Wombat Books

Ray Johnston and his best friend Tom, nearing the end of their first year in high school in Melbourne''s vibrant inner-western suburbs, develop a fascination with Melbourne''s new West Gate Bridge. After school, they regularly go to the bustling construction site to talk to the workers and collect mementos from the debris.To Ray and the community, the bridge symbolizes more than a mere transportation link from the western suburbs to Melbourne''s CBD. It represents progress, superiority and power, filling Ray with immense pride as his father, Doug Johnston, serves as the lead rigger, and his neighbour, George Demetriou, works as an ironworker.One fateful day, Ray stumbles upon a conversation between a bridge engineer and a foreman. They express serious concern about a buckle in the bridge and discuss plans to loosen the bridge’s bolts the following day. Tormented by this secret, Ray confides in Tom and ultimately decides to share his fears with his father. But his father tells him to keep quiet about it. Although Ray fears for his father’s and George’s safety, he agrees. The next day, shortly before noon, Ray is in his class at school when he hears piercing sirens wailing. He sprints towards the bridge, only to find a scene of utter devastation and chaos. Driven by desperation, he joins the courageous team of workers, relentlessly searching for his father amidst the wreckage—fighting against time to save lives. Hours pass like an eternity as Ray, with his torn and dirt-streaked shirt, abandons his identity as a schoolboy. And then, a glimmer of hope—the unimaginable happens—Ray finds his father alive and well. As months pass, Ray is haunted by the bridge as it hooks his fragmented heart and he refuses to pass it on his way to Tom’s house. Although he feels somewhat older since the accident, it’s not until Ray learns the biggest lesson of all—to forgive himself—that he is finally free. And just like the weathered, stressed and damaged pieces of glass he loves to collect, Ray begins to notice they too can be reshaped and strengthened into something new, ultimately reflecting a new perspective and a new way of looking at the world.On the cusp of adulthood, the two young friends face their own individual rites of passage as they wrestle with tragedy, justice and a loss of innocence, which will not only define them but change their lives forever.Reading age of 12+, Interest age 14+ Rhiza Shorts are teen novellas for reluctant readers

Amanda and her two best friends, Lucia and Mai, are the Dolphin Squad. They live by the beach, hang out in HQ and solve all sort of problems.Amanda Commander is nearly nine and there is nothing she loves more than hanging out with her two best friends at HQ, making all sorts of plans and solving all kinds of problems. Amanda Commander is kind, loyal and a natural-born leader. But even school can be a battlefield sometimes, so sometimes Amanda and her Squad need a plan just to survive.When Amanda returns to school after having a sick day, she finds fitting back into the friendship group tricker than she imagined. Amanda makes a plan, with the help of the Dolphin Squad, to go out of their way and include anyone. But when Eve is sick and has a few days off school, how will Amanda ensure Eve doesn’t have a blues-day back at school just like she di? t’s OPERATION WELCOME BACK!Amanda tries everything to make Eve feel included, even when it means being left out herself.AMANDA COMMANDER - THE BLUES-DAY TUESDAY is the fourth book in a Junior Fiction series promoting kindness, loyalty and friendship.

In the Kingdom of Elatha, where music and song are outlawed, orphaned brothers Garlan and Cadellflee abusive foster parents. Like many people in their world, they make their way in life by living onthe road. Thirteen-year-old Garlan, deemed too young to care for his brother, takes risks and grappleswith breaking rules as they evade authorities.Yearning to sing, Galan dreams of the world beyond Elatha’s walls that his parents told him about. It’s rumoured that no one has survived attempts to cross the wall that runs along the border of Elatha.Those who were caught trying were arrested and sent to the king’s mines for life. Every night, Garlanquietly sings to Cadell, who is mute.Threatened with separation, the boys make a life-changing decision to embark on a dangerous journey.Though there is no certainty, the Other Side offers a chance to nourish their hearts. Their frighteningescapade leads to opportunities they never imagined. It also means they must make the most heart-breaking decision of all.The brothers’ heart-warming devotion to one another is deeply engaging and sends a strong messageof hope. Anyone who appreciates music and song will identify with this story. It reminds us that even?impossible circumstances are survivable if you have the love and passion necessary to fight for a?better world. 

