Books published by publisher University of Queensland Press

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 kin and their homes in order to be made white. Settlement life was unbearable with its chains and padlocks, barred windows, hard cold beds, and horrible food. Solitary confinement was doled out as regular punishment. The girls were not even allowed to speak their language. Of all the journeys made since white people set foot on Australian soil, the journey made by these girls born of Aboriginal mothers and white fathers speaks something to everyone.

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 kin and their homes in order to be made white. Settlement life was unbearable with its chains and padlocks, barred windows, hard cold beds, and horrible food. Solitary confinement was doled out as regular punishment. The girls were not even allowed to speak their language. Of all the journeys made since white people set foot on Australian soil, the journey made by these girls born of Aboriginal mothers and white fathers speaks something to everyone.

Nine rowers, 2,000 grueling yards, and one chance for glory Tall, naturally talented, and the offspring of Olympians, superstar siblings Leni and Cristian Popescu are set to row Harley Grammar to victory in the annual Head of the River race. With six months until the big race, the twins can't lose. Or can they? When Cristian is seduced by the easy route of performance-enhancing drugs, and Leni is suffocated with self-doubt, their bright futures start to fade. Juggling family, high expectations, study, break-ups, new relationships, and wild parties, the pressure starts to build. As the final moments tick down to the big race, will they make it to the start line or will they plummet from grace?

A heartwarming book that teaches the importance of responsibility and love for a pet Eric was given a dog for his eighth birthday—that was nearly a year ago. The dog, named Ugly (because he is just that), settles into Eric’s family but is not attached to Eric in any way. In fact, Ugly prefers everyone else in the family! Eric has several crazy ideas to make Ugly love him, but Ugly is not swayed. Eric slowly comes to realize that in order to win over Ugly, he has to put in time, effort, and most importantly, show him love and affection. A life lesson wrapped up in a beautifully told story that will resonate with kids and parents—and pet lovers.

A page-turning and inspirational story which celebrates and embraces difference, courage and friendship. Will and Summer meet online and strike up a friendship based on coincidence. Summer lives in Will’s old hometown, Kettering, a small Tasmanian coastal community. Summer isn’t telling the whole truth about herself, but figures it doesn’t matter if they never see each other in person, right? When Will returns to Kettering, the two finally meet and Summer can no longer hide her secret – she is deaf. Can Summer and Will find a way to be friends in person even though they speak a completely different language?

From one of Australia's most-loved and prolific authors comes a funny and endearing tale about a boy called Eric and his dog Ugly. My Dog Gets a Job picks up where the very successful My Dog Doesn't Like Me left off. At almost ten years of age, Eric is now the responsible owner of his dog Ugly. But when Ugly is involved in a series of mishaps including the theft of a roast chook and a bedroom decorated with duck poo, it is clear Eric needs to do something to keep his dog out of trouble. Luckily, Eric knows exactly how to solve the problem ... Ugly needs a job. But how can Eric find a job for a dog, even if his dog is a genius? Humorous and engaging, My Dog Gets a Job will appeal to pet lovers of all ages.

This haunting dystopian novel thrillingly and realistically looks at a nuclear winter from an Australian perspective.For Fin it's just like any other day—racing for the school bus, bluffing his way through class, and trying to remain cool in front of the most sophisticated girl in his universe. Only it's not like any other day because, on the other side of the world, nuclear missiles are being detonated. When Fin wakes up the next morning, it's dark, bitterly cold, and snow is falling. There's no internet, no phone, no TV, no power, and no parents. Nothing Fin's learned in school could have prepared him for this. With his parents missing and dwindling food and water supplies, Fin and his younger brother Max must find a way to survive all on their own. When things are at their most desperate, where can you go for help?

In a family torn apart by grief and guilt, one girl’s struggle to come to terms with years of torment shows just how long old wounds can take to heal. I have three months left to call Katie my older sister. Then the gap will close and I will pass her. I will get older. But Katie will always be fifteen, eleven months and twenty-one days old. Hannah’s world is in pieces and she doesn’t need the school counselor to tell her she has deep-seated psychological issues. With a seriously depressed mother, an injured dad, and a dead sister, who wouldn’t have problems? Hannah should feel terrible but for the first time in ages, she feels a glimmer of hope and isn’t afraid anymore. Is it because the elusive Josh is taking an interest in her? Or does it run deeper than that?

Award - winning author Steven Herrick's latest book is a heart - warming tale about friendship, grief and the importance of baked goods. In a country town, in a school just like yours, the kids in Class 6A tell their stories. There's Mick, school captain and sometime trouble - maker, who wants to make the school a better place, while his younger brother Jacob just wants to fly. There's shy and lonely Laura who hopes to finally fit in with a circle of friends, while Pete struggles to deal with his grandpa's sudden death. Popular Selina obsesses over class comedian Cameron, while Cameron obsesses over Anzac biscuits and Pookie Aleera - whoever that is! For new teacher Ms Arthur, it's another world, but for Mr Korsky, the school groundskeeper, he's seen it all before.

A gripping and page-turning young adult book about one of history’s greatest women. The Queen of Scots is dead and they say I killed her. They lie! Just a girl to those around her, Elizabeth is now the Queen of England. She has outsmarted her enemies and risen above a lifetime of hurt and betrayal – a mother executed by her father, a beloved brother who died too young and an enemy sister whose death made her queen. Not knowing whom she can trust, Elizabeth is surrounded by men who give her compliments and advice but may be hiding daggers and poison behind their backs. Elizabeth must use her head and ignore her heart to be the queen her people need. But what if that leads to doing the one thing she swore she would never do: betray a fellow queen, her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots? ‘A vivid insight into the heart and mind of Queen Elizabeth I.’ Georgia Blain, author of Closed for Winter