RSO October 2022

October 10, 2022 Riverbend Schools' BookclubLeave a comment

Welcome to Riverbend Standing Orders for October 2022

We are delighted to bring to you a great selection of titles.

Kind Regards, Pauline and Trish

Picture Books

Charlie’s Whale – Libby Gleeson, illus. Hannah Sommerville (4+ themes of whales, hobbies, pastimes, oceans, marine life, imagination, Teacher Resources)

Frank’s Red Hat – Sean E. Avery (4+ themes of humour, Antarctic animals, differences, being yourself, Story Time Kit Resources)

The Best Hiding Place – Jane Godwin, illus. Sylvia Morris (3+ themes of playing games, feeling worried, working together, family life, Classroom Resources)

What Feelings Do When No One’s Looking – Tina Oziewicz, illus. Aleksandra Zając (3+ feelings, emotions, imagination, Teacher Resources)

Primary Fiction

A Girl Called Corpse – Reese Carter (8+ themes of supernatural, fantasy, ghosts, family, identity, friendship, danger, witches, sea-monsters, discovering the past, Reading Group Guide, Teacher Notes)

Evie and Rhino – Neridah McMullin (8+ themes of animals in captivity, Australian shipwrecks, Selective mutism, farm life, grief, friendship, love, connection with animals, family).

Runt – Craig Silvey (8+ themes of family, friendship, pets, community, the Outback, drought, sustainability, morality, heroes and villains, responsibility, kindness and care, and creativity, Teacher Resources).

The Dangerous Business of Being Trilby Moffat (#1) – Kate Temple (8+ themes of lost and abandoned children, coming of age, rites of passage, bureaucracy, values of self-sacrifice, bravery, honesty and empathy, adventure, Teacher Resources)

Middle School Fiction

The Consequence Girl – Alastair Chisholm (11+ themes of science fiction, future worlds, consequences and decision making, power and control, family, danger, some scenes of violence, adventure, secrets, friendship, betrayal, survival, Discussion Notes)

The Jammer – Nova Weetman (11+ themes of grief and loss, contemporary Australia, family, roller derby, travel, friendships, identity, belonging, rescued animals, growing up, reference to first periods, anger and hurt, Christmas setting) Teachers Notes)

The Raven’s Song – Zana Fraillon and Bren MacDibble (10+ themes of climate change, futuristic, post-pandemic, two timelines, dual narrators, childhood sickness, friendships, secrets, family, grief and loss, bravery and resilience, suspended animation, prophecies, sustainable living, forgotten history, generations, Teachers Notes)

Where We Used to Roam – Jenn Bishop (11+ themes of fractured families, friendships, siblings, opioid addiction, Art, Shadow boxes, travel, belonging, secrets, LGBT (secondary boy gay character), absent parents, loss of trust, authenticity, satisfying resolution, attempted overdose (off page), growing up, forgiveness, acceptance, identity, Teacher Notes)

Secondary Fiction

The First to Die at the End – Adam Silvera (15+ themes of death & dying, romance, LGBT, uncertain futures, what ifs, all-in-one-day, futuristic, prequel)

Unnecessary Drama – Nina Kenwood (15+ themes of social anxiety, contemporary Australia, first-year university, shared house, identity, growing up, friendships, romance, humour, LGBT, family, some references to drinking, some swearing, sexual references, Teaching Notes)

The Killing Code – Ellie Marney (15+ themes of mystery, serial killing, profiling, historical, WWII, codebreakers, women in war, friendships, romance, LGBT, secrets, grief and loss, twisty, suspense, thriller, Teaching Resource)

The Stand In – A J Rushby (14+ themes of deception, intrigue, identity swapping, doppelgangers, secret lives, betrayal, adventure, boarding school)

Adult Fiction

Lessons – Ian McEwan

The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding – Holly Ringland

Primary Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Ajay and the Mumbai Sun – Varsha Shah (9+ themes of investigative journalism, modern India, slums, child labour, collapsing factories, corruption, children’s fight for justice, child abandonment)

Digging Up Dad: And Other Hopeful (And Funny) Stories – Morris Gleitzman (8+ themes of short stories, hope, family issues, friendship, resilience, role of authority, courage, taking action, loss and grief, Teachers’ Notes)

Nice Garry Book 1: Bowled Over – (8+ themes of belonging, English, Health and Physical Ed, Health and Wellbeing, humour, identity, resilience)

Spaceboy – David Walliams (8+ themes of belonging, choices, English, Ethics and Social Justice, families, Health and Wellbeing, humour, identity, resilience, The Arts)

Middle School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

The Bookseller’s Apprentice – Amelia Mellor (11+ prequel, magical, historical, race-against-time adventure, Australian, Book Trailer)

Secondary School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Demon in the Wood: A Shadow and Bone Graphic Novel – Leigh Bardugo & Dani Pendergast (15+ themes of prequel, graphic novel, fantasy, adventure, hidden identities, deadly secrets, origin story)

The Arc (The Loop #3) – Ben Oliver (15+ themes of third and final instalment in series, escape, return from dead, sci-fi thriller).

The First to Die at the End – Adam Silvera (15+ themes of death & dying, romance, LGBT, uncertain futures, what ifs, all-in-one-day, futuristic, prequel)

RSO September 2022

September 12, 2022 Riverbend Schools' BookclubLeave a comment

Welcome to Riverbend Standing Orders for September 2022

We are delighted to bring to you a great selection of titles.

Kind Regards, Pauline and Trish

Picture Books

Be Careful, Xiao Xin! – Alice Pung; illus Sher Rill Ng (4+ themes of Belonging, Choices, Cultural Diversity, English, Families, Health and Wellbeing, Identity, Languages, Mental Health, Migration and Refugees, Power, and Resilience, Teacher Resources)

Dirt by Sea – Michael Wagner; illus. Tom Jellett (4+ themes of travelling around Australia, family road-trip, solo parenting, comic-style illustration, a celebration of love and family, Australian landscape, Activity)

Farmhouse – Sophie Blackall (4+ personal history, memories, belonging, families, home, growing up and leaving home, seasons, rural farming life, the environment, Teacher Resources)

The Tree at Number 43 – Jess McGeachin (4+ themes of multi-generational families, making friends, building communities and neighbourhoods, environmentalism, rewilding, urban gardening, home, communication, Teacher Notes, Video)

Primary Fiction

Honour Among Ghosts – Sean Williams (8+ themes of fantasy, Victorian era, mystery, twists, crime, ghosts, witchcraft, friendship)