An exciting time travel journey, combining suspense and adventure with problem solving as Harper tries to keep history on the right course and save a missing girl. Harper Wells finally gets a room of her own, away from her annoying big brother and the grief they both feel at the disappearance of her mother. But on the first night in her brand-new bed, she wakes up in the past and meets a young girl named Edie. Not knowing where she is or how she got there, Harper eventually wakes up back in her room at home.When another night’s sleep turns into a second visit to Edie, she’s grabbed by a boy her age, who identifies himself as Maximilian. He’s a timeline officer and reveals that Harper has accidentally bought a time-travelling bed and her encounter with Edie could have changed Australian history. He tells her that the World Office of Timeline Officials—WOTO for short—will kill her if they realise she’s using a Wollemi Bed without authorisation or training.Has Harper changed the future or can things be restored? And who does her new bed really belong to? The answer throws her into a world of time-travelling spies and puts her life in danger as she tries to restore Edie’s timeline and find the missing timeline officer.Harper Wells: Renegade Timeline Officer is an exciting story ideal for ages 10 and up. It covers grief and loss, as well as important moments in Australia’s history. It has a feisty heroine who knows how to stand up for herself and tries to set things right instead of walking away.

Flip is a contemporary Australian young adult drama that explores big issues with soul and sensitivity. Its high-low content and feel good finale make it a perfect read for both lovers of the genre and non-confident readers.Issues and themes flowing through Flip are timely and relevant, including the current housing crisis, bullying, loss and grief, finding yourself and a sense of belonging, friendship and family dynamics, starting over in a new town and school, and the impacts of cancer and dementia.Denim Davies wishes he could flip his life, just like the vintage items and clothing he finds at garage sales and thrift stores and sells online. With the worsening housing crisis, Denim and his dad have spent a year moving from town to town in search of sustainable work and a home they can call their own. Every move means starting over in a new school. Denim feels he’s drifting through life without an anchor.When Denim and his dad arrive in the coastal town of Driftwood Heights, Denim knows things are only going to get worse. The only accommodation is in the caravan park, he’s just started Year 10, and in this small town where everyone knows each other, he feels more of a misfit than ever. Besides, what’s the point of getting close to anyone if you’re just going to move away again?When Denim befriends Mina, a quirky girl with a carefree attitude, Driftwood Heights starts to look a little brighter. But then a vintage find that seems too good to be true goes horribly wrong, and he has a tough decision to make—one that could ruin his friendship forever.What do you do when flipping your life has too high a price?Reading age of 10 +, Interest age 14+. Rhiza Shorts are teen novellas for reluctant readers

Amanda and her two best friends, Lucia and Mai, are the Dolphin Squad. They live by the beach, hang out in HQ and solve all sort of problems. Amanda Commander is nearly nine and there is nothing she loves more than hanging out with her two best friends at HQ, making all sorts of plans and solving all kinds of problems. Amanda Commander is kind, loyal and a natural-born leader. But even school can be a battlefield sometimes, so sometimes Amanda and her Squad need a plan just to survive. Written for ages 6- 8,AMANDA COMMANDER - THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER is the fifth book in a Junior Fiction series promoting kindness, loyalty and friendship.

Tarni is obsessed with her school formal. When the dress doesn’t fit Tarni has to use both fashion and courage to overcome it. Tarni is counting down the days and checking off each of the items she needs. Her perfect dress is a whopping $950 and she has to work extra to save up for it. Her checklist slowly counts off shoes, makeup, but getting the dress means one challenge after another. First it’s not the only expense a teenager has, and then by the time she saves up the dress is no longer on the manufacturer’s website. How can she find her perfect dress, in the right size? And will she ever get a clue on what to do after school?

For ten-year-old Benjamin being a treasure hunter is great. Learning he is a pirate, that’s even better. Ben discovers a treasure map left by his grandfather and embarks on one last treasure hunt with the help of his Nan. But does someone else know about the location of the treasure? Ben must face danger and use his wits, or risk losing the loot forever. But more importantly, Ben must deal with his grief and say goodbye to his treasured grandfather.Ben stays with Nan for the first time since Pa died. The family are still grieving, particularly Ben who adored his grandfather. Ben finds a note with a treasure map. It promises an adventure like many others he went on with Pa. But before the treasure hunt Benjamin discovers he is a descendant of the fierce pirate, Benito Bonito. The map promises to uncover the hiding place of Benito’s treasure. Ben and Nan embark on an exciting adventure using the map, but what they uncover is much more than they ever expected.The author’s note at the end gives a more detailed account of the legend of the Lost Loot of Lima and history into the real-life attempts made to uncover the buried treasure at Queenscliff.

