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
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...
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...
UCAT guide & getting into medicine. 2024-2026
Anzum, Afia
Lady Audley's Secret
Braddon, Mary Elizabeth
Ebook
Part of our collection of Young Adult Classics, a sensationalist story involving love, arson and murder. 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...
Refugee
Gratz, Alan
Audiobook
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
When the downtrodden animals of Manor Farm overthrow their master Mr Jones and take over the farm themselves, they imagine it is the beginning of a life of freedom and equality. But gradually a cunning, ruthless élite among them, masterminded by the pigs Napoleon and Snowball, starts to take control...
The F team
Arja, Rawah
Ebook
The Hate U Give
Thomas, Angie
Ebook
Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare, William
Paper Book
Read Shakespeare in graphic-novel form--with NO FEAR! No Fear Shakespeare Graphic Novels is a series based on the translated texts of the plays found in No Fear Shakespeare. The original No Fear series made Shakespeare...
Wonder
Palacio, R. J.
Ebook
'Has the power to move hearts and change minds' Guardian 'Tremendously uplifting and a novel of all-too-rare power' Sunday Express 'An amazing book . . . I absolutely loved it. I cried my eyes out' Tom Fletcher Read...
The outsiders
Hinton, S. E.
Paper Book
Greasers, Rockers, different place, different name - but wherever they are, they're outsiders; the rough, tough, long-haired boys from the other side of town, with little hope of flash cars, fine madras shirts and the good things of American life in the Sixties. Their story is told by Ponyboy, a...
Station eleven
Mandel, Emily St. John
Paper Book
This Anniversary Edition of Station Eleven, a finalist for the National Book Award and named a Best Book of the Twenty-First Century by the New York Times, celebrates ten years of this now iconic novel with a new color illustration and a guide to "The Mandelverse" A...
The Great Gatsby
Fitzgerald, F. Scott
Paper Book
Generally considered to be F. Scott Fitzgerald's finest novel, The Great Gatsby is a consummate summary of the "roaring twenties", and a devastating expose of the "Jazz Age". Through the narration of Nick Carraway, the reader is taken into the superficially glittering world of the mansions which...
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
Ebook
This extraordinary story of courage and faith is based on the actual experiences of three girls who fled from the repressive life of Moore River Native Settlement, following along the rabbit-proof fence back to their homelands. Assimilationist policy dictated that these girls be taken from their...
Foreign soil
Clarke, Maxine Beneba
Ebook

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