Booklists

Welcome to the Island. Where your worst fears are about to come true. A week-long trip for six teenage friends on a remote tropical island is supposed to be the perfect holiday. When their guide dies of a stroke leaving them stranded, this trip turns into a nightmare because someone on the island knows each of the group's worst fears. One by one they are becoming a reality. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

This collection of poetry begins with a gentle petition of the reader to fill their hearts with poetry; to look within themselves, take the time to be silent, and listen to what they hear. This message continues throughout the poems as Thakur candidly shares her experiences as a Black woman and daughter of migrants living in the United Kingdom. In the poems is a proud daughter, mother, poet, and believer. She shares poems exploring the profound connections between people, and also the ways people can be careless with each other. Usually read by students in Years 9, 10, or above.

When his traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender, Yadriel becomes determined to prove himself a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend Maritza, he performs the ritual himself, and then sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin and set it free. However, the ghost he summons is actually Julian Diaz, the school's resident bad boy, and Julian is not about to go quietly into death. He's determined to find out what happened and tie off some loose ends before he leaves. Left with no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so that they can both get what they want. But the longer Yadriel spends with Julian, the less he wants to let him leave. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

It's been five years since Wendy and her two brothers went missing in the woods, but when the town's children start to disappear, the questions surrounding her brothers' mysterious circumstances are brought back into the light. Attempting to flee her past, Wendy almost runs over an unconscious boy lying in the middle of the road . . . Peter, a boy she thought lived only in her stories, asks for Wendy's help to rescue the missing kids. But, in order to find them, Wendy must confront what's waiting for her in the woods. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.

Morgan Lodhi has been the target of bullies since he was in primary school. He seems to just attract them. He becomes known across the school as Pig and everyone around him find it easier to either ignore the bullying or just join in. High school is a battle ground but it is not without some pockets of kindness. Contains scenes of bullying which some readers may find confronting. Usually read by students in years 9, 10 and above.