The Goodbye Year – Emily Gale (10+ themes of Contemporary Australia (Melbourne), last year of primary school, friendships, school leadership for students, growing up, identity, impacts of the pandemic, Covid-19, lockdowns, remote learning, loneliness, change, and uncertainty, belonging and acceptance, ghosts, fear and bravery, absent parents Teacher notes)

The Wintrish Girl: Talismans of Fate, Book One – Melanie La’Brooy (8+ themes of belonging, identity, trust, family, fate, loneliness, bullying, problem-solving, magic, thinking differently, Teachers Notes)

Tilda – Sue Whiting (10+ themes of historical setting, friendship, hope, determination, family, hardship and deprivation, faith, Book Club Notes)

Middle School Fiction

A Walk in the Dark – Jane Godwin (11+: themes of contemporary Australia, school camp, friendships, family, exchange students, survival, teamwork, resilience, bravery, diversity, country living, overcoming fear and adversity, identity, underage drinking, mild violence and bullying, leadership, masculinity, adapting to change, lost child) Teacher Notes)

Fake – Ele Fountain (11+ themes of UK in future, family relationships, home, boarding school, equality, justice, technology, freedom, controls, virtual versus real world, friendship, code writing, Teacher Notes)

The Insiders (11+ themes of contemporary UK, family, friendships, bullying, absent parents, secrets, multiple narrators, identity, communication, Teacher Resources)

Spark – M.G. Leonard (11+ themes of contemporary UK, endangered birds, friendships, young detectives, stand-along mystery, 2nd in series, action, problem-solving)

Secondary Fiction

Between You, Me, and the Honeybees – Amelia Diane Coombes (14+ themes of contemporary USA, bee-keeping, high school graduation, University decision making, family secrets and rivalries, tradition, secrets, mother-daughter relationships, autonomy, coming of age, sexual references, friendship)

Indigo Moon Eternity Loop Series #1 – Eileen Merriman (14+ futuristic dystopia, Book 1 in series, time-travel, enhanced offspring, immortality, shape-shifting, dual-narration)

The Upwelling – Lystra Rose (15+ themes of Time slip, Australian, Indigenous, dreams and the dreaming, premonitions, identity, romance, multiple narrators, connection to Country, culture and lore, righting wrongs of the past, diversity)

Where You Left Us – Rhiannon Wilde (15+ themes of contemporary Australia, gothic fiction, love, sexuality, LGBTQI, belonging, home, identity, mental illness, anxiety, depression, gossip, family, the past, truth, hauntings, ghosts, family, sibling relationships, coming of age Teacher Notes)

Adult Fiction

All the Broken Places – John Boyne

Carrie Soto is Back – Taylor Jenkins Reid

Primary Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

A Beginner’s Guide to Ruling the Galaxy: It’s Hard To Crush Your Enemies When Your Homework’s Due… – David Solomon (8+themes of humour, galactic princess, friendship, end of the world, neighbours, Activity Sheets)

Honour Among Ghosts – Sean Williams (8+ themes of fantasy, Victorian era, mystery, twists, crime, ghosts, witchcraft, friendship)

Frog’s Mystery Twin (Bored, #2) – Matt Stanton (9+ themes of belonging, families, humour, identity, resilience)

Speck of the Stars – Henry Boffin (9+ themes of science fiction, utility robots, orphan, mysterious creatures, secrets, fate of the Universe, space pirates, action, fantasy)

Middle School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

The Insiders (11+ themes of contemporary UK, family, friendships, bullying, absent parents, secrets, multiple narrators, identity, communication, Teacher Resources)

Spark – M.G. Leonard (11+ themes of contemporary UK, endangered birds, friendships, young detectives, stand-along mystery, 2nd in series, action, problem-solving)

Secondary School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Indigo Moon Eternity Loop Series #1 – Eileen Merriman (14+ futuristic dystopia, Book 1 in series, time-travel, enhanced offspring, immortality, shape-shifting, dual-narration)

Something About Alaska – J.A. Cooper (15+ themes of contemporary USA, father-son relationships, domestic violence, language, weapons, wilderness, forgiveness, coming of age, cross-cultural perspectives, survival, extreme weather, isolation)

The First Thing About You – Chaz Hayden (14+ themes of contemporary, acceptance, diversity, advocacy and ableism, inclusion, moving across country, new school, new carer, friendship, love, stereotypes Teacher Notes)

RSO August 2022

August 8, 2022 Riverbend Schools' BookclubLeave a comment

Welcome to Riverbend Standing Orders for August 2022

We are delighted to bring to you a great selection of titles.

Kind Regards, Pauline and Trish

Picture Books

A Job for Kingsley – Gabriel Evans (4+ Australian, themes of friendship, belonging, employment and jobs, responsibility, being happy with what you have)

Backyard Buddies – Andy Geppert (3+ Australian, themes of backyard insects, ecology, wildlife, human interaction with wildlife, science, humour, Teachers Resources)

Ella and the Useless Day – Meg McKinlay; illus. Karen Blair (3+ Australian, themes of family, upcycling, sustainability, community, parent and child cooperation, creativity and imagination, Story Time Kit)

How Do You Say I Love You? – Ashleigh Barton; illus. Martina Heiduczek (3+ Australian, themes of language, relationships, love and care, appreciation of other languages and cultures, belonging, belief systems, cultural diversity, identity)

Primary Fiction

How to be Prime Minister and Survive Grade Five – Carla Fitzgerald (9+ Australian, themes of family, friendship, resourcefulness, overcoming fears, imagination, standing up for what you believe is right, humour)

Ming and Marie Spy for Freedom (#2 The Girls Who Changed the World) – Jackie French (10+ Australian, themes of belonging, choices, discrimination, English, ethics and social justice, families, gender, humanities and social sciences, identity, power, resilience, war and conflict)

Miss Penny Dreadful and the Midnight Kittens – Allison Rushby; illus. Bronte Rose Marando (7+ Australian, themes of inquiring minds, mystery, imagination, boarding school, adventure, Book Club Guide)

The Book of Wondrous Possibilities – Deborah Abela (8+ Australian, themes of home and belonging, storytelling and books, grief, family, courage and resilience, adventure, Teacher Notes)

Middle School Fiction

A Little Spark – Barry Jonsberg (11+ Australian, contemporary, themes of family, friendship, grief, family breakdown and divorce, custody battles, love, warmth and humour, Teacher Notes)

No Words – Maryam Master (10+: Contemporary, Australian, themes of family, friendships, bullying, selective mutism, refugees, trauma, grief and loss, flashbacks, poetry and storytelling, anxiety, blackmail, humour, name-calling, Teaching Notes)

