AustLit

'Magical machines, wizards, witches, mysterious underworlds, a race against time - and two most magical girls on an unforgettable adventure.

'Annabel Grey has been brought up to be a very proper Victorian young lady. But being 'proper' isn't always easy - especially when you can sometimes see marvellous (as well as terrifying) things in puddles. But parlour tricks such as these are nothing compared to the world that Annabel is about to enter...

'After the rather sudden departure of her mother, Annabel is sent to live with her aunts. They claim to be Shoreditch witches, and from a very old family line of them too. They're keen to introduce Annabel to their world of transformation, potions and flying broomsticks (which seem to have strong personalities of their own) but are horrified when Annabel announces not only does she not know any magic, young ladies shouldn't believe in such things. But before Annabel has time to decide whether she does or not, she is swept into an urgent quest.

'The trees of Highgate have been whispering to Kitty - an extraordinary urchin of a girl, who Annabel's aunts seem very fond of - and so have the fairies. They talk of a terrible, dark magic that wants to devour all of London. And of a most magical girl who might be able to stop it...

'This sparkling and enchanting story is sure to bewitch you, so curl up in front of the fire, and prepare to be swept away...' (Publication summary)

'Best friends Taylor and Sierra meet a hot guy in a chat room online. Both fall for Jacob's charms, but as usual, the more outgoing and vivacious Sierra overshadows Taylor and wins his attention. Taylor's devastated – Sierra already kissed Callum, Taylor's secret crush, over the summer holidays. Life's not fair, especially when Sierra's around.

'Moving quickly, Sierra sets up a date with Jacob on Friday after school. She asks Taylor and their friends to cover for her. Even though she's upset, Taylor is still Sierra's best friend and agrees to help. But Sierra abuses the favour and calls to say she's going to spend the night with her date. She doesn't come home all weekend, doesn't answer her phone and nobody's heard from her . . .

'Taylor is torn. She doesn't want to betray Sierra by telling her parents but at the same time she's concerned for her welfare. Finally, Callum convinces her to tell. The police are called and their worst fears are confirmed when Sierra's body is found miles from Melbourne a week later . . .

'Devastated, Taylor becomes obsessed with finding Sierra's killer. As clues emerge, Taylor races against time to try and save the predator's next victim.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A luminous retelling of the Snow Queen, this is the story of unlikely heroine Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard who doesn't believe in anything that can't be proven by science. She and her sister Alice are still grieving for their dead mother when their father takes a job in a strange museum in a city where it always snows. On her very first day in the museum Ophelia discovers a boy locked away in a long forgotten room. He is a prisoner of Her Majesty the Snow Queen. And he has been waiting for Ophelia's help.

'As Ophelia embarks on an incredible journey to rescue the boy everything that she believes will be tested. Along the way she learns more and more about the boy's own remarkable journey to reach her and save the world.

'A story within a story, this a modern day fairytale about the power of friendship, courage and love, and never ever giving up.' (Publisher's blurb)

'Award-winning author Marianne Musgrove brings her light touch to a story of family, growing up and keeping secrets that is nailbiting and heartwarming in equal measure.

''I, Mackenzie Elizabeth Carew, do solemnly swear never to communicate anything about what happened tonight.'

'That's what I promised my sister Tahlia, and I've tried my best to keep that promise. It's hard, though. Grandpa is acting so strangely since his accident. I'm sure Mrs B. suspects something, and Mahesh must think I'm weird for avoiding him. My best friend Annie is too busy hanging out with Regan and Tegan to notice. But someone will find out if we're not super careful. It's lucky Tahlia has a plan . . .' (Publication summary)

Henni lives in Melbourne, Leo lives in Berlin. Different countries, different lives, so far apart; but sometimes the person furthest away is just the one you need: A postcard from Leo Schmidt? I can't believe it. I'm trying to solve the mystery of a boy called Leopold Schmidt who migrated to Australia years ago. Leopold is long dead, but this new Leo is very much alive and kicking.

'Emails fly as they explore the world according to Henni and Leo. It's friendly and funny, but deadly serious, too. Without Leo, Henni would never unravel the dark secrets from the past. Without Henni, Leo would have to save his friend Felix single-handed.' (Publisher's blurb)

'The explorer Bartlett and his sidekicks, the young Gozo and Jacques le Grand emerge from the Margoulis Caverns only to be captured by guards from the City of the Sun. But when city's leader, the Pasha, lays eyes on Gozo, he is convinced that the young boy is actually his own son, who has been captured by the mysterious Underground people. In order to get Gozo back, Bartlett must get the Pasha's real son back from the underground City of Flames, where the "Ahsap" will only release him if Bartlett brings him his greatest desire, the sun. By using Ingenuity, Perseverance and Desperation, Bartlett and Jacques save the day once again.' (Publication summary)

'A young queen who rules seven kingdoms is far too busy and important to leave her palace, so her loyal subjects send gifts from far and wide: monkeys, flamingoes, giraffes, exotic fruits...But the thing she longs for most of all has never survived the journey.

'Who can bring the Queen her heart's desire? Only Bartlett has the inventiveness, desperation and perseverence to complete the task. Does the Queen have patience enough to keep her side of the bargain?

'A flamboyant adventure story, full of atmosphere, wit and suspense, by the author of Antonio S and the Mystery of Theodore Guzman.' (Publication summary)

The greenies came to town today. They reckon they’re going to stop the logging. It’s real weird, but part of me wants them to win. I mean, I want the forest to live. But if the logging stops, my home town will die. Dad will lose his job, and I’ll never get one. What am I going to do? (Yeah — whose side are you on, Col?)

Seventeen-year-old Colum leads a double life. In public he hangs out with the town gang, but in private he escapes to his secret place in the forest. When conservationists come to his area, Col is torn between opposing forces, and soon ends up at the centre of a dramatic confrontation.

This tough novel for mature young adults reveals something of the struggle we all face when life challenges us to discover who we are. (Source: Author's website)