AustLit

'Meet 11-year-old Bindi. She’s not really into maths but LOVES art class and playing hockey. Her absolute FAVOURITE thing is adventuring outside with friends or her horse, Nell.

'A new year starts like normal—school, family, hockey, dancing. But this year hasn’t gone to plan! There’s a big art assignment, a drought, a broken wrist AND the biggest bushfires her town has ever seen!

'Bindi is a verse novel for mid-upper primary students. Written ‘for those who plant trees’, Bindi explores climate, bushfires, and healing. Written from the point of view of 11-year-old Bindi and her friends on Gundungurra Country.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'One girl. One dream. A few hurdles.

'Ten-year-old Vivian is determined to win a medal at the Olympic Games one day. Problem is, she hasn't found a sport she's any good at yet. But everyone says if you work hard enough you can achieve anything, right? So when Vivian discovers she has a talent for cross country running, finally, her Olympic dream might actually come true.

'But then a family illness is uncovered and all of Vivian's plans begin to unravel. Can she keep her dream alive? Or will she be stopped in her tracks?

'A funny, heartfelt novel about resilience, acceptance and dreaming big.' 

(Publication summary)

'The town of Spindrift is home to the Orphanage School where Finlay lives. Just outside town is the painfully posh Brathelthwaite Boarding School, home to Honey Bee. When the two schools compete at the Spindrift Tournament, stakes are high, tensions are higher, and some people are out to win at any cost. And then Whispering Wars break out, and Spindrift is thrust onto the front lines. Children are being stolen. Witches, sirens and a deadly magical flu invade the town. Finlay, Honey Bee and their friends must join forces to outwit the encroaching forces of darkness and turn the tide of the war. But how can one bickering troupe outwit the insidious power of the Whisperers? And who are the two mysterious figures watching them from the shadows?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'An elephant?’ Arthur gasped. ‘In your house? But... is it real?’

'Olive leaned a little closer and lowered her voice. 

'‘Well, that's the thing...’

'Olive’s father has a sadness so big that she imagines it as a large grey elephant following him around. With the help of her cheery grandfather and her best friend, Arthur, Olive sets out to chase away her father’s elephant.

'Beautifully written, this novel from acclaimed author and illustrator Peter Carnavas will stay with you long after you finish.' (Publication summary)

'Henry Hoobler is a reluctant adventurer worried about his summer holiday: camping at the beach, bugs, spiders, snakes, stingers, blue ringed octopi and sharks. Worst of all, his family and friends are pushing him to ride his new silver bike without training wheels. But when Henry meets Cassie, he discovers that courage is there to be found when you have a friend who is straight up and true. A joyous, heart-warming story for ages 7-11.' (Publication summary)