The Blackthorn Branch – Elen Caldecott (11+: Contemporary, themes of magic realism, Welsh setting, Myths and ancient legends, suspense, family, grief and loss, death of a grandparent, friendships, adventure, quest, rescue, environmental, disappearing children, bravery, loyalty)

The Detective’s Guide to New York City – Nicki Greenberg (11+ themes of historical, 1920s New York, mystery, friendships, loyalty, identity, travel, bravery, suspense, adventure, tension, second in a series, Teaching notes)

Secondary Fiction

Sadie Starr’s Guide to Starting Over – Miranda Luby (14+, Australian, themes of contemporary, feminism, self-esteem, eating disorder triggers, friendship, new beginnings, creativity and writing, sexual references, drug references, standing up for others, OCD, anxiety, Teaching Notes)

Something Certain, Maybe – Sara Barnard (15+ themes of first love, friendships, embracing an uncertain future, university, homesickness, depression, anxiety, LGBTQI, sexual references, adapting to change)

The Hidden Girl – Louise Bassett (15+: Contemporary, Australian, mystery, thriller, suspense, friendship, bullying, courage and resilience, diversity, school trip, partly set in Indonesia, biracial MC, family, romance, human trafficking, secrets, some sexual references, Book Club guide)

The Stranded – Sarah Daniels (15+ futuristic dystopia, love triangles, betrayals, violence, revolution, secret police, abandoned cruise ships, refugee camp, haves and have nots, sexual references)

Adult Fiction

Isaac and the Egg – Bobby Palmer

Mercury Pictures Presents – Anthony Marra

Primary Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Max Counts to a Million – A Funny, Heart-Warming Story about One Boy’s Experience of Lockdown – Jeremy Williams (8+ themes of COVID 19 pandemic, lockdowns, humour, shared experiences, community, family, quests)

Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl (#1 Society of Explorers and Adventurers) – Julie Kagawa (9+ fantasy, ancient relics, tattoos, adventure, myths relating to Mesoamerica, technology, combing science and magic, first in a series, ethics of exploration)

The Book of Wondrous Possibilities – Deborah Abela (8+ Australian, themes of home and belonging, storytelling and books, grief, family, courage and resilience, adventure, Teacher Notes)

Middle School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

No Words – Maryam Master (10+: Contemporary, Australian, family, friendships, bullying, selective mutism, refugees, trauma, grief and loss, flashbacks, poetry and storytelling, anxiety, blackmail, humour, name-calling, Teaching Notes)

S.T.E.A.L.T.H Access Denied – Jason Lokesh Rohan (11+: Contemporary, family, friendships, kidnapping, secrets and spies, action, thriller and suspense, futuristic, military programs, hacking, betrayals, corruption, first in a series

What About Thao? – Oliver Phommavanh (10+ Australian, themes of contemporary, regional Australia, remote community, friendship, slam poetry, humour, city kid in a country town)

Secondary School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Eddy Eddy – Kate De Goldi (15+: Contemporary, New Zealand, themes of family relationships, orphans, animals, identity, post-earthquake Christchurch, religion, friendships, grief and loss, romance, Christmas, strong language, reference to self-harm, reference to panic attacks)

Scorpion Falls – Martin Chatterton (13+: Contemporary, Australian, themes of gothic horror, dark comedy, YA thriller, missing children, racism, mortality, alienation, COVID, identity, Teacher’s Notes

The Brink – Holden Sheppard (15+: Contemporary, Australian, themes of end-of-school trip, Western Australian setting, murder mystery, secrets, friendships, identity, bullying, homophobia, anxiety, toxic parents, representations of masculinity, attempted date rape, strong language, violence, reference to alcohol and drug-taking, sexual references, Book Club and Teacher notes)

The Stranded – Sarah Daniels (15+ futuristic dystopia, love triangles, betrayals, violence, revolution, secret police, abandoned cruise ships, refugee camp, haves and have nots, sexual references)

RSO July 2022

July 11, 2022 Riverbend Schools' BookclubLeave a comment

Welcome to Riverbend Standing Orders for July 2022

We are delighted to bring to you a great selection of titles.

Kind Regards, Pauline and Trish

Picture Books

Jack’s Jumper – Sarah Acton (3+ themes of family, siblings, emotions, feelings, clothing, sentimentality, change, and growing up, Read to Us! Storytime Kit Activities)

Jigsaw: A Puzzle in the Post – Bob Graham – (3+ themes of family, jigsaw puzzles, recycling, humour, perseverance, hope, Read to Us! Storytime Kit Activities)

Secrets of the Seasons – Heidi Cooper Smith (3+ themes of Australian bush, seasons, wildlife, animals, the magic of childhood, habitats)

The Shop Train – Josei Wowolla Boyle; illus. Paul Seden (4+ themes of Aboriginal Studies, Australian history, First Nations, Tea and Sugar Train, remote communities, nostalgia, family, Teacher Notes)

Primary Fiction

All Four Quarters of the Moon – Shirley Moon (8+ themes of the immigration experience, honour and responsibility, experiences of racism and intolerance, mental health, emotions, and resilience, kindness, tolerance, and empathy, family and friendships, especially siblings, Chinese mythology, Teacher Notes)

August and Jones – Pip Harry (9+ themes of Australian, contemporary, family, moving from country to city, friendships, cancer, bullying, parent expectations, gender expectations, bucket-lists, adventurous, facing fears, resilience, loyalty, Teachers resources)

Olive Jones and the Memory Thief – Kate Gilby Smith (9+ themes of family, memory, mystery, science fiction, contemporary, futuristic)

Solomon Macaroni and the Cousin Catastrophe – Ashleigh Barton (9+ themes of courage, family, love, Vampires, magic, greed, humour, Teacher Notes)

Middle School Fiction

Cop and Robber – Tristan Bancks (10+ themes of ethical dilemmas, relationships and conflict, forgiveness, resilience, the law, honesty, trust and faith, family, running and motivation, humour, Teacher Notes)

The Light in Everything – Katya Balen (11+ themes of fear, blended families, light, wishes, belonging, anger, the Ocean, perseverance, misunderstanding, regret, community, trust and hope, references to domestic violence, imagery, Teacher Notes)

The Shark and the Scar – Sarah Moore Fitzgerald (11+ thriller, family secrets, father-son relationship, identity, recuperation, accident, moving to a new community, beachside community, Ireland)

Secondary Fiction

Completely Normal and Other Lies – Biffy James (15+ themes of Australian, contemporary, flashback format, coming of age, identity, friendships, romance, relationships, family, siblings, therapy, grief and loss, reference to grooming, impacts of social media use, humour, sexual references, some swearing, lgbt rep, Ampersand shortlistee)

