AustLit

'It really all started with The Pain. He officially came into my life exactly nine weeks and one day before our Year Ten Graduation Dance. And despite my very best efforts to wipe the day from my mind, I can still remember it clearly. It was a Friday. The thirteenth day of the month. Notice anything there? Maggie Butt is facing not only a stranger taking over her mother's life but her own as well, and she is not going to let that happen. But then there's the one-eyed snaggle-toothed cat, senior subject choices, the dream date and Cyber Boy, the geek in the library to contend with as well. Its going to be an interesting year.' (Publication summary)

'Discover one child's view of the difference a dog can make. Mr Mosely isn't a pedigreed dog, but he is just the dog Corey and his family want: he is loyal, protective and loving. And he is much more than that. He might well be the one thing that holds them all together.' (Publication summary)

'Ishmael is back at St Daniel's for another year of misadventure, with his best mate Razz determined to set him up with dream-girl, Kelly. But before Ishmael can win her heart, he has to overcome a mortifying pool incident, a nasty knock-out and getting caught red-handed with Kelly's diary. Ishmael's only hope lies with his Dad's rock band, but can the Dugong's set everything right?' (Publication summary)

By the time ninth grade begins, Ishmael Leseur knows it won't be long before Barry Bagsley, the class bully, says, "Ishmael? What kind of w'ussy-crap name is that?” Ishmael's perfected the art of making himself virtually invisible. But all that changes when James Scobie joins the class. Unlike Ishmael, James has no sense of fear—he claims it was removed during an operation.

Now nothing will stop James and Ishmael from taking on bullies, bugs, and Moby Dick, in the toughest, weirdest, most embarrassingly awful . . . and the best year of their lives.' (Publication summary)