Student Voices - our book reviews

Some of our students have been working through their Reading Challenge documents and recently sent me these wonderful reviews. It is always good to have peer reviews, so here's what the kids say are their favourite and most recent reads: 

Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Words on fire is a great book for anyone who enjoys history, war, action, and a sweet and small love story on the way. It’s about a young girl named Audra, who is an illegal book carrier, trying to keep the Lithuanian culture alive. It is about an adventure she is on to save her parents who have been taken by the Russian government and she meets another book carrier as part of the adventure. In no parts of this story was I ever bored, and it always kept me interested and on the edge of my seat. I always thought romance was my genre until I read Words on Fire. I just wish the ending was longer and that the future of the characters wasn’t explained in one page. Overall, this was a 5-star read and I recommend this book to everyone.

Reviewed by Miley.

The Famous Five Collection by Enid Blyton.

    The Famous Five is about 4 kids and a dog going     on adventures! The oldest of all the kids was     13 years old when they first met and the kids     soon became very good friends. Though they        always accidentally fall into an adventure they     never disappoint. The ending is a little            repetitive, and it would have been better           if the ending of a few books were a cliffhanger     so the adventure could be way more exciting as     there is more space to go into detail. But, the     current story is satisfying enough for young      readers from 5 to 9 years old. And it isn’t        too   boring for slightly older readers from                10 to 12   years old. 

Considering the first book of the series came out in 1942, it still holds up really well as a fun story. I recommend it to families with young children as the book is a good length for kids. 

I give it four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐.

Reviewed by: Noah B

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.

A boy discovers his father’s identity which ends up changing his life, doing many unnatural things and learning new life skills. This novel kept me entertained the entire way not losing interest once in this series whilst learning many new things. I would highly recommend this book or series since its very fascinating with many relatable feelings. The targeted age is around 12-year-olds. 

I gave it 4/5 stars.

Reviewed by Otto

Horrible Science: Fight or Flight

The book Horrible Science: the Fight For Flight shows us how flight was made and all the fails the people had to go through to obtain flight. This book is fun to read because the information is easy to understand. This book made me feel happy because I understood the information .

I highly recommend it to people who are 13 years old or under.

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Reviewed by Edward 

Brother's Keeper by Julie Lee.

Brother's Keeper is a very sad story. It is about a girl in North Korea who escapes with her family while the Korean war is happening. They go on a very long journey to South Korea. She must take care of her brother and bring him safely to South Korea. This story is very sad, and you will learn lots of new things about the Korean War. I rate this book 5/5. 

I felt sad about this story because of how much they had to endure in the cold weather and the chase from the North Korean soldiers. I loved it because it taught me a lot of things and it was very interesting; I couldn’t take my eyes off the book. 

This is also one of my favorite books I've read.  Everybody should read it.

Really Recommended.

Reviewed by Zoe Q.

Arsenic For Tea by Robin Stevens

Arsenic for tea is a mystery story by Robin Stevens. This book is the second book in the 

A Murder Most Unladylike mystery series. 

The main character, Hazel Wong goes to her friend Daisy Wells’ house to spend the holidays, but on Daisy’s birthday one of the guests mysteriously dies.

Hazel and Daisy decide to investigate this mystery and find the murderer. The pouring rain floods the lands, and they are trapped inside the house with a dead body and murderer. They must find the murderer fast before they strike again. 

This is a mysterious and adventurous book. After I picked up this book, I couldn't put it down. Millions of problems keep on coming up and it is interesting to see how the Detective Society will resolve all the problems and find the murderer. 

I really enjoyed Arsenic for Tea, and I would recommend it to people who enjoy reading murder mysteries. I would give this book a 5 star rating as I personally really enjoy murder mysteries and this is one of the best ones I have ever read. 

Reviewed by Candy.

