CREATE READERS

Friday Classic Stanley’s Aquarium by Barry Faville.

2009-11-20T10:00:00.003+13:00

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

Counting the Stars : Four Māori Myths by Gavin Bishop

2009-11-16T14:37:00.003+13:00

This new book of Māori myths, retold by Gavin Bishop, is a reminder that there are lots of Māori myths that don’t feature Māui.

This book follows the same format as Gavin Bishop's previous retellings of Maori Myths, Taming the Sun and Riding the Waves. The tales are simply told with bold colourful illustrations integrated with the text. The four myths are
Mother Earth and Father Sky - how Te Ao Māori came to be
The battle of the birds- why the sea and land birds live apart
Kae and the whale- why failing to keep a promise can lead to your downfall
Hinemoa and Tūtānekai- one of the all-time great love stories, showing how determination can overcome adversity.

The flowing style of the test makes it ideal as a read-aloud and for silent reading.

Reviewed by Kathy

Published by Random House (2009)

“Michael Jackson 1958-2009: life of a legend” by Michael Heatley

2009-11-16T10:27:00.002+13:00

Heatley’s book on Michael Jackson traces the singer’s life from child prodigy, his rise to superstardom, right through to his recent untimely death. His 1982 album “Thriller” remains the highest selling album of all time at 50 million copies sold worldwide. Jackson’s status as a musical icon is explored – the hit songs, the live performances, his signature dance style, and the persona.
Although the book is a celebration of Jackson’s life and music, it doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the controversies that dogged the latter part of his life and career either.
The text is balanced and the photographs well chosen and plentiful. Heatley’s attractive title would make both a great coffee table book or a useful resource for
Year 7 and Junior Secondary level readers. Recommended.

by Suzanne Hardy

Friday Classic: The Emerald Encyclopedia by James Norcliffe

2009-11-13T08:00:00.000+13:00

In The Emerald Encyclopedia readers are immediately introduced to a strange situation as an odd travelling salesman, Mr Arthur T. Finch, gains entry into a house where Fraser lives with his parents.

Fraser is desperate to own the Emerald Encyclopedia and his parents are 'persuaded' to purchase it. From there the plot thickens with all sorts of unusual and increasingly creepy occurrences.

Fraser's cousins, Katherine and Cal, are also drawn into this gripping story, leaving the reader to try and work out what is happening and if Fraser and Katherine can solve the puzzle in time.

This mysterious story filled with intrigue, and puzzles is a great read and the wonderful descriptive language will make the reader want to read other works by the author.

Where is it?

2009-11-12T11:52:00.002+13:00

By Bobbie Kalman

Published by Crabtree Publishing Company, 2008
Series: Looking at Nature

This is a book in the "Looking at nature" series by Bobbie Kalman that introduces children to concepts such as position, size, shape, patterns and colour through examples in nature.

This is a book to share with young children and it could be used to teach about position, location and direction in a maths lesson. The large colour photographs of a range of animals are clear and varied and include kittens, monkeys and elephants. The text asks the children lots of questions about the photographs, mainly about the location and position of the animals in their surroundings. There are also a few open ended questions that call on the children to express their own ideas.

If you are on the lookout for maths books at the junior primary level that have position and location vocabulary, this book fills a gap.

Other books in the series with a maths interest include "Is it big or small?", "What colour is it?", What shape is it?", "What comes next?", and "What time is it?".

Reviewed by Heather

Rangitoto: te toka tū moana – the rock standing in the ocean by Maria Gill

2009-11-09T08:00:00.000+13:00

The story of Rangitoto from when it erupted in the Hauraki Gulf, about 600 years ago up to the present day.

It is set out like a picture book with factual information on each page that links directly to the story. The presentation style with little packets of information and good quality illustrations make it a book you can pick up and put down to come back to later.

Recommended for reading age 10+ but younger students will get a lot out the book as well with guidance from a teacher or older student.

Reviewed by Kathy

Published by Picture Puffin Books (2009)

There are some teacher resources associated with this title.

“Dick Frizzell – the painter,” by Dick Frizzell.

