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Ghost Bird

Stacey Thompson is a good student and wants to make a success of her life - unlike her twin sister Laney who skips school regularly and sneaks out at night.

But things go horribly wrong when Laney and her boyfriend Troy are sneaking around and they trespass onto land owned by a notoriously cruel and racist farming family, and suddenly Laney disappears. Something similar happened years ago in the town when May Miller disappeared and returned as Mad May Miller, who is a joke around town and was the never same again.

So when the whole Thompson mob begin the search for her they tell Stacey she is too young and should keep going to school instead. But Stacey can see Laney’s plight in her dreams and knows she must go and find her before it is too late. Stacey knows May Miller holds the key to finding Laney, but how does she approach her with the famous Thompson versus Miller feud? But time is running out and lines need to be crossed...

Exploring Indigenous culture and family, dealing with taboos, and exploring ancient beliefs and dreaming, Ghost Bird opens the reader’s eyes to these beliefs in the context of a captivating story. Ghost Bird is a wonderful novel that really ties together both modern life and ancient traditions.

Memphis Grace

Graceland has always been just an ordinary girl (with an unusual name), trying to fit into teenage life, but when her best friend moved away in mysterious circumstances, her life started to change.

She was suddenly being noticed and pursued by the gorgeous, popular Cooper Dally. But Cooper is Mikaela’s ex-boyfriend! Can Graceland really do this? And is Cooper really the boy he makes out to be?

When bad things start happening to her friend Jack, who has autism, and Cooper puts expectations on Graceland that she can’t deal with, she realises that it is time to find out why Mikaela really left, and to stand up for what is right and what she has always believed in - both for her and Jack.

This is a novel that deals with very real and confronting issues, such as coercion and consent, drug and alcohol taking, friendship and relationship issues, but does so in a way that allows readers to see that it is ok to say no and stick to your beliefs and values. Many readers will completely relate to this story.

It is best suited to those 15 +, and whilst it may appeal more to girls, there are very strong messages in it that make it a book to be read by all teenagers.

Scars like Wings

When a faulty electrical wire causes Ava’s house to burn to the ground, she loses both her parents and her cousin Sara, who was also her best friend. She is the only one to survive the fire, but she has terrible scarring.

Twelve months later Ava is living with her aunt and uncle who have been by her side every second since the fire. All three are grieving the loss of their family, and now it’s time for Ava to go back to school. Ava is dreading this, and then she meets Piper. Piper is also an accident victim and is fighting her own battles, but can they each learn to let other people in?

This is a beautifully written book about learning to accept yourself and a new ‘normal’ when everything in your life is difficult. You will fall in love with Ava and Piper and, though very few of us have to suffer the horrible injuries they have, their struggles to fit in are incredibly relatable.

This book made me smile and cry more than once as their self-doubt, pain, courage, friendship and family all collide at times.

Absolutely unputdownable, this book will stay in your heart long after you stop reading. This is a perfect read that will most appeal to girls in Year 9 and up.