by Cornelia Funke
Published by Chicken House, Frome, Somerset, 2010
Two orphaned children are running away from their uncle and aunt. They find their way to Venice, and are befriended by a group of street children. A detective has been hired by the Aunt to find them - and so the adventure progresses.
Cornelia Funke is a brilliant story-teller, and this story has to one of her best ones.
Highly recommended for all readers, children and adults.
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Bel Canto
by Ann Patchett
Winner of the Orange prize for Fiction 2002
Published by Fourth Estate, London, 2001
Kidnappers/Terrorists storm a gathering hosted by the Vice President of an unnamed country. A Japanese businessman had been enticed to celebrate his birthday by the party organiser using a well-known opera singer as the bait. But, neither of these people was the target of the kidnappers. The target was not present. The kidnappers and their victims remained "holed-up" for months while a settlement was negotiated with the government.
This story is about love in its many guises. It is a well-written story that can be enjoyed on many levels. I particularly liked the many links to classical music and found that the ending of the story built to an incredible finale.
Recommended for: Senior students and adults
Suitable for NCEA Levels 2 & 3 English texts
Winner of the Orange prize for Fiction 2002
Published by Fourth Estate, London, 2001
Kidnappers/Terrorists storm a gathering hosted by the Vice President of an unnamed country. A Japanese businessman had been enticed to celebrate his birthday by the party organiser using a well-known opera singer as the bait. But, neither of these people was the target of the kidnappers. The target was not present. The kidnappers and their victims remained "holed-up" for months while a settlement was negotiated with the government.
This story is about love in its many guises. It is a well-written story that can be enjoyed on many levels. I particularly liked the many links to classical music and found that the ending of the story built to an incredible finale.
Recommended for: Senior students and adults
Suitable for NCEA Levels 2 & 3 English texts
Everlasting
by Angie Frazier
Published by Scholastic Press, New York 2010
Camille lives with her father who runs a trading business based in San Francisco. It is time for Camille to marry - and she has been promised to a young man who is going to help save her father's business. Camille and her father set out on her last voyage before her marriage. This eventful voyage will change her life forever.
I enjoyed this story, but it was not as engaging as others that I have read.
Recommended for young teenagers.
Published by Scholastic Press, New York 2010
Camille lives with her father who runs a trading business based in San Francisco. It is time for Camille to marry - and she has been promised to a young man who is going to help save her father's business. Camille and her father set out on her last voyage before her marriage. This eventful voyage will change her life forever.
I enjoyed this story, but it was not as engaging as others that I have read.
Recommended for young teenagers.
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Suggestions for lunchtime activities in the Library
We want ideas for interesting activities that we can organise for lunchtimes in the library.
There will be a small reward given to every Wainuiomata High School student who posts their idea on this blog during May 2011.
There will be a small reward given to every Wainuiomata High School student who posts their idea on this blog during May 2011.
Cassandra Clare visits Lower Hutt
On Tuesday, 10 May, 2011, eleven senior students had the opportunity to visit Chilton St James School to hear Cassandra Clare talk about her books. They returned from the event buzzing with enthusiasm, talking about the author, and about the types of questions that the audience asked the author at the end of her presentation.
Special thanks to John McIntyre from The Children's Bookshop in Kilbirnie for organising the event.
Special thanks to John McIntyre from The Children's Bookshop in Kilbirnie for organising the event.
Sunday, 1 May 2011
A Waltz for Matilda
by Jackie French
Published by Angus & Robertson, Sydney, 2010
Yes, this is a story based on Australia's national song - "Waltzing Matilda" - and it is a very good one too. Jackie French has to one of the best story-tellers around. She has an amazing ability to create story in accurately portrayed historical situations. This story is about a girl growing-up in difficult circumstances in Australia in the 1890's. Historical events, such as Trade Unions, Women's suffrage, Australian Federation, and ethical issues, such as race relations (aborigines, immigrants) and looking after the environment (farming practices in the outback) are brought to life in this novel. Thank you, Jackie. I can't wait to read your next book.
Suitable for all readers.
Published by Angus & Robertson, Sydney, 2010
Yes, this is a story based on Australia's national song - "Waltzing Matilda" - and it is a very good one too. Jackie French has to one of the best story-tellers around. She has an amazing ability to create story in accurately portrayed historical situations. This story is about a girl growing-up in difficult circumstances in Australia in the 1890's. Historical events, such as Trade Unions, Women's suffrage, Australian Federation, and ethical issues, such as race relations (aborigines, immigrants) and looking after the environment (farming practices in the outback) are brought to life in this novel. Thank you, Jackie. I can't wait to read your next book.
Suitable for all readers.
Three to Get Deadly
by Janet Evanovich - A Stephanie Plum novel
Published by Penguin Books, London, 1997
Janet Evanovich never fails to please. Her gritty characters and humourous prose are delightful. Her Stephanie Plum novels are crime stories with a difference. They are funny!
Suitable for adults.
Published by Penguin Books, London, 1997
Janet Evanovich never fails to please. Her gritty characters and humourous prose are delightful. Her Stephanie Plum novels are crime stories with a difference. They are funny!
Suitable for adults.
Sunday, 17 April 2011
New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards
Remember to vote for your favourite finalist before 29 April, 2011.
Finalists: http://www.booksellers.co.nz/awards/new-zealand-post-childrens-book-awards/2011-finalists
To vote online, go to
http://www.booksellers.co.nz/awards/new-zealand-post-childrens-book-awards/2011-childrens-choice-voting-award
Finalists: http://www.booksellers.co.nz/awards/new-zealand-post-childrens-book-awards/2011-finalists
To vote online, go to
http://www.booksellers.co.nz/awards/new-zealand-post-childrens-book-awards/2011-childrens-choice-voting-award
Scout
by Nicole Pluss
Published by Penguin Books 2010 in Camberwell, Australia.
Kit departs England with her mother on the sailing ship Scout, for a new life in Australia. The experiences encountered during the voyage have an immense impact on Kit.
This book has been well-written. I particularly liked the ending. It left me thinking about the "growth" that Kit had undergone - and dreaming about her future life! I want to read more books by Nicole Pluss.
Published by Penguin Books 2010 in Camberwell, Australia.
Kit departs England with her mother on the sailing ship Scout, for a new life in Australia. The experiences encountered during the voyage have an immense impact on Kit.
This book has been well-written. I particularly liked the ending. It left me thinking about the "growth" that Kit had undergone - and dreaming about her future life! I want to read more books by Nicole Pluss.
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
The Stone Diaries
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
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
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+
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