Readings.com.au: David Metzenthen

Jarvis 24

Winner of the 2010 CBCA Book of the Year award for Older Readers.

So far, Marc E. Jarvis has lost a white football boot, a school tie and a best friend. But there's more in store for him when he completes Work Experience at a local car yard – where his world is truly rocked, shocked and shaken. Then Marc meets Electra. And nothing will ever be the same again . . .

Black Water

The wind, blasting up over the horizon from the south, carried with it the coldness of polar ice, and wielded it like a sword. Already the waves at the Heads would be heavy and huge, Farren knew, the gale rising so fiercely that there'd be wives down at the wharf waiting and praying for the boats to come back in . . .

When Farren Fox's father is missing at sea, all Farren wants is for his brother, Danny, to come home from Gallipoli. But when Danny does return from the war, he is vastly changed. And with the arrival of the mysterious child Souki, the sole survivor of a midnight shipwreck, the lives of both Fox brothers are altered forever.

Stony Heart Country

You see, out here in the country,' Bernie Tolliver tells Aaron Knott, 'things are complicated.'

Dangerously complicated, Aaron discovers – and that's before he's met Rose, the haunted young woman wandering the wild paddocks. Aaron s father is a city consultant brought in to sack country workers. Aaron Knott is the city kid taken along for the ride. And the ride in the Rocky Rises is always rough.

The Really Really High Diving Tower: Aussie Chomps

Can Pete 'Pod' Podlewski and Morris 'Shiny-Boy' Diamond conquer the ten metre diving tower – or are they doomed to sit on their towels forever?

It's a matter of life, death, love and discount icy poles!

Tiff And The Trout

In front of me is the shining river, the gum trees, the mountains, and the high blue sky. I love this place, even if it is really quiet. And I love Cass, too, because she can always make me laugh . . .

Tiff Porter lives in the tiny mountain town of Tilgong. She loves trout fishing, her best friend, Cass, and their two-room school. But as winter approaches and the seasons change, so life will change for Tiff . . .

A story of fishing, families and friendship from the best-selling, award-winning David Metzenthen.

Falling Forward

The city spread out in strips and stripes below Bruce's steel-capped boots. The sky flew away over his hard-hatted head. He was fifty storeys up, the wind chilling his teeth. In his pocket he had money. Friday was payday.

Bruce's life is finally on track. He's got a place to live and a job he likes, working on a high-rise building site in the middle of Melbourne. Then he meets Troy. And as his carefully constructed life starts to fall apart, Bruce finds himself falling forward, once again lost and out of control.

A compelling, engaging novel of friendship and belonging from the best-selling, award-winning author of Boys of Blood and Bone.

The Only Pony: Aussie Nibbles

Bessie Swan lives with her father, an artist. Ronald Swan is a very cautious, nervous person who prefers to paint things like flowers and jugs because they don't move. Bessie loves her father, but she isn't as happy with his lifestyle as he is.

She wants an adventure. Most of all, she wants to learn to ride a pony! And because she wants it so much, she makes it happen. She finds out how to catch a train out to the country where there is a riding school, and she tells her father that he is coming with her. Reluctantly, Ronald Swan goes with Bessie to Perky Pete's Pony Riding Palace, and while Bessie learns to ride Oliver, the only pony there, Ronald starts his painting.

It's a new experience for both of them. Bessie has proved herself right about adventures being good, and her dad has proved himself wrong about only painting things that don't move!

Rainbirds

A stunningly illustrated story about a city child s relationship with nature and the natural world, the trust that children can place in their parents, the responsibility adults have in looking after children and the environment they will inherit.Features collage based illustrations which will appeal to children and adults alike.

Winning The World Cup: Aussie Nibbles

Marco and his friends live in Australia, but they come from countries all over the world. And when they play soccer, they play for the World Cup!