y separately published work icon Lightning Strikes series - publisher   children's fiction   children's  
Issue Details: First known date: 2008... 2008 Lightning Strikes
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Includes

y separately published work icon Going for Broke Megan McKinlay , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008 Z1491143 2008 single work children's fiction children's adventure 'Nathan Foley is tired of watching other kids receive awards at assembly for great achievements, so he hatches a plan to do something amazingly amazing by breaking a record in the Amazing World Records book. With little planning but lots of daring, Nathan and his mates make numerous attempts at a variety of World Record feats: from longest airborne jump by bicycle, to fastest furniture, and even fastest onion-eating. Each attempt is unsuccessful and quite frequently painful, and just as the boys are about to admit defeat, they discover that they indeed have broken a record the most world record attempts in 48 hours!'(From the publisher's website.) Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008
y separately published work icon Jinxed Jill McDougall , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008 Z1491164 2008 single work children's fiction children's 'After accidentally smashing her next-door neighbour's pet python's tank, Jinx has to come up with a plan for some fast cash to pay for a new tank, so she devises a number of schemes, but they all end in disaster! Just when Jinx is about to give up, something comes up that gives Jinx the chance to use her talent for comedy and pay back her debts at the same time.' (Publisher's blurb) Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008
y separately published work icon Queasy Rider James Roy , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008 Z1491212 2008 single work children's fiction children's 'Thicky and Nobby find an old discarded bike near the railway tracks. Nobby thinks the bike is rubbish; Thicky, however, can see "potential" and they hatch a plan: each rider puts twenty cents in a jar, and the person who dares to ride the bike to the bottom of the hill, wins the loot. But who will it be?' (Publisher's blurb) Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008
y separately published work icon Sucked In John Parker , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008 Z1491392 2008 single work children's fiction children's 'Zainey is extremely small for his age and the brunt of many a joke from his mates. So when Zainey sees a strange ad for real body parts, he decides to sell his bike and use the money to buy an eye to make him taller. How can an eye make him taller? Has Zainey has totally lost it? And when the 'eye' arrives, it is more than anyone expected -- this eye is alive; this eye is after blood.' (Publisher's blurb) Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008
y separately published work icon Black Baron Robyn Opie , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008 Z1514984 2008 single work children's fiction children's

'Black Baron, Jake's champion racing cockroach, hasn't lost a race and Jake is on top of the world. But then his mum decides to clean up his bedroom and discovers Black Baron in a shoebox under Jake's bed. Mum is aghast – how could Jake keep such a filthy pest? But Black Baron escapes and Jake's Mum calls the pest exterminator and a humorous slapstick tale ensues.

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008
y separately published work icon Heart of Magic Penny Matthews , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008 Z1514991 2008 single work children's fiction children's

'A magical story of friendship and fate in the exciting new Lightning Strikes series.

Shy Stacey Bunn and outgoing Twyla Popovic are exact opposites but also the best of friends. On the day of Twyla s birthday, Stacey and Twyla are set go to the Royal Show. But their horoscopes tell them that their best friend is going to betray them! The events of the day prove the prediction to be spot on but with the help of a mysterious fortune teller, the girls manage to put things right.

  • Lightning Strikes is a fun new series of fast-paced and fun stories, with eye-catching cover effects, by Australian and NZ authors.
  • Other Lightning Strikes titles include: "The Great Shave", "Black Baron", "Going for Broke", "Jinxed", "Queasy Rider", "Oddball" and "Sucked in".
  • Featuring a sample chapter of Lightning Strikes book "Jinxed".' (Publication summary)
Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008
y separately published work icon Oddball Janeen Brian , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008 Z1515003 2008 single work children's fiction children's

'In a moment of temporary insanity, Sol Tranter challenges school bully, Aggo, to a game of handball – and what's worse he blurts out that he is going to beat Aggo using hypnotism. Sol is miserable and desperate in equal measures, and with no plan forthcoming, he hopes for a miracle. Things begin to look up after a chance encounter with his old next door neighbour, but in the end, it's Sol's wit that sees him through.' (Publication summary)

Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008
y separately published work icon Egghead Clare Scott , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008 Z1517984 2008 single work children's fiction children's

'When their teacher sets a class experiment to look after an egg for a whole week as though it were a baby the class is excited but it's going to be a l-o-n-g week. Soon, there are several casualties and Paddy is devastated when, at the end of the week, the school bully smashes his egg all over his head. He is further humiliated when footage of the incident turns up on YouTube! But disaster is soon turned into triumph with an unexpected ending.

