AustLit

'Sledging, ball tampering, refusing to walk – they’re just not cricket as far as Nick Pearce is concerned. But then neither are the team-mates he meets when he signs up with his father’s old club. Whoever heard of a goth spin bowler for one thing? Nick wants to keep the spirit of cricket alive, but who’s going to support him? What about the guy at the Bradman museum, or his teacher, or maybe the bloke who sprang the tough questions on him in the cricket chat room? To make things worse, Nick’s own father seems to be part of the group who think sledging’s an Aussie art form, and wheere do you start when it comes to trying to change your own dad?' (Publication summary)

'Star full forward for the Bushrangers, Jack Bird, was always going to follow in his big brother Tom's footsteps and one day play for Collingwood.

'But when his own grandfather, a footy dinosaur, takes over as coach and gives his spot away to Ernie Long, Jack can't understand why his own grandfather would put him on the bench, and it's a huge relief when Mum decides they should get out of town for the weekend.

'In Melbourne for the Anzac Day match Jack finds footy works its magic and when Tom gives him a lesson in family history he's almost ready to see his grandfather in a new light.

'Jack thinks he knows what he has to do, but will he be brave enough? ' (Publication summary)

'Twelve-year-old Christian Phillips doesn’t think he will make the junior rugby team. When his parents give him a pair of footy boots before the trial – a gift from his late grandfather, a staunch Wallabies fan – Christian is still not convinced. Shocked when he makes the team, and relegated to the wing, Christian soon realises his idea of teamwork is a little different from that of the coach and other boys. Christian spends most games waiting for a pass and decides conforming is easier than challenging the culture of the team. But when they have to face the brutal Scots team on their home turf, a new leader emerges ..' (Publication summary)

'TENNIS STAR is the story of twelve-year-old Nathan Taylor, who everybody says looks like his hero Richard Krafter. After unexpected success at the District Final, Nathan begins to take himself a little too seriously. On and off court, Nathan’s attention-seeking and aggressiveness begins to alienate his friends and disappoint his family. Soon he must decide what the most important things are about tennis, and life – playing to succeed at any price, or playing for the love of the game and the friendship it fosters ... ' (Publication summary)

'Seal and his mates live in the remote coastal town of Brown s Beach. Seal lives for the thrill of bodyboarding. Seal s mate Angelo lives for fishing, especially the danger of shark fishing. Every three years a mysterious, almost secret event happens. Giant 12-foot waves start crashing onto the rocks and a 12-foot Bronze Whaler shark begins patrolling the surf. Both are referred to as Goliath by the locals. Are the two connected in some strange way? Will Seal attempt the ride of his life? Will Angelo battle the monster? A story about the sea and all its wild mystery.' (Publication summary)

'Hayley wants to play netball, but there are not enough girls to form a team. Mum's got the solution - boys! When three boys put their hands up to play for St Pat's, the other team is afraid the boys will prove too strong, even if they haven't got any experience. The local paper stirs things up and Brett thinks he's leading a small revolution, but Seamus doesn't want to know. And what's the thing between Alex and Duncan?

'When the team receives their worst blow yet, they wonder if it was all a waste of time. Or was it perhaps the most incredible thing they've ever done?' (Publication summary)

'In the pool Kate can focus on doing what she loves best - finding her rhythm, staying perfectly balanced, functioning as smoothly as a machine. And there's nobody relying on her.

'Why can't Kate's dad, a soccer coach, understand that she prefers the pool to the soccer pitch?

'At least her cousin Melvin, with his rose-coloured sunnies and dazzling jewellery, believes in everyone having 'free style'.

'And the Dolphins' swimming coach seems to understand her...or does he?' (Publication summary)
 

'Jessica is over-scheduled: drama, guitar classes, gym and dancing - all her mother's idea. The only thing Jess enjoys is basketball. When the pressure gets too much she ends up storming off the basketball court during the Grand Final. Could this be the end of her promising sports career? Age 8+.' (Publication summary)