CHILDRENS BOOKS

When Daphne Green discovers her father has hired a bodyguard to protect her, her life is upended. Although Milosh Petrov is nothing like what she expected from a bodyguard – he’s 18, incredibly handsome, and determined to protect her whether she likes it or not. But bodyguards aren’t exactly a coveted accessory, and the pair agree that in social settings Milosh will pose as her boyfriend to save questions. Turns out Milosh is just as good at being a fake boyfriend as he is at being a real lifesaver...

The first in the thrilling Fallen Academy series, sitting at the sweet spot between romantasy and dark academia, with an apocalyptic war between angels and demons thrown in for good measure. Get ready for your new obsession.The first in the thrilling Fallen Academy series, sitting at the sweet spot between romantasy and dark academia, with an apocalyptic war between angels and demons thrown in for good measure. Get ready for your new obsession.When angels fell from the sky to war with the demons that ravaged Earth, their combined powers infected humanity. Now, the humans are assigned one of two fates- demon gifted or angel blessed.After wings sprout from Brielle's back at her awakening ceremony, she's sure she's an angel-blessed celestial-until she sees black wings and realizes something is terribly wrong.Having sold her contract at a young age to save her father's life means she should be bound for Tainted Academy. That is, until a fallen angel unexpectedly fights for her to be accepted into Fallen Academy, the elite school for those that inhabit Angel City.She's immediately matched with her impossibly handsome celestial teacher Lincoln Grey. Laying eyes on him, her first thought is that her time at the academy might actually be fun, but this theory quickly fades when she and Lincoln clash on day one. To further prove her admission into Fallen Academy is cursed, the entire school is thrown into chaos when an Abrus demon reveals that he knows Brielle's secret. Now, above all else, Lincoln must fight to protect her-and fight his feelings for her.

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honour of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes. Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves. When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight ... and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

Nightweaver is an exciting new trilogy from debut author R.M. Gray; an exhilarating YA mixture of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN and modern fantasy romances like Sarah J. Maas's THRONE OF GLASS, Leigh Bardugo's SHADOW AND BONE, and Lauren Roberts' POWERLESS.For six hundred years, Nightweavers - mystical beings with untamed elemental powers - have ruled over all humans, including seventeen-year-old pirate Aster and her family.But after an epic battle at sea where her eldest brother is killed by a new kind of monster, Aster learns that maybe there are creatures far more terrible to fear...Alongside the brooding Nightweaver Will, a reckless, masked pirate named Captain Shade, and a myriad of morally grey characters, Aster embarks on a thrilling quest to undo the wrongs against her kind; but will chilling secrets and illicit romance unravel everything she's ever known, loved and fought for...?Nightweaver is an exhilarating YA mixture of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN and modern fantasy romances like Sarah J. Maas's THRONE OF GLASS, Leigh Bardugo's SHADOW AND BONE, and Lauren Roberts' POWERLESS.

Shadow And Tide  The second irresistible adventure in the Compass and Blade trilogy, full of intrigue, sizzling romance, dark magic and monstrous beings.  A magical bargain always comes at a cost. On Rosevear, Mira is plagued by nightmares. She is lost and untethered – and then the watch strike, burning her home. The attack ignites a spark within her, and Mira knows it’s time to call in her bargain with Elijah, and tear down Captain Renshaw and the watch. But she must find allies to help her unlock her siren abilities, and the witches aren’t all on Mira’s side. In Coven Septern, Brielle has always believed in her work as a hunter, is proud to slay the monsters plaguing their world. She’s a trained weapon, a sharpened blade, a nocked arrow. She knows the blood she drains will be used for good, and yet her next assignment is a human girl. For in the eyes of the council, Mira is a monster, and monstrous creatures must be tamed …

A compelling historical fiction adventure, set during the Australian gold rush when daring, dangerous and bold bushrangers were both feared, and legendary. Award-winning author, Sophie Masson asks what makes a hero, or a villain?  Lily and her parents are travelling performers are delayed in Canowindra, just as famous bushranger Ben Hall and his gang - who has pulled off the biggest gold robbery ever - arrive. The gang hold everyone in town hostage– but instead of threats, hold a strange, giant three day party, and Lily is in enthralled. She writes a secret play 'Bold Ben Hall' and dreams of sending it to a famous theatre company in Sydney or Melbourne… Meanwhile, in Forbes, stable boy Sam works for Sir Frederick Pottinger, Ben Hall’s nemesis. Sam who dreams of helping Sir Fred to catch Ben Hall… When Lily and Sam meet, the two are soon at loggerheads about their heroes determined to prove the other wrong...and to try any means to do so! A gripping and unusual adventure, set against a background of the hectic, action-packed atmosphere of the booming Gold Rush towns. It also asks important questions: what is a hero, what is a villain? And how do we separate fact from fiction?

