by Carol Shields
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize. This is a "gentle" book. It is the story of the life of an unassuming, insignificant (?) woman. After reading this story I defy anybody to call anyone "insignificant".
Highly recommended - Senior secondary school students and older
- NCEA Level 2 English reading list
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
The Lassa Ward
by Ross Donaldson
This is an autobiography about the author's 6 week experience in Sierra Leone from the end of June 2003, and then his recovery from an illness he suffered immediately after his return home. It is a gripping story. The thing that shines through the narrative is the change that is wrought in the author himself as a consequence of the "adventure" he was brave enough to undertake.
Highly recommended - Secondary School students and older
This is an autobiography about the author's 6 week experience in Sierra Leone from the end of June 2003, and then his recovery from an illness he suffered immediately after his return home. It is a gripping story. The thing that shines through the narrative is the change that is wrought in the author himself as a consequence of the "adventure" he was brave enough to undertake.
Highly recommended - Secondary School students and older
Unbroken
by Laura Hillenbrand
Unlike all of the previous books reviewed, this is a work of non-fiction. It is a biography about Louis Zamperini. Louis was a remarkable man who was a "petty thief" as a youngster, became an Olympic athlete, survived for weeks in a raft in the middle of the Pacific after an aeroplane crash, survived the terror of being a WW2 POW in Japan, overcoming a period of alcoholism after the war, and lived to be an "old man".
I have a love/hate relationship with this book. I loved it because I learnt a great deal about the Pacific Arena during WW2, and particularly Japanese POW camps, and the USA's involvement in the war. The author has been meticulous with her research. But I found it hard to accept the "blinkered?" American focus, when there were other nations involved as well. There was only the occasional mention of others. My unease about this occurred from the early stages of the book, with intense focus on the breaking the 4 minute barrier for the mile race (athletics) - there was no mention of the great athletes who were close to that barrier, or of those who did eventually break it. Later, war allies with the Americans were mentioned, but only very briefly. For instance, when the Japanese invaded Tarawa, we were told that all American POW's were killed. No mention was made of the New Zealand civilians who had volunteered to be "coast watchers", were sent to Tarawa, who were all killed. The book would have more credibility if more associated details had been incorporated. Despite these omissions, I think this is a very interesting book.
Recommended - Secondary School Students and adults
Unlike all of the previous books reviewed, this is a work of non-fiction. It is a biography about Louis Zamperini. Louis was a remarkable man who was a "petty thief" as a youngster, became an Olympic athlete, survived for weeks in a raft in the middle of the Pacific after an aeroplane crash, survived the terror of being a WW2 POW in Japan, overcoming a period of alcoholism after the war, and lived to be an "old man".
I have a love/hate relationship with this book. I loved it because I learnt a great deal about the Pacific Arena during WW2, and particularly Japanese POW camps, and the USA's involvement in the war. The author has been meticulous with her research. But I found it hard to accept the "blinkered?" American focus, when there were other nations involved as well. There was only the occasional mention of others. My unease about this occurred from the early stages of the book, with intense focus on the breaking the 4 minute barrier for the mile race (athletics) - there was no mention of the great athletes who were close to that barrier, or of those who did eventually break it. Later, war allies with the Americans were mentioned, but only very briefly. For instance, when the Japanese invaded Tarawa, we were told that all American POW's were killed. No mention was made of the New Zealand civilians who had volunteered to be "coast watchers", were sent to Tarawa, who were all killed. The book would have more credibility if more associated details had been incorporated. Despite these omissions, I think this is a very interesting book.
Recommended - Secondary School Students and adults
Monday, 24 January 2011
Artichoke's Heart
by Suzanne Supplee
I enjoyed this book. Suzanne Supplee has been able to get to the heart of a sensitive issue (teenage obesity) without condescension. Rosemary is obese. She thinks she has only one friend, but when the going gets tough, others surface. They may not be the same age as she is - but they are important. At a critical time, she realises that her life has to change. Her initial weight-loss may not be via recommended methods but.... she finally reaches a sensible weight. But is her weight really the issue? What about feelings of self-worth?
Recommended - Secondary School students
I enjoyed this book. Suzanne Supplee has been able to get to the heart of a sensitive issue (teenage obesity) without condescension. Rosemary is obese. She thinks she has only one friend, but when the going gets tough, others surface. They may not be the same age as she is - but they are important. At a critical time, she realises that her life has to change. Her initial weight-loss may not be via recommended methods but.... she finally reaches a sensible weight. But is her weight really the issue? What about feelings of self-worth?
Recommended - Secondary School students
Prodigal Summer
by Barbara Kingsolver
This is an amazing story which has been well written. It is about two women living separate lives in the Appalachian Mountains in the USA. It is also about love, loss, hope, survival and most of all a love of nature.
Highly recommended - NCEA Level 2 English
- Senior Students and adults
This is an amazing story which has been well written. It is about two women living separate lives in the Appalachian Mountains in the USA. It is also about love, loss, hope, survival and most of all a love of nature.
Highly recommended - NCEA Level 2 English
- Senior Students and adults
Assigned to Murder
by Trish McCormack
A murder mystery, set on the West Coast of the South Island (NZ). A well written, enthralling story.
Recommended for young adults and adults
A murder mystery, set on the West Coast of the South Island (NZ). A well written, enthralling story.
Recommended for young adults and adults
Cathedral of the Sea
by Ildefonso Falcones, translated from the Spanish by Nick Caistor
This is an absorbing adventure novel set in 14th Century Spain.
Highly recommended - adults and young adults.
This is an absorbing adventure novel set in 14th Century Spain.
Highly recommended - adults and young adults.
Apache - Girl Warrior
by Tanya Landman
I was brought-up playing "Cowboys and Indians" with my three brothers, reading stories about the "wild west", and the cowboys were always the "goodies". But now I like to think that I have a better sense of "history", and consequently like to read stories that closely reflect what actually happened. Apache - girl warrior is one of these stories. It is well written and well researched, and provides an excellent mind-picture of what life was like in places such as Southern Arizona during the 19th Century, before reservations were established.
This story also touched me with it's sense of place because I have been there and travelled through the land that could easily have been the place where these Apaches lived.
Highly recommended - Secondary School students and adults.
I was brought-up playing "Cowboys and Indians" with my three brothers, reading stories about the "wild west", and the cowboys were always the "goodies". But now I like to think that I have a better sense of "history", and consequently like to read stories that closely reflect what actually happened. Apache - girl warrior is one of these stories. It is well written and well researched, and provides an excellent mind-picture of what life was like in places such as Southern Arizona during the 19th Century, before reservations were established.
This story also touched me with it's sense of place because I have been there and travelled through the land that could easily have been the place where these Apaches lived.
Highly recommended - Secondary School students and adults.
The Poison Throne
Book 1 of the Moorehawke Trilogy
by Celine Kiernan
Wow! This is a well crafted story. It is a fantasy, set in medieval Europe. The main character is a 15-year-old maiden, Wynter Moorehawke. Wynter has grown-up with her friends: one being the heir to the throne; and the other is the King's illegitimate son. The King disowns his heir and reassigns that undesired status to his illegitimate son.
I could not put this book down, and can hardly wait to get my hands on Book 2 - The Crowded Shadows.
Recommended to anybody who loved Harry Potter, and for all ages from Intermediate upwards.
by Celine Kiernan
Wow! This is a well crafted story. It is a fantasy, set in medieval Europe. The main character is a 15-year-old maiden, Wynter Moorehawke. Wynter has grown-up with her friends: one being the heir to the throne; and the other is the King's illegitimate son. The King disowns his heir and reassigns that undesired status to his illegitimate son.
I could not put this book down, and can hardly wait to get my hands on Book 2 - The Crowded Shadows.
Recommended to anybody who loved Harry Potter, and for all ages from Intermediate upwards.
Sunday, 23 January 2011
When the Black Girl Sings
by Bil Wright
Lahni Schuler is trying to find her place in the world. She is a black girl, with ordinary white parents, who have sent her to a private school. Survival at school is not easy. Then to top it all, her parents announce that they are seeking a divorce. And, she is troubled by a "nutter" from the neighbouring boy's school! Suddenly we find out that Lahni can sing. The story is then about how Lahni discovers her identity through singing.
This was a enjoyable book, but I think that the story-line is unrealistic and the plot a little "thin".
Recommended for girls, aged 12 to 16.
Lahni Schuler is trying to find her place in the world. She is a black girl, with ordinary white parents, who have sent her to a private school. Survival at school is not easy. Then to top it all, her parents announce that they are seeking a divorce. And, she is troubled by a "nutter" from the neighbouring boy's school! Suddenly we find out that Lahni can sing. The story is then about how Lahni discovers her identity through singing.
This was a enjoyable book, but I think that the story-line is unrealistic and the plot a little "thin".
Recommended for girls, aged 12 to 16.
The Secret Ministry of Frost
by Nick Lane.
Light is albino, half-Inuit. She is trying to solve the mystery of her lost father. Inuit folklore has come to life and things are not as they may seem!
Recommended for age 11+
Light is albino, half-Inuit. She is trying to solve the mystery of her lost father. Inuit folklore has come to life and things are not as they may seem!
Recommended for age 11+
The Color Purple
by Alice Walker.
This book has taken a long time to get to the Wainuiomata High School Library. It is acclaimed to be a "classic", was first published in 1983, has won a number of awards, and is on "recommended reading lists" for NCEA Level 2 English.
Through "diary" entries and letters between two sisters, the reader can piece together the story of Celie. Celie is a black girl living in utter misery in the south of the USA.
I found it hard to read this story. It was difficult to relate to the concepts of life propounded by the characters. But I am glad that I persevered because I feel my life has been enriched from having read, and thought about, many of the issues presented by the story.
Recommended for senior students and adults.
This book has taken a long time to get to the Wainuiomata High School Library. It is acclaimed to be a "classic", was first published in 1983, has won a number of awards, and is on "recommended reading lists" for NCEA Level 2 English.
Through "diary" entries and letters between two sisters, the reader can piece together the story of Celie. Celie is a black girl living in utter misery in the south of the USA.
I found it hard to read this story. It was difficult to relate to the concepts of life propounded by the characters. But I am glad that I persevered because I feel my life has been enriched from having read, and thought about, many of the issues presented by the story.
Recommended for senior students and adults.
Numbers 2 : The Chaos
by Rachel Ward
This is a sequel to Numbers. It is about the concept that there are people who can "see" the future - but you don't need to read "Numbers" to enjoy the story.
Adam is finding life difficult. If he looks into the eyes of a person, he sees numbers, which are the date that that person will die! Those "numbers" begin to show a frightening pattern. How can he find out what they mean?
This book has been cleverly written, and the story grabs you so that you are compelled to read on. Suitable for 12 year olds and older.
This is a sequel to Numbers. It is about the concept that there are people who can "see" the future - but you don't need to read "Numbers" to enjoy the story.
Adam is finding life difficult. If he looks into the eyes of a person, he sees numbers, which are the date that that person will die! Those "numbers" begin to show a frightening pattern. How can he find out what they mean?
This book has been cleverly written, and the story grabs you so that you are compelled to read on. Suitable for 12 year olds and older.
A new year - 2011!
The new school year is about to start. What wonderful things will happen this year?
- A royal wedding
- Rugby World Cup
- ???
What events are you looking forward to?
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