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.

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

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 dead - Charlie Higson

The sequel to Higson's The Enemy is actually a prequel! But it does go a long way into explain how the London (and presumably the rest of England) has been infected by a mystery virus.

Ed and Jack lead a band of boys who have survived the initial infection, in an attempt to escape the chaos of the adults who have succumbed to the virus.

They come under the 'protection' of Greg, a bus driver, who has collected a number of survivors on his tour bus.

Fast paced and action packed - the boys fight there way through to London - in the hope of finding other survivors, more food and a safe refuge. Pretty gruesome in places - mature teen reader material.

If you enjoyed The Enemy then this is a must. Book number three is due out this year - check out Higson's website here

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 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.

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.

American Youth - Phil LaMarche

It's not often that I don't like a book that's been recommended - but this is one of those times.

I really expected to be won over by this story of Terry, an ordinary boy from small town America, whose life is changed by a fatal mistake. After his family tries to cover up and hide the truth Terry's issues become internalised. The novel has been lauded as 'great' by American critics. I simply did not 'warm' to any of the characters.

I guess the scary thing is, is that fiction mirrors life. Read about the real life NZ case here...

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 ....

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

10 things I hate about me - Randa Abdel-Fattah

Very funny, very relevant (even though Australian focussed). Jamie (Jamellah) tries to keep her Lebanese culture firmly under control in order to fit into life in suburban Australia.

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.