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008
y separately published work icon The Meteorite Kid Carol Faulkner , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008 Z1517989 2008 single work children's fiction children's 'The Meteorite Kid is the story of a girl, Morgan Mayne, who unexpectedly catches a strange, unearthly object that falls from the sky during a school baseball game. This mysterious object turns out to be a meteorite that has a strange power over anyone who holds it. As Morgan is the only one who can touch the meteorite without having a terrible feeling, she takes possession of it. But has it taken possession of her? She soon finds out she has been chosen to protect this object and it's not quite what she thinks: it's a living thing - an egg - and it's about to hatch. A new story in the Lightning Strikes series for children ages 9-14.'--Provided by publisher. Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008
y separately published work icon The Great Shave Clare Scott , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008 Z1586215 2008 single work children's fiction children's

'A wild and colourful adventure in the exciting new Lightning Strikes series.

'Stix reckons he's the Screaming Greenie Meanies biggest fan, so when the band holds a concert in his town, Stix and his mates just have to go. And to get into the spirit of the event, they decide to dye their hair green. Stix s mates use green hair mousse – but there's not enough for Stix. In desperation he uses green food colouring, and the consequences are devastating. But Stix is able to use his misfortune to his advantage and becomes a legend instead of a joke!

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2008
y separately published work icon Freaky Sue Whiting , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2009 Z1588658 2009 single work children's fiction children's

'A story about a boy staying with his prickly cactus-devotee relatives, who discovers one of their plants is not only rare – it's totally freaky!

'When Jayden's parents go off on their second honeymoon, he's forced to stay with his eccentric and prickly cactus-devotee relatives. But Jayden's boredom turns to distress when his aunt and uncle bring home an unusual cactus. There's just something spooky about it. And when it starts shaking and increasing in size, he knows his instincts are right. Jayden soon discovers that it's an extremely rare and dangerous cactus that houses a nest of tarantula eggs!

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2009
y separately published work icon The Master Geoff Havel , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2009 Z1588666 2009 single work children's fiction children's Rick lives on a farm with his mum and his grandfather. They're a normal family except for one thing: Rick and his Grandpa are engaged in a constant battle of practical jokes. They each try to out do the other and claim the title of The Master. Of course, Grandpa thinks that his grandson has much to learn from him but Rick thinks otherwise, and vows to show him who the master really is. He comes up with what he thinks is an unbeatable prank involving a life-size inflatable cow. But will Rick take things too far in his quest to win this battle of wits? And will Grandpa even survive the ultimate prank? (Libraries Australia record) Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2009
y separately published work icon Dog Squad Meredith Costain , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2009 Z1618321 2009 single work children's fiction children's Jez has a problem. Having racked up debt Jez needs money. Fast. He decides to get a loan from a boy called Cripppler, but finds he is stuck with a new problem: Crippler wants to be paid back, now. So with the help of his best mate, Cheezel, he stumbles on a plan to find the mayor's missing dog and make a mozza off the reward money! (Publication summary)) Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2009
y separately published work icon The Big Dig Megan McKinlay , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2009 Z1621741 2009 single work children's fiction children's Ronnie, Weasel and Nathan spend every summer at the local pool. So when they arrive on opening day to find the pool is closed, the boys are devastated! Summer is looking dire... until Nathan comes up with the idea to build their own pool in his mum's backyard! Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2009
y separately published work icon Sucked Out John Parker , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2010 7659845 2010 single work children's fiction children's

'Can Zainey and Dan capture the creature in the school heating system?

'When there's a creature on the loose in the school heating system, Zainey and Dan need to capture it before it finds a new home, or a new host!

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2010
y separately published work icon Dead Certain Sally Gould , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2011 Z1758802 2011 single work children's fiction children's humour 'At Uncle Jack's funeral, Max discovers he's the only person who knows Jack wanted to be buried next to his dad, not cremated. Max races against the clock to help out his uncle one last time ... even if that means stealing the body.' (From the publisher's website.) Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2011
y separately published work icon Camp Croc Trudie Trewin , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2011 7659551 2011 single work children's fiction children's

'Camp Trib is legendary. Daks is finally there after years of waiting. But so are two wildlife smugglers. Who should Daks and his mates be more afraid of? The smugglers? Or the wildlife?

  • Action-packed adventure full of humour
  • Well-crafted story which truly reflects kids and their desire to go to school camp
  • Aiming at 9-14 year old age group especially those who haven t yet been struck by the reading bug. Similar readership to Penguin s Aussie Chomp series, but with a more graphic and funky approach to try to appeal to a wider audience.'(Publication summary)
Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2011
y separately published work icon Spaced Out Moya Simons , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2011 7659756 2011 single work children's fiction children's science fiction

'A sci-fi adventure packed with robots, rockets, sledge-racing and fascinating inventions.

