Back-to-School Reading Picks

Updated January 14, 2026
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If you want to blitz your year 12 exams read this book
Smith, Alexandra
Paper Book
The must-read book for anyone in their last two years of high school A little book with the potential to make a big difference ... IF YOU WANT TO BLITZ YOUR YEAR 12 EXAMS READ THIS BOOK is packed with outstanding advice and awesome tips that will help you to excel in your final two...
Your best score : how to reach your full potential in year 12 : your best score
Karkanis, Chris
Paper Book
Every student who achieved great results in Year 12 once stood where you are now. They had the same doubts and fears about how they'd perform throughout the year. Most students start out thinking that only 'gifted' individuals receive good marks, but at some point, for those who succeed, something...
A girl's guide to starting high school
Blake, Chloe
Paper Book
A Girl's Guide to Starting High School is a girls silent friend to get in the mindset, build confidence and resilience for a new stage in school life. Written for girls in their last year of primary school (ages 10 - 12-year-old) this book is an essential tool to empower them to...
The high school survival guide : your roadmap to studying, socializing and succeeding
Holsman, Jessica
Paper Book
The Ultimate Guide for High School Success "The High School Survival Guide teaches you how to survive both school and life!" -Lenoria Addison, Partner Manager, AwesomenessTV #1 Best Seller in Test Preparation, SSAT & COOP, and Mindfulness & Meditation<...
Everything you need to ace geometry in one big fat notebook : the complete high school study guide
Needham, Christy
Paper Book
Geometry? No problem!  This Big Fat Notebook covers everything you need to know during a year of high school geometry class, breaking down one big bad subject into accessible units. Learn to study better and get better grades using...
Everything you need to ace chemistry in one big fat notebook : the complete high school study guide
Swanson, Jennifer
Paper Book
Chemistry? No problem!  This Big Fat Notebook covers everything you need to know during a year of high school chemistry class, breaking down one big bad subject into accessible units. Learn to study better and get better grades using...
Everything You Need to Ace Algebra 2 in One Big Fat Notebook
Workman Publishing.
Paper Book
The ultimate Algebra 2 study guide that reviews all the skills students need to ace high school Algebra 2 class, in language that is actually easy-to-understand. Filled with helpful tips, definitions, and side bars, all written in accessible student-friendly...
Everything you need to ace pre-algebra & algebra 1 in one big fat notebook : the complete high school study guide
Wang, Jason (Mathematics educator)
Paper Book
Millions and millions of BIG FAT NOTEBOOKS sold! Pre-Algebra & Algebra 1? No Problem! The BIG FAT NOTEBOOK covers everything you need to know during a year of Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1 class, breaking down one big fat subject into accessible units. Including: The number...
Everything you need to ace science in one big fat notebook : the complete high school study guide : borrowed from the smartest kid in class
Geisen, Michael
Paper Book
It's the revolutionary science study guide just for middle school students from the brains behind Brain Quest. Everything You Need to Ace Science . . . takes readers from scientific investigation and the engineering design process to the Periodic Table; forces and motion; forms of...
UCAT guide & getting into medicine. 2024-2026
Anzum, Afia
Paper Book
Lady Audley's secret
Braddon, M. E.
Paper Book
Women are never lazy . . . To call them the weaker sex is to utter a hideous mockery. They are the stronger sex, the nosier, the more persevering, the most self-assertive sex. When the beautiful, child-like governess Lucy Graham marries widower Sir Michael Audley,...
Refugee
Gratz, Alan
Paper Book
The award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling novel from Alan Gratz tells the timely--and timeless--story of three different kids seeking refuge. A New York Times bestseller! JOSEF is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the threat of concentration...
Meet Poppy
Wang, Gabrielle.
Paper Book
Meet Poppy is the first story in a set of four about the amazing journey of a young Chinese Aboriginal girl, who lives on a Christian mission in 1864. It is a story of bravery and love, as Poppy sets out to chase her brother after he escapes from the Mission in search of freedom and a better life.