The Queen of the Tiles – Hanna Alkaf (15+ themes of contemporary, set in Malaysia, competitive scrabble, grief and loss, mystery, family, friendships, secrets, coming of age, identity, diversity, social anxiety)

See You Yesterday – Rachel Lynn Solomon (15+ themes of contemporary, starting college, caught in a time loop, coming of age, friendships, romance, belonging, family, LGBT, siblings, addiction, secrets, some swearing and sexual references, twisty)

When Women Were Dragons – Kelly Barnhill (15+ themes of feminism, sent in the 1950s, dragon transformation, rage, sibling love and responsibility, following your heart, opening your mind to new possibilities, coming of age, feminist anger and liberation)

Adult Fiction

Blue Hour – Sarah Schmidt

We Come With This Place – Debra Dank

Primary Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Solomon Macaroni and the Cousin Catastrophe – Ashleigh Barton (9+ themes of courage, family, love, Vampires, magic, greed, humour, Teacher Notes)

Team Trouble – Whodunnit, Eddie Woo? – Eddie Woo and Dave Hartley; illus. Mitch Vane (8+ mystery, maths, humour, skateboarding, cryptic messages, smuggling, friendship)

While the Storm Ranges – Phil Earle (9+ themes of courage, love, animals, the Blitz, Second World War, bravery, Scheme of Work)

Middle School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

21% Monster – Peter Canning (11+ themes of futuristic, family, friendships, secret government experiments, DNA manipulation, action, adventure, suspense, survival, loyalty, bravery, secrets and lies, betrayal)

The Shark and the Scar – Sarah Moore Fitzgerald (11+ thriller, family secrets, father-son relationship, identity, recuperation, accident, moving to a new community, beachside community, Ireland)

Secondary School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Man Down – James Goodhand (15+ themes of contemporary, identity, family, friendships, romance, smugglers, premonitions, toxic masculinity, mystery, suspense, twisty, reference to underage drinking and drug-taking, some sexual references, strong language, discussions of death and dying, shock ending)

The Midnight Club – Christopher Pike (15+ horror, terminally ill youth, story-telling, truth vs fiction, death pact, violence, reincarnation, Netflix, first published 1994)

The Notorious Scarlett and Brown #2 – Jonathan Stroud (15+ themes of fantasy, dystopian setting, magic, mystery, friendship, loyalty, suspense, bank heists, monsters, religious fanaticism, twisty, second in a series)

The Snow Laundry (The Towers #1) – Mette Jakobsen (15+ themes of thriller, dystopian world, government control, environmental destruction, loss of individual freedom, technological control, violence, sexual content, drug and alcohol references, Teacher Notes)

RSO June 2022

June 8, 2022 Riverbend Schools' BookclubLeave a comment

Welcome to Riverbend Standing Orders for June 2022

We are delighted to bring to you a great selection of titles.

Kind Regards, Pauline and Trish

Picture Books

Koala Ark – Stephen Michael King (4+ themes of endangered animals, bushfires, environmental degradation, Australian animals, compassion, resilience, community, Links to Koala Ark Project)

Old Fellow – Christopher Cheng; illus. Liz Anelli (3+ themes of relationships, companionships, joy, ageing, community, connection, Classroom Ideas)

Open Your Heart to Country – Jasmine Seymour (4+ themes of country, language, identity, culture, spirituality, Aboriginal Peoples – Social Life and Customs, perspective, Teacher Notes)

Song of the White Ibis – Phillip Gwynne; illus Liz Anelli (4+ Australian birds, climate change, rubbish, waste, evolution, Illustrator’s Resources)

Primary Fiction

The Lost Whale – Hannah Gold; illus. Levi Pinfold (8+ themes of family, intergenerational relationships, grey whales, mental illness, friendship, conservation, environmental issues, whale migratory patterns)

The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat – Charlie Archbold (8+ themes of stereotypes, friendship, good over evil, environmental issues, teamwork, courage, danger, family, natural habitats, adventure, suspense, Teacher Notes)

The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm (#1 Miss Mary-Kate Martin’s Guide to Monsters) – Karen Foxlee; illus. Freda Chiu (8+ themes of mystery, archaeology, friendship, anxiety, magical realism, neuro-diverse main character, colours, courage, love, never giving up, personal development, first in a series).

Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon – Gabrielle Wang (8+ themes of family, friendship, belonging, identity, war, the power of story and the imagination, Chinese culture, all forms of love, racism, making assumptions based on appearances, Teacher Notes)

Middle School Fiction

Grace Back on Court – Maddy Proud (11+ themes of netball, team building, friendship, romance, competitive team sport, and the importance of families

The Marvellers (The Marvellers, #1) – Dhonielle Clayton (10+ themes of magic school, fantasy, cultural arts, isolation, misfits, twists and turns, mystery, belonging, choices, identity)

When I See Blue – Lily Bailey (11+ themes of contemporary, family, siblings, friendships, alcoholism, OCD, feelings of abandonment, therapy, art, belonging, identity, own voices rep of OCD)

Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor – Xiran Jay Zhao (11+ Chinese culture and heritage, magical artefacts, identity, belonging, adventure, magical powers, Dragons)

Secondary Fiction

Ghosted – Emily Barr (15+ themes of family, friendship, mystery, twisty, romance, identity, death and dying, grief and loss, lgbt+ side characters, pregnancy, siblings, ghosts, contemporary UKYA)

My Spare Heart – Jared Thomas (15+ themes of Indigenous, contemporary Australia, divorced parents, friendships, identity, coming of age, basketball, mixed race, alcoholism, attempted sexual assault, anxiety, secrets, reference to Walking on Country, reference to underage drinking, some strong language)

The Museum of Broken Things – Lauren Draper (14+ themes of secrets, friendship. grief and loss, Teachers Notes)

When Only One – Meg Gatland-Veness (15+ themes of school shooting, regional towns, child abandonment and neglect, loneliness, violence, isolation, mental illness, domestic abuse, broken families, and mental health struggles in adolescents)

Adult Fiction

Bone Memories – Sally Piper

Horse – Geraldine Brooks

Primary Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Brand New Boy – David Almond (9+ themes of bullying, childhood trauma, space aliens, artificial intelligence, robots, acceptance, friendship, play, innocence of childhood)

The Breakfast Club Adventures – The Beast Beyond the Fence – Marcus Rashford (9+ themes of adventure, poverty, football, mystery, forming friendships)

Middle School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Children of the Flying City – Jason Sheehan (11+ themes of multiple points of view, adventure, friendship, mystery, futuristic city)

The Marvellers (The Marvellers, #1) – Dhonielle Clayton (10+ themes of magic school, fantasy, cultural arts, isolation, misfits, twists and turns, mystery, belonging, choices, identity)

