Sunday, May 24, 2009

10pm Question - Kate de Goldi and Tommorow Code - Brian Faulkner



Kate de Goldi's winning novel 10 pm Question is a sophisticated story about an interesting group of characters. It is definitely beautifully written - but I'm not sure that it will appeal to many young teenage NZers. While Frankie, his unusual family and their world are captivating and intriguing, readers would need to have a mature sense of the world to engage with the novel. More for older readers than younger teens would be my suggestion.

My winner would have to have been Brian Falkner's The tomorrow code - a book that will definitely appeal to readers of both sexes - it is a fast paced action drama - much like many of the online games that students these days play. The end is cleverly crafted to hook the reader in to really thinking about the possibilities of creating a loop in time ....

Guantanomo Boy - by Anna Perera


Khalid (15) is born and bred in England. Unfortunately for him his Pakistani born parents take him home to visit ill relatives and pay his respects to his ancestors. Set in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 Khalid is rounded up the security forces and detained for 2 years firstly in Pakistan and then in the notorious Guantanomo Bay.

A work of fiction - but a frighteningly real look at what can happen when civil liberties are abandoned in the search for security.

Little brother - Cory Doctorow


If you are into gaming and beating any electronic systems created - then you will love this book. Set in San Francisco now, Marcus is an uber-game geek and IT whizz kid. During a reality avatar game, he and his team, are caught up in a terrorist attack and 'detained' as terrorist suspects. Upon release nothing will ever be the same. San Francisco is under the control of the Department of Homeland Security and that means total surveillance of the citizens' lives.

Fast packed and believable in this modern world ....

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Whale Pot Bay - by Des Hunt


Des Hunt's latest book combines a whole lot of really topical issues - blended families, celebrity stalking, saving the whales and P addiction!!!
Needless to say it makes for great reading - action, suspense, and real drama.
If you read The tooth or The moa cave I'm sure you'll love this.

Set in a small bay in the Coromandel the main character Jake, struggles with the fact that is father is keen to find happiness with a new wife. Especially seeing as she brings an annoying younger 'sister' with her. 

Whale strandings are common at Whale Pot Bay and during the story archaeological historical discoveries are made.

A great book for junior readers.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series



Wow - I can see why this series has really captured the imaginationof teenage girls ! I found the first book Twilight, hard to put down. Fantastic descriptive passages and a classic boy meets girl love story - with complications. 


Like many series I found that the second and third installments weren't quite up to the first, but the final part of the series Breaking Dawn certainly provided a fairly nail biting conclusion. 


If you want to find out more about Stephanie Meyer - have a look here ......

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Start 2009 with a new book.....

Welcome back to 2009 - over the next few weeks I'll be adding reviews of a number of new books in the library. Make sure you visit the library to see what is there on display.

Also have a go at putting your comments on the books that I have reviewed.... prizes for the best student reviews...so have a go....

Tell me about what you have read these holidays....
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