2009-11-06T17:35:00.003+13:00

This lusciously illustrated tome plumbs the width and depth of Frizzell’s extensive and successful career. It includes many of his images inspired by popular culture (who can forget the controversy of the Four Square grocer with a tiki head), through to the realistic landscapes, images borrowed from the world of advertising and comics, through to his figure painting – it is all here. His wry sense of humour shines out in every work.
Frizzell writes engagingly of his personal life and the art that populates and shapes his world. The text is minimal, letting the images speak for themselves. Included is a short foreword by Hamish Keith.
This beautiful book of an important and popular New Zealand artist would be an excellent addition to any collection and an excellent resource for secondary art students.
Godwit Press – ISBN 978 1 86962 174 2

Suzanne

Friday Classic:The Dragon’s Apprentice by Linda McNabb

2009-11-06T08:00:00.001+13:00

Poor 12-year-old Toby, he just does doesn’t fit in around the castle. Perhaps his outcast status is to do with the close relationship he has with the dragon Klel. Toby is upset that the unscrupulous King Herat is using up Klel’s healing golden scales at an alarming rate leaving the dragon sick and weak.

Events come to a head when a stranger turns up to the court claiming he is King Herat’s son. And the adventures begin.

This book is a great read for middle primary readers - those children who are too young for so much of the fantasy fiction produced, but at the same time too old for the more junior emergent chapter books.

I have seen many year four and five classes get absolutely hooked on this story. Dragon’s Bane, a follow up to The Dragon’s Apprentice was published in 2008.

The Dragon’s Apprentice was a finalist in the Junior Fiction category of the New Zealand Post Book Awards in 2003.

Reviewed by Beth

Everyone's Reading 11-18!

2009-11-05T08:00:00.000+13:00

Mate! This list is brilliant! Filled with books that will get anybody reading - girls, boys, reluctant or struggling readers, students with English as an additional language, people who can't find any more good books...

Like the previous lists from the British School Library Association's Riveting Reads Plus: Boys into Books 11-14(2007); and Boys into Books 5-11(2008), the list uses catchy headings such as Boggle, Experiment, Explore, Fast Forward, etc. Altogether there are 16 headings and 260 mainly fiction books for young people.

Although put together by the same person, Eileen Armstrong, most of the books are different from the Boys into Books 11-14 list. As with the previous lists the emphasis is on books published very recently.

You could use the list to help develop your library collection, find great Christmas presents for the young people in your life, and refresh your own reading. If you like a particular genre, or type of book, the headings are very useful. For example, if like me you love science fiction, go to the Fast Forward section for some cool new books. And there's some great chick lit, amongst other things, in the Indulge section. And... and... and... but, go on, have a look for yourself!

Now, here's the good part. The whole list is downloadable, FOR FREE, as a PDF document, here. You can also use it as an online database, and browse through each section, here.

The list also has an excellent introduction, which could be used as a blueprint for developing services to get students reading. More on this soon...

For more information about the previous lists for boys, check out our blog entries, here, here, and here.

With thanks to Debbie.

War’s End by Victoria Bowen

2009-11-04T11:59:00.008+13:00

Set in Western Australia this story deals with events around the end of the Great War as told through the eyes of 12 year-old Nell.

At the beginning of the story Nell is in hospital recovering from a close call with the 1918 Spanish ‘flu. The story seamlessly weaves back and forth. One story is about Nell and her life in hospital away from her family. The other is about her family’s life from the end of the war; waiting for Dad’s return, as well as coping with worry about the increasing numbers of deaths from the ‘flu.

Dad’s ship bypasses Freemantle, where the family are waiting, because of worries about infection. Nell, Mum, Martha, Jack and Pa have to withstand even more frustration as their hopes for Dad's return are dashed at the last moment. It is obvious that Nell feels betrayed by Dad for some reason and as we read the back-story we find out why.

This is an interesting read because it deals with World War I from unusual angles – how the soldiers actually got home after the war, the early 20th century small town, family life showing how they have coped without the “head of the house”, and the effect of the 1918 ‘flu on the town.

Highly recommended for intermediate and junior secondary.

Download a Teachers' support Kit here

Reviewed by Beth

Published by Woolshed Press (2008)

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

2009-11-03T14:52:00.003+13:00

A pack of hungry wolves snatch Grace from her tire swing in the back yard and drag her into the woods. Strangely enough, but this marks the beginning of an uncanny and complicated fascination that Grace has for the wolves.
Sam looks straight into the eyes of Grace and realizes that she is awake and alive. Being high up in the pack, he manages to prevent the wolves from completing their attack upon Grace. Ever since then, he has silently watched Grace from the woods.
For years, the community of Mercy Falls is conscious and apprehensive about the wolves in the wood. Who are the wolves? Where have they come from? What is the mystery that surrounds them?
The first two chapters set a chilling prologue to a novel that will keep you utterly absorbed and engaged till the very end. The chapters are alternatively narrated by the two main characters, Grace and Sam.
The novel delves deep into the psyche of werewolves and reveals their inner turmoil as they tortuously endeavour to resist transformation.
Suitable for secondary students, this book deals with human and animal relationships, metamorphosis and the supernatural.

