AustLit

'Murphy Parker is going to be a songwriter. If she can summon up the nerve to play in front of anyone other than her dad, that is. When an unplanned keyboard performance at school goes well, Murphy wonders if maybe her dreams have a chance after all.

'Until her entire grade accuses her of plagiarism.

'Someone out there is playing Murphy's songs. But why? How did they hear her play? Desperate to clear her name and reclaim her music, Murphy makes an unlikely alliance with two of her classmates. Turns out, friendship might be even more complicated than tracking down a song thief...

'From the up-and-coming talent behind HOW TO MAKE A MOVIE IN 12 DAYS comes a funny and moving mystery about family, friendship and finding your voice.' (Publication summary)

'Marvin loves his job. He has never missed a day of work. Sometimes his friends play jokes to pass the time. Sometimes the jokes are on Marvin.

'Then, one day, Marvin isn't where he usually is. Where is Marvin?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'The king's battles with the dragon were always mighty and loud... CLING CLANG CLONG! ROAR! Boy lived in a silent world and couldn't hear the fighting. But Boy could see the fear around him... and how everyone would be much happier.' (Publication summary)

'When is a secret not a secret? When your whole life is public.

'Most sixteen-year-olds get woken up by their parents because they're late for school, or the dog needs walking. Ordinary reasons both boring and predictable, but also, well, safe. My mum drags me out of bed with reminders that she has to fight for international peace, or solve world hunger.

'Frankie is used to being the daughter of a politician, but with her mum taking over as the Victorian Premier and an election coming up, life's been crazier than usual. Add to that a brother with asthma to keep an eye on, a best friend who's been weirdly distant lately, and the fact that Frankie's just humiliated herself in front of a hot guy – who it turns out is a budding journalist wanting to interview her about her band. Frankie has a tough decision to make. Jake seems interested in her – but is it all for show, or does he really like her?

'Then everything crumbles. Photos appear of Frankie's mum having secret meetings with a younger man – and she refuses to tell the public why.

'No one's talking but someone knows the truth. With her family falling apart around her, Frankie is determined to find out – even if it means losing Jake.' (Publication summary)

'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)

'No matter what hour, she lurked looking sour, be it midnight or mid-afternoon. Her dresses were shabby, her mood always crabby. Her name was Miss Annabel Spoon. Life is cursed for the people of the village of Twee.

'The ghost of Miss Annabel Spoon haunts their every waking hour and they've had enough! But then one day, the brave and practical young Herbert Kettle has the most extraordinary idea ...' (From the publisher's website.)