AustLit

'Borderlands ― Riding the Slipstream is an anthology for readers young and old.

'Featuring over forty short stories and poems by some of Australia’s best-loved authors ― including Ursula Dubosarsky, Steven Herrick, Leigh Hobbs, Barry Jonsberg, Sophie Masson and Shaun Tan, and illustrated by quirky artist Anne Ryan ― this unique collection spans a kaleidoscope of genres and themes.' (Publication summary)

'Pidge’s Poppies is based on a true story about a pair of pigeons at the Australian War Memorial. It remembers the vital role pigeons played in both world wars, their heroism and their sacrifice.

'Little Pidge chooses nesting material that won’t be forgotten.

'Mission accomplished' (Publication summary)

'Blair Moon's blissful life in the nursing home is turned upside down when her mother enrols her at the local primary school. Blair isn't too keen on trading bingo and bridge for handball, however, and soon sets her sights on becoming class president.

'President of the entire world will have to wait!' (Publication summary)

'What makes a good family? Love or blood?

'And what if you have to choose between the two?

'Ethan's parents are in jail; his Aunt works too hard; the new kid, Joshua, has a scar on his arm; a fire storm threatens the suburb, while wildflowers bloom along the school fence.

'For Ethan, Audrey and their friends, it's time to choose what's important and what to leave behind.' (Publication summary)

'Winston is fourteen and apprenticed to the wizard Faramond. Winston’s problem is that he’s a lot brighter than his master.

'Faramond is being forced to bring more valuable magical slaves into the world. Winston wants to free the enslaved magical creatures who are already there.

'This spells trouble' (Publication summary)

'Ruby wonders what is at the end of the rainbow.

'Who will help her solve the mystery?

'Will it be Tavish, Scarecrow, Metal Man or Lion?' (Publication summary) 

'The Westpark Scorpion Under 14 Girls are back! After their first season, they showed the footy world what they were made of. Now after a year of many interruptions, they are in great form with a new coach, Rita. And there’s been a few new players added, giving them more talent and speed.

'Once more they are led by Zoe, Beth and Heidi. Now the footy world wants to know if this team was just a flash- in-the-pan or whether they’ve got the courage and ability to go all the way.

'Let’s hope you make the right decisions and see the Scorpion Girls triumph. It’s up to you to guide them to victory.'(Publication summary)

'Andy Lightfoot’s gap year takes him deep into the past – at the old and weirdly wonderful Rainbow Trout Private Hotel.

'Here, high in the mountains, Andy discovers working for nothing gives him everything . . . and that the middle of nowhere is the centre of an amazing universe, filled with individuals of sheer brilliance.' (Publication summary)

'Pippa is back and ready to soar to new heights but two little weights keep dragging her down – her troublesome twin brothers!

'Pippa loves her new twin baby brothers, Pepi and Penn. But their constant mess and cries for attention are driving her batty! She yearns to take off on her own but she has to babysit instead.

'How can she be a good big sister and still have fun? Join our favourite feisty pigeon on her latest feather-raising adventure – big-sisterhood.' (Publication summary)

'Anyone can see that Hedgehog the Wonder Dog is no ordinary dog. Tell her to sit, and she ’ll shake a paw; tell her to fetch and she rolls over.

'But it’s only kids like Sam who can sense her true superpowers.

'A story about the healing powers of wonder dogs and super brave kids.' (Publication summary)

'Explore an Australian country town through time.

'Drawing on the experiences of many real towns, Country Town tells the history of a fictional inland Australian town in pictures. From a First Nations people's camp by a river crossing through to the present day, and with many major Australian history themes woven in, this picture book makes a wonderful classroom asset and a great starting point for discussions on the past.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'In the Beech Forest is a story from long ago, from now and from the future.

'An ordinary boy takes a path leading him from the safety of his home into a dark forest. His head is full of the fearful images of his computer games that so excite, yet terrify him; battles between heroes and dreadful beasts that may haunt this primal landscape.

'What will become of him on this journey? Will he survive? Will he defeat his fears? Will he emerge, still an ordinary boy?

'Become his companion. Take the journey . . . (From the publisher's website.)

'Tulips for Breakfast is set in Amsterdam during the Second World War, from the arrival of the German army to liberation.

'For much of this time, Adelena lives in hiding in the home of her music teacher. Her Jewish parents, who fled pre-war Germany with Adelena, have left her in the care of someone else in the belief their only child's chances of survival are greatest if she can remain in hiding for as long as it takes to be free again. Adelena feels abandoned but finds a way to adjust, her heart warmed by memories.' (Publication summary)

'Bed sheets billow in solar winds, as we cast our boat adrift...

'moon sailors in search of treasure, perched on pillow seats.

'Two children go on a journey of imagination, past constellations of whales to the rockpools of the moon and the extraordinary creatures that dwell within.' (Publication summary)

'Come on safari around the world with Wilbur, an animal-loving city kid, and his BAFs (best animal friends) as he discovers the wonder of animal collective nouns.

'A joyful ode to biodiversity, this epic tale is lavishly illustrated and playfully written; each page an explosion of colour and rhyme. Perfect for budding Attenboroughs and Goodalls, this educational book lyricises not only the majesty of animals in the wild, but the quirks of the English language.'  (Publication summary)

'Loner Theo Sumner is a 14-year-old living in the isolated Queensland mining town of Scorpion Falls.

'Following the arrival of an unsettling guest at the Iguana Motel, teenagers start disappearing in mysterious circumstances. As Theo looks for answers, he is drawn deeper into the murky underbelly of his hometown and a shocking nightmare encounter with the truth.'  (Publication summary)

'Raised by utility robots on board the Grand Orbital Library, twelve-year-old orphan Speck’s days are spent serving the spaceship’s exotic guests. At night, he dreams of exploring the Universe.

'But when a mysterious creature known only as the Starchild arrives from the fringes of deep space, everything changes.

'Now, Speck must uncover the creature’s secret before it’s too late. A secret that, if unleashed, could destroy the entire Universe . . .'  (Publication summary)