AustLit

'When Toby the tree kangaroo saw men cutting down their forest home, he knew he had to stop them.

'With help from his animal friends, Toby staged a protest. Can they chase the humans away and save the forest?' (Publication summary)

'After catching the graffiti bandit, Evie vows to help his brother, Ruben solve the mystery of the disappearance of the only person who can prove his father is innocent.

'Then, while trying to find out more about the magic pen that helped her, she discovers a family secret. Looking for more information, she sets out to find the ghost who is haunting the old family mansion and keeping her art teacher, Mrs Flowers, awake.

'With the help of the magic pen, she enters the mansion while Mrs Flowers is not home. What she finds there will change her life forever.' (Publication summary) 

'When Evie discovered someone had sprayed graffiti on her neighbour's fence her blood boiled from anger and she vowed to find out who it was. And then he made it personal and she became furious.

'With help from her cousin Willem, and a special pen from her neighbour, she set out to catch the culprit. But she could never have imagined the danger they would face when they found him and the things she would discover along the way - things like magic, ghosts and witchcraft.' (Publication summary)

'Jake to the Rescue: Jake's dad hasn't come home for tea. Following his mother's request to use his initiative more often, Jake and his dog Laddie go on a night search for his father that puts them in danger.' (Publication summary)

'A Close Call: An afternoon ride becomes dangerous when Courtney's curiosity leads her into a race to safety from an enraged emu.' (Publication summary)

The second book in the Bush Tails series. A collection of stories from country life.

'More than 50,000 years ago, Dippy the diprotodon (di-prot-o-don) danced through the dense forest heading for his breakfast of fresh eucalyptus leaves.'

'What he didn't know was that right behind him, stalking him, was a marsupial lion wanting to make Dippy his breakfast. Who will win this battle? ...'

'The newborn lambs are going missing and Matthew thinks the bunyip that lives in a cave, under the water in their billabong, is taking them. His grandfather told him about it. His mum, dad and big brother say bunyips don’t exist, but Matthew is not so sure.

'He and his grandfather camp out one night to watch the sheep. Matthew sees a dark shape dive into the waterhole. Now he is sure it is the bunyip.

'His big brother brings home his scuba gear to find out once and for all what Matthew saw diving into the billabong.' (Publication summary)

'A collection of short stories inspired by our presenters and written by students who attended the festival.' (Publication summary)

'Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, many large and unusual animals lived in Australia. Some lived with the dinosaurs, but many were still here 50,000 years ago when humans arrived in our land. Some have survived to become the animals we see today. But some, sadly, died out like the dinosaurs. Step into Nida Valley, where they still roam. They are waiting to tell you all about themselves.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Fourteen-year-old Meg Sealy, her friend Amanda, and her older cousin Jaiden, stumbled upon a secret valley where time stands still. The three friends were thrust into a dangerous world of magic, time travel, and creatures they believed extinct. They learnt that it is their destiny to use their new magic skills to join the fight to save the valley from an evil breakaway order bent on exploitation, led by the evil Grundymere. Realising that Meg will be a strong leader, he is determined to stop her from following in her grandmother's footsteps and becoming the next Grand Leader of the order that protects the valley, The Guardians of Nida. Meg fought for her life many times. Some of the villains were discovered and locked away, but a traitor remains in the valley, and is plotting against Meg. Grundymere is also still at large and is determined to stop Meg. Follow their journey as Meg strives to control her escalating magic powers, and she and her friends fight to discover the identity of the traitor in the valley and save the animals from extinction. The elders of the Order gather around her to keep Meg from the clutches of Grundymere. But their efforts are in vain. Can Meg escape the clutches of the evil Grundymere - not once but twice? Only time will tell.' (Publication summary)

'The story is set in a Queensland country town, and a nearby hidden valley where time has stood still and Australian megafauna roam. The story contains ghosts, time travel, magic, and many adventures with these ancient animals. There are dinosaurs; like the Muttaburrasauras, and the winged Pterosauradon that the children learn to ride. A deadly fire dragon adds further danger to the mix, along with a wicked ex-member of the magical group, The Guardians of Nida that cares for the valley. Grundymere wants to take control of the valley to exploit it for financial gain. He starts out trying to do so by peaceful means, but in the end will stop at nothing - even threatening the life anyone who stands in his way. The story explores the personal growth of the lead character, headstrong and confident, fourteen-year-old, Meg Sealy, as she learns of her destiny; to assume her late grandmother's role and become the next leader of The Guardians of Nida. Along with her friends, and cousin Jaiden, Meg is thrust into an unknown and dangerous world where she becomes prime target for Grundymere, and her life is threatened on many occasions. The story follows developing relationships between them, and other members of the Guardians, as they fight to save the animals and the valley.' (Publication summary)