Ella on the Outside by Cath Howe
Coming Soon!
Brindabella by Ursula Dubosarsky
Pender, a young boy living in the Australian bush, watches an injured kangaroo die in front of his eyes. Pender discovers a joey still alive in the mother's pouch and decides that he will care for the young kangaroo, that he names Brindabella. As Brindabella grows up, Pender grows attached and a strong friendship develops. Nevertheless, Brindabella feels a strong calling from the bush outside the fence around Pender's home. Pender is not yet ready to part ways when Brindabella finds a way out. Pender is heartbroken and determined to find Brindabella and bring him back home; however, Brindabella is just as set on learning how to live among other kangaroos out in the wild. How will the two live without each other and be just as happy as they were together? Recommended for ages 7-10.
Star Rating: 5/5
Star Rating: 5/5
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Roz ends up deserted and alone on a remote island, after the cargo ship she is on fails to survive a devastating storm. None of the other robots survive. Since when is survival an issue for robots? As soon as an otter boots her up by pressing one of Roz's button, Roz understands that she needs to adapt to life on this island in order to survive. The animals are not pleased with the arrival of this foreigner and are terrified by her large, awkward presence. She copies their movements and behaviours. Slowly Roz proves herself as a valuable member of their community, as she mothers an orphaned gosling and helps another animal rebuild his home after a very harsh storm. Roz and the animals lives are now entwined and as all good friends, they are dependent on each other. But the story isn't over yet because Roz is wanted by the organisation that sent her on that cargo ship. Will Roz survive this even bigger problem? Recommended for ages 8 and up.
The Elephant by Peter Carnavas
Olive is the only one who can see the elephant that follows her father around everywhere. This elephant is the sadness that surrounds her father wherever he goes. Olive is an incredibly caring girl who is determined to do whatever she can to get rid of her father's elephant. She is on a mission with the help of her best friend, Arthur, and her grandpa. This elephant causes problems for Olive, like it prevents her from bringing in her favourite old thing to share at school, her Mum's bike. Her Mum died a long time ago and she's been asking her Dad for ages to fix it for her. Olive's dog, Freddie, gives readers quite a surprise at the end of the book. Olive is a strong, clever character who you will want to find a happy ending. Can she do it? Recommended for 7-10 year olds.
The Poppa Platoon in World War Chew by Danny Katz
Major Poppa and his two grandchildren, Abbie, 8, and Flynn, 2, are on their final mission at the Royal Show. 'The Poppa Platoon', as they are otherwise known as, are determined to make it out of the Showbag Pavillion by 5:00 pm sharp. However, Abbie will not leave, no matter what, until she gets her favourite showbag, Chunky Choco Cherry Chews. Poppa has had real life experience in battle but he has never had conflict like what the Poppa Platoon encounters in the Showbag Pavillion; they have to fight and maneuver themselves through Candy-Whipping Nannas, 10 Ninja Kiddie Assassins and the big bottomed family. Will they make it out by 5:00 pm so Poppa can make it home in time to watch the All-Star Celebrity Mastermind Survival Bake Off? Or will this battle be the worst Poppa has ever fought? A hilarious read! Recommended for 6-10 year olds
Jehan and the Quest of the Lost Dog by Rosanne Hawke
Jehan and his family live in Pakistan. The monsoon rains come earlier than expected and Jehan is swept away from his family by the devastating flood waters. He awakes in a tree with only his bed and the clothes he is wearing. He finds a bath that he uses as a boat so he is able to travel the flood waters to look for food. He must hide any food from the monkeys that share the tree with him and counts the days he is on his own by marking the tree in which he lives. Meanwhile, a dog, Lali, has also become lost from her family and pups. Jehan rescues Lali and a life saving friendship begins. Join Jehan and Lali as they fight to survive and find their families. PRC Years 3-5
The World's Greatest Underachiever and the Crazy Classroom Cascade by Henry Winkler
Hank Zipzer has just begun year 4 and has Ms. Adolf, the meanest teacher, this year. Hank is not good at reading, writing or maths. He is often in trouble as a result of his escapades to get out of schoolwork. His first school assignment for the year is a five paragraph essay about the summer holidays. Ms. Adolf has told Hank he will be the first student to share his report with the class. Hank doesn't know what he will do because he is certain that he is unable to complete this assignment and not make a fool out of himself. He rather ski down Mt. Everest naked! He plots a way to get out of the five paragraph essay and his friends join in to help him. As usual for Hank, things don't quite go as planned. Read this first book in the Hank Zipzer series to find out what happens. Recommended for 7-10 year olds
Fizz and the police dog tryouts by Lesley Gibbes
This is the first book in a new series about a very adventurous dog, Fizz. Fizz has dreams of being a police dog, unlike the rest of his family who are show and pedigree dogs. Although his parents discourage him, he decides to go to the police dog try outs. While going through 3 different tests: the bark test, the scare test and the chase and catch test, he befriends another dog, Benny, and meets the bully dog, Amadeus. Will Fizz be able to beat out Amadeus to become the police dog? Read to find out. This series is aimed at 7-9 year olds.
