The Turnkey by Allison Rushby

History and mystery wrapped in a thrilling supernatural plot, The Turnkey is perfect for kids aged 9+.
Flossie Birdwhistle is the Turnkey at London’s Highgate Cemetery. As Turnkey, Flossie must ensure all the souls in the cemetery stay at rest. This is a difficult job at the best of times for a twelve-year-old ghost, but it is World War II and each night 

A Ghost in my Suitcase by Gabrielle Wang

The flute music stops, and my breath catches in my throat. Silence falls like a veil. Then I hear something – no, I feel it in my chest. ‘Steady yourself,’ Por Por whispers. ‘It’s here . . . ‘  (goodreads.com)

The Mulberry Tree by Allison Rushby

Do naught wrong by the mulberry tree, or she’ll take your daughters … one, two, three. Ten-year-old Immy and her family run away from their storm cloud of problems to a tiny village in Cambridgeshire, England. When they find an adorable thatched cottage to begin a perfect new life in, the only downside is the ancient, dark and fierce-looking mulberry tree in the back garden.  (goodreads.com)

The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley 

An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War 2, from the acclaimed author of Jefferson’s Sons and for fans of Number the Stars.  (goodreads.com)

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Ada and her younger brother, Jamie, now have a permanent home with their loving legal guardian, Susan Smith. Although Jamie adapts more easily, Ada still struggles with the aftermath of her old life, and how to fit into her new life. (goodreads.com)

The Mapmaker Chronicles by A.L. Tait

Adventure and danger lie just off the edge of the map in this swashbuckling new trilogy! 

Quinn’s older brothers may long for adventure, but he is content with a quiet life on the farm. Destiny, however, has other plans. (allisontait.com)

Frankie Fish Series: Books 1 – 4 by Peter Helliar, Lesley Vamos

Twelve-year-old Frankie Fish is a time traveler.  Follow is fantastic and hilarious adventures in the first 4 books of the series.  (booktopia.com.au)

The Book of Secrets (Ateban Cipher #1) by  A.L. Tait

What’s the secret of the book, and why is it so valuable? These are the questions Gabe must answer when a dying man hands him a coded manuscript with one instruction: take it to Aidan. Gabe is hurled into a quest that takes him beyond his monastery home and into a world of danger, political intrigue and adventure. (goodreads.com)

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend 

A cursed girl escapes death and finds herself in a magical world – but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination.

Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor #2) by Jessica Townsend

Morrigan Crow may have defeated her deadly curse, passed the dangerous trials and joined the mystical Wundrous Society, but her journey into Nevermoor and all its secrets has only just begun. And she is fast learning that not all magic is used for good. (goodreads.com)

Everything I’ve Never Said by: Samantha Wheeler

Ava would like nothing more than to tell her family she loves them, particularly her big sister, Nic. But Ava has Rett syndrome – she can’t talk, can’t nod her head, can’t even point at a communication card. She understands everything, but no one understands her. When tragedy strikes her family, Ava becomes even more determined to talk.  (goodreads.com)

Lenny’s Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee

I knew my brother. I knew when he talked too much about Timothy his imaginary pet eagle. He was scared.
‘Whatever you do,’ I said to Davey on the walk to school, ‘Do not tell people about your eagle. Do not tell Miss Schweitzer about your eagle.’
He looked crestfallen. His shoulders slumped. He looked to make sure Timothy hadn’t fallen off. (goodreads.com)

Limelight: Slam Poetry by Solli Raphael

Limelight is a unique collection of slam poetry paired with inspirational writing techniques. With over 30 original poems in different forms, the book features the viral video sensation ‘Australian Air’, which has been viewed 3.5 million times via Facebook. Solli’s work tackles current social concerns for his generation, such as sustainability and social equality, all the while amplifying his uplifting message of hope. ( bookdepository.com)

How to Bee by Bren MacDibble

For 8-12 year olds – and all those who love middle grade fiction.
Peony lives with her sister and grandfather on a fruit farm outside the city. In a world where real bees are extinct, the quickest, bravest kids climb the fruit trees and pollinate the flowers by hand. (goodreads.com)

