Cirrus@Austlit

'Isaac is running from his old life when he steps off the bus in a small town. He doesn’t plan on sticking around and has nowhere to stay, but a local café owner's kindness offers him a chance to change his story. Then Isaac meets Sophie and learns he’s not the only one wanting to repaint his life.

'As he did so masterfully with The Simple Gift, Steven Herrick delves into the universal themes of rising above the past and taking control of your future.' (Publication summary)

'With their new teacher’s help, the kids in Class 5D ride to school together in a bicycle bus. Olivia can fix a puncture in two minutes and Max can ride on one wheel. Lily wishes she wasn’t quite so wobbly and Jordi’s been waiting forever to ride on the road. Dylan has a speedy getaway from alley cats, Dabir’s glad to be part of a group and Zoe’s bike even has a name (Esmeralda). Everyone loves their new way of getting to school.

'But there’s a narrow stretch on Fishers Road with no white line to separate the cyclists from the local traffic, so Zoe and Max decide they need to make it right (even if that means breaking a few rules).'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'There are worse things than school.'

'Luke sleepwalks through his days wagging school, swimming at the reservoir and eating takeaway pizza.

'That is until Charlotte shows up.

'Rumour is she got expelled from her city school and her family moved to the Blue Mountains for a fresh start.

'But when Luke's invited to her house, he discovers there's a lot more going on than meets the eye.' (Publication summary)