Normal Women The bestselling, critically acclaimed women’s history from blockbuster author Philippa Gregory – adapted for teen readers! Today, when we think of women of the past, we often think of the 1800s and 1900s – crinolines and stage coaches, bonnets and balls – a time when women were told they were naturally inferior to men, and must stay at home while men went out to work and have fun. HUGE MISTAKE! There is so much more to women’s history than bonnets and big dresses! Ordinary women have been doing extraordinary things FOR EVER – it just didn’t make the history books (written by men!). Join multi-award-winning author Philippa Gregory as she tells the story of ordinary English women, making history for 900 years. Meet farmers, highwaywomen, pirates, ‘female husbands’, slaves, soldiers, criminals, writers, inventors, rioters and more – protesting, working, playing, taking risks, getting rich (and getting even!). Their story is one of ingenuity, diversity, rebellion, survival – and sisterhood. Illustrated throughout by award-winning printmaker Alexis Snell. PRAISE FOR Normal Women (teen edition): ‘Impressively researched, by turns inspiring and chilling … brilliantly told’ – Cressida Cowell ‘This book is redemption for unsung female heroes. Prepare to feel aghast, proud and inspired’ – Geri Halliwell ‘Uplifting and empowering’ – Edwina Dunn, The Female Lead PRAISE FOR Normal Women (main edition): A NEW STATESMEN BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 ‘A lasting work of social history’ THE TIMES ‘A genuinely new history of our nation’ DAN JONES ‘This celebration of women is a triumph of popular history’ SPECTATOR 'Philippa Gregory uses all her bestseller skills to weave a narrative with pace' ANTONIA FRASER ‘You’ll lose count of the number of things you learn about women and their skewed place in history … the book reframes the past … an essential read’ INDEPENDENT, FIVE-STAR REVIEW

Winner of the inaugural Walker Books Manuscript Prize. With themes including coercive control, coming of age, and finding yourself, this debut authentically deals with timely issues with insight, sympathy and well crafted humour.  Astrid is about to start her last year at high school. And her first. When her dad loses his job, Astrid’s homeschooling comes to an end. Until now, she has lived within the confines of a tightly controlled, contracted world where there's no room for anything … except following her father’s rules and pretending that everything is normal. As Astrid, and her mum, tentatively expand their world, they struggle to break free of their ingrained wariness and self-doubt. But with hope, new friends, and the strength of a promise, Astrid has a chance to find out what she wants, who she loves, and who she really is.  Winner of the inaugural Walker Books Manuscript Prize, this is a brilliantly written YA debut that deftly explores timely issues with insight, humour and pathos.

Satoko is bound by duty to marry a noble, but can’t escape the assassin who has her in his sights.  Afflicted with a heart condition, Meiji-era noblewoman Satoko is determined to secure a marriage that will benefit her family before she dies. But before she can realize her goal, she’s targeted by a mysterious assassin named Shinpei. In a last-ditch effort to save her life, Satoko asks her would-be murderer to marry her. Her proposal isn’t sincere, but unfortunately for her, Shinpei loves as intensely as he kills. Can Satoko find a way to break the engagement without losing her life?  On the surface, Satoko has it all—she’s beautiful, the daughter of a nobleman, and at a prime age for marriage. Unfortunately, she is also quite ill and only has a short time left to live. Before she can secure a marriage that will redeem her worth in her family’s eyes, she finds herself the target of the mysterious assassin Shinpei, and her plans are put in jeopardy. In order to save herself, she makes a desperate proposal—of marriage! When it comes to love, however, Shinpei takes “until death do we part” seriously.

The #1 New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal best-selling Wings of Fire series soars to even greater heights with an all-new collection of stories and art from readers' favourite dragon world! Tui T. Sutherland and Wings of Fire cover artist Joy Ang delve deeper into the legends of the ten dragon tribes, creating the ultimate collection for every FanWing. Each chapter of A Guide to the Dragon World explores the history, mythology and folklore of the beloved series in a truly spectacular and gift-worthy edition!

Margot McGovern's homage to 90s horror films and final girls will keep you on the edge of your seat. Four girls share a cabin on their school retreat - in an abandoned town where the ghost of Smiling Jack is known to haunt the isolated campers. Shelley is the new girl with her own haunted past. Mack made things awkward by kissing her best friend.Priya thinks she's ready to take the next step with her boyfriend. Raffi has a flair for drama, and convinces them all to hold a seance. But when you call on the darkness, sometimes the darkness replies . . . Â 'Powerful, heartbreaking, hair-raising and absolutely terrifying. This feminist ode to the 90s slasher films is twisty, clever and frightening from beginning to end.' AMY DOAK, bestselling author of Eleanor Jones is Not a Murderer

A unique and lyrical verse novel for middle-grade readers that speaks to our childhood joy of collecting small, intriguing objects and creating connections in the most unlikely places. Since the accident, eleven-year-old Bones spends her time drawing animal skeletons and scavenging for dead things to add to her collection. She's drifted away from her friends and doesn't want to make new ones, especially not with her chatty new neighbour, Tenny. One night, under a full moon, Bones accidentally resurrects the skeleton of a baby bird. Bird wants to return to his natural (dead) state, so Bones agrees to reverse the curse - not that she knows how. As she and Bird work out the secrets of the magic, Bones remembers what it's like to have a friend. How can she let Bird go when she doesn't want to say goodbye? With gorgeous greyscale illustrations of Bones's collected items scattered throughout, this book is perfect for big-hearted readers of Karen Foxlee and Zana Fraillon.

Everyone wants to be head girl ... until the murders begin. The students at Morton Academy are high-achievers, selected based on academic excellence. So when a series of murders target the school’s brightest and best, the pressure is on. Someone is determined to clear their path to the top and they’ll stop at nothing. But who is it? And can they be stopped?

DARK ACADEMIA...WITH DEMONS. After a deadly incident at her old school, Page enrols in Agathion College, an exclusive boarding school, only to find that it's built over centuries of secrets - including an ancient society potentially linked to demonic magic. Perfect for fans of Lynette Noni and Leigh Bardugo, from the acclaimed author of A Hunger of Thorns.