When I See Blue – Lily Bailey (11+ themes of contemporary, family, siblings, friendships, alcoholism, OCD, feelings of abandonment, therapy, art, belonging, identity, own voices rep of OCD)

Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor – Xiran Jay Zhao (11+ Chinese culture and heritage, magical artefacts, identity, belonging, adventure, magical powers, Dragons)

Secondary School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

City of the Uncommon Thief – Lynne Bertrand (15+ themes of dark fantasy, malevolent power, magic and intrigue, quarantined walled city, oppressive class system, ethnically diverse class system, dense prose)

Forging Silver Into Stars – Brigid Kemmerer (15+ themes of fantasy, magic, family, forging alliances between countries, secrets, rebellion, friendships, betrayal, kidnapping, companion series, multiple narrators, romance, LGBT characters, some fighting, violence and death, suspense, adventure, cliff-hanger end, first in a series)

What We All Saw – Mike Lucas (15+ themes of the subjectivity of truth, “seeing”, perception and the senses, storytelling, witches in history and culture, friendship, horror, trust, violence, WWI and WWII, growing up in the 70s, the unexplainable, Teachers Notes)

RSO May 2022

May 11, 2022 Riverbend Schools' BookclubLeave a comment

Welcome to Riverbend Standing Orders for May 2022

We are delighted to bring to you a great selection of titles.

Kind Regards, Pauline and Trish

Picture Books

Katerina Cruickshanks – Daniel Gray-Barnett (4+ themes of exclusion, inclusion, leadership, difference, gender nonconforming, extroversion, cliques, friendship, drama, Teaching Notes)

Miss Understood – Kathryn Apel (3+ themes of humour, rhyme, being yourself, judging others, misunderstandings, perspective, point of view, Teaching Notes)

Take a Breath – Suejean Rim (3+ themes of believing in yourself, not giving up. trying, courage, persistence, stopping and breathing)

The New Dog – Chris McKimmie (4+ themes of humour, dogs, pets, family, dog perspective)

Primary Fiction

Big Magic – Sarah Armstrong (9+ themes of fantasy, magical realism, parallel worlds, family secrets, family connections, friendship and courage)

How to Spell Catastrophe – Fiona Wood (9+ themes of worrying and anxiety, rites of passage into adulthood, activism, blended families, friendship and peer group pressure, climate change, Teaching Notes)

Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good (9+ themes of humour, Norse gods, magical beings, highly illustrated, quest for moral improvement, first in a series)

We Run Tomorrow – Nat Amoore; illus. Mike Barry (9+ themes of humour, friendship, superheroes, loss and grief, resilience, family, Teaching Notes)

Middle School Fiction

All the Little Tricky Things – Karys McEwen (10+ themes of contemporary, Australian, friendships, coming-of-age, family, identity, starting high school, leaving home for boarding school, small-town vibes, over one summer, list of things to do, reflective Teaching Notes)

Gus and the Starlight – Victoria Carless (10+ themes of belonging, change, choices, families, grief and loss, humour, identity, mental health, resilience, ghosts, magical realism)

Mars Awakens – H.M Waugh (10+ themes of space exploration, survival, adventure, courage, conflict, environment, aliens, Teaching Tips)

The Bravest Word – Kate Foster (10+ themes of mental health, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, family support, understanding and awareness, help, rescue dogs, friends and hope)

Secondary Fiction

Family of Liars – E. Lockhart (15+ themes of family, siblings, secrets, coming of age, consent, privilege/class, suspense, mystery, grief, trauma, prequel, Teaching Tips)

Seven Days – Fleur Ferris (12+ themes of contemporary, Australian, city versus country, family relationships, friendships, identity, coming of age, life changes, thriller, mystery, animals, zoos, ancient feud, stolen jewels, secrets, treasure hunt, ethical dilemmas, suspense, some violence, mild swearing Teaching Notes)

The Agathas – Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson (14+ themes of mystery, friendship, social exclusion, violence, financial reward, Teaching Notes)

The Cult of Romance – Sarah Ayoub (15+: contemporary, Australian, Lebanese Australian characters, family, friendships, feminism, marriage, travel cultural differences, romance, secrets, university-aged characters, diversity, drinking and partying, some sexual references, identity, changing self-perception Teaching Notes)

Adult Fiction

Book of Night – Holly Black

Elektra – Jennifer Saint

Primary Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good (9+ themes of humour, Norse gods, magical beings, highly illustrated, quest for moral improvement, first in a series)

We Run Tomorrow – Nat Amoore; illus. Mike Barry (9+ themes of humour, friendship, superheroes, loss and grief, resilience, family, Teaching Notes)

The Callers – Kiah Thomas (8+ themes of belonging, choices, difference, ethics and social justice, families, identity, natural world, power, resilience, sustainability, greed)

The Ship of Doom – M. A. Bennet (9+ themes of adventure, time travel, secret society, greed, ethics)

Middle School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

How to Tackle your Dreams – Fiona Hardy (10+ themes of contemporary, Australian, family, friendships, identity, AFL, humour, mental wellbeing, divorced parents, sewing and tailoring, 3^rd in a companion series, diverse characters, problem solving, authenticity, some bullying

Mars Awakens – H.M Waugh (10+ themes of space exploration, survival, adventure, courage, conflict, environment, aliens, Teaching Tips)

The Bravest Word – Kate Foster (10+ themes of mental health, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, family support, understanding and awareness, help, rescue dogs, friends and hope)

The Way of Dog – Zana Fraillon (10+ themes of hope, dogs, family, belonging, overcoming adversity, perseverance, hardship, verse novel, pets, kindness, some scenes of cruelty toward animals, human brutality, puppy farms, indirect references to family violence, Teacher Notes)

Secondary School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

The Taking of Jake Livingston – Ryan Douglass (15+ themes of vengeful ghosts, mystery, social thriller, survival, LGBTQI, racism, homophobia, violence)

Traitor: A Novel of World War II – Amanda McCrina (14+ historical political intrigue, thriller, conflict, intrigue, betrayal, prejudice, violence, Teacher Notes)

Wakers – Orson Scott Card (14+ parallel worlds, cloning, artificial intelligence, social experimentation, future world)

RSO April 2022

April 13, 2022 Riverbend Schools' BookclubLeave a comment

Welcome to Riverbend Standing Orders for April 2022

We are delighted to bring to you a great selection of titles.

