Cirrus@Austlit

'Alex Brownlie reckons that something funny is going on with the big bullant nest on the hill behind his house. But it takes the arrival of his audacious cousin, Violet, who ignites a chain of events that ultimately lead to both Violet and Alex exploding into a world where they are definitely the odd ones’ out.

'Queen Hooey’s Nest is the story of the biggest and best bullant nest on Mount Majura.

'The Queen, Queen Hooey, is the number one ticket holder, former most beautiful and popular young bullant queen and owner of the enormous brain that creates the space for cousins Violet and Alex to move from human world to insect world.

'The characters that come alive on the mountain begin with Queen Hooey, and her suite of adoring attendants. A number of her able bodied children, including the courageous and cool-headed Prince Reggie and the slightly less courageous Nobby, are personally appointed to escort the human children on their quest across the insect world.

'They meet, among others, three out cast, outlaw, bad tempered, Inchmen. The longest and most ferocious ants in the world! Queen Hooey’s Nest is a very Australian tale of our flora and fauna told in the spirit of a timeless and endless summer holiday. Adventure runs into adventure, great friendships are discovered and the unreal becomes real in a world where an insect microcosm comes to life.' (Publication summary)

'Bwembya's mother is a story of the journey of a woman who shows courage and resilience in the face of adversity. The story gives an insight into the challenges of living with the inevitability of the loss of a child with a rare metabolic disorder. In between the sadness there are great joys and celebration of life at every turn. Bwembya's mother did not let what happened to her define who she was, she let what happened to her refine who she became. A person who found her voice and spoke up for herself, her child and for other people.' (Publication summary)

'Annie goes to visit her friend Tia, who is a fairy, every day after school. During these visits Annie magically turns into a fairy herself and she has a lot of fun learning how to fly and perform magic tricks. Annie joins in the excitement when a new fairy joins Tia's community.

'Meanwhile, at school, Annie gets to know a new girl named Sophie. Unfortunately, Sophies sits with the popular girls who are sometimes mean to Annie. Annie's birthday approaches and she has a horrible day-everything goes wrong. But when she blows out her candles and makes her birthday wish she wishes that one day Sophie will be her friend. Can Annie's birthday wish really come true?' (Publication summary)

'Kaaren Sutcliffe delivers a richly layered fantasy tale with intrigue, romance and compelling characters. The trilogy weaves together a young spy mage on a covert mission, a rogue half-mage, an alluring bird caller with uncanny abilities. A fiercely competitive dragon boat teams and river dragons with a hidden past seeking amends from a Mages' Guild founded on deception.

'A grumpy river dragon withholds rain. Their crops wilting in unrelenting sunlight, the provinces plan a festival of dragon boat races to appease the dragon.

'But someone doesn't agree ... As the incidents of sabotage mount, Riverfall sends a desperate messenger to the aloof Mages' Guild, hidden behind its deadly warded wall.

'Mage Everand, a spy, is astounded when his master sends him to Riverfall to find out what's going on.

'The catch? 'Under no circumstances, none whatsoever, reveal your identity.'

'The undercover mission unfolds with layer upon layer of intrigue, until Everand starts to question everything he believes.

'The alluring boatwoman, Lamiya, insists on helping him, making it increasingly difficult to conceal his purpose - and retain control of his heart.

'Everand faces an irate dragon, a rogue half-mage and, worst of all, a legacy of treachery and secrets underpinning the foundation of his beloved Guild.

'Can he save the provinces and make things right without sacrificing his soul and sense of self?'(Publication summary)

'This family's road trip is a special journey. It is a trip of discovery as they make their way around Australia, as well as an opportunity to grow as a family.

'Daniel Beauglehole has woven his experience of travel and his knowledge of the challenges facing those on the Autism Spectrum.'  (Publication summary)

'Annie is an eight year old girl who doesn't have many friends. One day while walking by the creek, she meets a fairy named Tia. They get to know each other and a whole new world of fun, friendship, singing, games and magic opens up for Annie. But when Tia's community is thrown into danger, will Annie be able to save the day?

'Kristine Fitzgerald brings to life the lovable characters Annie and Tia. Join them in their magical adventures in The Ring of Toadstools; an exciting read for all ages.' (Publication summary)

'Come take an adventure around Australia. Meet a dingo dancing to the didge. Catch a kangaroo kissing a koala. Spot an echidna and elephant exercising. Did you know quokkas ride quadbikes? The Awesome Aussie Alphabet is an Australian themed picture book filled with fun, quirky characters introducing the 26 sounds and letters of the alphabet. The book incorporates pictorial mnemonics for each of the lower and upper case letters. This is an innovative evidence-based approach to assist beginning readers to remember and identify letters.' (Publication summary)

'One beautiful night Lily Luna is looking up at the night sky and dreams to travel to the stars. When a bright shooting star is falling through the sky she makes a wish. Later that night she wakes up dressed in a space suit and her bed transformed into a flying capsule. Together with her furry friend Pollux, the ginger cat, they embark on a beautiful and adventurous journey through space.'  (Publication summary)