Our Map is a heart-warming children''s book that explores themes of friendship, heritage, and the power of imagination and educates young readers about the importance of cultural understanding and the value of creating new narratives. It is perfect for families, educators, and anyone looking to inspire children to embrace their heritage and appreciate the diverse world around them.JJ''s best friend, Lee, struggles with maps because his parents, who were refugees, fled their homeland at a very young age. Lee doesn’t know where his parents'' country is and feels a sense of loss and confusion. In a tender moment, JJ attempts to show Lee their home countries on the map, highlighting the vast deserts of Australia, the beautiful national parks of Bangladesh, and the immense Great Wall of China. However, Lee’s parents'' country is nowhere to be found on the map. This realisation prompts JJ and Lee to understand that not all places are represented on traditional maps, especially those lost to conflict and change. Lee''s poignant story of his parents'' homeland, which had water, houses, animals, and playgrounds that disappeared, underscores the transient nature of maps and the histories they represent.Determined to create something new and meaningful, JJ suggests drawing a new map. With the help of their teacher, Miss Young, and their classmates, JJ and Lee gather papers and markers to start their creative project. Each child contributes drawings of their homes and favourite places, from Clare’s family house in the Netherlands to Luke’s townhouse and pizza. Lee sketches a playground and an old house, while JJ adds a treehouse next to a botanic garden. Together, they assemble their drawings into a unique map that reflects their diverse backgrounds and shared experiences. This new map, unlike any other, becomes a symbol of their unity and creativity. The children proudly hold up their new map, knowing that it represents their identity and no one can take it away.

In an extraordinary stroke of luck, six high school students – Luke, Alex, Harriet, Meg, Kye, and outcast Cassie – find themselves thrust into unimaginable wealth after winning a staggering 50 million-dollar Megaball prize. Overnight, their ordinary lives transform into a world where anything is attainable, and shopping becomes difficult - not because you can’t afford anything, but because you can afford everything. Then amidst the glitz and glamour, tragedy strikes ''the millionaire''s club'', raising unsettling questions: was it an accident, or a deliberate act, fuelled by hidden secrets? As the group begin to discover the truth behind their extraordinary good fortune, they unwittingly unravel a complex web of lies concealing not only their improbable win but also other so-called luck happening around them.In this heart-pounding tale of wealth, deceit, and moral reckoning, the millionaires club find themselves entangled in a treacherous game where the price of fortune is higher than they ever imagined. As they attempt to shield their newfound riches and each other from the relentless pursuit of the truth, they begin to realise that luck can be far from good, and lies, once buried, have a way of clawing their way back to the surface.

 Ways to Die Right is about normal teenagers having normal interactions while trying to stay true to themselves and their feelings. Joel’s mum is diagnosed with cancer - again - sending him into a spiral. He is already feeling the burden of caring for Holly’s grave; how could he possibly care for his mum’s grave as well? Then, he is confronted by his arch-nemesis, Trent, and his buddies in Joel’s most sacred place - the local cemetery. While Joel is striving to understand how family members can ‘forget’ their loved one by abandoning their grave, Trent wants everyone to know that graves are an important part of our human community. When Joel is given the opportunity, he champions green burials in a science presentation. The public opposition from Trent is almost more than he can take. Joel is forced to fight for himself and his beliefs, while trying to hide his biggest secret. New and old friends support him in his quest to protect the environment and find peace and his parents see his struggles and make changes to support him.In Ways to Die Right, the author wants to highlight how deeply teens feel about things affecting them, like death, the environment, and peers they perceive as a threat. Teenagers will be able to identify with interactions happening in everyday life at school, when conflict arises, and with family. Ways to Die Right is for all teenages who want to read about real people struggling with real issues they will be able to identify with. It will especially appeal to teens who love shorter, easy to read stories, but who want to read about teenagers just like them.Reading age of 10 +, Interest age 14+