Kind Regards, Pauline and Trish

Picture Books

Amma’s Sari – Sandhya Parappukkaran; illus. Michelle Pereira (3+ family, inter-generations, the acceptance of difference, and the celebration of cultural heritage)

Flocked – Chren Byng; illus. Andrew Joyner (3+ standing out from the crowd, autonomy, individuality, independence, courage)

It’s My Rubber Band – Shinsuke Yoshitake (3+ imagination, everyday objects, curiosity, play, optimism, possibilities)

Whisper on the Wind – Claire Saby; illus. Jess Racklyeft (3+ separation, reunion, ocean, adventure, nature, cumulative lyrical text, whimsical artwork, Teacher Notes)

Primary Fiction

Hedgewitch – Skye Mckenna (9+ fantasy, magic, magical creatures, orphan, family, witches, friendships, missing children, adventure, mystery, quests, book with illustrations, bullying, secrets, first in a series Teachers’ Notes)

Milo Finds $105 (Bored #1) – Matt Stanton (8+ family, belonging, honesty, identity, resilience, humour, choices, Teaching Guide)

The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow – Kate Gordon (9+ self-worth, adoption, belonging, friendship, hope, resilience, acceptance, love, Teachers’ Notes)

The Ghost Locket – Allison Rushby (9+ ghosts, mystery, making friends, humour, action, plot twists, atmosphere, courage, supernatural, hypnotism, London, haunted houses, orphans)

Middle School Fiction

Mikki and Me and the Out-of-Tune Tree – Marion Roberts (10+ environment, activism, family, filmmaking, trees, humour, forest bathing, bullying, injury, siblings, parental conflict, Teachers’ Tips)

The Best Liars in Riverview – Lin Thompson (11+ contemporary, non-binary author, friendship, bullying & toxic masculinity, lying and the omission of truth, hypocrisy of adults, mystery, runaway (disappearance), LGBT, small town America, questioning identity, secrets, heart-felt, quiet, mostly interior thoughts, authentic, immersive Teachers’ Notes)

The Wearing of the Green – Claire Saxby (11+ historical Ireland/Australia, family, resilience, loss, immigration, discriminiation, colonial life in Melbourne, Irish famine, orphans, servitude, racism, classism, gender inequality, Indigenous history, settler/ Aboriginal peoples relations, Classroom Ideas)

The Week at World’s End – Emma Carroll (10+ Cuban missile crisis, mystery, illness, thriller, friendship, runaways, fear, love, courage, Reading and Writing Activity)

Those Kids From Fawn Creek – Erin Entrada Kelly (10+ friendships, small town America, questioning identity, poverty, kindness, coping with change, imagination, exaggeration, lies, fitting in, Teaching Notes)

Secondary Fiction

An Arrow to the Moon – Emily X.R. Pan (15+ magical realism, Asian inspired mythology, romance, destiny, feuding families, ancient secrets, siblings, friendship, belonging, identity, diversity

Rock Paper Killers – Alexia Mason (15+ contemporary, set in Ireland, mystery, murder, secrets, friendships, LGBT+, family, references to death & dying, mental health, coming of age, multiple viewpoints, flash-forwards, underage drinking, sexual references, some swearing, fast paced, twisty)

We Who Hunt the Hollow – Kate Murray (14+ Shortlisted for the Ampersand Prize, urban fantasy, family of women warriors, mild supernatural violence, monsters, rituals, feelings of not belonging and difference, familial expectations, betrayal)

When You Get the Chance – Emma Lord (13+ Broadway aspirations, humour, “Mamma Mia” plot twist, search for identity, humour, competition, musicals, ambition, father-daughter relationships, friendships)

Adult Fiction

Sea of Tranquility – Emily St. John Mandel

The Candy House – Jennifer Egan

Primary Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

His Royal Hopeless – Chloe Perrin (8+ fairytale twist, humour, action, fantasy quest, subverting stereotypes, frienship, kindness)

Milo Finds $105 (Bored #1) – Matt Stanton (8+ family, belonging, honesty, identity, resilience, humour, choices, Teaching Guide)

Slayer (Beastheart #1) – A.H. Blade (9+ fantasy, magical realism, Beast controlling world, human underclass, rebellion, courage, supernatural violence, prison, betrayal)

The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow – Kate Gordon (9+ self-worth, adoption, belonging, friendship, hope, resilience, acceptance, love, Teachers’ Notes)

Middle School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Prometheus High 1: How to Make a Monster – Stuart Wilson (11+ fantasy, magic, monster-making, reanimation, science and research, identity, belonging, personal responsibility, secret school, friendships, ethical choices, twisty, suspense, action, betrayal, first in a series Teachers’ Notes)

SkyWake: Battlefield (#2 Skywake) – Jamie Russel (11+ Science Fiction, alien worlds, virtual computer gaming, friendships, family, sequel, action, adventure, suspense, survival, feminist,

Secondary School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Clown in a Cornfield – Adam Cesare (15+ contemporary, horror, small town America, generational gap, on-page murder and death; creepy killer clown, thriller, suspense, survival, first in a series)

Tracks of the Missing – Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler (14+ Aboriginal Social Life and Customs: law, creations, ancestors, country, elders, community, tracking, bush medicine, bush tucker, Aboriginal Histories: Stolen Generation, dispossession, colonisation, respect, hope, sustainability, mystery, football, Teachers’ Notes)

Yesterday is History – Kosoko Jackson (15+ contemporary, time travel, lgbt+, romance, love triangle, coming of age, identity, grief and loss, family, ethical considerations, diversity, transplant recipient)

RSO March 2022

March 7, 2022 Riverbend Schools' BookclubLeave a comment

Welcome to Riverbend Standing Orders for March 2022

We are delighted to bring to you a great selection of titles.

Kind Regards, Pauline and Trish

Picture Books

Families – Jane Godwin; illus. Yael Frankel (4+ families, differences, relationships, social structures, diversity)

Frank and Bert – Chris Naylor-Ballesteros (3+ friendship, tolerance, kindness, games, friendship more important than winning, success together, humour)

Luli and the Language of Tea – Andrea Wang; illus. Hyewon Yum (4+ ESL, differences, diversity, language, communication, tea, friendship, additional material on the history of tea drinking across cultures, maps, and statistics)

This Old Thing – Cassandra Webb; illus. Tony Flowers (5+ ANZAC Day, school projects, oral presentations, memorabilia, great-great-grandfather, War, photography, memories, connection to the past)

Primary Fiction

Dear Greta – Yvette Poshoglian (9+ sustainability and the environment, difference and diversity, family relationships, friendship, letter writing, celebrity personalities, technology, social and political activism, Teacher Notes)

Ming and Flo Fight for the Future (The Girls Who Changed the World #1) – Jackie French (10+ Time travel, women’s rights, early Pre-Federation Australian history, Suffragettes, racism, power, poverty, survival, gender issues, Reading group guides)