The Secrets We Keep by Nova Weetman

I don’t know if you’ve ever seen a house burn, but it’s not like anything else …

Clem Timmins has lost everything – her clothes, her possessions, her house and her mum. Now living in a tiny flat with her dad, Clem has to start a new school and make new friends. On her first day, Clem tells Ellie that her mum died in a house fire and immediately regrets it when Ellie latches on and confides that her own mother is dying of cancer. (goodreads.com)

Girl in the Window by Penny Joelson

See the world from another unique perspective in the thrilling new novel from the author of I Have No Secrets (a World Book Day title for 2018). 
Nothing ever happens on Kasia’s street. And Kasia would know, because her illness makes her spend days stuck at home, watching the world from her bedroom window. So when she sees what looks like a kidnapping, she’s not sure whether she can believe her own eyes . . . There was a girl in the window opposite – did she see something too? (goodreads.com)

When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin

A boy’s chance encounter with a scruffy dog leads to an unforgettable friendship in this deeply moving story about life, loss, and the meaning of family

Ben Coffin has never felt like he fits in. A former foster kid, he keeps his head down at school to avoid bullies and spends his afternoons reading sci-fi books at the library.  (goodreads.com)

Bookshop Girl by Chloe Coles

Bennett’s Bookshop has always been a haven for sixteen-year-old Paige Turner. It’s a place where she can escape from her sleepy hometown, hang out with her best friend, Holly, and also earn some money.

But, like so many bookshops, Bennett’s has become a ‘casualty of the high street’ – it’s strapped for cash and going to be torn down. Paige is determined to save it but mobilising a small town like Greysworth is no mean feat. (goodreads.com)

Girls for the Vote by Linda Newbery

When thirteen-year-old Polly befriends two suffragettes in the top floor flat at 6 Chelsea Walk, she finds herself questioning the views of those around her. The Votes for Women campaign strikes a chord with Polly and she becomes determined to join the suffragettes’ protest march, even if it means clashing with her family… (goodreads.com)

The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson

Even in the darkest of times – especially in the darkest of times – there is room for strength and bravery. A remarkable memoir from Leon Leyson, one of the youngest children to survive the Holocaust on Oskar Schindler’s list.  (goodreads.com)

Runny on Empty by S.E.Durrant

AJ’s grandfather has always been the one to keep his unusual family together, so when he dies things start to unravel at the edges. (goodreads.com)

Wakestone Hall  by Judith Rossell

THE MAGICAL CONCLUSION TO STELLA’S AWARD-WINNING STORY
Stella Montgomery is in disgrace. The Aunts have sent her to Wakestone Hall, a grim boarding school where the disobedient are tamed and the willful are made meek. But when a friend disappears, Stella is determined to find her — no matter the danger … (goodreads.com)

The Girl the Dog and the Writer in Provence by Katrina Nennestad

HE’S A VAGUE NOVELIST. SHE’S A SHY AND UNUSUAL CHILD. TOGETHER, THEY’RE TRAVELLING THE WORLD, ONE BOOK AT A TIME. Freja, Tobias and Finnegan are back for an all-new adventure through the countryside of Provence. (goodreads.com)

Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DeCamillo

From two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo comes a story of discovering who you are — and deciding who you want to be.

When Louisiana Elefante’s granny wakes her up in the middle of the night to tell her that the day of reckoning has arrived and they have to leave home immediately, Louisiana isn’t overly worried. After all, Granny has many middle-of-the-night ideas.  (goodreads.com)

Marsh and Me by Martine Murray

There’s a hill out the back of Joey’s house. Hardly anyone goes there—it’s not a beautiful place, just a covered-over old rubbish tip. But Joey likes it up there. It’s his hill—somewhere he likes to go to wonder about life. He longs to be the best at something, to be a famous astronaut, or mountain climber, to stand out. (goodreads.com)

Lady Mary by Lucy Worsley

By turns thrilling, dramatic and touching, this is the story of Henry the Eighth and Catherine of Aragon’s divorce as you’ve never heard it before – from the eyes of their daughter, Princess Mary.

