Bluefish - Pat Schmatz

This was recommended to me by our wonderful new librarian, Wendy Wright. So thanks to her I think we'll be ordering a class set of this, probably for Yr 10 or Yr 11 classes.

Travis has been raised by his grandfather in small town, rural America. Financial difficulties force Travis and his grandad to move into town and closer to the school Travis hates so much. At school nothing seems to make sense to Travis, learning just doesn't 'fit'. However meeting Mr McQueen and teaming up with new friends,Velveeta and Randy, opens up a new world for him.

While being incredibly well crafted in terms of it's language and structure, it is also very realistic in terms of the a teenage boy struggling to overcome a serious learning issue while trying to hide the truth about it.

Z - the story of Zelda Fitzgerald

This is my first posting in a while and it seems fitting that with the release of The Great gatsby, that I am restarting the blog with this book.

Loved it. Loved the style of writing. Loved the insights - however true or not - into the characters. Loved the fact that I knew so little about Zelda  Loved the links to Hemmingway and the Gertrude Stein crew. Loved the way it ended.

I had read 'The Paris wife' also recently a+Zelda F coming out this year...

Unwind - Neal Shusterman

The recent re-discovery of 'dystopian' literature by teens, makes this a good choice for classroom study. Set in the near future, Unwind is set in a society where until the age of 16, you can be 'unwound' and your parts recycled.

Teenagers who question, challenge or are just not up to the grade, can have this 'punishment'.

Connor, Risa and Lev, challenge the system and survive - to help lead a struggle to change society...

Check out the book trailer here

Justice and utu - David Hair

The 4th book in the series, Justice and utu suggests that David Hair is onto a winning concept.

Set in modern day NZ and the mythical Aoteroa of the past, Matiu continues his battle against the dark forces of the tohunga and his servants.

As riveting and fast paced as it's predecessors, this is a book that many teens will enjoy.

Read more about this author and what inspires his writing here

Slated - Teri Terry

Imagine a world where up to the age of 18 a child's  brain can be re-programmed, any previous memories wiped and all emotions limited and controlled? What would happen when the memories of some of those who have been 'slated' begin to surface? Can you really eradicate the essence of a person?

Slated touches on these and other issues.

Kyla's mind has been wiped; she has been given to 'new' family and her life is controlled by the 'Lorders' (law and order agents). But like any society that is heavily repressed - there will be rebellion.
The first in a series of three, I enjoyed this dystopian view of our possible future.

Steel Pelicans

Des Hunt is a prolific writer of teen fiction. His latest book Steel Pelicans resonated with me as a large part of it is set in my old 'home area' of Pukekohe, Tuakau and Port Waikato!

Pelly, the main character, is a kiwi who has lived in Australia for most of his life. His best friend Dean, loves making fireworks and explosions - often getting them both into trouble. After Pelly's dad takes a job back in NZ Pelly finds it difficult adjusting to life as a day boy at the local boarding school - where bullying is a serious issue.

Pelly and his new friend Afi, stumble across a smuggling ring at the local beach spot 'the Port'. Dean's arrival for the school holidays, adds to the chaos and excitement and
danger.........

Des Hunt's books always features aspects of the NZ landscape and environment. You can read more about Des and his writing here Des Hunt

Floors - Patrick Carman

Imagine living in a hotel where every room holds a secret. Where every floor is not what it seems. Where ducks are not what they seem. A hotel populated by an array of intriguing characters.

That's the Whippett Hotel of Patrick Carmen's Floors.

Leo lives in the hotel's basement with his father, the caretaker. The hotel's creator Margenza Whippett has disappeared, but left Leo a series of mysterious coloured boxes and riddles - which need to be opened and solved.

Fast paced, adventurous, mysterious and humourous. An enjoyable read.

Check out the author's website and podcasts here

Erebos - Ursula Poznanski

Erebos is a computer game, unlike any game ever played before - it seems to be alive, so alive that it crosses over from the world of the computer into the living world. Not just anyone can play - you have to be invited. And then you only get one chance to play.

But there is something sinister about a game that becomes so encompassing, a game that takes the lives of players totally.

An unique story - a creepy story.......

BZRK - Michael Grant

A war is being fought - and the future of mankind is at stake. But this is no ordinary war - it is a war being fought at a 'nano' level - organic controlled organisms that can travel into our very being, build our memories and desires, controlling everything we do.

Two groups are waging this war - and to be honest I wasn't sure which side is the right side to win.

A complicated and action packed tale. You can check out Michael Grant's website here BZRK

The bookseller of Kabul - Anne Seierstad

Post 9/11 Norwegian journalist Seierstad lived with a bookseller and his family for three months in Kabul. As a western woman , wearing the burkha, she had access to both the male and female sections of the household and so her narrative provides a unique insight into the lives and minds of a middle class Afghani family.

She tells of the everyday concerns of the patriach of the family, Khan, but also of the day to day issues concerning the women of the household - the shame of a second wife being brought in, the drudgery of the youngest female of the household, the lack of education of both the males and female children of the household as the take on roles in the family business empire.

A fascinating read that has caused its' subject - the anonymous 'Khan' family much difficulty in their homeland. You can read more about that here - The bookseller of Kabul

Extremely loud and incredibly close - Jonathan Safran Foer

9 year old Oskar's father 'disappeared' on Sept 11. A chance find of a key leads Oskar to believe that his father left a clue to his whereabouts - a clue that he must solve. So he begins his journey to look for the lock that the key fits - even if it means looking for every possible lock in New York City.

