AustLit

A heartwarming verse novel from beloved Australian children's author Deborah Abela.

'Ms Skye thinks kids can change the world
with a Kindness Project.
Nicolette wants to
but how can she
when Layla treats her like she's invisible
and DJ picks on everything she says?
Leaf thinks Nicolette can be a
superhero.
So maybe
if they work together
they just might do it.

'A heartwarming story about four kids who overcome their differences and take on the world.' (Publication summary)

'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?'  (Publication summary)

'Bear has plans to change his world, one space adventure at a time, and discovers just how far you can go with someone by your side.

'Bear is different. When he dreams of going into space, the other bears laugh. But Bear has plans to change his world, one space adventure at a time. In space he feels at home, but also alone, until something extraordinary happens. He discovers just how far he can go with someone by his side.

'A richly imagined story that celebrates difference, self-belief and the way friendship and acceptance can empower someone to build a better world.' (Publication summary)

'Life is good for Isabella, Griffin and their friends. They’ve settled into New City, enrolled in school and are making new friends, including the charming and talented Aleksander Larson.

'But the city is facing a new threat – weather patterns are becoming erratic and fierce ice storms batter the city. The Bureau of Weather has been failing to predict these deadly blizzards, lives are in danger and unrest is spreading.

'When someone from Isabella’s past returns, loyalties are tested. Who is watching her from the shadows? Is there more to the ice storms than a broken planet? And can Isabella and Griffin’s friendship survive this furious final storm?  (Publication summary)

'Just when India Wimple’s life is returning to normal after competing in the Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee, she’s invited to London for an international spelling showdown. But how can she go without her family? The Yungabilla community might have a solution!

'In London, India is reunited with her friends Rajish and Summer. They meet new spellers, and are invited to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen.

'But there is skulduggery afoot, with a series of mysterious mishaps. There is even talk of cancelling the competition altogether.

'India and her friends are determined to find out who the culprit is and get the spelling bee back on track.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'I, The Wolf, am sick of being the bad guy. I’m taking over this book.

'Dear Readers,

'Fairytales are nonsense. They’re full of wolves pestering pigs and picking on sweet little girls in red hoods. But I would never do those things. I knit! I bake blueberry pie!

'You know what I really want to do? I WANT TO RESCUE A PRINCESS!

'And if I can’t? I QUIT!

'Yours sincerely,

Wolfie

'Wolfie may want to be a hero, but he’s about to discover that arguing with this book’s narrator is not the best way to improve his image…' (Publication summary)

'I, The Wolf, am sick of being the bad guy. I’m taking over this book.

'Dear Readers,

I am formally resigning as the bad guy from all books from this day forth. I don’t want to be the one who huffs and puffs

and blows houses down, nor the one who gobbles up pigs. Yummy as they are.

For years, books have shown us wolves dressing up as grandmas, stealing sheep and picking on sweet, red-hooded girls. But

that’s just not me. I knit! I bake blueberry pie! I want to be the one who rescues a princess!

'Wolf may want to be a hero, but he’s about to discover that arguing with this book’s narrator is not the best way to improve his image…' (Publication summary)

'India Wimple can spell. Brilliantly. Every Friday night, she and her family watch the Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee. When the Wimples suggest she enter the next Bee, India says she's not good enough but her family won't hear it and encourage her to sign up. There are plenty of obstacles to reaching the finals: something in India's past has made her terribly, horribly shy, and moving on to each round involves finding the money to make it happen. And finally, there's Summer Millicent Ernestine Beauregard-Champion, a spoilt rich girl who is determined to win and isn't afraid to step on anyone who gets in her way' (publication blurb).

'Teresa and her family survived the bombing of their home and went hungry during the long siege of their island during the war. Life in peace time is still hard. Her parents want a better life, and so apply to migrate to Australia to find it. But after the long voyage to Sydney, there are more testing times ahead for Teresa as she tries to learn Australian ways, avoid the bullies and do well at school. She is not about to let anything stop her from making her family and her nanna back in Malta proud of her.' (Publication summary)