More than anything Mary just wants her family to stay together; for her mother and her father – and for her – to all be in the same place at once.  (goodreads.com)

The Peacock Detectives by Carly Nugent

The last time William Shakespeare and Virginia went missing Cassie found them sitting on a coiled hose behind the fire station, and Dad called her ‘Cassie Andersen, Peacock Detective’. So this time she knows what to do—she’ll look for clues and track them down. But the clues lead her in an unexpected direction and Cassie finds herself investigating a confusing mystery about her family. (goodreads.com)

The Mapmakers’ Race by Eirlys Hunter

Four children temporarily lose their parents just as they are about to begin the race that offers their last chance of escaping poverty. Their task is to map a rail route through an uncharted wilderness.

They overcome the many obstacles posed by nature-bears, bees, bats, river crossings, cliff falls, impossible weather-but can they survive the treachery of their competitors? (goodreads.com)

Secrets of a Sun King by Emma Carroll

It’s November, 1922. In a valley in Egypt the tomb of a long dead pharaoh is about to be discovered. The world watches and waits for news with baited breath. Thirteen-year-old Lilian Kaye is eagerly following the story. One morning the news takes a sinister turn: a man- a famous Egyptologist- disappears. All that remains of him are his feet. Then Lil’s grandfather is taken suddenly ill, and when a mysterious package turns up for him from the Egyptologist, Lil starts to believe there is truth to the rumours of a pharaoh’s curse. (goodreads.com)

The Pearl of Tiger Bay by Gabrielle Wang

Suddenly, Annie felt a cold flutter touch the back of her neck. Someone was watching her, she was sure of it. She glanced up at the limestone cliff behind her. It was then she noticed a creepy old house with blank staring eyes, its outline barely visible against the thin cover of clouds. When Annie moves with her family to the seaside town of Tiger Bay, she finds a place full of secrets, mystery and a strange sadness. Most mysterious of all is Madame Olenka, who lives in the Pearl, a grand dilapidated hotel on the cliff about the township, and has not spoken to anyone in thirty years … (Penguin). 

The Endsister by Penni Russon

‘I know what an endsister is,’ says Sibbi again.
We are endsisters, Else thinks, Sibbi and I.
Bookends, oldest and youngest, with the three boys sandwiched in between.

Meet the Outhwaite children. There’s teenage Else, the violinist who abandons her violin. There’s nature-loving Clancy. There’s the inseparable twins, Oscar-and-Finn, Finn-and-Oscar. And then there is Sibbi, the baby of the family. They all live contentedly squabbling in a cottage surrounded by trees and possums…until a letter arrives to say they have inherited the old family home in London.
The one thing they all agree on – the living and the dead – is never, ever to open the attic door… (goodreads.com)

The Girl with the Dragon Heart by Stephanie Burgis

Once upon a time, in a beautiful city famous for chocolate and protected by dragons, there was a girl so fearless that she dared to try to tell the greatest story of all: the truth.

Silke has always been good at spinning the truth and storytelling. So good that just years after arriving as a penniless orphan, she has found her way up to working for the most splendid chocolate makers in the city (oh, and becoming best friends with a dragon). Now her gift for weaving words has caught the eye of the royal family, who want to use her as a spy when the mysterious and dangerous fairy royal family announce they will visit the city. But Silke has her own dark, secret reasons for not trusting fairies… (goodreads.com)

City of Lies by Sam Hawke


I was seven years old the first time my uncle poisoned me…

Outwardly, Jovan is the lifelong friend of the Chancellor’s charming, irresponsible Heir. Quiet. Forgettable. In secret, he’s a master of poisons and chemicals, trained to protect the Chancellor’s family from treachery. When the Chancellor succumbs to an unknown poison and an army lays siege to the city, Jovan and his sister Kalina must protect the Heir and save their city-state.

But treachery lurks in every corner, and the ancient spirits of the land are rising…and angry. (goodreads.com)

Inheritance by Carole Wilkinson

Nic is left in the care of her grandfather at the remote family property that was once her mother’s childhood home; a place with thirty rooms, three dogs and no mobile reception. Left to her own devices, Nic searches for clues about her mother – who died the day Nic was born. But what Nic discovers is so much more than she could have imagined. A dark and shocking secret that haunts the land and the people who live there. (goodreads.com)