Tracks of the missing
Merrison, Carl
Paper Book
Age range 12+ 'There must be payback.' 'There must, you are right,' Grandfather agrees. 'What can you offer in exchange?' Grandfather holds up his arms, open, offering himself as a sacrifice. 'I am old.' Deklan 'Dek' Archer and...
Animal farm : a fairy story
Orwell, George
Paper Book
Introduced by Alan Johnson.'All animals are equal. But some animals are more equal than others.'Mr Jones of Manor Farm is so lazy and drunken that one day he forgets to feed his livestock. The ensuing rebellion under the leadership of the pigs Napoleon and Snowball leads to the animals taking over...
The F team
Arja, Rawah
Paper Book
*A 2021 CBCA Notable Book: Older Readers* *Longlisted for the 2021 ABIAs: Book of the year for Older Children* *Shortlisted for the Australian Book Design Awards 2021: Best Designed Children's Fiction Book* *Shortlisted for the 2021 New South Wales...
The hate U give
Thomas, Angie
Paper Book
8 starred reviews · Goodreads Choice Awards Best of the Best · William C. Morris Award Winner · National Book Award Longlist · Printz Honor Book · Coretta Scott King Honor Book · #1 New York Times Bestseller! "Absolutely riveting!" --Jason Reynolds ...
Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare, William
Paper Book
Shakespeare everyone can understand--now in this new EXPANDED edition of ROMEO AND JULIET! Why fear Shakespeare? By placing the words of the original play next to line-by-line translations in plain English, this popular guide makes Shakespeare accessible to everyone. And now it features expanded...
Wonder
Palacio, R. J.
Paper Book
NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE STARRING JULIA ROBERTS AND OWEN WILSON. This exclusive special edition is packed with behind-the-scenes content, featuring interviews with the cast and crew, photos from on set, and introductions by director Stephen Chbosky and R. J. Palacio.
The outsiders
Hinton, S. E.
Paper Book
50 years of an iconic classic!The international bestseller and inspiration for a beloved movie--now with bonus content. This special edition of the groundbreaking novel contains- Never before seen photos and letters from the publisher's archives ...
Station eleven
Mandel, Emily St. John
Paper Book
One of The New York Times 100 Best Books of the 21st Century 'Best novel. The big one . . . stands above all the others' - George R.R. Martin, author of Game of Thrones Now an HBO Max original TV series The New York Times<...
The great Gatsby
Collins, Anne
Paper Book
With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting...
Nineteen eighty-four
Orwell, George
Paper Book
Winston Smith works for the Ministry of Truth in what remains of a Britain ravaged by revolution. His every move is monitored by the Thought Police, who are responsible for detecting dissent against the Party and its leader, Big Brother-and eliminating it. When he meets Julia, Winston thinks he...
Running wild
Morpurgo, Michael.
Paper Book
The epic and heart-rending jungle adventure from the nation's favourite storyteller Michael Morpurgo. For Will and his mother, going to Indonesia isn't just a holiday. It's an escape, a new start, a chance to put things behind them - things like the death of Will's father. ...
Catching teller crow
Kwaymullina, Ambelin
Paper Book
This Victorian Premier's Literary Award winner is a totally addictive ghost story, crime story and thriller, told half in prose and half in verse, from two of the most exciting Aboriginal voices in Australia.
Follow the rabbit-proof fence
Pilkington, Doris
Paper Book
This is the true account of Nugi Garimara's mother, Molly, made legendary by the film Rabbit-Proof Fence. In 1931 Molly led her two sisters on an extraordinary 1600-kilometre walk across remote Western Australia. Aged eight, eleven and fourteen, they escaped the confinement of a...
Foreign soil
Clarke, Maxine Beneba
Paper Book
Winner of the Victorian Premier's Unpublished Manuscript Award 2013.In Melbourne's western suburbs, in a dilapidated block of flats overhanging the rattling Footscray train lines, a young black mother is working on a collection of stories. The book is called FOREIGN SOIL. Inside its covers, a...

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