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Nitty Gritty Series

the cloud rider

The Cloud Rider

Pearson Education, 2010

Ellie and Jay are playing in the top field of their family farm when a mysterious creature falls from the sky, injured. The Cloud Rider needs to get back to the clouds where he belongs or the evil Werrets will take over the sky and create all sorts of terrible storms. But, when no one else in the family believes their story, Ellie and Jay realise that it is up to them alone to save the Cloud Rider ... For ages 5 to 8.

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petronas

Petronas

Pearson Education, 2009

It seemed like a miracle to Baba – a dream come true. A beautiful, deserted city with plenty of water and everything her people could possibly need. No longer would they have to live as nomads, constantly struggling to survive, searching for water in the desert. But who were the people who used to live in Petronas? And why would anyone leave such a perfect place. For ages 8 to 10.

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dogs of the hinterland

Dogs of the Hinterland

Pearson Education, 2008

Back in her adopted village of Bassorah, Vancy has recovered from her adventure on the Hinterland. With her friends, Kerei and Squirt, she has found out where she came from, and taken a stand against her birth father, the tyrant Herit. But on the night of her coming-of-age party, disturbing news reaches Bassorah. Herit has called for his daughter to join him in his great stone fortress, or Bassorah will face the full force of his anger. It seems a new evil is gathering across the wide plains of the Hinterland. This is the sequel to Into The Hinterland. For ages 12 to 13.

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into the hinterland

Into The Hinterland

Pearson Education, 2007

The town of Bassorah lies at the edge of the Hinterland, a vast, desert-like plain lorded over by the tyrant Herit. Fourteen years ago a baby, Vancy, was left at the edge of Bassorah by a mysterious silver dog. Now she is fourteen, Vancy is determined to find out the truth behind her birth, but that means venturing out into the Hinterland. For ages 11 to 12.

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Mainsails Series

my name is joad

My Name is Joad

Illustrated by Serena Kearns
Pearson Education, 2009

“My name is Joad. My father gave me my name. Named me after a song, but that's all he did. He took off before I was even born. Ma says he was some big hotshot when he was young, way back when. At least, he liked to think he was. Maybe one day he'll walk back into our lives, and then I can tell him what I really think. If he was such a big hotshot, then why'd he have to leave?” For age 13.

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koevasi

Koevasi

Illustrated by Stefan Messam
Pearson Education, 2009

“Me and Al have known each other forever. Since before the war started. That's, like, eight years ago. I remember cause we were both eight when it started. At first it wasn't so bad. The rebels came, wanting to take over, except we Melanistas held them back. But things just got worse and worse. Both me and AJ, our parents vanished. I don't know where they went. I had a sister, too, but she's gone off somewhere. For the last six months I've been trying to find her.” For age 13.

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Kiwi Bites

fluff helps out

Fluff Helps Out

Illustrated by Dave Gunson
Penguin Books, 2006

Dave's soccer team has been nicknamed The Screwballs because, well, they're pretty hopeless really. Every week they eat the dus of the team down the road know as 'Bloodn'Guts'. That is … until The Screwballs gain a new star player – Dave's dog, Fluff! Can a dog really save the team? And what do the strange snacks called 'sheep nuts' have to do with it? For ages 6 to 8.

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brenda's planetary holiday

Brenda's Planetary Holiday

Illustrated by Fraser Williamson
Penguin Books, 2006

With a jolt, Brenda landed. She was in a different transformer room. There was a group of small people in feathery pink dresses waiting for her. She stood up, a little nervous, and opened the glass door ... For ages 6 to 8.

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