AustLit

'Sarah is very anxious about playing the violin in the forthcoming school concert. Her Gran tells her to imagine that the âbutterfliesâ in her stomach can give her energy to help her play better. Sarah isnât convinced, but when she begins to play on stage, she imagines the butterflies flying from her violin strings and finds that Gran was right after all.'  (Publication summary)

'Rebecca and her family move house with their pet cat, Tiger but Tiger feels unsettled in his new home and runs away. Will Rebecca find her cat?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Max and his family plan a trip to Hadrian’s Wall in England. Just as they are leaving, Max’s gran gives him a very unusual warning … but Max doesn’t listen. Along with a tour guide called Jefficus, Max embarks on a walk along the wall. But when the mist comes in, they find themselves in a very unfamiliar time and place. Will they be able to find their way back?'

(Publication Summary)

'Darwin Wong wanted to go to Alaska for his family’s annual holiday. Instead, his family decided on a trip to China. How is an all-Australian 12-year-old who looks Chinese but doesn’t speak a word of Chinese, and has two left feet, going to cope in China?'

(Publication Summary)

'Sarah leads a hard and lonely life in the orphanage in Ireland. Until one day, she is given some news. She is old enough to set sail to the Australian colony of New South Wales for a new job and a new life, as a free immigrant.

'The long sea journey to Australia is a different experience for Sarah. She happily learns how to sew and read for the first time, but there’s also seasickness, storms and quarrels with Maggie. Will Sarah be able to make a successful life for herself in her new home of Sydney?' (Publication summary)

'Everyone in Zac’s family is a circus performer – except for Zac! The family is busy practising for their circus act on Saturday night. But the day before the big show, something goes wrong. Can Zac and his parrot, Swoopy, save the day?' (Publication summary)

'Working dogs use their senses in many ways. They protect people, animals and objects. Working dogs can guide people who are blind and pull heavy sleds. They can even be in movies or on television!' (Publication summary)

'Miss Griffin is a mystery! Each day, the roar from the engine of her little red car wakes everyone in Eliza’s street. Then, just when everyone has decided they have had enough of Miss Griffin’s noise, they see a big news van outside her house.' (Publication summary)

'What if there was a space station at the very edge of our solar system? How would you get from there to Earth?
'Learn how to make an exciting board game to race your rocket past Pluto and the planets on the way to Earth. Then, write your own rules and play your game with a friend!' (Publication summary)

'Our school really needs new sports equipment, so we all decide to have a big garage sale to raise some money. My neighbour, Mr Jacobi says he will be able to help. But all he has is one big apple tree. How will that help at the garage sale?' (Publication summary)

'Uncle Han took me and my cousin Oliver to the Moon Festival yesterday. We ate moon cakes, decorated lanterns and even saw some fireworks. It was a very exciting day.' (Publication summary)

'Thousands of people buy drinks in plastic bottles every day, then throw the bottles away.
'But plastic bottles don’t have to become rubbish. They can be made into many new things, such as brand new clothes.' (Publication summary)

(Publication summary)

'Sophia and her parents have travelled to Greece for a family wedding. But Sophia feels very anxious. She can only speak a few words of Greek. How will she understand everyone?' (Publication Summary)