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

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

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.

Jonty and Choc - Vince Ford

On the surface a simple tale of childhood friends whose paths deviate when they leave the safety of primary school, for the scary world of the local Intermediate.

However underneath this lies the spritiual connection that the boys both have to an ancient piece of ambergris - 'a substance steeped in mystery for centuries' .

The ambergris seems to have a powerful hold over both of the boys - allowing Choc to connnect with past owners and past tragedies. Jonty's desire for the mystery lump drives the friends even further apart.

Not a difficult read - so accessible for most junior readers.

The project - Brian Falkner

I am a great fan of Falkner's writing - I loved Brain Jack and the Tomorrow Code , however
The Project takes a look back in time as opposed to taking us into the future!

When Tommy and Luke are set a challenge of reading the 'most boring book in the world' they do not realise the adventure is about to begin. The story takes them into the scientific world of Leonardo da Vinci and a book that could change the world forever. Luckily only one copy of this book was ever published - but there are people who will stop at nothing to get it!

Fast paced action blended with a little historical knowledge and Falkner's science fiction trademark slant!

You can check out what Brian Falkner himself has to say here

Ebony Hill - Anna McKenzie

Ebony Hill is the sequel to The sea-wreck stranger - contuing the story of Ness and Dev - and the struggle for survival in a post apocalyptic world.

As the communities rebuild, Ness tries to find a place and identity amongst her newly found "family" and that is not easy . The community itself faces threat from other groups who choose force over collaboration and community spirit. This in itself is very topical as we as readers can see the connections between the treatment of prisoners of war in this text and the treatment of simialr detainees in places such as Guantanomo Bay. What are the boundaries of human behaviour in times of war? An age old question.

Fast paced and thought provoking.

Into the wilderness - Mandy Hager

Dystopian NZ fiction seems to be in favour this year.

The blood of the lamb was the first part of this trilogy. Into the wilderness carries the story on as Maryann, Ruth , Joseph and Lazarus flee from the control of the tribe and the 'floating city'. They reach their first destination, Marawa Island, only to be disappointed by the lack of life. As Joseph's health deteriorates they risk their lives once again and set sail to look for life further afield.

Their journey takes them to an all too familiar Australia, where illegal immigrants are still kept in atrocious conditions in detainment camps. Maryann and Ruth face further discrimination due to their colour. Has it all been worth it?

A fast paced and very emotional journey for the characters and the reader.

Fierce September - Fleur Beale

I really enjoyed the first book in this series - Juno of Taris - and was looking forward to reading this one.

Fierce September picks up the thread as the people of Taris are being evacuated from the island and the dome they have lived under for the last 30 odd years. The New Zealand (and the world) they return has changed considerably. While many of the settlements and cities remain, a new way of life is being followed. Juno and her 'tribe' hope to learn to be assimilated into this new life - but it will not be easy. Many think they should not have been allowed to enter NZ as refugees. Prejudice and 'racism' almost destroys the community's hopes for a new life.

Juno and her family are singled out for special attention - their special powers set them apart. Life in NZ will not be easy - it will also be dangerous.

Reasonably fast paced - the books provides an interesting insight as to how we treat refugees and those who are different.

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 ....

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.

David Hill

I hope that many of you enjoyed the presentation by NZ author David Hill today.

I said that my fav. book is Coming Back, but Bodies and Souls was pretty good too..


I'd love to know what you thought about the presentation....prize for the comment that I like the most.

Post your replies here....

Monsters of Blood and Honour - Ken Catran

After hearing Ken Catran in our own library last term, I was pretty keen to read his latest book. It's not a book I'd recommend to junior readers as it has some harrowing accounts of World War 2. The novel is in fact three short novels in one collection. The first tale deals with British fighter pilots who lead the bombing raids that wiped out German cities at the end of WW2. The second deals with the memories of a nurse who was held in a Japanese prisoner of war camp in Singapore. The last tale is the story of a Nazi prison guard who managed to escape to NZ but who lives with the ghosts of his past.
Each story has a teenage character who acts as the starting point for the narrative.

Ken spoke to us about how he researches his work and the details in these stories are based on the factual accounts of survivors- the realism is startling at times.

Duet - David Hill

As an ex-teacher David Hill knows how to create believable teenage characters, Kallum and Paige, the main characters of Duet are certainly believable as a pair of teens who have a strong attraction to each other. Music is the link that brings them and it forms a strong rhythm in the novel. Hill has always tackled real issues sensitively and teenage pregnancy is certainly a real issue.

A book for more senior readers.

Snake and Lizard - Joy Cowley and Gavin Bishop

A great little book for Junior readers - fantastic illustrations and self-contained stories with two great characters.

Ripples on the Lake - Dawn Rotarangi

This new, NZ fiction, I believe is a must for senior readers. The main character, Saffron Delaney is believable and very likeable. The cultural and spiritual aspects of the book are hugely engaging - What is tapu? How do non- Maori justify and qualify the notion of tapu? How does the past influence how we live now? 

All huge questions that need some thought if we are to really understand and accept the values of biculturalism.

Those of you that have the time check out the author's blog and website - http://www.dawnrotarangi.blogspot.com/

And isn't it a great cover.........