'Centuria a planet full of new technology and fascinating inventions. A great place for Jesse to spend his two hundred and fifty space credits he's brought with him from Earth. But when he rescues human-like robot boy, Michael, Jesse must go deep into the Farlands around the city. Will he be able to help Michael find his family? And will he be able to get back to Earth?

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2011
y separately published work icon I Dare You Aleesah Darlison , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2012 7659698 2012 single work children's fiction children's

'How far would you go for a dare?

Ben is set to start at his new school and he knows he s going to hate it. His bike, Marley, has been confiscated. His little brother embarrasses him at every step. And his mum s just started a new job so she has no time for him. Life couldn t be worse until Ben gets forced to do a series of high-risk dares by the school bully.

  • Deals with themes of brotherly love, coping with change, acceptance and having the strength to stand up for yourself.' (Publication summary)
Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2012
y separately published work icon Spitting Image James Roy , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2012 7659799 2012 single work children's fiction children's

'The afro-wigged, eye make-up wearing alpacas have escaped! Charlie and Helen need to get them back into their pen before anyone notices. If they can t, there ll be trouble. But how do you catch an animal that is out to get you?' (Publication summary)

Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2012
y separately published work icon Wreck the Halls Megan McKinlay , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2012 7659886 2012 single work children's fiction children's

'A hilarious new Lightning Strikes story featuring characters from Going for Broke and The Big Dig.

$500 prize money! Yes! This Christmas decorating comp is too easy. Decorations? No sweat. Strategy? Who needs it? What on earth could go wrong?

  • A new title by Meg McKinlay which continues the adventures of characters from her previous Lightning Strikes titles, Going for Broke and The Big Dig
  • Meg s illustrated fiction title Duck for a Day was a notable book in the Younger Readers category, Children s Book Council of Australia Awards, 2011; and was short-listed in the Lower Primary Category, Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards, 2011' (Publication summary)
Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2012
y separately published work icon Barking Mad Renae Hayward , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2013 Z1914467 2013 single work children's fiction children's mystery

Alex really wants a pet to take to the school Pet Parade, so when he finds Pepper, he thinks all his wishes have come true. But when weird things start to happen, Alex begins to suspect that there is more to this pup than meets the eye. [Libraries Australia]

Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2013
y separately published work icon Camp Crazy Trudie Trewin , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2013 Z1914470 2013 single work children's fiction children's

'Daks and his mates are back. When the boys go camping in Poo s backyard - the national forest - they stumble across a crazy woman living up the mountain. She raves about aliens and people not being real. But the boys begin to suspect that she is just faking. Is Jungle Jill what she seems to be?

  • An action-packed adventure that is full of humour.
  • Lightning Strikes are short, fast-paced novels, laced with a good dose of humour and which make few demands on the reader.
  • Scattered throughout each story are a variety of informal text types such as emails, web pages, posters, ads, notes, articles, diagrams etc to help break up the text and to add to the contemporary design.' (Publication summary)
Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2013
y separately published work icon Disaster Chef Meredith Costain , Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2013 7659595 2013 single work children's fiction children's

'Ollie and Julian are identical twins, but they couldn't be more different: Ollie love sports and is the local footy champ, while Julian is a quiet achiever who spends most of his time in the kitchen, cooking. Much to Ollie's surprise, Julian enters the Junior Maestro Chef competition and is going to be on national television. Ollie's used to being the centre of attention is their household so he's not happy when his parents spend all their time quizzing Julian on ingredients for recipes rather than watching Ollie play footy. But when Julian falls ill before the taping of the show's finale, it's up to Ollie to pretend to be his brother and cook up a storm

  • Mischief, mayhem and cooking - currently a very popular recipe!
  • Ideal for reluctant intermediate readers looking for a fun relatable read.
  • Teachers' resources available.' (Publication summary)
Newtown : Walker Books Australia , 2013

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 2008

Works about this Work

The Children's Book Council of Australia Judges' Report 2010 2010 single work column
— Appears in: Reading Time : The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia , August vol. 54 no. 3 2010; (p. 3)
Untitled Maggie Read , 2009 single work review
— Appears in: Fiction Focus : New Titles for Teenagers , vol. 23 no. 3 2009; (p. 32)

— Review of Lightning Strikes 2008 series - publisher children's fiction
Untitled Maggie Read , 2009 single work review
— Appears in: Fiction Focus : New Titles for Teenagers , vol. 23 no. 3 2009; (p. 32)

— Review of Lightning Strikes 2008 series - publisher children's fiction
The Children's Book Council of Australia Judges' Report 2010 2010 single work column
— Appears in: Reading Time : The Journal of the Children's Book Council of Australia , August vol. 54 no. 3 2010; (p. 3)
Last amended 21 Jun 2010 14:13:07
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