AustLit

'My dying wish is for you to finish my bucket list. I refuse to die without knowing this list will be completed. And I refuse to die without knowing my family will be okay . . .

'Jodie Boyd is a shy and anxious twenty-something, completely unsure what to do with her life. Her older sister, Bree, is an adventurous, globe-trotting, hugely successful Instagram influencer with more than a million followers. She's the most alive person Jodie knows--up until Bree's unfathomable, untimely death from Leukemia. The Boyds are devastated, not to mention overwhelmed with medical debt. But Bree thought of everything--and soon, Jodie is shocked by a new post on her sister's Instagram feed.

'The first of many Bree recorded in secret, the post foretells a jaw-dropping challenge for Jodie: to complete Bree's very public bucket list. From "Fly over Antarctica," to "Perform a walk-on cameo in a Broadway musical," if Jodie does it--and keeps all Bree's followers--a corporate sponsor will pay off the staggering medical debt. If she gains followers, the Boyds won't be the only ones to benefit. It's crazy. It's terrifying. It's impossible, immoral even, to refuse. So, despite the whole world watching, Jodie plunges in, never imagining that in death, her sister will teach her how to live, and that the last item on the list--"Fall in love"--may just prove to be the easiest.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Curses! Adventures! And drama! Oh my! Safia might not be able to see the world, but that doesn't mean she can't experience it to the fullest as she finds herself on her very first adventure! This is a contemporary fantasy middle-grade graphic novel about discovering what you are truly capable of.

'Safia thought that being blind meant she would only get to go on adventures through her audiobooks. This all changes when she goes to live with a distant and mysterious aunt, Lady Whimsy, who takes Safia on the journey of a lifetime!

'While the reclusive Lady Whimsy stops an old rival from uncovering the truth behind her disappearance, Safia experiences parts of the world she had only dreamed about. But when an unlikely group of chaotic agents comes after Whimsy, Safia is forced to confront the adventure head-on. For the first time in her life, Safia is the hero of her own story, and she must do what she can to save the day.

'And maybe find some friends along the way.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'The Super Sidekicks just saved the world and now they’ve been invited to join H.E.R.O. – the Heroic Earth Righteousness Organisation – an exclusive club for the planet’s most famous superheroes. But before they can become members, the team must pass the hardest challenge in the universe, a test so scary and difficult only the truly heroic can survive.

'The Super Sidekicks are back! Prepare for another amazing adventure from New York Times bestselling Australian author, Gavin Aung Than.' (Publication summary)

'Moving from poison and treachery to war and witchcraft, Sam Hawke's Poison Wars continue with Hollow Empire, a fabulous epic fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Robin Hobb, Naomi Novik, and Scott Lynch.

'Poison was only the beginning...The deadly siege of Silasta woke the ancient spirits, and now the city-state must find its place in this new world of magic. But people and politics are always treacherous, and it will take all of Jovan and Kalina’s skills as proofer and spy to save their country when witches and assassins turn their sights to domination.'

(Sourced from publisher's website).

'From a #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator comes a picture book to celebrate and remember the days we spent inside-the joys and the hardships, the bravery and the resilience, but most of all the love.

'This book, inspired by kids who found ways to stay connected to the people they love during the pandemic, is about what an imaginative, curious and loving little girl did when her world was turned inside out.

'The girl played inside, she learned inside, she waited inside. She talked on the phone to her Nan inside. Her days and nights were all inside, and she would think about what she missed outside--the running, cheering, splashing, hugging, and of course her Nan.

'Finally, when the girl could go outside, she was happy to be there--to hug her Nan, see her friends, and even climb a tree. But she had changed inside, and she knew she would always remember the small things and the big things that made that time special.

'Here is a picture book that will help young children remember, process, and resolve the feelings they had during the pandemic. Includes prompts to encourage readers to write their own inside stories.' (Publication summary)

'Count down to party time together with this sweet and whimsical birthday story about one girl and the power of wishes that come true in unexpected ways.

'It took twelve moons, four seasons, and countless sleeps... but I waited. For candles and cake and the most perfect birthday.

'But what happens when the perfect birthday doesn't turn out the way you planned?

'In this heartwarming celebration of birthdays and new (furry) friends, count along as one birthday party in the park becomes so much more -- the reunification of lost friends, and the joy that comes with making new ones. Then, just maybe, one birthday wish come true will become two.' (Publication summary)

'From a #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator, and the creator of The Pink Hat, comes a timely picture book about a young girl's mission to inspire others to help the planet!