Waking Romeo by Kathryn Barker 

After Romeo slips into a coma, Jules visits him every day- and walks us through the tragic story behind what seems to be the end of their love story. A mysterious time traveller - Ellis- travels from the future- to help wake her husband, Romeo. He shows her what real love is like and makes her rethink her love for her seemed-to-be-perfect husband.

This romance-oriented Sci-Fi novel is ideal for readers aged 15-20. It has a shifting point of view and is inspired by a combination of Emily Brontë's ‘Wuthering Heights’ and William Shakespeare's ‘Romeo and Juliet’, assuming they had alternate endings. It’s the best character development I’ve ever seen in a book- and I would highly recommend it. 5 stars.

Reviewed by Michelle 

Legend, Prodigy and Champion by Marie Lu.

"Legend" by Marie Lu is a dystopian action series set in a future where two teenagers, June, and Day, from opposite sides of society, uncover a government conspiracy and fall in love.

This fast-paced romance explores the themes of inequality and revenge, with an alternating point of view between the two main protagonists. The author highlights the characters’ relationships well- with a very innovative dynamic. 

This is one of my favourite series of all time- with ‘Champion’ really standing out. The books get progressively better as the series goes on.

5 stars.

Reviewed by Michelle

Book review: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The novel “Hunger games” is written from the point of view of the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, and is set in the Capitol of the nation of Panem. The Capitol is a harsh and cruel place which sends one boy and one girl from each district to go participate in the “Hunger Games”. It is a fight to the death and the last one standing wins the whole thing. Katniss Everdeen at the age of Sixteen sees this as her death sentence. As she steps up for her sister’s place in the Games. But if she is to win, she brings glory and fame to herself and her family.

I liked this book, as it is an adventurous and violent book! It is of interest to children that enjoy a jarring and violent story. I rate this book 5 out of 5 and recommend it to young adults from 12+.

Reviewed by Elvies 

Holes by Louis Sachar 

Holes is an exciting adventure story that follows a boy named Stanley Yelnats. Stanley is sent to a strange place called Camp Green Lake for a crime he didn't commit. But this is no ordinary camp, there's no lake, and the kids there have to hard labour digging  big holes in the ground every day.

As Stanley and his friends dig, they uncover secrets about the camp's history. Together Stanley and his friend Hector Zeroni are challenged to save their lives.

Rating = ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Reviewed by Sofia.

Haikyuu! Vol. 4 By Haruichi Furudate.(Graphic Novel)

The volleyball training camp kicks off. Hinata and his teammates train in preparation for the practice game against Nekoma, but they’ll need to polish their receiving skills if they want to win. After all their hard work, the moment they’ve all been waiting for finally arrives—the revival of the long-standing rivalry between the Cats (Nekoma) and the Crows (Karasuno, Hinata’s team)! I like the new relationships that Hinata makes with the new characters and the new characters themselves as they provide more comedic relief. I like the determination and build up that Karasuno displays even though its just a practice game because when reading it made me fired up and curious as to who will win the game. I would recommend this book to all ages anyone who enjoys slice of life and comedy. If you like this book I would also like to recommend watching the anime and reading and watching the series Blue lock.

Review by Lena.

The Fault in our Stars by John Green.

This romantic drama follows Hazel Grace and her star-crossed lover, Gus. Hazel Grace is diagnosed with cancer at 13 years old. 3 years later, she meets 17-year-old Augustus Waters at a support group.

With the love of the same book and author, they fly to Amsterdam to meet the estranged author – Peter Van Houten.

I loved this book; it shows the importance of the common phrase ‘You only live once.’ It also displays the important ideas of friendship, love, family, life, and death.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. Green has conveyed emotions and scenarios well, the only thing I would change about this book is some of the characteristics of Peter Van Houten, even though his personality is extremely important in the story.

I recommended this book for people aged 14+.

Reviewed by Kacey. 

The boy who stepped through time by Anna Ciddor.

