A captivating coming of age story for younger teens, set in New Guinea where 16 year-old Julie goes to live with the father she's never known

It had started almost as a joke, as a challenge to her mother during one of their endless arguments. She can't even remember now what Caroline had said to spark it off, but Julie snapped back, hot with fury, Well, maybe I should go and live with Tony for a while and see how that works out! and Caroline, suddenly calm, had said, Maybe you should. And the next thing Julie knew, she was on her way to meet a father she doesn't know in a country she's never been to. What will she find when the tiny plane touches down in the lush tropical highlands of New Guinea? She might expect culture shock, she might hope for first love, but the secrets she uncovers make for a truly unforgettable summer.

G'day. I'm Riley Williams. I've lived most of my life in the legendary Snowy Mountains beneath the shadow of Mount Perisher. Grown up on the legends and curses of this place. Some I believe, and others I don't. Like the one that says, Any team that makes it all the way to the top, will come down minus a man. That one started because three climbers went missing and were never found, again. Most locals just say the mountain has a mind of its own.

Me? I think it's more a matter of unstable ground and weather conditions. Stuff you'd have to have animal instincts to avoid. So, why do I still want to climb it? Maybe it's a hero's call. Or maybe it's because I'm the only one in the valley--maybe in all Australia--who managed to tame a wild dingo to come with me. We're out to make a name for ourselves. Might even solve the mystery of those missing climbers. That was the plan until I met Joanie Thomas.

Ever since that beautiful girl from the Outback stomped into history class with her cowboy boots and wild ideas, my whole life turned upside down. Got me totally distracted helping her sort out this massive problem she's been stuck with. Next thing I know she has me lost in forbidden rain forests, and even searching for missing persons in the creepy halls of a mental institution. Places you couldn't have paid me to set foot in.

Nobody gets into a life or death situation on purpose. Now I'm asking myself if any of the secrets I learned from the mountain could actually save us, or not. Like being a true blue Aussie hero could be one of the hardest--nearly impossible--challenges in the world. But what I'm really thinking is...they didn't name this place Perisher for nothing.

An enthralling historical novel of immigration, courage and first love from an award-winning New Zealand author. Eloise and her family must leave Cornwall on a treacherous sea journey to start a new life in 1870s colonial New Zealand. On the ship across, Eloise meets Lars, a Norwegian labourer travelling below decks, and their lives begin to intertwine. When her brother disappears, her father leaves and the family are left to fend for themselves in their new home, Eloise must find the strength to stand up for what she believes in and the people she loves.

How desperately can you want something?

Grant discovers a Speed Devil Aurora advertised for sale on a village noticeboard - an unbelievable skateboard bargain. He must have it, but he doesn't have the money. What can he do? Come up with some money-making schemes, obviously!

But will his schemes work to raise the money before someone else snaps up the skateboard? And will the Limskey brothers thwart Grant's aspirations?

How far will Grant go to fulfil his dreams?

High-school student Haki needs to find the pounamu (greenstone ornament) that was stolen from him after a car crash by a mysterious old man who seems to know a lot about him. Haki's search brings him into conflict with his family, his friends and his school. In the process he must confront his fears and find a way to answer the challenge to serve his people and his land, fight a taniwha (monster), and grow into a warrior. Kura Toa is a superb read for students in the 12 - 16 age group that distils youth and indigenous issues into a seamless and easy-to-access narrative that has attracted a strong following in schools.

Flip is a contemporary Australian young adult drama that explores big issues with soul and sensitivity. Its high-low content and feel-good finale make it a perfect read for both lovers of the genre and non-confident readers.

Issues and themes flowing through Flip are timely and relevant, including a housing crisis, bullying, loss and grief, finding yourself and a sense of belonging, friendship and family dynamics, starting over in a new town and school, and the impacts of cancer and dementia.

