Cirrus@Austlit

'Marlow Brown: Magician in the Making follows Marlow as she explores becoming a magician and sets out to show her parents what a serious and spectacular magician she really is. Marlow is again joined by her family, friends and teachers who help her demonstrate her skills, even if they don't realise they have become part of the act.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Marlow Brown dreams of being a scientist, but when her chaotic home experiments drive Mum crazy, Marlow runs the risk of being banned from experimenting altogether. Surely there must be something she can do to keep on Mum's good side while still continuing to follow her dream.'

Source: Bookseller's blurb.

'Lucy is about to start high school. She has a cool new friend, Briony, and feels she's outgrown the school holiday 'Overseas Adventures Days' she shares with her grandfather, a retired Geography teacher. When Lucy asks to spend those days with Briony, instead of doing geography research and international craft and cookery with Gramps, her mother refuses and reveals a poignant reason. However, when an emergency threatens more than just Lucy's Fridays with Gramps, she reflects on all they've shared, and what is most important in her life.' (Publication summary)

'I darted into the cemetery and hid behind a tombstone. I hunched myself up, balancing on the balls of my feet, and peered desperately into the night, listening for whoever was out there to make another sound. It was freezing — I had trouble keeping my jaw clamped shut so my teeth didn't chatter.

'Ish's dog is gone. Vanished in a country town. Mum's on holiday, Dad's in Sydney. Ish and his bossy sister, Molly, are staying with Gran. There are no clues. Only something mysterious in the town's graveyard. Then a bully from the local school starts to blackmail Ish. Can things get any worse?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Lucy has always wanted a pet of her own so when her second best friend, Charlotte, tells Lucy she is moving and can’t take Albertine with her, Lucy happily offers to look after her. Lucy’s parents agree to a trial, but things don’t go to plan and Lucy has to find a solution, and fast.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A forbidden foray into an old cellar leads Ish to unearth a startling discovery. When he opens his late Grandpa’s undelivered letter to Mum, Ish is sucked into a vortex of secrets and lies – and one unexpected truth. Now he must live with the consequences. A story about a boy who writes poetry to make sense of his world – and learns that in the face of loss, treachery and deceit, love is what matters.' (Source: Publisher's blurb)

'The Face of Outback Creek
Is your face ace?
Have you got the 'look'?
Then we need you! 

'Hosted by super-model Jennifer Runway, Outback Creek Primary School is running Outback Creek's Next Top Model. The winner will be the star of a social media campaign to attract new enrolments to our school. 

'So what are you waiting for? Sign up to enter now! ' (Publication summary)
 

'Short and Twisted 2016 is a collection of humourous and heartfelt stories and poems with a twist. Those with mystery and intrigue will have you wanting to read on. Whether you are looking for perfection, a chuckle or something to read whilst you relax, Short and Twisted 2016 has something for every reader.' (Publication summary)

'Take one enthusiastic year 6 class, introduce a crazy relief teacher and you have a recipe for unexpected adventures and outcomes. Students of 6B at Outback Creek have a problem. The local Swimming Hole, surrounded by bush that is home to many species of native birds and animals is about to be sold to developers. 6B wants to raise enough money to buy the property but failing that they hope that their next relief teacher might be a billionaire or just a millionaire who will buy the property and save the Swimming Hole and the bush habitat. 6B doesn’t get their millionaire relief teacher but they do get Mr Crikey who bursts into the classroom wrestling a gigantic green and brown snake. He’s a wildlife warrior and just the right person for the task when it comes to helping 6B with their creative solution to outwit the unscrupulous businessman Benjamin Griffith and their two wily classmates, Weasel and Radley. ' (Publication summary)'

'17 YO Kai lives on the streets. The night Rod, his 12 YO autistic brother, comes looking for him, the two steal, crash a car and die. Searching for Rod, Kai finds himself in Hades where he meets dead Bilby-G. As their adventures continue, these youngsters are magically transformed to what they were before Kai became a street-boy and Bilby G. became anorexic. In their efforts to find Rod, the youngsters come across some of the mythical characters as described by Kai’s Greek grandmother before she died: a multi-headed dog. A blind prophet. Twin whirlpools. Three goddesses. A dangerous sea-nymph. The powerful sea-god and his evil one- eyed son.

'This novel’s journey (consisting of 47 poems that trace their journey through the underworld) is based on some of the mythical creatures from Homer’s “Odyssey”.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Ashley lives with her mum, who is not the best mum, so bad in fact that Ashley gets respite foster care!! This is a fast paced story of problems, resourcefulness, and the strength to rebuild a family - recommended read !!' (Publication summary)

'The third book in the Crazy Relief Teacher series. The Year 6B students from Outback Creek need new football goalposts. Is it possible that their game show host relief teacher, Mr Jackpot, can help them win enough money to buy them? Or will the school's neighbours upset their plans to win? Join the students in their game show fun adventure as they try to reach their 'goal'.' (Publication summary)

'Outback Creek Primary School is so remote there are no suitable teachers to fill the grade six vacancy so as a temporary solution the school hires legal-eagle, Ms Law. After a window is broken, Ms Law instantly turns the classroom into a courtroom and sets about planning a trial to determine who is guilty. It looks certain someone will be found guilty until forensic evidence, an expert witness and a scientific explanation of why popcorn pops might convince Ms Law otherwise. Ms Law and the Corn-fusing Case of the Broken Window is the second book in the Crazy Relief Teacher Series.' (Publication summary)

'Outback Creek Primary School is so remote there are no suitable teachers to fill the grade six vacancy. As a temporary solution the school hires Mr Sergeant, who uses his military training techniques to prepare the students for the Annual Dodgeball Challenge between students and a group of super-serious dads. The Dodgeball Challenge is the only sporting event the dads have … making them desperate to extend their dodgeball winning streak. Mr Sergeant and the students must not only battle against the parents, but also two of their classmates: Radley and Weasel. Who is better prepared to win the dodgeball battle? Mr Sergeant and the Dodgeballs of Doom is the first book in the Crazy Relief Teacher Series.' (Publication summary)

'Henry's sister is good at everything, particularly netball and Henry wants to find the sport he is good at.Henry is not built for Aussie Rules footy. He scores for the wrong team in basketball and is left floundering like a fish at the swimming carnival. He declares himself officially hopeless at everything. Grandma Lulu confuses him with her never-ending sayings and suggests Henry look outside the square whatever that means! When he takes her advice, he soon discovers what he is really good at.' (Publication summary)