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We want to help create motivated and engaged young readers. This blog is about children's and YA literature (especially New Zealand), literacy research, and ways to get, and keep, kids reading.

Tuesday, 23 October 2007 Posted by anne

Dead Dan's Dee by Phyllis Johnston



“My mother Said I never Should play with Gypsies in the wood”… If you know this skipping rhyme then you will know something of this book. If you don’t, then you ought read it to find out.

The title is a nice bit of alliteration and it deals with New Zealand society just after World War 1. Dee’s father has been killed in the war under mysterious circumstances and Dee’s mother and aunt are suffering from consumption, and have been isolated from the community in which they live. Dee has been brought up as a literate free-thinker living an idyllic life by the sea. When the health of her mother and aunt hits crisis point she is shunted into an orphanage, then rescued by a mate of her father and made to work on a farm in the centre of the North Island.

The drama of the book is maintained through the mystery of her father’s death and the fate of her mother and aunt. While the book portrays a heartless and cold New Zealand, Dee herself is a warm and likeable character. Very well written by one of New Zealand’s best writers. It would most appeal to Intermediate and Secondary school children.

Published by Longacre Press

Reviewed by Bob
Labels: intermediate, New Zealand books, secondary
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Tuesday, 23 October 2007 Posted by anne

Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars-The Fall of the Amazing Zalindas

A very well crafted book, the authors have demonstrated a lot of technique in delivering this book. The preface introduces us to the Baker Street Irregulars, a group of homeless boys who were an integral part of Sherlock Holmes’ organisation, yet there is usually very little mention about them. The story pays tribute to the boys, giving them their due place in the scheme of things.

The pace is set in the first chapter with the death of the tightrope walking Zalindas and this is followed by Sherlock Holmes’ visit to Buckingham Palace and the theft of the Stuart Chronicles. The boys are summoned to 221 B Baker Street and from then on they begin their investigation. Their assignment is to go to the circus and find out as much as they can about the Zalindas and who might want them dead.

At the circus they meet a variety of characters who really spice up the novel and the case closes with the villains being apprehended. Ozzie, ex scrivener and newest member of the gang is the central character and he plays an important part in solving the crime.

An enjoyable adventure and a quick read, the book includes some insight into 19th century Great Britain. I especially liked “Facts and Practicals for the Aspiring Detective” at the end of the book. This includes all sorts of tidbits of information that children who enjoy detective novels will find interesting. Watch out for the teller of the tale who reveals his name through the book, one letter per chapter.

Great book for years five to eight!!!

Published by Walker Books

Reviewed by Janice Rodrigues

Visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum
Labels: intermediate
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Monday, 22 October 2007 Posted by anne

Life of Anne Frank / The Anne Frank House

written by Menno Metselaar and Ruud van der Rol. Published by Macmillan, 2004

This is the most engaging book about Anne Frank that I have ever read. It is also a satisfying little book to hold. It is small and sturdy, and the subtle colours and good quality paper do justice to the photographs which are one of the highlights of the book. There are many previously unpublished photos of Anne, her family and friends; and many facsimile pages from the diary itself. The narrative of Anne’s life is interspersed with quotes from the diary and is an absorbing read, even if you are already familiar with her story. I think this book does Anne’s story proud, and I think Anne would have liked it too.

Reviewed by Pamela
Labels: biography, history
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Monday, 22 October 2007 Posted by anne

The Recorder: how it changed the world, saved the universe and topped the charts

By Natalie Jane Prior. Published by Hodder Children's Books, 2000

Full of inspiration for the aspiring recorder player or anyone with an interest in music for what was once the most popular instrument in the world - this book covers the history, construction, famous composers and players, and also gives tips to improve your playing.
It's well presented with interesting facts and illustrations combined together to make the book a joy to read about this fascinating instrument.

Reviewed by Fiona

Labels: non-fiction, primary
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Monday, 22 October 2007 Posted by anne

Mind – bending Villains!!

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart (published by Little Brown and Company 2007)

and Will Buster and the Gelmet Helmet (and its sequel Will Buster and the Carrier’s Flash) by Odo Hirsch (Penguin Group 2004 and 2006)

All have villains who are trying to become the most powerful people in the world by using children’s minds to influence the rest of the people. Both groups of children go through some incredibly dangerous and thrilling adventures to try to thwart the scientists’ plans. They are chosen because they are incredibly talented … and this helps them to unravel the mysteries around the evil scientists and their plans. Both stories have unexpected twists and turns to keep you guessing, even though you know who the “baddies” are, their downfall seems to be impossible to achieve.

Carson Ellis has provided some interesting black and white illustrations in The Mysterious Benedict Society.

Recommended for Intermediate and Secondary students, and maybe mature Year 5 and 6 readers.

Reviewed by Lynn
Labels: secondary
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Friday, 19 October 2007 Posted by anne

Castle Under Siege by Andrew Solway

Boys will love this book: castles, machines, non-fiction! What more could a boy want?