Denim Davies wishes he could flip his life, just like the vintage items and clothing he finds at garage sales and thrift stores and sells online. With the worsening housing crisis, Denim and his dad have spent a year moving from town to town in search of sustainable work and a home they can call their own. Every move means starting over in a new school. Denim feels he's drifting through life without an anchor.

When Denim and his dad arrive in the coastal town of Driftwood Heights, Denim knows things are only going to get worse. The only accommodation is in the trailer park, he's just started Year 10, and in this small town where everyone knows each other he feels more of a misfit than ever. Besides, what's the point of getting close to anyone if you're just going to move away again?

When Denim befriends Mina, a quirky girl with a carefree attitude, Driftwood Heights starts to look a little brighter. But then a vintage find that seems too good to be true goes horribly wrong, and he has a tough decision to make--one that could ruin his friendship forever. What do you do when flipping your life has too high a price?

Reading age of 10 +, Interest age 14+. Rhiza Shorts are teen novellas for reluctant readers.

Sequel to The Magpie Way - Finding Alice .

Magpie Max performed poorly at Magpie School, but marks were never given for determination. Max's determination has no bounds, and it helps him change the lives of others. His greatest wish is for his family to be reunited, and so he takes his mother, grandma, and aunty on a journey to a new home that his sister has found far from the city. Charlie, a cockatoo, is asked to join them. Charlie was Max's childhood mentor.

Max appreciates the talents of other creatures and engages the services of an annoying pigeon because he needs a navigator. He is also saddened by the suffering many creatures endure. This empathy sees him gather more followers along the way. They include a cranky sheep, a sweet-natured emu with a brain injury, and a magpie whose flock have cast him out because he is a conman. With non-flyers now in the group, everyone is forced to follow the highway.

Max struggles in the role of leadership because his school assessment has left him full of self-doubt, but his flock believe in him. They use their talents to help each other. When grandma asks to be left behind because she is too old to go on, the cranky sheep gives her a ride on his back. This friendly arrangement soon catches the attention of travelers in cars, and Max is now leading the most famous flock in Magpie History.

They settle in their new home, but Max is restless and soon begins another journey. The flock heads for the Great River where his sister hopes to find wisdom and knowledge, and where Charlie hopes to meet the girl of his dreams.

On arrival, they pursue their various tasks, but then comes a rumour that penguins live near the river mouth. Max believes that proving the existence of a bird that behaves more like a fish would be of great benefit to Magpie Science. The emu and sheep are left at base camp while the rest fly to the river mouth. There they discover another world existing beyond their own. It is a world where strange creatures live, such as penguins and seals. They meet the seagulls that patrol at its edge and are amused by their bad manners.

The flock return home having achieved their goals, but Max still has a question. Are Humans good or bad? for he sees a world full of fences, imprisoned creatures, grass where should be

Danny Dawson lives on a cattle station in the Australian outback. Usually the annual cattle muster excites Danny, but everything is different now. Because Danny's beloved older brother died in an accident last year, and nobody will talk about it. Because his teenage sister is pregnant and won't tell anyone who the father is. Because his mother can't cope with any of it and has hired a wide-eyed English house girl to deal with the family.

Timber Creek Station is the story of a grieving family, entrenched racism, and the surprising ways one boy--who thought he'd be stuck in one terrible place forever--can take a leap forward.

Morrison is 17. Smart, sarcastic, annoying, and very angry.

Mr Moore, a school principal on the verge of retirement, has seen it all. Now coping with a wife who has Alzheimers, his plans for his life in retirement are in tatters. The last thing he needs is someone like Morrison.

What happens when two unlikely people find strength in each other?

This unique story is captivating and surprising, bringing tears and laugh-out-loud moments and brilliant insights into the nature of friendship and the problems of ageing at every age.

A novel of strength, hope, humility, and acceptance... and that kid who wears petticoats...

In the third installment of the Gems of Australia series, Olwyn Harris brings Australian history to life as she takes us on a journey back to the early days of convict settlement in Australia. Here we, once again, find Andi and Jo learning about Australia's true history, and finding strength in God to help others.