What Snail Knows – Kathryn Apel (7+ accepting others, relocating homes, friendship, loneliness, community, pets, a verse novel, families, asking for help, Teacher Notes)

When the War Came Home – Lesley Parr (10+ historical adventure, World War I, Wales, family relocation, political and social activism, missing soldiers, amnesia, worker’s rights, industrial action, war-related injuries)

Middle School Fiction

Ana on the Edge – A.J. Sass (11+ Figure skating, elite competition, family, friendships, identity, LGBT+, non-binary author and character, anxiety, absent father, diverse characters, Teaching guides)

Interned – Pamela Rushby (11+ prejudice, propaganda, the effects of long-term incarceration and changing attitudes in society, Australian history, World War I, internment camps in Australia, German nationals in Australia)

Spark – Mitch Johnson (10+ the environment, climate change and global warming, ecosystems and conservation, adventure, survival, dystopia, captivity, Teacher Notes)

Swift and Hawk: Cyberspies (11+: Spies and spying, abductions, mystery, action, fast-paced, thriller, robotics and AI, coding and hacking, teenage spies, friendships, travelling the globe, gadgets, diverse characters)

Secondary Fiction

A Far Wilder Magic – Allison Saft (15+: Magic, blended world, hunting, alchemy, family, friendships, romance, grief and loss, myths and legends, religious discrimination, racism, bullying, quests, trust, secrets, identity, belonging, sacrifice, courage, resilience)

League of Liars – Astrid Scholte (15+: Fantasy, magic, mystery, thriller, suspense, criminals and prison worlds, family, friendships, heists, jailbreak, courtroom drama, multiple narrators, twisty, cliff-hanger ending, first in a series, Message to Teachers)

The Girl who fell Beneath the Sea – Axie Oh (14+: Fantasy, Korean mythology, fate and fatalism, courage and resilience, Gods, brides, sacrifices, romance, under-the-sea, spirits of the underworld, family, storytellers and storytelling, feminism)

The Revelry – Katherine Webber (15+: contemporary, flashbacks, small-town America, secrets, curses, memory loss, good and bad luck, friendship, mystery, generational secrets, nature and forests)

Adult Fiction

The Mother – Jane Caro

The Sorrow Stone – Kari Gislason

Primary Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Australia’s Second World War: Sydney Under Attack – Sophie Masson (10+ Australian history, World War II, attack on Sydney harbour, mystery, suspicion, Japanese midget submarines, war correspondence, bravery, family separation, Trailer)

Felix Unlimited – Andrew Norriss (9+ entrepreneurship, kindness, following your dreams, finance management, knowing your limitations, self-belief, honesty, hard work, ambition)

The Howling Hag Mystery – Nicki Thornton (9+ witchery, murder, talking cat, mystery, action, fantasy)

Middle School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Augustine and the Hot Air Balloon – David Metzenthen (11+: Historical, French Revolution, adventure, social inequities, social classes, friendship, secrets, danger, animals, suspense, loyalty, bravery, family, Teacher Notes)

Northwind – Gary Paulson (11+ high stakes survival, cholera, fishing villages, Nordic mythology, adventure, orphan boy, historical Scandinavia, nature)

Spark – Mitch Johnson (10+ the environment, climate change and global warming, ecosystems and conservation, adventure, survival, dystopia, captivity, Teacher Notes)

Secondary School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Growing Up in Flames – Zach Jones (15+: Contemporary, dual narrators, flashbacks, family violence and abuse, neglect, animal abuse (killing birds), fires, identity, belonging, small town, mental health and illness, secrets, counselling, strong language, underage drinking, reference to sexual assaults, intergenerational trauma, survivor guilt, Teaching Notes)

I Must Betray You – Ruta Septys (14+ Romanian history, Nicolae Ceausescu, betrayal, family, fear, communism, risk, guilt, freedom, spying, poverty, survival, mistrust, secret agents)

The Starlight Claim – Tim Wynne-Jones (14+ survival fiction, psychological thriller, secrets, relationships between men—through friendship and fatherhood, toxic masculinity, violence, prisoners, winter storms)

RSO October 2021

October 11, 2021 Riverbend Schools' BookclubLeave a comment

Welcome to Riverbend Standing Orders for October 2021.

We are delighted to bring to you a great selection of titles.

Kind Regards, Pauline and Trish

Picture Books

A Year in Fleurville – Felicita Sala (4+ recipe book, a mini guide to gardening, celebration of food and community, simple cooking instructions)

Horrible Harriet and the Terrible Tantrum – Leigh Hobbs (5+ emotions, jealousy, bad behaviour, friendship, school and humour, Teacher Notes)

Peek and Boo – Coral Vass; illus. Jess Racklyeft (4+ Tawny Frogmouth, Australian birds, love, family, loyalty)

Winston and the Indoor Cat – Leila Rudge (4+ cats, friendship, acceptance, belonging, free spirit, differences, animal behaviour)

Primary Fiction

Dragon Skin – Karen Foxlee (10+ friendship, community, family violence, coercive control and toxic relationships, single-parent families, death, grief, loneliness, outback Australia, adventure, fantasy, dragons, animals, Teacher Notes)

My Brother Ben – Peter Carnavas (9+ brothers, family separation, trust, hope, birds, boats, coming of age, Teacher Notes)

Treasure in the Lake – Jason Pamment (8+ graphic novel, friendship, adventure, ghosts, time-slip and growing up,Teacher Notes)

Wandi – Favel Parrett (7+ dingoes, prey and predators, animal rehabilitation, Australian wildlife, endangered animals, Wandi’s website)

Middle School Fiction

Adam-2 – Alastair Chisholm (10+ science fiction, robots, prototypes, artificial intelligence, dystopia, humanity, mild gun violence)

Hide and Secrets – Sophie McKenzie (12+ thriller, mystery, family secrets, gangs, lies, mild violence)

Pony – R.J. Palacio (11+ Western, historical, ghosts, family separation, abduction, survival, gun fights, mild violence)

Swarm Rising – Tim Peake (10+ action, adventure, science fiction, artificial intelligence, swarm hive, what it means to be human)

Secondary Fiction

Green Rising – Lauren James (14+ political activism, Extinction Rebellion, climate change, consumerism, corruption, industry pollution, Book club discussion notes)

How to Repaint a Life – Steven Herrick (15+ contemporary, dual narrative, romance, family violence, alcoholism, absent mother, runaways, homelessness, loneliness, small town life, friendship, toxic masculinity, Art, acceptance, kindness of strangers, trust, search for belonging, secrets, sexual references, some swearing, mild violence, Teacher’s notes)

