AustLit

'Bec has invited her best friends Evie, Sarah and Amanda to a sleepover in a tent in her backyard. The girls fall asleep after Bec tells them a ghost story, but suddenly wake to find Bec sleepwalking into old Hattie Mueller's shed next door.

'The girls follow her and discover far more than they counted on.' (Publication summary)

Ali is a magician. Life in Ali's own country becomes dangerous so he travels to a new land that he thinks will be safer. There, he is locked up in a place surrounded by wire as sharp as a tiger's teeth. Ali entertains the others in the camp with his magic. Everyone is amazed. One evening Ali is left alone in the grounds. He looks up at the tiger's teeth wire and wails. Can Ali's magic bring him a better life?' (Publisher's blurb)

'Arnold's spelling ability is absolutely sensational. He never forgets a word. When he is selected to represent his school in a national spelling championship, he is confident that he can win.

'That changes, however, when a freak accident leaves Arnold with Memorabilia elyphantitis, a rare form of amnesia.

'What is he going to do? Can he overcome his problem in time?

'His confidence is magically restored with the help of Presto alphabet soup, but when the big day arrives, he is faced with yet another challenge.' (Publication summary)

'Hector is fed with up with Drain Boys gang picking on everyone, so when he wakes up with to the discovery that he’s the world’s newest superhero, he’s determined to put a stop to the Drain Boys’ evil ways.

'First, though, he needs a superhero outfit and a superhero name. A raid on the dress-ups box fixes the costume and the name – that’s easy: Hector the Protector. Armed with a bevy of superhero powers – he can spew on demand, he has a fearsome smell and he can walk on top of fences – he and his friends Jello and Mick are ready for action.

'Hector the Protector is a fun offering, part of the Little Stirrers series from new publisher Limelight Press. With plenty of silliness, a fast-moving plot and cartoon-style illustrations by Lloyd Foye, it will appeal to children aged 7-10, especially those making their first attempts at reading novels.' (Publication summary)

'Katie Angel lives on a farm with her mum, dad and brother Tom. Katie finds strength in telling herself "I'm not scared", even when she doesn't feel like being brave. She says it whenever she has to ride a fast horse or deal with anything that wriggles, creeps or crawls. When Katie's grandmother becomes ill, Katie's mother leaves the farm to look after her. Without her mother, Katie's confidence suddenly disappears. It takes a close encounter with Bruiser, a bull, to jolt her out of her worried state. Luckily, Katie's faith in herself is restored just in time for her to compete in the Rescue Race, the most important event of the annual Show Day.' (Publication summary)

'Confidence is not one of Stuart's strong points. 'Do it Stuart!' That's what Stuart's shoes say to him whenever he's in a tight spot or has to make a difficult decision. When Stuart wants to impress Simon, the toughest kid in year 5, his shoes tell him how. But does having Simon for a friend really make Stuart happy? Age 8+.' (Publication summary)

'Ariadne is nine years old and she has an unfortunate habit. She exaggerates, tell tall stories - in a ntutshell, she lies. Why? For a while it makes her popular but news in class is her downfall. The kids are very impressed with Ariadne's news but Mrs Baxter, Ari's teacher has her doubts. Ages 8-10.' (Publication summary)

'If you're looking for a real-life thriller that reads more like fiction than fact do not miss, The Boy in the Boat, a compulsive page turner that will have you burning the midnight oil. Brian O'Raleigh never knew why his family fled Ireland but he learned early to escape his father's demonic rages by slipping away from the Alexandra Private Hotel to the beach and the Kathleen R, the fishing boat that was to become his refuge and his sanctuary. At the age of 18, in trouble with the law himself, Brian left England for Australia seeking to overcome a growing dependency on alcohol and the damage it was wreaking on the lives of those he loved. In a style that is both raw and compelling, The Boy in the Boat tells the riveting story of Brian's childhood, his triumph over alcoholism, his inspirational journey towards recovery, and eventually to the profound revelation that he was moulded and shaped during his childhood years for the meaning and purpose of his life. This is a truly engrossing memoir. ' (Publication summary)