This book is about a boy who is on holiday in France, he is exploring the ruins of the Romans, when he is transported to the Roman time. He blends in as a slave to try and survive, and he makes a friend, but he is worried that he might know his fate. He is faced with a decision to help his friend or find a way home.

This book is very exciting because it kept my on the edge of my seat and it made me want to keep reading. You learn about the Romans and how they live. I thought the character was very cool because he is very calm and cool even while being transported through time.

I think that people aged 9-14 would enjoy this book. 

Reviewed by Daniel B.

August Book Roundup

 

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F.Steadman

A wonderful new fantasy series - one of the best I've read in a long time. Skandar and the Unicorn Thief will be popular with lovers of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. 

Thirteen-year-old Skandar Smith has only ever wanted to be a unicorn rider, and the time has finally come for him to take his Hatchery Exam, which will determine whether he is destined to hatch a unicorn egg. But when Skandar is stopped from taking the exam, and the mysterious and frightening Weaver steals the most powerful unicorn in the world, becoming a rider proves a lot more dangerous than he could ever have imagined. And what if Skandar was always destined to be the villain rather than the hero? Get ready for unlikely heroes, elemental magic, fierce sky battles, ancient secrets, nail-biting races and, of course, bloodthirsty unicorns. Publisher review 

Highly recommended. We will have copies in the Primary library and the College 7-13 library. 

Rebel Skies by Ann Sei Lin.

I listened to the eAudiobook of this one, and I loved the Japanese language references and accent of the reader, Susan Momoko-Hingley. I was gripped by the story and delighted by the unique characters. 

Kurara has never known any other life than being a servant on board the Midori, but when her party trick of making paper come to life turns out to be a power treasured across the empire, she joins a skyship and its motley crew to become a Crafter. Taught by the gruff but wise Himura, Kurara learns to hunt shikigami – wild paper spirits who are sought after by the Princess. But, are these creatures just powerful slaves for the Crafters and the empire, or are they beings with their own souls – and yet another thing to be subjugated by the powerful Emperor and his Princess?

5 Stars - age recommendation 9-14years. Held in college 7-13 library.

The Midnight Children by Dan Gemeinhart. 

What a wonderful story.
Rav is a boy who is bullied, friendless, and who’s life is a daily, depressing struggle. He lives in Slaughterville, a town known for its meat works, where his dad works. Rav’s parents are good solid citizens, but his dad has difficulty communicating with his son, which reinforces Rav’s feelings of otherness.

Rav is fascinated when a family of seven children mysteriously arrive and move in to the house next door. Rav becomes part of their secretive lives, and especially close to Virginia, who is around his age. He finds out that these children have no parents, and are on the run, desperate to stay together.

A mysterious, suspenseful adventure with beautiful messages of friendship, loyalty and believing in yourself.
However, there are dark, possibly frightening elements to the story, with quite graphic detail of the slaughterhouse and its processes, and a man (The Hunter), who is searching for, and intent on capturing the children. This could be disturbing for sensitive young readers.
Suitable for mature upper primary and year 7 and 8s.

Until the Road Ends by Phil Earle 

Oh, the cuteness of this cover!

When Peggy saves a stray dog from near-death, a beautiful friendship begins. Peggy and Beau are the only thing that can ever come between them is war. Peggy is evacuated to the safety of the coast, but Beau is left behind in the city, where he becomes the most extraordinary and unlikely of war heroes.
Night after night, as bombs rain down and communities are destroyed, Beau searches the streets, saving countless families. But then disaster strikes, changing Peggy’s life forever. With her parents killed, both she and Beau are left alone, hundreds of miles apart. But Beau has a plan to reunite them at long last . .

Teenage Fiction

One of Us is Back by Karen McManus

The latest book from Young Adult mystery/crime  writer sensation, Karen McManus. This book takes us back to Bayview High, the setting for the first murder mystery in One of Us is Lying, and One of Us is Next. 

Our readers just can't get enough of these exceptional teen mysteries and the release of the TV series has made them ever more sort after. 