Oskar's journey brings him into contact with an array of interesting characters on the way to discovering some truths about himself, his family and his father.

Wonderfully written, interspersed with graphic images and cartoon pages - highly recommended.

The Phoenix files - Chris Morphew

I've been catching up on some teen fiction the last few weeks - namely this series by Australian author Chris Morphew.

The final book in the series - Fallout - is due for release and April. The end of the world is coming closer - except for the selected inhabitants of the twon of Phoenix - where nothing is as it seems. Teenagers and friends, Peter, Jordan and Luke have carried on the fight to discover the truth behind the Co-operative and the town of Phoenix.

Fast paced and full of action, this series is a must for the lovers of sci-fi.

You can check out the authors website here - Morphew

The power of six - Pittacus Lore

Wow - ages since I've been on here and I have been doing stacks of reading! Lots to catch up.

The sequel to I am number 4 is as action packed as it's predecessor. The Mogadorians are here on Earth awaiting the arrival of their ultimate leader - ready to destroy Earth and it's inhabitants.

John Smith (Number 4) has joined with Number 6. On the run they realise that the other Numbers are operating somewhere out there and that they need to locate them. However the Mogadorians have the contents of both Four and Six's chests. They need them back in order to utilise their real power.

Two storylines interweave as John and Sam fight to regain control of the Lorien chests and Number 6 searches for the other active survivors.

I wonder how long till the next instalment?

I am number 4 - Pittacus Lore

I am number 4 is one of those books that plays with your head - Pittacus Lore is the author and one of the main characters - but the book is a work of fiction and the characters are alien refugees.....so go figure!

James Smith is a teenage refugee from the planet Lorien - hidden on earth with his protector or guardian, Pittacus Lore. They move often, don't build relationships and stay 'out' of touch with the other refugees - named 1 - 9. But the 9 have a bond that if broken will meab the death of them all and their race.

Action packed, intriguing and very readabale. I haven't seen the movie adaption - but am keen to once the DVD is out.

Check out the fan website - I am number 4 - here

The dead I know - Scot Gardner

Aaron is 17, lives in a caravan park with his 'Mam' who is deteriorating with Alzheimers, and sleep walks. An interesting young man!

When he is offered a part time job in a funeral parlour, life becomes even more interesting! He learns to 'dress' bodies, drive a hearse, be a pall bearer and even a 'collector' of the dead.

But Aaron's troubled dreams lead him into serious trouble. What is the meaning behind the violent visions that he has? Will he discover the truth ? And can he keep 'Mam' safe?

A very interesting read - for more senior readers.

City of fallen angels - Cassandra Clare

The 4th in the series which picks up the story of Simon, Jace and Clary as the fight between good and evil continues!

Simon struggle to comes to term with his newly acquired vampire status takes up the main part of the story. Jace and Clary's relationship is under threat - the secret of Jace's return from the dead has terrible consequences.

If you have been an avid reader of the series then this won't disappoint!

The lost tohunga - David Hair

This is the third book in this series by David Hair - not sure why I haven't posted in the first two - because they were FAB stories.

Set in modern day NZ and a parallel mythical world of Aotearoa, the main character 16 year Matiu (Mat) can cross the path between the two worlds. In this volume Mat is coming trying to come to terms with NCEA and the fact that he has special powers that need to be developed by his mystical guide Aethlyn Jones. In the previous story, The taniwha's tear, the power balance that had existed for generations had been destroyed with the death of the warlock, Purata. However now his allies are willing to do anything to gain control of Purata's power base, Te Iho.

Hair's novels have been branded with a new genre 'Maori gothic'. He has created a world where fantasy and history, technology and the spirit world co exist. This instalment little 'dark' in places and more suited to mature junior readers.

Read more about David Hair's work here

Trash - Andy Mulligan

Raphael , Gardo and Rat live in a community of rubbish dump dwellers. They and their families survive by sifting through the rubbish that others dispose of without a thought. They carry on in the hope that they will some day find something that will change their lives. And one day they do.

A great story of social justice and hope set in a community that seems devoid of hope. Engaging characters and multiple narrative viewpoints help to develop a plot that reveals itself slowly.

The social, political and historical events that underpin the story may be 'fictional' but they will sound very familiar to many of us. Junior readers will not need prior background knowledge to enjoy the adventures of the trio of characters.

Kaitangata Twitch - Margaret Mahy

Very topical after the recent events in Christchurch!

Meredith's family live on a lifestyle block across the bay from Kaitangata - an island which 'punches' itself into the sky. The beauty of the landscape is about to be over run by developers who see a profit in picturesque beauty of the area.

Meredith seems to feel a deep and spiritual connection to the island - she hears voices and dreams of events that have been and that are yet to come. A series of small quakes (or twitches) seem to begin on the island - perhaps signalling the islands disapproval of its' planned future. can Meredith intervene?

An engaging story - desribed as a supernatural thriller - but also a tale of cultural misunderstandings over the value and sacredness of the land.

Suitable for good junior readers.

Lost riders - Elizabeth Laird

A work of fiction based on the collected stories of young (as young as 3) Pakistani boys who are 'saved' from lives of poverty and deprivation. Instead of a life of education and prosperity in their new homes, they were forced in harsh, dangerous and often violent conditions, to train as camel riders who took part in the notoriously wealthy races in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Over 4000 of these young boys were thought to have been 'given' into slavery. Only 1000 were returned home after the practice was 'banned' in recent years.

The story is very readable and I'm sure 'tamed down' for a young audience. Mature junior readers.