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.
retold by Dawn Casey
Published by Barefoot Books, Bath 2009
retold by Dawn Casey
Published by Barefoot Books, Bath 2009
With earth care in the spotlight at the moment, here is a perfect offering of stories drawn from myths, legends, fairytales and folktales from around the globe. Chosen to illustrate the importance of our relationship with the natural world, they are nicely matched with colourful illustrations in a folksy style. Great for reading aloud, and there is a fun activity to go with each of the seven stories. Recommended for primary and intermediate level.
Reviewed by Pamela
It is the summer of 1941 and to avoid the possible Japanese invasion of New Zealand, a family evacuates to their bach on the east coast of the Coromandel. It is the summer of 1941 and to avoid the possible Japanese invasion of New Zealand, a family evacuates to their bach on the east coast of the Coromandel.
The children decide that to survive they need to take to the cover of the dense mangroves in a boat, - without telling the adults. First published in 1989 the story vividly and poignantly describes their adventures at surviving alone. And although the adventure ends in tragedy Lasenby's writing and characters brilliantly reveal the language, attitudes and resourcefulness of the era. Suitable for a Years 5- 8.
flicr photo by aaronsimonsen
By Richard Spilsbury
Published by Raintree, Pearson Education Limited, 2009
By Richard Spilsbury
Published by Raintree, Pearson Education Limited, 2009
This book is a very useful when exploring simple machines. "At the building site" covers the technology people use when building structures, roads and tunnels and relates the machines at the sites to the simple machines they are based on. It starts with how machines are used to knock down old buildings and clear the site, and explains how bulldozers, diggers, pile drivers, and cranes work to construct new structures. There are colour photos with captions or labels on each page opening, and definitions for words printed in bold type can be found in the glossary.
Towards the end of the book, the different simple machines are listed and described, with further examples of where they occur on the modern building site. There is a "Find out more" page, listing books on the subject published between 2004 to 2008, and three websites about simple machines. The first two sites were great, but I could not open the last one.
This book is part of the series "Technology at work" covering technology at the airport, factory, fire station, home and film set, and is suitable for around years 3-5.
Reviewed by Heather
I recently read and enjoyed Fleur Beale's book End of the Alphabet, Random House, 2009. I recently read and enjoyed Fleur Beale's book End of the Alphabet, Random House, 2009. It reminded me how much I liked her first novel (1993) for children, Slide the Corner so I took the opportunity to enjoy it again.
Greg's parents want him to be an academic success - like the rest of his family. But Greg is not like the rest of his family. He loves cars, he understands them, and he wants to be a rally car driver. After poor results in his exams, his parents want him to repeat his 5th form year (year 11). But Greg has other ideas and talents. The school has a course in Car Maintenance.
Here is a story about a boy finding out who he really is, what he wants, and having the courage to make it happen. Slide the Corner is not only about cars its also about a teenager beginning to make his own decisions about where his life is heading.
Review by Heather.
Kirby has always taken responsibility for her “dizzy flake of a mother”. That is until Mum says she is going to Africa and leaving Kirby in the care of the extended family – a family she has never met and are devout followers of a religious cult. Kirby feels both betrayed and adrift living with these unfamiliar people and their strange customs. What’s more she's also worried about her mother. While her uncle is not physically abusive, Kirby (who is not Esther) is subject to tremendous pressure to change her behaviour and comply with their religious laws. So much so that eventually she starts to wonder who she really is.
This is a gripping read for intermediate and secondary students.
Was a finalist in the Senior Fiction category of the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults in 1999
Reviewed by Beth
by Nelson Mandela
Abridged by Chris Van Wyk, illustrated by Paddy Bouma
London: Macmillan Children’s Books, 2009
by Nelson Mandela
Abridged by Chris Van Wyk, illustrated by Paddy Bouma
London: Macmillan Children’s Books, 2009
Nelson Mandela has been an inspirational hero for millions of people around the world, and his autobiography is a powerful account of a truly amazing life. In this official picture book edition Chris Van Wyk and Paddy Bouma have given children a wonderful opportunity to get to know for themselves the story for themselves of how the little trouble-maker from the tiny village of Mvezo became one of the world’s most famous freedom fighters. Recommended for primary and intermediate level.
Reviewed by Pamela
Robbie takes a lawn mowing job in her neighbourhood with an eccentric old man.
Robbie takes a lawn mowing job in her neighbourhood with an eccentric old man. Stanley claims to have been to the South American jungle where he contracted smallpox as a boy. Back in New Zealand he now grows a tropical garden in the wilderness of his back yard but forbids Robbie from entering a mysterious shed where he breeds exotic fish under lock and key.
This well told yarn follows Robbie’s attempt with her boyfriend, to unravel the mysteries of the shed, Stanley’s knowledge of the fauna of Brazil, and of his long lost daughter.
Sutable for Years 6 to 9 its hugely entertaining read and sure to engage the reader.
Flickr Image by dirac3000
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