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FICTION
BY DI BATES |
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The
Hold-up Heroes
Polly and James accidentally overhear a gang of bushrangers
plotting to hold up the Governor. Their first thought is to tell their
parents and become heroes for saving the day. But then they find out
their dad might be helping the bushrangers! This fictional book, commissioned
by the National Museum of Australia, was inspired by Australia's oldest
gentlemen's coach held in the museum's collection. |
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Fangs
(illustrated by Kevin Burgemeestre)
David's mum has a new boyfriend who he's nicknamed Fangs. The only problem is
that he reminds David of Dracula. Based on a story of when Di's daughter Claire
was young and she had a strange ritual when preparing to go to bed. |
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Urgent
Delivery
(illustrated by Chris Norris)
Andrew is only twelve and he's about to go on the ride of his life! His mum is
about to have a baby on the back seat of the car - and Andrew's at the
wheel! Trouble is, the cops are after them!
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Crash
Landing
(illustrated by Elizabeth Alger)
Marco is flying interstate heading to an important swim
meet with his school swimming squad. But Marco is scared. His gut is turning
over, his heart is thumping hard. His hands and feet are cold and sweaty. He's
convinced the plane is going to crash… |
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Carl's
Café
(illustrated by Terry Denton)
Lizzie's twin brother, Carl, is crazy about cooking. They
set up Carl's Café in their cubbyhouse with their friends. But what exactly
does Carl use to make the spaghetti bolognaise for lunch? Is it any wonder everyone
finishes up having a spaghetti fight? |
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The
Last Refuge
novel (Hodder Headline, 1996)
Mitch is thirteen years old and life can't get much
tougher. When her dad drinks too much he takes his anger out on the family
- with his fists. To make matters worse, Mitch's mum refuses to leave.
Then one day things finally go too far. Mitch is badly hurt and her mum
decides it's time to get away. Will they ever find a safe refuge away
from their father? And can they ever leave behind the painful memories?
A fictional work based in part on the author's childhood experiences. |
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Supermouth
(1995)
When Grandpa accidentally superglues his teeth together,
his grandson decides that something needs to be done. The results are unexpected.
A riot occurs in the Social Security office, a hand turns into a face, the
police are called and television cameras roll.
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Getting
Even
('96)
Problems start when Linda's older brother, Justin,
stops being a slob. Bathroom battles and a disasterous dinner date
lead to a family fight that gets worse and worse. Is it possbile to
forgive a sister who ruins your football career, or a brother who takes
revenge in a very mean way? |
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My
Other Mother
At Dad's wedding, Matt eats too much ice cream and
throws up on his Great-Aunt Bess. But that's no problem. The big problem
is that Dad and Jenny are on their honeymoon. Matt's staying with Gran.
She is kind but is Dad ever going to come home? And is Jenny going to
be a wicked stepmother? What if she makes him eat dirt or, even worse,
green peas? |
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In
Big Big Trouble
Victoria Rigby is in big trouble. Her report card stinks.
It's just awful! She promised to do her chores. But her room looks like a
junk yard. Her homework hasn't been done. She's forgotten to bring the washing
in and it's raining. Now Mum's arrived home from work. She's going to be
mad. What's a kid to do? There's no escape...or is there? |
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The
Bogeyman in the Garden
When Lauren and Emily finish building a cubby in the
back garden, they think it might be great fun to sleep in it overnight. Snuggled
in their sleeping bags, the torch glowing warmly... "What's that? Who's
there?"
Is there a bogeyman in the garden? Or...? |
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The
Trouble With Parents
Open Day at school is just around the corner. Twins
Craig and Sarah are really excited until they realise their parents aren't
coming. They feel like orphans and all alone, especially when good old Mrs
Butler from next door can't come or Aunty Lyn or Uncle Peter. How can Sarah
present the welcoming speech when she feels so disappointed? Doesn't anyone
care? |
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Troublemaker
Katy Hassell is always in the trouble. If you had great
big stick-out ears and kids called you Satellite Dish or Dumbo, well, you'd
fight back wouldn't you? One day Katy goes just a bit too far: she tells
a teacher to 'grow a brain'! Boy, is she in Big Trouble! |
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Promise Not To Laugh
(HarperCollins, 1997: Shivers series, ed Paul Collins)
Everyone knows a loner at school. That kid who wants to
be left alone. Karen is a loner, but she most definitely doesn't get left alone.
Then again, neither do the kids who taunt her. As the story begins: 'The killings
occurred during the recess break, right in front of the whole school. Five students
lay dead...' Karen doesn't deny her part in the murders, but her motive is so
peculiar, no-one can believe her.
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Rotten Rellies
(1996)
A dead bat in the freezer, peanut butter and honey sandwiches
on the floor, a bedroom which looks like a pigsty... they don't bother Anthony
Marks, but his mum has gone ballistic! What can Anthony do to satisfy his fussy
mum? Nothing comes to mind until the rellies come to visit. |
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Kings of the Creek
(Rigby, 2001)
“The
creek behind the house was always ours until the Pappas family came along.
Then things began to change…” In this story, two families learn
to work together to care for their environment. |
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NON-FICTION
The
Funnies
(Rigby
Heinemann, 1993)
Would you like to draw your own cartoons and comic
strips? All you need to get started is a sharp pencil, a piece of blank
paper and this book, which shows you how you can easily create your
own comic characters.
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Resourceful
Kids
(Rigby, 1997)
Many
children help at home. Some children care for the environment. Others
help in their communities, or try to change the world around them.
Resourceful Kids looks at children who are kind, helpful, capable and
brave. Together, they help to make our world a better place.
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