Cop & Robber by Tristan Bancks 

Tristan Bancks is an Australian author who writes gripping crime novels for teens & middle grade students. His books include Two Wolves, The Fall, and Detention. 

The suspense and tension of these novels make them wonderful recommendations for reluctant readers, and for boys who want action books featuring young male central characters. Harder to find than you'd think! 

Below by David Hill 

When Liam dares his classmate Imogen to come on a forbidden tour of the railway tunnel being drilled through a nearby mountain, he hopes she’ll quit protesting about it damaging the environment — his dad is an engineer working on the tunnel, after all.

Just as they reach the huge tunnelling machine everything goes horribly wrong. When the rocks stop falling and the dust settles, they are trapped, kilometers below ground, in the dark. Water is trickling in and beginning to rise. And nobody knows where they are.

Can they stop arguing and start working together to escape before it's  time runs out? 

A suspenseful adventure story by award winning New Zealand author David Hill. Winner of the New Zealand Book Award Junior Fiction award 2023. 

Ages 9-13  will find this an engaging read. 

The Arc by Ben Oliver 

(The Loop - Book #3)

The Loop is a dystopian series that has gained a lot of young adult interest since its release in 2020. The Arc is book three in this series 

Luka Kane is a 16 year old, serving his second year in a futuristic and oppressing prison where every inmate is on Death Row.  When we first meet Luka he is beaten down by the futility of incarceration, but when rumours spread of an uprising, Luka seizes an opportunity to escape. This rebellion unleashes a series of terrorising threats,  blood thirsty zombies and tough choices. Luka's narrative on remaining ethical, and keeping his humanity, run through his every life-and-death decision. 

This series is gritty, intense, violent and it is an action-packed read.

Age recommendation - 13 years upwards

Non-Fiction and Visual Texts 

Around the Ocean in 80 Fish & other Sea Life by Dr Helen Scales (illus. by Marcel George)

This stunning Non-Fiction resource introduces land lubbers to 80 of the ocean's strangest and most surprising inhabitants. 

Beautifully illustrated in fine water colours, while not compromising on the depth of text, this book is suitable for any age and will be well used by primary and college students.   

   

Celebrate with Us by Valerie Wilding 

Meet 20 children from around the world as they tell us about the feasts and festivals they enjoy and the religions and customs they follow.

This Is Our World ― Celebrate With Us!, written by Valerie Wilding, is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed This Is Our World . It’s a vibrant and colorful celebration of our planet’s cultural diversity―an unforgettable journey that brings the people, customs, and religions of 20 places around the world vividly to life for young readers.

Germ Lab: the gruesome story of deadly diseases by Richard Platt. illus. by John Kelly

Prepare to be infected with fun and fascinating knowledge. The Germ Lab tells the gruesome story of deadly diseases, told by the filthy pests that spread the germs!

Discover history's worst epidemics and pandemics and see how and why they happened, including the "Black Death", polio, and coronavirus. Hear the "eyewitness" accounts from the pesky rats, flies, ticks, and creepy-crawlies who spread the most terrible viruses around the world and cause the most damage. Watch out for terrible typhoid, beware of malicious malaria, and learn more about cruel Covid-19.

Brave Every Day by Trudy Ludwig

From social-emotional learning expert Trudy Ludwig and award-winning picture book illustrator Patrice Barton (co-creators of The Invisible Boy) comes a story about managing anxiety and finding the courage to stand up for yourself and others.

With themes of 'bravely trying' and finding support in friends with similar fears, this thoughtful book will be added to our Emotional Resilience resources list. 

Emotional Resilience List .docx

   

Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures by Jason Pamment 

This is the second book in a Junior Graphic Novel series about a tiny lad named Ember, living alone among a world of Giants, finding his way and trying to fit in.

In this book, a kindly sea turtle tries to help Ember settle in to a new school, where a cast of weird and wonderful classmates make him feel even less at home. But, perhaps their stand-offish nature is not quite what it seems. 

