Books published by publisher Black Chook Books

Fifteen-year-old Robbie knows bad things happen in Walgaree. But it’s nothing to do with him. That’s just the way the Aborigines have always been treated. In the summer of 1965 racial tensions in the town are at boiling point, and something headed Walgaree’s way will blow things apart. It’s time for Robbie to take a stand. Nothing will ever be the same. Freedom Ride is a confronting young adult novel from award-winning Australian author Sue Lawson. Based on real events, this gripping coming-of-age story about civil rights, racism and Indigenous issues is perfectly suited for teens and lovers of historical fiction. For more YA by Sue, read her books Allie McGregor’s True Colours, Finding Darcy, After, Dare You, Forget Me Not, Pan’s Whisper and You Don’t Even Know.

St. Andsbald Mental Institution is the new home for thirteen-year-old Skyler Canter Reems. She can't quite come to terms with why she's ended up in this place, strangely nicknamed "The Fat." Dumped on, cut, and too old for her own good, Skyler manages to find her place in The Fat alongside the oddest assortment of young women she's ever met. Before she can leave, their friendships brace her for a final, heart-wrenching wave of misfortune.

A legendary treasure... a secret palace... one big adventure!When 12-year-old Brock Ford is invited to Africa with his globe-trotting anthropologist uncle Dirk Armstrong, he jumps at the chance to ditch his boring hometown to spend the summer on safari among wild animals and friendly natives. But Brock and Dirk are barely off the train in Nairobi when mysterious artifacts begin to surface which indicate the legend of an ancient lost treasure may actually be true. It’s an adventure that takes them over the Serengeti plain, through an underground Chagga fortress, and up the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro itself. Their discovery might be the greatest archaeological find of the century, but it could also trap them within the mountain’s volcanic depths forever.

"IMAGINATIVE AND CAPTIVATING, I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!"Fourteen-year-old Hayden doesn't believe in magic. He's never been attacked by dragons, taken a ride on a taxi service staffed by man-eating pegasi, or battled a swarm of killer tarantula fairies. And he's certainly never owned a pair of ensorcelled underpants designed to make the wearer invisible—that would be ridiculous.All Hayden knows is a wretched life in the overcrowded Arizona foster care system where miles of red tape often keep him separated from his twelve-year-old sister Sera, the only family he has left.But that's about to change.When Sera is snatched by a bunch of sharp-toothed goblins, Hayden follows the kidnappers through a portal and into the magical world of Wayfair.In a place where carnivorous mushrooms lurk in dark forests and people in velvet waistcoats ride spider automatons, Hayden must solve the mystery behind Wayfair’s President and his secret source of power, or his sister may be lost forever.The Lost Emerald of Briarwood is the first book in Vona Stewart’s Shadow Sovereign series. If you like Harry Potter, Fablehaven, and Percy Jackson, you’ll love this imaginative and exciting magic portal fantasy.Get your copy of The Lost Emerald of Briarwood today!

A lost goldmine... a forgotten ghost town... a terrifying creature!“Alaska is a huge place. Easy for a man to get lost and never be seen again.” These words ring in 12-year-old Brock Ford’s ears as he embarks for the frozen north with his uncle, world-famous anthropologist Dirk Armstrong. But it’s not long before Brock and his new Inuit friends Tanaraq and Kalli put that warning to the test. From a ghost-town saloon with a cryptic message scrawled on its wall to the vast uncharted Alaskan wilderness, Brock must rely on his wits and integrity if he wants to make it back alive. But when he crosses paths with the mysterious half-animal/half-spirit Urayuli, he’s also going to need a great deal of luck.

Who will sacrifice? And who will win? The Last Duel chronicles the final days of Athos as a Musketeer. He must find a condemned man, free him from the Bastille, and rescue the love of his life. He scours Paris on his mission while hunted by those seeking revenge. His path takes a final savage turn when he must enter an underground dueling competition, placing him face-to-face with fate. Only one man can leave the match alive.

Across the sea... Over the desert sand... And into the tomb of a missing mummy!When 12-year-old Brock Ford joins his anthropologist uncle Dirk Armstrong on an expedition to Egypt, he never imagines he’ll be shipwrecked at sea and thrust into an international mystery before he sees his first pyramid. But ancient curses and missing mummies are nothing compared to the real-life dangers that lurk in the dead of the desert night after a hidden tomb is uncovered. Who is trying to sabotage the expedition? And why? Brock and his dog Sparky race to unravel the secret of an antique scroll before they are permanently sealed in the tomb!

Boris is back and he's better than ever! Better-Off Boris and the P. U. Shoo finds Boris and his friends back in Cupcake Cave. While cleaning up from their last adventure, the miners discover an icy world filled with huge, sundae hilltops, rows of enormous popsicles and stacks of gigantic ice cream sandwiches. Boris and his buddies meet the Pie-face United, a group of frosty pies who want nothing to do with the friendly miners. "You don't talk like us, you don't walk like us, and you'll never, EVER be one of us. So, shoo, shoo, shoo!" the P.U. leader huffs and puffs. Will Boris be able to win over the P.U. or will they shoo him away for good?

Sometimes just surviving second period is an accomplishment!Zach Ziegler’s mom says he’s “big-boned.” His grandfather referred to him as “strapping.” His dad, whom he never sees much, calls him “Sporto.” No one uses the F-word: fat. But Zach’s arch-nemesis, Trevor, doesn’t mind pointing out the obvious, and Zach is horrified when Trevor christens him with a new nickname in front of the whole PE class. If that isn’t bad enough, the science fair is coming up, and Zach and Trevor are paired up on a project. And just when it seems things can’t possibly get any worse, Zach’s cat destroys what Zach and Trevor have spent days putting together. Will Zach survive sixth grade, or is he destined to be murdered before the school year is over?

Join 12-year-old Brock Ford in three thrilling adventures that Publisher’s Weekly calls “pure escapist fun!” From discovering a treasure hidden deep within Mount Kilimanjaro to exploring the tombs of ancient kings and pursuing strange creatures through the Alaskan wilderness, you’ll sense the genuine awe, wonder and excitement of all Brock’s discoveries.This box set includes the following novels:The Lost Treasure of KilimanjaroA legendary treasure…a secret palace…one big adventure!The Mummy’s TombAcross the open sea…over the desert sand…and into the tomb of a missing mummy!The River of GoldA lost goldmine…a forgotten ghost town…a terrifying creature!