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

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.

The double life of Cassiel Roadnight - Jenny Valentine

Chap is 14 and living on the streets - existing day to day. An encounter at hostel for the homeless leads him into to a family who think he is their missing son and brother. What would you do ? Live the lie or try to discover the truth? Why does he look so much like the missing Cassiel Roadnight? Why does his newly found brother seem so sinister? What exactly is the truth behind Cassiel's disappearance?

Interspersed with flashbacks of Chap's life growing up alone with Grandad, the novel is a sensitive approach to the issues of family and identity, dealing with loss and isolation.

If you enjoyed Finding Violet Park, I'm sure you will enjoy this.

Elegance of the Hedgehog - Muriel Barbery

Rene, the unattractive widowed concierge of a Parisian apartment. A deep thinker and philosopher, she hides this from the residents she has lived with for 27 years. Until Paloma, the 12 year old daughter of a resident family discovers her secret. Almost at the same time a new resident, Mr Ozu , also finds out the depth of her intellect.

Paloma and Rene's narrative voices are quite distinct and but they are linked by their common bond of wanting to remain apart from those around them. While some critics think that these voices are artificial and unrealistic, I enjoyed the contrasting stream of consciousness style.

And I was surprised by the ending!

The Kite Runner

Twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to win the approval of his father and resolves to win the local kite-fighting tournament, to prove that he has the makings of a man. His loyal friend Hassan promises to help him for he always helps Amir, but this is 1970s Afghanistan and Hassan is merely a low-caste servant who is jeered at in the street, although Amir still feels jealous of his natural courage and the place he holds in his father's heart. But neither of the boys could foresee what would happen to Hassan on the afternoon of the tournament, which was to shatter their lives. After the Russians invade and the family is forced to flee to America, Amir realises that one day he must return, to find the one thing that his new world cannot grant him: redemption.

This was an excellent book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to a more mature student, probably Y10 upwards