AustLit

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? ...'

'Banjo is an experienced stock horse and about to be retired. But his wisdom and experience will be needed on his last muster, not only by his owner, but by the young less experienced horses working with him. Not everything goes to plan.' (Publication summary)

'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)

'For many generations the people of the spires have believed they were the only living human race left on their planet. They had been told that Daemons had inhabited the planet’s surface and driven their ancestors into the domed cities.

'When Markus and Filona fall in love, they break the strict laws of the domes. Markus is son of the Prefect of Alpha Dome, Filona an innkeepers daughter and their union is forbidden.

'The couple flee to the planet surface, despite thoughts of the dangers they might face. What they find there will astound them. The decisions they make for their future will have a dramatic effect on the whole planet. (Publication summary)

'Rhys is in trouble again. Despite his recent Cat-astrophe, his teacher, Mr Shakespeare, still wants him to hand in a story – pronto! To make things worse, Rhys’s friend, Oscar, runs into trouble and needs his help to rescue Mrs Watt’s prize cat – urgently!

'Short on time, Rhys has a story to finish that he hasn’t started, and to find a cat that’s gone missing – ASAP!

'But things don’t always work out as planned.

'Will he save the day? Or is he destined for another catastrophe?' (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.

'This is a coming-of-age story about triumph and tragedy, love and loss, acceptance and letting go. Life's looking pretty awesome for 17-year-old, Nathan Thompson. He's the goal-kicking superstar from the small town of Kyabram. Nathan's in his final year of school and has big plans set for the future; like winning the Thirds' premiership cup, acing his Year Twelve exams and finally graduating. One problem - his tough, and over-bearing father, Mark, has other plans for him. He desperately wants Nathan to be the next AFL player to come out of Kyabram. He seems set to stop Nathan from following his dreams of studying architecture at university. But a thirtyyear-old secret of Mark's that resurfaces on Nathan's 18th birthday changes everything. Will it force Nathan and his father further apart or help them reconcile their fragile relationship? On top of that problem, Nathan's year gets worse as he deals with death, bullying and first love.' (Publication summary)

'Thirteen year old Erin loves horses and riding. After dreaming of the Bronze Age horses, she is starting to like history. Now curious about Ancient Greek horses, Erin again drifts into an opal dream. Agis, a teenage boy, travels alone from Sparta to Athens where Diodorus gives him work at the stables. Agis earns the trust of a vicious black stallion, but is targeted by the jealous, Tellus. When the stallion escapes, Agis is suspected and threatened with punishment of death or slavery. Will Agis keep his freedom and survive to fulfil his dream of riding a horse?

'When Erin wakes from her dream, she realises she can use what she has learnt about horses from the Ancient Greeks.

The Marble Horses, the second book in the Opal Dreaming series, describes horse riding and care in the Ancient Greek period. Each book in the series highlights the significant changes in horse riding throughout history and provides practical riding and handling techniques.' (Publication summary)

'Andrew Weatherby, a bullied computer nerd from Central Queensland is ripped from his world to lead The Knights of Katesch in their direct attack on Maligor the Destroyer. In the midst of the battle in Mountain City, he rescues princess Katarin to find he has been betroved to her since birth. This feisty young lady risks her life to save Andrew. The Knights believe that have finally defeated Maligor after ten thousand years of conflict. In an attempt to escape the fanatic red guards seeking revenge for the death of their god, Agmar accidentally releases a monster army: the Kazdoom. But... have they really defeated the cause of evil in the universe?' (Publication summary)

'Justin Credible is a real live Pinocchio with a keen sense of smell. Trained as a super sleuth for the DNA (Department of Nasal Affairs), he is often called upon at the first sniff of trouble. With a nose for those hard to crack smelly cases, it's no surprise when Justin responds to an urgent call for help. Someone or something has dropped a stink bomb in the city of Aroma and the stench is devastating! Gardens are wilting, birds are dropping out of the sky, and the residents are leaving in droves! With sleuth-like determination, Justin follows his nose to solve the mystery of the phantom smell before it wipes Aroma off the map! On the Nose is a fun and entertaining read that I'm sure would be enjoyed by young boys. This story is along the same lines as the Just books and Captain Underpants series: crazy, funny and really silly everything a young boy loves in a book. ' (Publication summary)

'The girl, Libby, is trying to shrug off a bad date. Not for a moment does she suspect that this night is the end of life as she knows it. The man pounces; Libby is grabbed and driven away. Held prisoner in a basement, she grapples with constant fear, all the while sustaining herself with thoughts of escape.

'Meanwhile, her captor is engaged on another mission, that of abducting a young boy to complete his 'family'. Will Libby ever escape? Or will the man kill her? And what of the boy who refuses to submit to the man's demands? Can he possibly survive his merciless anger?' (Publication summary)

'Kate's in trouble. Her best friend has moved to Canada, her favourite teacher's leaving, she's bullied at school,her dad's never home and things are about to get worse. Evil guys are chasing her. Have they mistaken her for someone else? Has she got something they want? All she knows is she's running. Luckily the dog she rescues is a lifesaver and a creepy looking street kid has become her friend. She also discovers that when you have no maps or GPS, Frida Kahlo is about as good a guide as you can get.' (Publication summary)

'Can you help solve the mystery of the BIG boot hanging on Nana's veranda? A fun adventure holiday in the country for a group of teens. ' Publication summary)

'Thirteen year old Erin loves horses, but thinks history is boring - until her mystical opal helps her drift into a dream to follow the misadventures of Fayina, a girl of similar age from a fierce, nomadic, horse riding tribe from the Bronze Age in 3000BC. Fayina is lost on the Eurasian Steppe. Strangers from another tribe, Arima and his sister Mia find her and take her to their secret village. Their tribe is wary of her and threaten her with banishment, unless she can teach the village people some of her horse and riding knowledge. Can Fayina save herself and return to her own people? The Bronze Horses shows the early relationships people have with horses and that the history of horses and riding is also our history. The Opal Dreaming series will highlight some of the significant changes in horse riding over thousands of years and pass on horse riding and handling techniques.' (Publisher's blurb)

'After the death of her mother Hibana, one of the famed Knights of Katesch, at the hands of a Kladath assassin, Princess Hepzebah faces the fight of her life. As the new queen, she has inherited her mother's powers. The space pirate Captain Sergio runs the blockade to bring an unearthly army to fight the last battle against Maligor's hordes. He has plans for this young queen, but his plans are hijacked and they are thrust into an inter-dimensional battle for the future of the known universe.' (Publishes blurb)