Cirrus@Austlit

'Skippy Blackfeet feels safe behind the cemetery walls, hidden from the dangers of the outside world. Out there, dogs bark, and cars blare and blast. Out there, people chase him away with the spray of a hose, or the shake of a rolled-up newspaper. Under the shelter of his agapanthus bush, the little black cat is often hungry and lonely … but at least he’s safe.

'When nine-year old May visits the cemetery to lay flowers on her Nonna’s grave, she gets separated from her mother. She’s frightened and tearful, until she meets Skippy Blackfeet whose presence is as calming as a bowl of fresh cream.

'When Mum agrees to let May bring Skippy Blackfeet home, their adventures have only just begun. For starters they need to win May’s dad over. He does not like cats. Especially black cats. Then there’s the fierce neighbourhood dog, birthday party bungles, tumultuous trips to town, fireworks and thunderstorms, and everything in between! But it soon becomes obvious that Skippy Blackfeet and May go together like milk and sardines, and together they can face any challenge.

'Skippy Blackfeet is a heartwarming tale of friendship, acceptance, and belonging that will appeal to anyone who has every questioned their place in the world.' (Publication summary) 

'Four years ago, Millie lost her baby brother Noah before he could be born. She writes a journal to him, exploring her memories and emotions, and thinks about him every day. When she learns her mother is pregnant again, she writes to him about her anxieties. What if the new baby dies like Noah did? Millie takes it upon herself to take care of her mum while she’s pregnant. She cooks, cleans, and brings her mum ginger tea when she feels sick in the morning. At school, she has two close friends, the bubbly extrovert, Charlie, and bookish introvert, Emma, who pull her in two directions. But Chappy Leeann is there to help her sort out her feelings. Working together to support their parents and the drought affecting their sheep farm, Millie grows closer to her older sister Vicky and learns to appreciate the things in her life. As Millie shares all her feelings with Noah, she reassures her precious stillborn baby brother that even after her new sibling is born, she will always be his sister. Throughout it all, Millie learns just how resilient and strong she really is.

'This book contains an important message about the impact of stillborn children on the lives of siblings too, and highlights the importance of school chaplains in their ability to help children through their emotions. Siblings are often overlooked as they grieve the loss of an expected baby.'  (Publication summary)

'Ten-year-old Jerry Ronden is a walking nightmare who can make grown men cry. He sets off firecrackers in his parents’ bed, deploys stink bombs in his own house, and soaps the aisle of the school bus. But his mischief making days are numbered. He discovers a window beneath his mum’s washing line. Eyes glitter behind the window, and a voice calls to Jerry.

'He doesn’t have to wonder long who could be speaking to him. After a day full of his antics at school, the monsters climb out of the window and try to kidnap Jerry and drag him underground. Terrified, Jerry screams he will be good forever. The monsters run away, unable to stand being around a good child. Jerry now knows the monsters only come after children who behave like monsters themselves. They kidnap misbehaving kids and pull them underground, locking them in cages and feeding them until they decide the little troublemakers are ready to be eaten. This doesn’t sound like a bright future to Jerry, so he tries very hard to improve his behavior.

'Eventually, he just can’t do it anymore. In a relapse, he steals a lollipop. As the monsters drag a struggling Jerry to the window in the ground, he knows it’s all over – he doesn’t deserve to be saved, and his parents probably don’t love him anyway. But Mr and Mrs Ronden explode out of the family home, armed with an encyclopaedia and a rolling pin, ready to beat the monsters into submission.
When Mrs Ronden smashes the window, the monsters can’t survive. They collapse into dust, and Jerry is saved. Jerry tells his parents he’s sorry for his awful behavior, and they tell him they feel like they’ve been given a second chance too – a chance to love Jerry better.' (Publication summary)

'A Viking and a Knight are both convinced that they live on the best side of the book. When an argument ensues and each becomes suspicious of their neighbour, their solution is to build walls to keep them safe from the other side. But in their quest to build the better wall, will they fail to see the environmental dangers that threaten both sides of the book?

'A book about differences, choices and looking at the bigger picture, suitable for parents and teachers who are wanting to help children explore interpersonal differences, fear and prejudice.'  (Publication summary)

'Minnie May is afraid of her own Shadow, but Ziggy will help her through.

'Minnie May has tried everything to escape her Shadow. It is in the water, under her bed, reaching from trees, and in the skyscrapers. It is only when she makes herself really small that she can find an escape. But Ziggy isn’t afraid. His shadow is big. Ziggy shows Minnie May all the wonderful things that you can do with your shadow. It can tell time, it can make puppets, and it can even go flying through the air. Minnie May likes her shadow now. She doesn’t want to hide from it anymore.' (Publication summary)

'A dragon tourist may arrive without warning. And you don’t speak a word of Dragon language!

