Cirrus@Austlit

'Fitting in can be hard, especially when you're as small as Ember. He's hoping his luck changes when Lua, a kindly sea turtle, escorts him across the ocean to a school for little creatures on a wondrous island. There, Ember learns that first days can also be hard – especially when they involve fantastical cave-dwellers, ferocious storms and classmates that aren't interested in making friends.

'As he struggles to adapt to his school, Ember finds himself at the heart of an otherworldly mystery, facing a strange monster from the deep. And though Ember's classmates may seem of little help, any good student knows appearances can be deceiving – and friendship can come from the most unexpected of places.' (Publication summary)

'Miro sees the world differently from everyone else, thanks to the Curiosities - strange little creatures that nestle on his shoulder, whisper in his ear, and show him a different way of seeing the world. Most of the time, no one else notices. But sometimes, the Curiosities make him stand out, in ways that can be good but are occasionally confusing and scary. Miro learns to live with and control his Curiosities, and gradually starts to see that they are a kind of gift.

'A lyrical and moving story inspired by the people who see the world differently - and make it more wondrous. With themes of creativity, curiosity and neurodivergence, this is an essential book for every home, school and library.' (Publication summary)

'The inmates of an extensive underground prison struggle to build meaningful lives in a broken system, in the most ambitious graphic novel to date from rising indie star Chris Gooch (Bottled and Deep Breaths).

'Under-Earth takes place in a subterranean landfill, hollowed out to serve as a massive improvised prison. Sunken into the trash and debris of the past -- gameboys, iphones, coffee cups, old cars -- we follow two parallel stories.

'In the first, a new arrival struggles to adapt to the everyday violence, physical labour, and poverty of the prison city. Overwhelmed and alone, he finds a connection with a fellow inmate through an old, beat-up novel. While these two silent and uncommunicative men grow closer thanks to their book, the stress of their environment will test their new bond.

'Meanwhile, a pair of thieves pull off a risky job in exchange for the prisons' schematics and the promise of escape -- only to be betrayed by their employer. On the run with their hope for escape now gone, the two women set their minds to revenge. Yet as they lay their plans, their focus shifts from an obsession with the outside world to the life they have with each other.

'Equal parts sincerity and violence, Under-Earth explores humanity's inextinguishable drive to find meaning, connection, and even family -- and how fragile such constructions can be.' (Publication summary)