Janice Rodrigues

Friday Classic: A respectable girl by Fleur Beale

2009-10-30T10:00:00.002+13:00

This is a book that charms its way into your heart!

Set largely in Taranaki against a colonial New Zealand backdrop, 15-year-old Hannah Carstairs has a lot of questions about her ancestry. Can she truly call herself a respectable girl? Then there are the growing hostilities between the Maori and the settlers. Perturbed that the impending war will divide her family, Hannah decides to flee to England to seek answers to who she is.

Fleur Beale deals extensively and engagingly with life in colonial New Zealand, and particularly Victorian affectations, parlance and morality.

A great secondary read, that deals directly with identity, relationships and our colonial history.

Need Inspiration for your Library Displays?

2009-10-29T14:48:00.000+13:00

When it comes to having a great school library, having great books is only a first step (although a fundamental one). What you have to do next is help the books jump out of the shelves and meet the reader.

One way to do this is to have great library displays. A great library display is not necessary that perfect one that you have slaved over for the whole of the school holidays. What is most important is that displays are eye-catching, fresh and changed often.

One simple, effective idea is to make some eye-catching letters of the alphabet. Use your ICT skills, your creative skills, or those of your students to create these. One letter per large piece of paper or card. Now, at the beginning of each week, gather together some visually appealing books by authors beginning with that letter. Next week, take this display down, and go on to the next letter. Go on, even you can do this!

If you're feeling a bit stale, and lacking in inspiration, there are some wonderful, creative, helpful and energetic people out there who are happy to pass on some of their display ideas to the rest of us. Here are some of them:

Elaine Pearson, Librarian at Horowhenua College, Levin NZ http://schoollibrarydisplays.blogspot.com/
Anita Vandeburge at St Kentigern College Library http://www.creativelibrarydisplays.com/
Ruth Buchanan, an Australian Teacher Librarian about what she's up to in her school library, http://skerricks.blogspot.com/ including display ideas, here http://skerricks.blogspot.com/search/label/display .

Great displays are one important way to make books leap out of your stacks and into your students' hands. But don't spend too much time on these. Focus more of your energy on to active book promotion such as book talks, book clubs, web 2.0 initiatives such as a blog or LibraryThing.

You'll soon have your students saying "There are so many great books in this library, I don't know which one to choose next".

With thanks to Jeannie.

(Halloween Display Image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/circulating/276277105/)

Friday Classic: Driving a bargain by Fleur Beale

2009-10-23T10:00:00.001+13:00

Thomas’s dream of a classy overseas holiday with his rich friend Hamish is shattered when his mother tells him he cannot go. But after viewing an advertisement in the local dairy window, Thomas hatches the best holiday ever. In exchange for looking after a lively and difficult kid, Thomas and friends are allowed the use an old car on an empty section. During the holidays the boys learn a lot about driving, and fixing cars. But they also learn a lot more, including strategies for coping with difficult people, and there's a daring and difficult rescue.

This book is an entertaining tale of an unusual summer holiday, with some thought-provoking comments on friendship.

Boys, Reading and The Hunger Games

2009-10-22T12:31:00.004+13:00

Over on The Book Whisperer, the acclaimed 6th grade English Teacher and book-lover Donalyn Miller has an excellent blog entry about her "Boy Year", with the majority of her students this year being male.
She reckons that her boys love reading!
Here is what the book whisperer says:

We create a crisis when we define readers along gender lines, and I think boy readers get a bad rap. They will read fiction, they will read books that explore emotional issues, and they will read books that are longer than 100 pages. They will read. Instead of blaming our boys for their gender, or lowering our expectations for their literacy development, we should scrutinize any system where boys are hailed for their achievement in science and math class and allowed to define themselves as nonreaders.

Have a look at her ideas, and a list of books that her boys (and many girls) are currently loving. Most of these I have read, and heartily endorse.