'Don’t panic! Simply read this essential handbook for welcoming your visiting dragon. You will be provided with step-by-step instructions to ensure your dragon has a wonderful time. Your visitor will need to meet the family, learn table manners and go sightseeing. Maybe you’ll even qualify as top host!

'While this hilarious book is full of silliness, it also explores language barriers and non-verbal communication. The heartwarming ending leaves readers with a beautiful message of embracing differences, and how a hug has universal meaning.' (Publication summary)

'After Riz and her friends successfully led the Counterfeit Bust, Riz has discovered her passion for forensic science.

'Riz Chester loves mysteries, and with an interest in forensics she keeps finding crime. But nothing has happened for months. With Riz and her friends itching for a mystery to solve, Riz organises the perfect ‘match-the-tracks’ party for her friends. She prepares moulds and muddy prints ready for everyone to work out what’s what. How could an innocent party get them into trouble?

'Will they solve another mystery? Another forensic science inspired story for young readers.'  (Publication summary)

'Pepper Masalah and the Flying Carpet by Rosanne Hawke is a series of five or more chapter story books featuring an adventurous black cat called Pepper Masalah, and her nine-year-old friend, Zamir. 

'Pepper Masalah lives with Zamir and his family on an olive farm in Australia. Zam’s grandmother is from the old country (Kashmir) and she brought with her an ancient carpet. She believes the carpet can fly, and that it will try to find its previous master in Kashmir. It hasn’t flown for hundreds of years so it is shaky at first, and can’t find its bearings. It lands in many countries on the way to Kashmir, where Pepper Masalah and Zamir have dangerous but exciting adventures.

'In the 4th book, the carpet flies Pepper Masalah and Zamir back in time to find its original owner in Moghul India, who is none other than the ailing Emperor Shah Jahan. They land in Lahore and find the Lahore Fort where a magician is doing a disappearing rope trick. Pepper climbs the rope to escape a bazaar dog and their problems start in earnest. They have arrived in Hindustan at a time of intrigue and Zam is accused of stealing the carpet and is put in the dungeon. How will Pepper and her new friends rescue him? And how can they return home without the carpet? They are lost in time.' (Publication summary)

'Pepper Masalah and the Flying Carpet by Rosanne Hawke is a series of five story books featuring an adventurous black cat called Pepper Masalah, and her nine-year-old friend, Zamir.

'Pepper Masalah lives with Zamir and his family on an olive farm in Australia. Zam’s grandmother is from the old country (Kashmir) and she brought with her an ancient carpet. She believes the carpet can fly, and that it will try to find its previous master in Kashmir. It hasn’t flown for hundreds of years so it is shaky at first, and can’t find its bearings. It lands in many countries on the way to Kashmir, where Pepper Masalah and Zamir have dangerous but exciting adventures.

'In the 5th book, the carpet flies Pepper Masalah and Zamir to Kashmir and lands in the aftermath of a modern-day earthquake. When Pepper is kidnapped and locked in an animal shelter by some thieves, she meets a snow leopard, a cat, and a woman named Jani, who reminds her of Zamir’s Dadi. Despite Pepper’s clever plan to release the animals and reunite with Zamir, the new group cannot evade the thieves. It seems only Jani will be able to help. Will Zamir and Pepper find a way to escape? Or will Jani’s secret change everything?'  (Publication summary)

'Amanda and her two best friends, Lucia and Mai, are the Dolphin Squad. They live by the beach, hang out in HQ and solve all sort of problems. Amanda Commander is nearly nine and there is nothing she loves more than hanging out with her two best friends at HQ, making all sorts of plans and solving all kinds of problems. Amanda Commander is kind, loyal and a natural-born leader. But even school can be a battlefield sometimes, so sometimes Amanda and her Squad need a plan just to survive. Written for ages 6- 8,'  (Publication summary)

'It’s 1993. Beth McMaugh is eleven years old and about to start her final year of middle school. Her best friend since kindergarten is Ashlee, but Ashlee is changing. She wears surf brand clothes now, and watches teenage TV and knows all the words to all the songs by Girlfriend and Peter Andre. Beth is terrified of losing her when they get to senior school, but Ashlee assures her that grade six is going to be the best year ever.

'On the first day, though, Beth enters her new homeroom to find Ashlee sitting with Kristy, Abbi and Nikki – the popular girls. The mean girls. What is Beth going to do? Ashlee can’t really want to be one of them. They must have trapped her into being part of their group, through some sort of heinous bribery. Beth has to save Ashlee, but how? 

'Further complicating matters, there is a new kid in class – a strange, loud, smart kid from Brisbane, called Jools, who listens to Queen and is obsessed with science fiction and all things nerdy. So obsessed that, on her first day at her new school, she starts the Cooee Middle School Nerd Club and she wants Beth to be her first member – despite the fact that Beth has never even seen Star Wars!

