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4 1 y separately published work icon A Song Only I Can Hear Barry Jonsberg , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2018 13659130 2018 single work novel young adult

'Introducing Rob Fitzgerald: thirteen years old and determined to impress the new girl at school, but it's a difficult task for a super-shy kid who is prone to panic attacks that include vomit, and genuine terror that can last all day. An anonymous texter is sending Rob challenges and they might just help. Or not.

'Beautifully moving and full of heart and humour, A Song Only I Can Hear is a delightful novel about dreaming big, being brave and marching to the beat of your own drum.' (Source: Publisher's blurb)
4 2 y separately published work icon Beautiful Mess Claire Christian , Melbourne : Text Publishing , 2017 11525250 2017 single work novel young adult

'Since Ava lost Kelly, things haven’t been going so well. Even before she gets thrown out of school for shouting at the principal, there’s the simmering rage and all the weird destructive choices. The only thing going right for Ava is her job at Magic Kebab.

'Which is where she meets Gideon. Skinny, shy, anxious Gideon. A mad poet and collector of vinyl records with an aversion to social media. He lives in his head. She lives in her grief. The only people who can help them move on with their lives are each other.' (Synopsis)
6 7 y separately published work icon My Life as an Alphabet Barry Jonsberg , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2013 Z1916674 2013 single work children's fiction children's

'This isn't just about me. It's also about the other people in my life - my mother, my father, my dead sister Sky, my penpal Denille, Rich Uncle Brian, Earth-Pig Fish and Douglas Benson From Another Dimension. These are people [with the exception of Earth-Pig Fish, who is a fish] who have shaped me, made me what I am. I cannot recount my life without recounting elements of theirs. This is a big task, but I am confident I am up to it.

'Introducing Candice Phee: twelve years old, hilariously honest and a little ... odd. But she has a big heart, the very best of intentions and an unwavering determination to ensure everyone is happy. So she sets about trying to 'fix' all the problems of all the people [and pets] in her life.

'Laugh-out-loud funny and wonderfully touching, My Life as an Alphabet is a delightful novel about an unusual girl who goes to great lengths to bring love and laughter into the lives of everyone she cares about.' (Publisher's blurb)
2 11 y separately published work icon Black Painted Fingernails Steven Herrick , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2011 Z1779701 2011 single work novel young adult

'"How about we toss a coin? Heads, it's west and a lift. Tails, it's still west, but no lift."

'James is heading into the country on his first teacher-training round when a mysterious girl asks him for a ride. Sophie has him all worked out: "You live with your parents and they bought you this car, and a very nice car it is too..." At first James can't see past her wild hair and attitude, but then Sophie trusts him with a secret she's been keeping too long.

'Steven Herrick masterfully reveals the essence of his characters in this tough and tender story about opening up to love and living a life that's true. Black Painted Fingernails is a captivating novel by the author of By the River and other popular, award-winning books.'

(From the publisher's website.)
2 12 y separately published work icon Cold Skin Steven Herrick , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2007 Z1423409 2007 single work novel young adult 'Eddie doesn't want to be in school, he wants to work in the mine. But his dad won't go down the coal pits and he won't let his sons go either. Nothing much happens in Burruga, except for fights at the pub. Then one Friday night a girl is found dead by the river, and every man in the town comes under suspicion. Eddie is drawn into secrets and a bitter struggle for revenge.' (Publisher's blurb)
2 10 y separately published work icon Lonesome Howl Steven Herrick , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2006 Z1285626 2006 single work novel young adult

'Jake's dad saw the wolf, before Jake was born. They say wolves don't live in this country, yet in the night Jake hears it howling, long and lonely.

'When Jake and Lucy hike to Sheldon Mountain in search of the wolf, Jake is out to prove his dad right or wrong; Lucy is escaping her father's cruelty. Both are tested - physically, emotionally, spiritually - but what they find on that dangerous, dark mountain surprises them both.

'Lonesome Howl is taut and tender; a gripping blend of physical adventure, family drama, love story and journey of self-discovery. Steven Herrick's new YA novel follows on the success of By the River and his other popular and award-winning books.'  (Publication summary)
16 13 y separately published work icon Nim's Island Wendy Orr , St Leonards : Allen and Unwin , 1999 Z795390 1999 single work children's fiction children's fantasy adventure (taught in 1 units) 'Nim loves her island home and the animals she shares it with even while her scientist father is away doing research, but trouble is on the way and a new e-mail friend could be the only one who can help' (Source: Kinetica).
2 10 y separately published work icon By the River Steven Herrick , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2004 Z1170535 2004 single work novel young adult (taught in 2 units)

'Harry Hodby lives in a sleepy town on the bend of a sluggish river in Australia. Harry spends most of his time swimming in Pearce Swamp, eating watermelon with his brother and dad, escaping schoolyard bullies, being in love with the secretary, and racing through butterflies in Cowpers Paddock. But life in this small river town isn't always easy. Harry's mother died when he was seven, and his friend Linda was swept away in a flood. Harry yearns to leave town even though he knows that people who get away never come back. His father has told him how to get out of town, but there's a mystery that he needs to solve before he can go...'

Source: Publisher's blurb (Front Street ed.)
11 14 John Brown, Rose and the Midnight Cat Jenny Wagner , Ron Brooks (illustrator), Harmondsworth : Kestrel , 1977 Z830203 1977 single work picture book children's (taught in 6 units)
— Appears in: The Macquarie Bedtime Story Book 1987; (p. 190-192) 'Rose and her Old English Sheepdog, John Brown, live contentedly together. They need only each other. When the midnight cat appears outside their home, John Brown refuses even to admit its existence. But he comes to realise that the cat is important to Rose and to allow it in the house, even though it makes him sad.' (From the publisher's website.)
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