It is one of a series of non-fiction titles covering science topics such as energy, forces, sound and light. Castle Under Siege deals with simple machines – levers, wedges, inclined planes and the rest - but it could be used in topics covering medieval times and would be great for a class study about castles. The pictures are bright and colourful, the diagrams are clear and interesting and go well with the text. The book is a manageable size and just feels lovely with a smooth attractive cover.

There will be some who like it just as a plain high-interest read, especially those reluctant readers. It will suit ages 8 and up.

Published by Raintree


Labels: non-fiction, science
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Wednesday, 17 October 2007 Posted by anne

Girls' Reading for a Change - Readergirlz Online Book Community

With all the great new titles coming out for boys, and excellent work on getting boys reading, let's not forget the girls.

Readergirlz is a new online book community celebrating gutsy girls in life & literature. Each month there are recommended reads, and a featured book. You can chat live to the book's author on the Readergirlz Myspace Group Forum. Readergirlz suggests that you get together with a group of friends for a monthly book celebration. The Book Celebration Guide (keep scrolling down the page to get to this) each month suggests appropriate eats, decorations, and movies to go with the featured book. There's even a While-You-Read Music Playlist to download. In our time zone, the author chats are usually in school time, so this could be a great activity for a school library or English class to get behind. To see previous months' book picks, go here.

In addition to being Library Week in New Zealand, this week is Teen Reads week in the States, and to celebrate, Readergirlz and YALSA have teemed up this month to host 31 "flavorite" authors for teen girls.

You can download the 31 flavorites poster here. This could be great to use in your library with a display of some of the authors and titles featured. Or, you could use it to help with your buying of great books for girls.

Teens can chat live to the "flavorite" authors, by joining then connecting to the Readergirlz group forum at 1.00 pm NZ time every day this month (including weekends). You need to be a member of MySpace to do this, so this may not be possible at all schools. Join up with the forum the day before you want to join in a chat, as the Readergirlz moderator needs to accept you as a member first. Then, at the Readergirlz group forum site, scroll right down past the Welcome and Member faces to the forum. Find the October chat thread and double-click it. At 1:00 pm NZ time, the chat starts. You can post questions and the writer will answer them. To see the answers, return to the forum and refresh.

As NZ time is ahead of American time, each day's author chats are at 1.00 pm the following day. To chat with Stephenie Meyer, who has written the very HOT Twilight Series (Yr 11 up), log in on Thursday 1 November. Stephenie's chat session will be a little later, at 5.00 pm NZ time (this is midnight Halloween in New York!)

Go here for some more great ideas for Girls' Reads on Create Readers.

Site from Bev

Labels: secondary
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Wednesday, 17 October 2007 Posted by anne

Storylines Fundraising Auction




 
Would you like to own a signed book by Vince Ford, William Taylor or David Hill? Or how about some fabulous original picture book artwork by Helen Taylor or Philip Webb? Then visit the Storylines Online Auction for a chance to bid on these and a selection of other desirable children's literature related items - the online auction closes on Tuesday 30 October at 11:30 p.m. A live auction will be held at Old Government House in Auckland on the 31st of October, where another 24 unbelievable items will be available. Fancy a Gavin Bishop watercolour or an original sketch by Margaret Mahy, anyone?
Labels: creating readers
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Wednesday, 17 October 2007 Posted by anne

My Life of Crime by Fleur Beale

Anthony wants a swimming pool. To achieve this he thinks it would be a good idea to hold a paua poacher to ransom, take away half his loot and then sell the booty. But first Anthony Lassiter knows he must grow up. He has to stop moaning and whining and sniveling. He has to get rid of the image of being a Mummy's boy. Hence Anthony makes some life changing decisions. Anthony Lassiter becomes Ant Lassiter. Ant cuts his hair , helps save a pamphlet delivery boy from being beaten up, and outwits three bullies. Ant then embarks on his adventure.

Full of wit, humour and action, this book deals with boys, bullying, relationships and adventure. A great book to include at the primary or intermediate level.
 

Reviewed by Janice Rodrigues

 

Labels: books for boys, fiction, New Zealand books
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Monday, 15 October 2007 Posted by anne

L is for Love your Library


Library Week is here and celebrating what awesome places libraries are! Fast food, slow food, libraries offer the best takeaways for the mind. Ever. Where else can you find all the fact, fiction and film you can eat!

Library Week is here and celebrating what awesome places libraries are! Fast food, slow food, libraries offer the best takeaways for the mind. Ever. Where else can you find all the fact, fiction and film you can eat!

This year’s theme, “Pass it on, Kia hiwa ra!” promotes libraries as interactive communities where all kinds of information are passed from one person to another.
The launch of Library Week at the National Library last night proved this with some very excited and attentive kids who sat utterly absorbed as author Melanie Drewery give a lively reading of her picture book, The Grumble Rumble Mumbler, - see photo above.

For details, tips and ideas on celebrating library week visit the Library Week site and also Create Readers posts below – which are headed, naturally, Ideas for Library Week. Oh, and pass it on, kia hiwa ra!
Labels: news & events
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