And by the way, if you haven't yet read The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, or got hold of its very recent sequel Catching Fire, do so now! Its a must read for intermediate and teen girls, boys, and anyone who enjoys well-written, fast-paced, original edge-of-your-seat books.
The Hunger Games is set in Panem, a future North America, after a series of disasters. The Capitol has won the war against the 12 districts, who are kept poor and hungry while they raise food and mine coal for the victors. And just to remind the districts of who's boss, they are forced to take place in the annual Hunger Games, where 2 children from each district fight to the death in a vast arena. There can only be one winner, and all the exciting action is televised in compulsory viewing. Sounds bloodthirsty? I'm in awe of the author's prodigious talent, and her ability to keep her two protagonists Katniss and Peeta likeable and sympathetic characters right to the bitter end.
This series is hot, and getting hotter. And unlike many sequels, the second book, Catching Fire, is just as excellently written and well-paced as the first.
Anyway, Donalyn Miller and her boys and girls just love this series!

Hard Hat Area. Have you got what it takes to be a contractor?

2009-10-19T11:04:00.007+13:00

Written by Lisa Thompson. Published by Compass Point Books, Minnesota, 2008. Series: On the job.

If you think you would like a career in the building industry, you might like to have a look at this book. It shows how building contractor Scott, spends his day, and how he became qualified to do his job. The book covers school subjects that are useful and personal skills needed to do the job, as well as possible career paths.

The layout of the book makes it an interesting read, with lots of colour photographs and text boxes on every page. Different types of building techniques and materials are covered, and there are some facts about the history of building and important buildings today.

Although it is published in the USA, the information in this book is mostly very general and only a little is country specific. Other books in the 'On the Job' series includes animator, firefighter, chef, fashion designer, and auto technician. For career information specific to New Zealand, visit the website Kiwi Careers at http://www.careers.govt.nz/

Reviewed by Heather

Inside the game by Pauline Cartwright.

2009-10-19T10:00:00.001+13:00

Uncle Reg has died leaving behind a basement filled with computers and computer games. Chris and Amy are cousins and interested in computer games and when they find and play an old favourite, Seven Missions, they find themselves inside the game. What follows is an adventure to rescue a princess and guide her safely back to her castle through a wild land beset with challenges. Do they make it? More importantly how can they escape the game itself and will their aunt miss them while they are gone? Here’s a very lively and readable adventure fantasy from one of New Zealand's popular children's writers.
Suitable school years 4, - 6.

Friday Classic: Letters from the Coffin Trenches by Ken Catran

2009-10-16T09:16:00.000+13:00

“My letters were going to be stirring epistles that you would remember and cherish, but it sounds so stupid now to talk of modern warfare being in any way glorious. To hear some poor devil screaming with pain, or dead bodies, well, you don’t get that from Morte d’Arthur. Knights may fight with chivalry but there is no mention of broken heads and severed limbs or the stench of fresh-spilled blood.” So writes Harry Wainwright to his girl, Jess, about the carnage that was Gallipoli.

This story, told mainly in the letters that pass between Harry and Jess, outlines the slow transformation from the bright-eyed young gallant, eager for glory, to the battle-weary tough soldier who can hardly recognise himself in the mirror.

In this harrowing story Ken Catran manages to convey the horror of the “coffin trenches” without being too graphic. Every Kiwi kid should read this book.

Reviewed by Beth

This book was a finalist in the New Zealand Post Book Awards in 2003

Published by Random House (2002)

“The frangipani is dead: contemporary Pacific art in New Zealand, 1985-2000,” by Karen Stevenson.

2009-10-14T11:05:00.004+13:00

This book looks at the work of Pacific Island artists living in New Zealand. As well as being an in-depth examination of individual artists, the book addresses the key issues that underlie this movement and the inspirations for creating this art. It is an overview of the period and places the emergent Pacific art into the broader New Zealand socio-political scene of this time. The illustrations are beautifully reproduced in colour and it is an attractive title overall. The difficulty of the language and concepts however would make this suitable only for senior secondary students, but a very valuable addition to art departments.