Picture Books 

Knight Owl by Christopher Denise 

I simply love this picture book!

Since the day he hatched, Owl dreamed of becoming a real knight. He may not be the biggest or the strongest, but his sharp nocturnal instincts can help protect the castle, especially since many knights have recently gone missing. 

While holding guard during Knight Night Watch, Owl is faced with the ultimate trial—a frightening intruder. It’s a daunting duel by any measure. But what Owl lacks in size, he makes up for in good ideas.

A Caldecott Honor Winner and  New York Times  Bestseller! 

 

We're going to find the Monster 

Award-winning author Malorie Blackman's (Noughts and Crosses YA dystopian series)latest work is a wonderful picture book about a dad who invites his children to come in from the garden and 'Wake the Monster'.

A cute story full of imagination and playfulness with a strong 'Going on a Bear Hunt' vibe.  

 

The Eight Gifts of Te Wheke by Steph Matuku.(illus. by Layla Mutton-Rogers)

A trickster octopus named Te Wheke snatches Tamati's little sister while they play at the rock pools. To get his sister back from the depths of the ocean, Tamate must pay Te Wheke in eight treasures. 

A delightful story set on the New Zealand sea shore. 

     Hope you enjoy sharing these books with your young people. 

Celebrations of reading at Pinehurst

It has been a super-busy (and fun) term for the library, with two special weeks dedicated to the enjoyment of reading, falling within weeks of each other.

The first of these was Readers’ Week – a week of bookish events for Year 7- 13.

Readers’ Week was held in Week 2 and comprised of a week full of author visits, book quizzes and a day when the Languages Dept. teachers dressed up and paraded as famous literary characters.

Our speakers this year were Brian Falkner, author of the Katipo Joe series and our very own Ms. Helen Easson author of The Legend of Jack Riddle. Both presenters were excellent, and well received by the students. 

Ms. Helen Easson

Winners of the Booklovers' Quiz 

Booklovers' Quiz MC, Ian

Brian Falkner and his award-winning books 

Book Week

In Week 5 it was time for the Primary School’s yearly celebration of ‘Book Week’. This year our speakers included:  NZ Author Susan Brocker,  a storyteller from Tim Bray productions, and a puppet enactment run by our students and led by Mrs. Blake, primary school librarian.

Hairy Maclary's Caterwaul Caper was the Lynley Dodd book chosen for the puppet show performance, and there was much Ye-owlling and Woofing to be heard as the children creatively enacted their parts. 

Many of our activities were set around the theme of '40 Years of Hairy Maclary’, and true to this theme the library team ran a personality quiz which could tell the students which Hairy Maclary dog they were most like! We hired a badge-maker and got handy punching out dog badges for all who took the test.

The morning book quizzes are always a competitive favourite between the primary classes, and our focus this year was on New Zealand books and authors. This year's Book Week became a wonderful way to introduce the children of our Pinehurst community to many of the classic book favourites that have been loved by young New Zealanders for generations. 

We had many, many entries to the colouring competitions, and our littlies loved the puzzles and activities they could do in their library time. 

During Book Week the library does not just turn into a stage for actors and authors, it turns into a book shop as well! The Scholastic Book fair brings with it an air of excitement and the children love the opportunity to browse and buy books with their parents. 

Book Week and Readers' Week are always fun; a real celebration of reading. 

A Guess Who image goes out each morning with the Morning Book Quiz

Mrs.Walsh helping in the Book Fair 

Dylan, from Tim Bray Productions was a wonderful presenter

Showing off our Hairy Maclary dog badges

And you are ... a Schnitzel Von Crum !!
Hairy Maclary dog badges 

Activities and colouring fun

The puppet players - Caterwaul Caper 

Setting up for such events we are always thankful to have a supportive property team. They truly went the extra mile when installing our Hairy Maclary decals for Book Week. Thank you John and Colin!