'I Really Want to Fly is an inspirational story in poetry form expressing the dreams of James Mckenzie, a young boy on the land, and his desire to help his family and others whose farms are gripped by a drought. His simple solution is to round up the clouds in his imaginary biplane and water the land. Filled with colourful illustrations by the author, Shane Potter, this delightful story will grip the imaginations of young and old alike.'   (Publication summary)

'A mother Hummingbird travelled across the mountains, valleys and hills; looking for a specific seed. Little did she know that she needn't have to travel far, to find what she was looking for. Will she find the magical seed?'   (Publication summary)

'When Gordeff discovers a wall while hiking in the mountains near his village in far northern Russia and sees the terrifying creatures for himself, he realises the stories about King Dhul-Qarnayn are all true. When he later witnesses the collapse of the Last Great Barrier, he knows it will not be long before the nations of Gog and Magog (Yajouj wa majouj) pour forth to wreak their brutal vengeance on an unsuspecting world. 

'Set in the not-too-distant future after a devastating global war, the author Sam Chehade tells in his novel, The Chasm of Hell, of Gordeff's epic journey to warn humanity of the danger it faces. In a society where most forms of technology - including electricity and explosive weaponry - have been banned, Gordeff and his three companions must find a way to cross the continent and collaborate with both the ruling Candlelight Party and the rebel forces that oppose it. 

'Nothing less than the fate of the human race is at stake.'  (Publication summary)

'Set in the 19th century, author Mike McCluskey tells a gripping family saga, that will enthral the reader in this suspenseful  story.  

'With courage and determination an extraordinary woman uncovers deceit, betrayal and murder in her pioneering family's past. Born in 1884 at a NSW Northern Tablelands homestead, Grace O'Connell is burdened with illegitimacy. Overcoming prejudice and persecution she gains love, happiness and fortune. Despite her triumphs she cannot escape the spectre of evil and immorality that haunts her adventurous life. With faith and tenacity she strives to atone for the sinful legacy of her inheritance. Yet, probing too deeply, she reveals shocking secrets that should have remained buried with the dead forever.' (Publication summary)

'Set in Queensland Australia between the years 1895 to 1910, about the time of the Federation, Isabel is a compelling tale of forbidden love, jealousy and bonds that shaped a woman's life, much through emotion and the triumph of the human spirit. Isabel defies the traditions of the times to maintain her beliefs and ideals against all odds. Even after her lover's death, she is still not sure whether a life is possible with any other man, when the past returns with haunting thoughts.'  (Publication summary)

'A young man, who has recently joined a highly respectable real estate firm in Double Bay, has his carefree lifestyle turned upside down when he finds himself entangled in a murder investigation involving his employers. When an old fellow goes missing after an Open Inspection at a gated property that he’s selling in the Southern Highlands, the young man suspects his boss’s wife of foul play.

'Society heavyweights, his principal Bruce Lawton and wife Claire are smart successful and gregarious, often throwing Gatsby-esque parties, attending country horseracing events and running celebrity art auctions for Sydney’s rich and powerful. When they become the prime suspects in a number of real estate homicides and a kidnapping, the Press is quick to label the investigations surrounding them, ‘The Lawtongate Saga’. Initially the agent’s beautiful wife appears to be above suspicion, but her charmed life gradually unravels and with each desperate attempt to cover her tracks, the psychopath becomes more and more dangerous, until the young protagonist who is holding some damning evidence against her, finds that he is her next victim.' (Publication summary)

'Dennis J. McTaggart, in his fourth book of short stories, once again throws you into a whirlpool of danger and intrigue as Teddy and his team plunder the reefs for abalone. Tom, Curly, and the new diver Bluey, all work together as a successful team, with their eyes peeled for the ever present Fisheries Officers. 

'Barry has to make a confession to Hilda and runs the risk of displeasing Teddy. 

'There is danger about for the beautiful Leckie, and of course, the team goes in head first to assist her. 

'They hit the New Zealand Star Bank again, and if the deep water isn’t bad enough, Teddy tangles with a sick and injured White Pointer shark who is looking for an easy meal. 

'Wallace P. Trotter and his side-kick James, wrack their brains to try and catch Teddy and his crew in the act, along with Piggy’s superior Brian. They struggle and struggle. They seem to get so close, yet they just miss them, time and time again. 

Teddy is engaged in sorting things out after a robbery and finds himself in a tough place when he runs into trouble with a different mob of Bikers. 

'Jean, the widow of Freddy an old Painter, and Docker stirs up trouble for Dean and Teddy, and they are faced with extreme danger. 

'This book is an exciting read for those who like a bit of action, told in the author’s distinctive manner. Come along for the ride, you’ll find yourself mixing with strange people, that you may not know ever existed. Be solid.' (Publication summary)