Cirrus@Austlit

'A chance meeting between a boy on his morning bike ride and an old lady from a nursing home leads to a series of adventures that have life-changing consequences for three children from the Hills district.

'Set in Parramatta, Castle Hill and among the orange groves of Kenthurst, The Claddagh is a story of a search for identity.'

Source: publisher's blurb

There's smoke over the hills, but nobody in Edenville seems too concerned, even though it's fire season and the bush is tinder-dry. Luke has made friends in this town, his mum has found a job she likes, and it's starting to look as if they'll stay for a while. But Luke knows that good things don't last, and everything he has come to rely on is threatened by a much bigger event, one that could destroy everyone and everything. (Source: Google Books)

'"Right from the start, Elvis refused to be ignored. He pushed his way into our lives and made himself part of our family. Sometimes I think he was even more important that the rest of us." When a foal becomes part of Matt's family, the trouble really begins. This is a tale of one boy's determination, a family's struggle to stay together, and a foal that touches their lives.' (Publication summary)

'All stories link to the curriculum theme of ‘Like Me’.

'School, home, family and where you fit concerns eight to ten year olds. Wanting to be like everybody else is common, but… we are all different. So a sense of humour helps.

'And diverse viewpoints, even a cat, insect or a Reading Dog. The stories provide this experience.

'Issues of handling differences, death, bravery, names and imaginative problem solving, using fun. Family issues such as fostering & visit day and where you fit in a changing family or school. All stories have been widely used.

'A special collection from multi-award winning, Australian children’s author, Hazel Edwards.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A stray dog finds a family who takes it in and it becomes the family pet. What follows is an exciting story of how this pet turns their lives around and what lengths they have to go to in order to keep it. Will the family succeed? The Dog with the Golden Paws is also about the love that exists between humans and dogs and the enrichment that a pet brings into people’s lives.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'All stories link to the curriculum theme of ‘Like Me’.

'School, home, family and where you fit concerns eight to ten year olds. Wanting to be like everybody else is common, but… we are all different. So a sense of humour helps.

'And diverse viewpoints, even a cat, insect or a Reading Dog. The stories provide this experience.

'Issues of handling differences, death, bravery, names and imaginative problem solving, using fun. Family issues such as fostering & visit day and where you fit in a changing family or school. All stories have been widely used.

'A special collection from multi-award winning, Australian children’s author, Hazel Edwards.'

source: Publisher's blurb.

'When Melbourne based 18 YO Taylor, finds herself in 1928 Berlin, she tries to stop the world heading into the second world war.

In 2017 Taylor and her grandfather, are exploring an old building in East Berlin once known as The Hummingbird Theatre and Restaurant. Taylor is angry with her two closest friends and frustrated by being advised not to apply to tertiary dance institutes.  When she wanders into an unrenovated section, hit by a falling cornice piece, she regains consciousness in 1928…

Rom Lewinsky, the Hummingbird’s junior manager, takes her home to his impoverished family. The only way Taylor can survive is by dishwashing, clearing tables, sharing a tiny room with dancer Juliet, and eventually joining her dance troupe. Rom and Juliet are in love, but Juliet’s stepfather, a member of the growing Fascist party, refuses to give Juliet permission to marry a Jew…'

Source: Author's blurb.

'Alongside Merri’s slow coming of age, we follow Stuart Macbeth’s rise and fall in the corporate world.

Home from Europe quarter way through her gap year, the only work 19YO Merri finds is as the Macbeths’ nanny. Sexually confused and lonely, she breaks with Mica, her female lover after developing a crush on her employer, the charming Stuart Macbeth.

Lorna, Stuart’s wife, exploits Merri, who overhears Lorna persuade Stuart to follow three Internet Gurus’ advice on taking over as chairman of SA Developments. Stuart uses Merri to confide how he destroys his old boss Duncan, and his best friend Banquo, and buys information on business colleagues.  As the year progresses, still taking the Internet Gurus’ advice, Stuart becomes increasingly obsessed with maintaining power, though always loathing his own excesses…'

Source: Author's blurb.

'After Prospero destroys a small space-ship owned by his brother Alonso, and Miranda and Ferdie fall in love, Ariel and the young couple are kidnapped by Caliban and flown to the dangerous planet of Trytth.

Prospero, the rightful CEO of Naples2Meta-Planetory-Corporation and his daughter Miranda, have been exiled by Prospero’s brother Alonso to an isolated spaceship where the aliens Ariel and Caliban also live. Prospero destroys Alonso’s small spaceship, but rescues the seven men on board. When Ferdie and Miranda meet, they fall instantly in love. Attempts by Zacharius and Antonio to murder Alonso, and Caliban and the comedians Trinithi and Stephano to take over the ship, are foiled by Prospero and Ariel. However, during an elaborate betrothal ceremony where Alonso apologizes to Prospero for having wronged him, Caliban steals a tube of ‘Blue Power’ and flies Ariel and four humans to the tropical but dangerous planet of Trytth…'

Source: Author's blurb.

'Spud the pet.

'Spud the companion.

'Spud the work dog.

'Spud the wild dog.

'Spud the mother.

'Spud the hunted.

'This dramatic and compelling tale of a blue heeler will touch the hearts of all readers. John Heffernan's vivid portrayal of life in the bush is written from first-hand experience. Spud is the author's own loyal companion on his property in northern New South Wales and was the inspiration for the story.'

Source: Publisher's blurb (2017 ed.)

'This book of Animal Antics will delight younger and older readers as Graeme Wilson brings a cast of animal characters to life through his humorous verse. You'll meet a cooking Kookaburra, an owl with astigmatism, a seasick seahorse and many more!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Claude is very big for his age. He has been teased about his size all his life, especially by Tom De Silva, "the school champion of everything". He's too slow to be good at running, football, soccer, swimming - any sport.Then he meets Mario, a small, skinny boy, and his life changes. Mario Milano, named after a famous wrestler, is a wrestler himself, and he can see Claude's potential. He begins training Claude in a makeshift ring set up in his backyard. Claude and Mario, professionally known as "Whitetail" ("small but lethal, that's me") become friends as they train for an exhibition bout celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of a famous charity bout.Then Claude discovers something about his father, who has passed away - something that links him with Mario, and with the wrestler who took part in that famous bout all those years ago. In the process he learns something about himself, and he knows he must win the exhibition bout not only for himself, but also for his father.' (Publication summary)

Troy's band, Laser Death, is being called 'Lethal Breath', his parents have separated, and his sister Grace is going out with the King of the Neanderthals!

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Easter Day begins very badly for Lucy and Sam.

'Chips is half dingo, saved from a cruel death. A new life in the city promises safety for him. But as he grows, his wild dingo blood begins to stir and he hears a call he cannot resist.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'David Martinesi is a first-generation Italian Australian growing up in an inner-city suburb. He is fighting the shadows cast by his Italian upbringing, and this summer he is quietly waiting for change. 

'Change comes when he is befriended by confident, street-wise Nathan.

'But tragedy comes too…'

Source: Publisher's blurb (2016 ed.).

'It is the year 20,043 AD. Pya, Zumi, Jafet and Trist – known as the Hatchlings – live in tiny Cells, are cared for by their tutor-holos, and can only communicate via their avatars. Pya narrates how the giant computer ComCen sends their real bodies back to the mid 21st (2043 AD) Century where they meet the twins, Rio and Charlie. But even if these six very quarrelsome youngsters manage to survive in a very dangerous world, they must also achieve Independence and Co-operation.' (Publication summary)