If Not Us – Mark Smith (15+ contemporary, male MC, family, small town, environmental, activism, romance, exchange student, some violence and swearing, bullying and male toxicity, mental health issues, courage, Teacher’s notes)

Social Queue – Kay Kerr (15+ contemporary, family, identity, autistic MC, social anxiety, dating apps, journalism, romance, friendships, diversity, humour, post school life, internships, Teacher’s notes)

Adult Fiction

Cloud Cuckoo Land – Anthony Doerr

The Man Who Died Twice (The Thursday Murder Club #2) – Richard Osman

Primary Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths – Maisie Chan; illus. Anh Cao (9+ family, art, culture, grandparents, friendship, expectations, identity)

My Brother Ben – Peter Carnavas (9+ brothers, family separation, trust, hope, birds, boats, coming of age, Teacher Notes)

Treasure in the Lake – Jason Pamment (8+ graphic novel, friendship, adventure, ghosts, time-slip and growing up,Teacher Notes)

Middle School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Adam-2 – Alastair Chisholm (10+ science fiction, robots, prototypes, artificial intelligence, dystopia, humanity, mild gun violence)

Hide and Secrets – Sophie McKenzie (12+ thriller, mystery, family secrets, gangs, lies, mild violence)

Pony – R.J. Palacio (11+ Western, historical, ghosts, family separation, abduction, survival, gun fights, mild violence)

Swarm Rising – Tim Peake (10+ action, adventure, science fiction, artificial intelligence, swarm hive, what it means to be human)

Secondary School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Green Rising – Lauren James (14+ political activism, Extinction Rebellion, climate change, consumerism, corruption, industry pollution, Book club discussion notes)

The Break – Phillip Gwynne (15+ contemporary, male MC, family, identity, father-son (dysfunctional) relationship, expats in Bali, drug smuggling, prison escape, on-the-run, suspense and tension, surfing life, strong language, some violence, minor sub plot – romance

RSO September 2021

September 6, 2021 Riverbend Schools' BookclubLeave a comment

Welcome to Riverbend Standing Orders for September 2021.

We are delighted to bring to you a great selection of titles.

Kind Regards, Pauline and Trish

Picture Books

Big Dog, Little Dog – Sally Rippin; illus. Lucinda Gifford (3+ dogs, blended families, friendship, learning to get along, flexibility, cooperation, family unit)

Maxine – Bob Graham (4+ family, acceptance, being yourself, heroes, Teacher Notes)

The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name – Sandhya Parappukkaran; illus. Michelle Pereira (4+ identity, fitting in, learning new skills, friendship, acceptance, difference, diversity and inclusion, Teacher Notes)

Who’s a Goose? – Scott Stuart (3+ animals, humour, collective nouns, patience)

Primary Fiction

Bailey Finch Takes a Stand – Ingrid Laguna (8+ finding your voice, family, loss, courage, environment, community, Teacher Notes)

Mel and Shell – Julia Lawrinson (8+ Australian history, friendship, conflict, bullying, forgiveness, family, Teacher Notes)

Poison for Breakfast – Lemony Snicket (9+ prequel, cautionary tale, mystery clues, humour, life lessons)

The What on Earth Institute of Wonder – Lisa Nicol (9+ animals, environment, endangered and rare animals, community, cooperation, friendship, family, magical realism)

Middle School Fiction

Always (Felix & Zelda #7)- Morris Gleitzman (10+ the importance of family, racism and persecution, the power of love, the abuse of power, the notion of treasure, narrative structure, narrative voices, Teacher Notes)

Banjo Tully – Justin D’Ath (11+ contemporary, rural communities, farming, environment, climate change, horse-riding, protests, activism, politics, Australian identity, friendships, family, diversity, road trip, Teacher’s Notes)

The Raven Heir – Stephanie Burgis (11+ fantasy, magic, secrets, triplets, family, quest narrative, royalty, adventure, action, twisty)

The Summer We Turned Green – William Sutcliffe (11+ environmental activism and protests, complacency, impassioned call to arms, family drama, humour, social satire)

Secondary Fiction

Defy the Night – Brigid Kemmerer (14+ fantasy, dual narrators, conflict, family, friendship, death and dying, grief and loss, politics, romance, secrets, sickness, survival, suspense, first in a series)

It’s Not You, It’s Me – Gabrielle Williams (14+ contemporary/historical, body swap genre, twists and turns, serial murders of the 80s, family, destiny, second chances, letting go of the past, humour)

My Eyes Are Up Here – Laura Zimmerman (14+ body image, body dysmorphic disorder, friendship, first love, family, sporting, participating in life, standing up to bullies)

Take Me With You When You Go – David Levithan and Jennifer Niven (15+ family violence, contemporary, siblings, missing/runaway teenagers, LGBT characters, friendships, romance relationships, epistolary (via emails), strong language, some violence, dual narrators, two authors)

Adult Fiction

Believe in Me – Lucy Neave

Snow Country – Sebastian Faulks

Primary Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Bailey Finch Takes a Stand – Ingrid Laguna (8+ finding your voice, family, loss, courage, environment, community, Teacher Notes)

Pax: Journey Home – Sara Penny Packer (9+ animals, healing power of love, chosen families, home, war, love, foxes, courage, reliance, bond between humans and animals, sequel)

Poison for Breakfast – Lemony Snicket (9+ prequel, cautionary tale, mystery clues, life lessons)

The What on Earth Institute of Wonder – Lisa Nicol (9+ animals, environment, endangered and rare animals, community, cooperation, friendship, family, magical realism)

Middle School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

The Raven Heir – Stephanie Burgis (11+ fantasy, magic, secrets, triplets, family, quest narrative, royalty, adventure, action, twisty)

The Summer We Turned Green – William Sutcliffe (11+ environmental activism and protests, complacency, impassioned call to arms, family drama, humour, social satire)

Secondary School Fiction (Boys Only Pack)

Anything But Fine – Tobias Madden (15+ identity, gay characters, ballet, romance, friendships, secrets, diverse characters, coming out (being outed), sexual references, bullying, toxic friendships, racism, some swearing, underage drinking)

The Book of the Baku – R.L Boyle (15+ contemporary (but also) paranormal, family, trauma, mutism, death and dying, secrets, flashbacks, art & artists, horror, scary stories, inspired by myths &legends, violence & swearing, suspenseful thriller, dark themes)

The Upper World – Femi Fadugba (15+ thriller, time-travel, quantum physics, poverty, racism, free will, ability to see into the future, gun violence, Netflix adaptation, Author Article)