'Celebrate young climate change activists in this charming story about an empowered girl who shows up, listens up, and ultimately, speaks up to inspire her community to take action against climate change. After attending a climate march, a young activist is motivated to make an effort and do her part to help the planet... by organizing volunteers to work to make green changes in their community, from cleaning a lake, to planting trees, to making composting bins, to hosting a clothing swap and more! Here is an uplifting picture book that is an important reminder that no change is too small--and no person is too young--to make a difference.

'With simple text and lively illustrations, Andrew Joyner has given young children a timely story about activism, community, and hope.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'The Mother of the Seas is sick of humans using the oceans as a junkyard, so she decides to give the land dwellers a taste of their own medicine. Prepare for an unbelievable underwater menace that threatens to destroy the entire world!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'This detailed illustrated history of Australia journeys from the formation of the continent to the growth of a modern, thriving nation. Clear, accessible text offers explanations of key events and the people behind them.

'From the enduring cultures of Australia’s Indigenous people, European exploration and colonisation, and the tragic impacts of two world wars, The Story of Australia concludes with the exciting fast-paced development of the last decades of the 20th century.

'Produced in partnership with the National Museum of Australia, The Story of Australia draws on the museum’s rich collection of objects, photographs and artefacts. Entertaining, colourful and inviting, The Story of Australia is the essential history resource for every home and library.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Change is in the air in Penberthy Floss!

'Clementine Rose has to say goodbye. Her friends, Sophie and Jules, are moving back to France. While she is sad to see them go, Sophie has promised they will come back. Plus, Clementine will now have an overseas pen pal!

'At school and home, things are also changing. There's a new girl in Clementine's class who looks set to cause trouble. And at Penberthy House, Drew and Will have become such frequent visitors that Clementine begins to wonder whether a very special promise is about to be made.' (Publication summary)

'I am a Lotto Girl. I should not be here. Why haven't they come for me?

'Fern Marlow is alone, datawiped and in hiding. Her mobie says she's Delia Greene, a reuse sorter for ReCorp. Every day she queues to work to earn enough data credits to buy enough food and water to stay alive. Every night she dreams of her former life, the life she's meant to be living: back at exclusive Halston school for girls, a prodigy whose life has been set since before her birth, when her parents won a lottery to have their daughter genetically designed by BioPerfect.

'Her rescuers said that she couldn't trust BioPerfect, that her life was a lie. But they also said they'd come for her, and they haven't.

'Fern doesn't know who to trust. To find the truth, she needs to answer the one question she can't face. Is she special?' (Publication summary)

'Leo da Vinci and his team at Fixit International Inc. are on the alert for supervillain activity.

'The latest threat? The Furniture Overlord wants to conquer the world . . . by turning every chair, every desk, every sofa into a killer weapon that he controls. Panic stations, everyone!

'The to-do list? Head to Basement Level 5 for Leo's latest high-speed invention, the Thunder Raid Lightning Thing. Engage the Fastest Drive. Blast off. Start brainstorming better names for Leo's inventions. ' (Publication summary)

'A high-octane adventure series for children written in partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service Twelve-year-old Alice lives in the remote Western Australian community of Mount Magnet. One evening, she is struck down with acute appendicitis. The nearest hospital is 200 kilometres away and Alice's appendix could rupture at any moment. An urgent call is made to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and a plane is despatched to the outback mining town. But as a massive storm approaches, the race is on for the RFDS to get to Alice and transport her to Meekatharra District Hospital before it hits. The plane strikes the outer edges of the cold front before they get to the Meekatharra airport and is buffeted about, putting the landing and Alice's life, in grave danger. Alice and the Royal Flying Doctor Service are in a race against time and the destructive forces of nature!' (Publication summary)

'"A high-octane adventure series for children written in partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service Sam, Dawson and Emma are on a road trip with their dad and are taking the long and dusty Oodnadatta Truck, heading all the way to Uluru. They stop to camp at the edge of a ghost town called Farina. The deserted settlement is full of crumbling buildings and is the perfect place to play a spooky game of tip. But as the kids are running through the ruins, their dad follows and loses his footing. The floor beneath him gives way and he falls, seriously injuring his leg. It's up to the kids now to get help. The Royal Flying Doctor Service is called and the bush ambulance heads out to pick up the family and take them to the nearest airstrip. However, the situation is so bad that Sam and Dawson need to administer First Aid to their dad until the RFDS arrives. It's touch-and-go as the Royal Flying Doctor Service do everything they can to rescue their patient from the most remote of locations!"' (Publication summary)