'Behind all of this – behind everything – is a secret from Beth’s past, a secret so terrible it stays with her, every day, whispering in her ear: Wash your hands.

'Behind everything is that day at the beach, when Kristy saw her in her worst moment. Is that why Ashlee doesn’t want to be friends with Beth anymore? Is that why her mother doesn’t want to be near her? Has Beth ruined everything? And if she has, can a nerdy girl with mismatched socks, a rebellious punk, a popular boy and a science fiction movie trilogy set it all to right?

'Real Friends, by Shannon Hale, meets Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, meets The Friendship Matchmaker, by Randa Abdel Fattah, this is a story of growing up, of friendship, of finding your tribe and unlocking your hidden talents ... plus Star Wars.'  (Publication summary)

'Two apples plus three oranges.
Does that make five orples? NO!
It's still two apples and three oranges.

'Join the adventurous cat and her friends for an interactive counting and adding challenge. But dont get too mixed up! In this quirky maths breaking counting book readers can engage with all the different ways you can go WRONG in adding like terms In this quirky maths following and slightly maths breaking counting book readers engage with all the different ways you can go wrong in adding like terms. Maths teachers can use this book to help children understand basics as they are introduced to algebra and patterns. Written in a way that you can interact with the reader. An alternate counting book with a fun outlook demonstrating why you cant add things that arent the same.

'Children and teens easily mix up their addition in algebra. In this fun picture book for kids its fun to learn that apples and oranges dont make orples! This book can be used with older children, learning support and in other areas to help students with understanding why you cant mix and match.'  (Publication summary)

'Beneath the waters of a calm bay, seahorses hide from predators, feed on shrimp, and raise their young. But when a storm destroys their habitat, they are left without food and nowhere to hide. Until, a Marine Biologist comes up with a clever invention to provide them with shelter and food while the natural environment recovers.' (Publication summary)

'Our lives are measured by the places we hold dear, the people we love and the paths we have trodden. So, who better to tell our stories than the shoes we wear? Boots, exactly as the title suggests, describes a beloved pair of working boots. Through their endearing perspective, this picture book narrates the life of a cattle farmer and his love of the Australian bush. Written in simple, but lyrical prose, Boots breathes life into a generation of hardworking men and women, their humble lifestyles, and an unforgiving landscape that is intrinsic to the Australian identity. With themes of love, loss, old age, hardship and resilience, and references to drought, flood, bushfire and war, Boots provides a candid glimpse into the trials and tribulations of one man’s life. While this story paints a gentle portrait of an 'everyday hero', Boots celebrates a much broader facet of the Australian national spirit, and most importantly, it reminds readers of the universal importance of making each moment of our own finite lives count, even in the face of an unpredictable future.' (Publication summary)

'What would you do if you were about to lose your best friend … forever. Grace the Amazing is a story that GLOWS. Quirky, original, and endearing, it’s filled with fun, laughter, tears, and totally relatable childhood moments that will forever find a place in your heart. Grace Marshall is eleven years old. She’s curious and precocious, stubborn and determined, creative and eccentric. She dreams of becoming many things when she grows up, including a magician called Grace the Amazing! Grace may be little, but she has big emotions and a million burning questions that demand answers. Her only friend is her art teacher, Pamela. When Grace discovers that Pamela is dying, the fragile certainties that existed in Grace’s world threaten to slip away. She embarks on a journey to find a cure for Pamela using miraculous magic and while doing so she asks the big questions about life, love, friendship, and death. Some of the answers she uncovers will surprise both Grace and readers. Covering issues of family, friendship, finding yourself, mental health, love, loss, animals, brilliant teachers who can change your life, and everything in between. For ages 8+.' (Publication summary)

'Amanda and her two best friends, Lucia and Mai, are the Dolphin Squad. They live by the beach, hang out in HQ and solve all sort of problems. Amanda Commander is nearly nine and there is nothing she loves more than hanging out with her two best friends at HQ, making all sorts of plans and solving all kinds of problems. Amanda Commander is kind, loyal and a natural-born leader. But even school can be a battlefield sometimes, so sometimes Amanda and her Squad need a plan just to survive. When Amanda returns to school after having a sick day, she finds fitting back into the friendship group tricker than she imagined. Amanda makes a plan, with the help of the Dolphin Squad, to go out of their way and include anyone. But when Eve is sick and has a few days off school, how will Amanda ensure Eve doesn't have a blues-day back at school just like she did?

'It's OPERATION WELCOME BACK!

'Amanda tries everything to make Eve feel included, even when it means being left out herself.' (Publication summary)

'The carpet is shot at over Afghanistan and the Simurgh (a giant bird from Persian folklore) snatches Pepper from the carpet to feed her young when they hatch. The carpet is disorientated without Pepper and disappears after Zam falls off. He makes the long climb up the mountain to find Pepper. How will they get home to Australia without the carpet?'  (Publication summary)