Brynna’s dream is about to become reality: her family is moving to Melbourne and she can attend the National Ballet School – to which every dancer she knows aspires. Yet, things don’t seem so great to Brynna. Her mum is working hard to support the family, and her brother is just angry with the world. It’s not easy for her either, trying to fit in at a new school and also dealing with the fiercely competitive girls around her. But, wth her true passion for ballet, this novel demonstrates the importance of believing in your dreams.
Eighth grade bites (The chronicles of Vladimir Tod: 1) – Heather Brewer
February 10, 2012 — Debra
If you thought eighth grade was tough, try it with fangs and a fear of garlic.
Junior high really sucks for thirteen-year-old Vladimir Tod. Bullies harass him, the principal is watching him, and the girl he likes prefers his best friend. Oh, and Vlad has a secret: his mother was human, but his father was a vampire. With no idea of the extent of his powers, Vlad struggles daily with his blood cravings and his enlarged fangs. When a substitute teacher begins to question him a little too closely, Vlad worries that his cover is about to be blown. But then he faces a much bigger problem: he’s being hunted by a vampire killer.
Dare, truth or promise – Paula Boock
March 31, 2011 — Debra
Willa and Louie could not be more different. Louie wants to be a lawyer and is an outstanding student. Willa lives in a pub and just wants to get through the year so she can graduate and become a chef. But when they first meet at a fast-food restaurant they are immediately attracted to one another. They fall madly in love, and everything the girls are sure of – their plans, their faith, their families, their identities – is called into question.
Juno of Taris – Fleur Beale
October 14, 2010 — Debra
The Taris Project was the brainchild of a desperate twenty-first-century world, a community designed to survive even if the rest of humanity perished. An isolated island in the Southern Ocean was given a protective dome and its own balmy climate. And now Juno is one of 500 people who live there – but what has happened to the outside world in the years since Taris was established? Juno has questions about life Outside, but in a society where rules govern every aspect of life, questions are not welcome and can bring danger and death as some of those in power fight for control.
Stolen – Lucy Christopher
September 24, 2010 — Debra
“It happened like this.
I was stolen from an airport. Taken from everything I knew, everything I was used to. Taken to sand and heat, dirt and danger. And he expected me to love him. This is my story.
A letter from nowhere.”
Junk – Melvin Burgess
July 22, 2010 — Debra
A realistic and powerful story about a group of teenagers who become addicted to heroin.
Recommended age: 15+
Nine letters long – J. C. Burke
July 22, 2010 — Debra
When Evie’s friends conduct a seance, Evie knows she’s been contacted again. The letters on the board start spelling out one name: C-A-Z over and over. A cryptic message with nine letters leads Evie to a family where two sisters, one living, one dead, share a dark secret that must be revealed. But is Evie strong enough to solve the mystery and reveal the truth in time to release both girls?
Recommended age: 13+
Leaving Jetty Road – Rebecca Burton
July 18, 2010 — Debra
For three friends, Nat, Lise and Sofia, year 12 is a year of change. It’s a year of falling in love, heartache and for one of them it’s a year when it all falls apart. An obsession with dieting and a fear of losing control leads to a serious illness.
Recommended age: 13+
Martyn Pig – Kevin Brooks
June 14, 2010 — Debra
Martyn Pig is 15 and has a miserable life. One night his Dad gets drunk and then mean. Martyn tries to protect himself and his father ends up dead. It was an accident, but who’s going to believe him, so Martyn decides to keep quiet. With his father out of the way and with the help of his friend, Alex, Martyn hopes for a better life. A cleverly plotted story which is at times darkly funny, suspenseful, tender and with a surprise ending.
Recommended age: 13+
Skellig – David Almond
June 14, 2010 — Debra
An unusual story about two friends who discover a strange creature in the garage and befriend it and take care of it. A hauntingly beautiful book.
Recommended age: 13+
Going off – Colin Bowles
June 14, 2010 — Debra
It’s tough being fourteen. Greg has lost his two best friends, his parents are getting a divorce and every-thing is looking black. He doesn’t think he can cope with his life any more. What is he going to do? A realistic and often funny story, about how it feels to be a teenager.
Recommended age: 13+
Go and come back – Joan Abelove
June 12, 2010 — Debra
Two white women go to live in a village deep in the rainforests of Peru. The story is told through the eyes of one of the tribe’s women. They find the ways of the white women strange and funny.
Recommended age: 13+
Blackwater – Eve Bunting
June 12, 2010 — Debra
When a silly prank goes terribly wrong, resulting in two young people being swept away by the dangerous Blackwater River, 13-year-old Brodie lies about his involvement. But someone else saw what really happened. With guilt and fear tearing him apart, will Brodie tell the truth?
Recommended age: 13+
Devastation Road – Joanna Baker
June 12, 2010 — Debra
Station Road became known as Devastation Road after a series of fires and a girl was killed. Eight years later it’s happening again, another fire and another girl killed. Matt Tingle and Chess Febey attempt to solve the mystery. What is the importance of the amber necklace? Are their friends, Tara and Wando, hiding something? Many other questions will need to be answered before the truth is revealed in this exciting thriller.
Recommended age: 12+
Hatchet – Gary Paulsen
May 15, 2010 — Debra
A great story of how a boy survives after a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness.
Recommended age: 11+
Balwyn Best Books 