Freddy Tangles: Legend or Loser by Jack Brand
Freddy Tangles has to deal with more than his fair share of bullying. "Freddy Deadee", school bully, Sid Malone, threatens regularly. On top of that, Freddy's classmates realise that his initials spell: FART and tease him continuously. Freddy doesn't know how to stand up for himself. He believes that his "superpower" will save him. If he stares long enough at someone, his eyes will shoot laser beams and destroy the enemy, but actually this doesn't work and just causes more problems for him. Thank goodness he has one real friend, Blocker, a boy who has strange advice but stands by his side. How will Freddy manage to survive the year with so much trouble? This book is the first in the Freddy Tangles series aimed at 7-10 year olds.
Captain Jimmy Cook Discovers Third Grade by Jol and Kate Temple
.Jimmy Cook is a year 3 narrator who provides any reader with a lot of humour. It is history week at school and Jimmy decides to find out all he can on his namesake, Captain Cook. So he takes us along with him, proudly wearing his tricorn hat. Jimmy is determined to get to Hawaii to see just where Captain Cook died and restore order. His grand plan is to eat lots of Wheatblocks (aka Wheatbix), and make sure his friends do too, to increase his chance of winning the Wheatblocks family holiday to Hawaii. Jimmy starts an explorer club with anyone interested, except girls, especially Alice Toolie, his arch enemy.
Recommended for 7-10 year olds.
Recommended for 7-10 year olds.
The Grand Genius Summer of Henry Hoobler by Lisa Shanahan
Henry Hoobler worries a LOT. He and his family have gone camping for the holidays with family friends. Henry is one of the younger children and doesn't have a friend, that is until he meets Cassie. At first, his fears get in the way and there are so many fears: snakes, spiders, sharks and most of all his bike without training wheels. Cassie's confidence and acceptance of Henry help him to find the bravery he needs to get on his bike and face his fears. This book is fun to read and celebrates friendship and family.
Recommended for 8-11 year olds.
Recommended for 8-11 year olds.
Undead Pets: Revenge of the Phantom Furball by Sam Hay
At the start of the book, the reader discovers that 10 year old Joe is the protector of undead pets; pets that haven't quite made it to the afterlife but are no longer alive. He is the only one who can see or hear them. In each book, a different pet goes to Joe for help so it can peacefully be a dead pet. In Revenge of the Phantom Furball, Pickles, an undead cat, has come to seek help from Joe. Pickles is very concerned that his cat sister is being bullied by his ex-owner's dog. Pickles died running away from this dog. He doesn't want the same fate for Pebbles. Joe is desperate to help Pickles so he can stop being bothered and get on with his life. And along the way Joe just happens to make a new friend.
Recommended for 7-11 year olds.
Recommended for 7-11 year olds.
Funny Kid for President by Matt Stanton
At the start of the book, Mr. Armstrong, the sports teacher, finds a poo in his storeroom and he is not happy. He blames Max for this because, quite frankly, he doesn't like Max. Mr. A demands that Max cleans up this disgrace. Max insists on his innocence and with his best friend, Hugo, who isn't very bright, shares his plan of revenge. Max's arch enemy, Abbey, overhears his plan and sabotages it by telling Mr. Armstrong. The principal overhears Mr. A.'s aggressive reaction to Max and decides the class needs a president to watch over their teacher's behaviour. Who will run for class president and who will win? Does Max have a chance? You will need to read this hilarious book to find out.