous tales, each story connected to...

Hugh is 16. He loves cello, he's a closet car fanatic, and he has no luck with girls. When his grandfather, Poppy, asks him to go on one last road trip to Uluru in his 1970 Holden HG Monaro GTS 350 V8, Hugh decides, for once in his life, to do the...

A memorable and much-loved Australian classic told with humour, compassion and joy, from the internationally bestselling and multi-award-winning author of Looking for Alibrandi. Francesca is at the beginning of her second term in Year Eleven at an all...

Human beans is not really believing in giants, is they? Human beans is not thinking we exist.' On a dark, silvery moonlit night, Sophie is snatched from her bed by a giant. Luckily it is the Big Friendly Giant, the BFG, who only eats snozzcumbers and...

Based on a nightmarish true episode in a Californian high school, this powerful novel about the danger of fanaticism is part of the Originals - Penguin's very best modern classics for young adults. Laurie isn't sure what to make of 'The Wave'. It had...

The original teenage rebel story. Greasers, Rockers, different place, different name - but wherever they are, they're outsiders; the rough, tough, long-haired boys from the other side of town, with little hope of flash cars, fine madras shirts and the...