Huia Press, ISBN 978 1 86969 325 1

October: New Zealand Book Month and ASB Wordbank Competition

2009-10-13T09:56:00.004+13:00

October is New Zealand Book Month with the aim to get more of us reading not just any books but New Zealand books. And for those stuck on suggestions how, well the website www.nzbookmonth.co.nz contains some great ideas for celebrating NZ Book Month, both in your school and library. How about:

• make a display of NZ books and encourage everyone to try one

• ask a NZ writer or illustrator come and speak at your school/library

• encourage kids to write to their favourite author and put the letter in the ASB Wordbank Competition

On the world stage Kiwis rate highly in literacy and reading is a perennial top ten recreational activity. Match that with the great range of recent local titles and there’s more than one fantastic New Zealand book out there for each pupil to enjoy this month.

And, if you do have school pupils who particularity enjoyed a NZ book then the ASB Wordbank Competition will be just their thing.

This exciting initiative encourages Primary and Intermediate school students to write a letter to the author of a New Zealand book they have read demonstrating how the book has made them think, act or feel.

The letters don’t have to be long (in fact they must be under 300 words) and information on prizes (fabulous), guidelines and entry details can be found here.

Flickr image by Carlos Porto

The Singing Cave by Margaret Beames

2009-10-12T10:50:00.003+13:00

This gem of an adventure story is set on a Pacific Island that has a high mountain perpetually covered in mist. Nobody ever climbs it but at the bottom is a cave that sometimes has strange, eerie music coming from it. Pero, a local boy, is challenged to go into the cave and when he goes missing his friend Tom (who is on holiday), sets out to find him. What he discovers is a weird world where hooded men rule. But who are they, will Tom find Pero and make it home again and just who is the girl Eleni?

Here's a well written exciting story by one of New Zealand's best novelists for children. Suitable for school years 4,5,6 and older. It's a great read a loud as well.

The Science in a piece of paper

2009-10-09T12:05:00.003+13:00

By Camilla de la Bedoyere.
Published by Franklin Watts,London, 2008.

The opening pages of the book has interesting facts about paper, for example, if it could be folded 20 times it would be as big as a tall building, wasps make paper too, and writing systems have been around since 3500 BCE using clay, papyrus and parchment before paper was invented. The manufacturing process from forest to different types of paper is covered in text and photographs, but a flow chart would have been a useful addition. The second half of the book looks at the uses of paper, the effect of papermaking on the environment and includes information on recycling and the future of paper. There is a good glossary and index, but I was disappointed with the websites listed for further information. Of the six, only one, about pop up books, related directly to paper.

The breadth of information in the book makes it useful for an overview of the technology of paper. It would be suitable for years 3-5.

This is one of six books in a series called 'The science of materials and more...' The other books in the series look at science in a bicycle, bread, pair of glasses, a guitar and a glass of water.

Reviewed by Heather

What happens when we recycle water?

2009-10-06T11:38:00.004+13:00

by Jillian Powell. Published by Franklin Watts, London, 2009

With growing concern about climate change and water shortages, there has been a rising awareness of effective and efficient use of water. Books on recycling used to concentrate on paper, plastic, metal and glass, but now most series of books also include titles on recycling food and garden waste, and water in their line up.

"What happens when we recycle water?" covers aspects of water use that includes how much we use and waste, rainwater collection, and sewage recycling. The information is simple and brief, in a clear and colourful layout, and could be used as an introduction or starter for further discussion. Most pages also have separate text boxes with an interesting fact related to water. There is a comprehensive glossary and index. The three website suggestions for further information are more suitable for older children, parents and teachers.

This series is aimed at the junior primary level, and is probably best suited for around year 3.

Reviewed by Heather

When elephants fight : the lives of children in conflict in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Uganda

2009-09-29T11:49:00.004+13:00

Written by Eric Walters and Adrian Bradbury. Published Victoria, B.C. : Orca Book Publishers, c2008.

The title of this book is taken from an old proverb: “When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers”: when the large fight with each other, the small bear the brunt. The stories of the five children presented here are witness to the truth of this proverb, and allow the reader to make a personal connection to the impact of war on children that is not possible through the news stories that bombard our television screens and newspapers. Each story finishes with a brief follow up that relates what has since happened to that child, and then provides an overview of the background to the conflict in their country. A powerful book which does not pull punches, but does demonstrate just how resilient the young and vulnerable can be in the face of these overwhelming experiences. Recommended for intermediate and secondary level.

Reviewed by Pamela

Friday Classic: See Ya, Simon by David Hill

2009-09-25T10:00:00.002+12:00

See Ya, Simon by David Hill

Told from the point of view of his best friend, