Diego, run! by Deborah Ellis

Diego lives with his mother and sister in a womens prison in Bolivia. While his mother is a prisoner, Diego is free to come and go. But money is required to survive in the prison and Diego helps his mother by getting paid for doing odd jobs for everyone. More money would make life easier, so Diego is convinced to go with a friend who has set-up a special job which was supposed to pay very well. Unfortunately they were duped and end up working for drug manufacturers who have no intention of paying or allowing the boys to survive.

This is a story of survival.

I liked it and recommend it for Year 9 and 10 students.

Happy Accidents by Tiffany Murray

This is a strange story! It contains a lot of humour in it's many layers. At the beginning I wasn't sure that I would like it, but I continued, and found it difficult to put down until I had finished. But I had love/hate feelings about it.

It is set in the 1980's, but feels more like the '60's, in England. Kate Happy is 12, and is looked after by her grandparents. She sees her mother from time-to-time - but she is strange! There is a strong feeling of wierdness about the whole family.

Marco's Pendulum by Thom Madley

Marco's parents have recently separated and he is supposed to live with his father - but dad has other ideas and arranges for his son to stay with some grandparents he has never met! His grandparents live on a small piece of land outside Glastonbury. Glastonbury has a very interesting history. It is rumoured that the Holy Grail is buried there. It was certainly the place where the first Christian Church or community was established in England, and it is also rumoured that Jesus Christ visited the area as a child. But, it's history goes farther than that, and it is steeped in Celtic beliefs.

Marco has difficulty in sorting out who are the good guys and who are the bad one's, and who to believe and who not!

This story is mysterious, scary and thrilling. I would recommend it to those who enjoy Harry Potter.

Tamar by Mal Peet

Having enjoyed Mal Peet's first novel (Keeper), I decided to read "Tamar". It has a different feeling to it, because it doesn't contain the mystical element that Keeper had. It does confirm Mal Peet's right to be considered a good writer. He has created a believable story which takes you into the "underground" in Nazi occupied Holland. This is a story for adults as well as teenagers.

Mountain solo by Jeanette Ingold

Wainuiomata High School Library Blog: It's holiday time

I've just read a book by Jeanette Ingold called "Mountain solo". It is about a teenager called Tess who is a talented violin player. There is never any question that she has got what it takes to become one of the best players - but there are questions about whether she will reach that goal. The story is set in the United States, and it is a beautiful story which takes the reader into the country life in Montana, and it's history, and also into the life of a talented young lady as she progresses through the stages of becoming a true performer.

I recommend that this book be read by anyone who has a passion to do something special, and I also recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story.