At the outbreak of World War I, eleven-year-old Elsie Clarke is shipped off to Wales to attend Miss Coleridge’s Academy for Gifted Youths. What at first appears to be an institution for talented academics soon reveals that ‘Gifted’ means something else entirely, and only the mysterious Madam Tryll holds the answers.Only she can open the Gateway to The Place Where Lost Children Go – a sentient forest called Elsewhere with the power to enhance the talents, desires, and fears of unique souls. And then there’s Elsie, the newest Guardian, with the power to open the Gateways into Elsewhere, borrow Gifts in emergencies, and enhance other Gifts with her touch so that her Gifted friends can grow stronger. But Elsie’s powers are unpredictable and her new role as mentor comes with a lot of responsibility.Meanwhile, the war rages on, and the headmistress believes the students are the solution. She intends to push them to their academic limit, training them in the art of war, stripping them of their childhood. The Gifted must use their newfound talents to bring down her awful regime and win a battle of their own. But with the war growing ever closer to home, Elsie can’t help but feel like Elsewhere has been recruiting them too, training them for something bigger than just school.

Ariana Treasure loves helping her friends and Maya definitely needs her help. There’s a talent show at school, but Maya thinks she has no talent. To add to Maya’s dilemma, she is desperate to impress her grandfather who is visiting all the way from Sri Lanka. Can Ariana help Maya discover her special talent before show day? Afterall Ariana knows we all have talents.In the Ariana Treasure early reader series there are always problems to solve and fun to be had.Ariana often saves the day with her quick thinking and thoughtful spirit. The stories explore friendship, families, courage, diversity and sustainability. With simple sentence structures, accessible vocabulary, familiar characters and relatable storylines, the stories in the Ariana Treasure series would suit eager beginner readers. Whether it be making new friends, saving a kitchen disaster or finding an act for the talent show, Ariana is ever ready to step up and help those in her community.

A fun, family friendly and interactive picture book to celebrate mums and their love for their children, written from the perspective of a child. My mother has an invisible shield. I’ve tested it. It’s true. No matter what her mischievous children attempt, mum is always ready and prepared. When they sneak up behind her, she always turns just in time. With ease, she thwarts an attempt to nab an afternoon snack before it''s ready. They must try something cleverer. But her shield is still there, and she avoids the attempt yet again. Maybe her shield is like an astronaut suit, or like feathers, or like bubble wrap? But in moments of need, that shield always falls in time for mum to scoop them up into her arms.This book was written inspired by the author’s own children and written as a fun activity with them. While the tricks are a bit silly, it carries an important message about family and the bond between mother and children.

Join Ariana at the Treasure Chest – the best thrift shop in town! Come and find the secret ingredient. Ariana is excited for the food truck competition. Her friend’s Hunter and Jake are confident their family will win the big prize. All they need is a standout dish and thanks to the Treasure Chest they think they have it. But when something unexpected happens to Hunter and Jake’s parents, the head chefs, it is up to the brothers to cook. The only problem is they can’t cook and can’t stop arguing. Can Ariana and the treasures from the thrift shop help save a kitchen disaster?

Pepper Masalah and the Flying Carpet by Rosanne Hawke is a series of five story books featuring an adventurous black cat called Pepper Masalah, and her nine-year-old friend, Zamir.Pepper Masalah lives with Zamir and his family on an olive farm in Australia. Zam’s grandmother is from the old country (Kashmir) and she brought with her an ancient carpet. She believes the carpet can fly, and that it will try to find its previous master in Kashmir. It hasn’t flown for hundreds of years so it is shaky at first, and can’t find its bearings. It lands in many countries on the way to Kashmir, where Pepper Masalah and Zamir have dangerous but exciting adventures.In the 5th book, the carpet flies Pepper Masalah and Zamir to Kashmir and lands in the aftermath of a modern-day earthquake. When Pepper is kidnapped and locked in an animal shelter by some thieves, she meets a snow leopard, a cat, and a woman named Jani, who reminds her of Zamir’s Dadi. Despite Pepper’s clever plan to release the animals and reunite with Zamir, the new group cannot evade the thieves. It seems only Jani will be able to help. Will Zamir and Pepper find a way to escape? Or will Jani’s secret change everything?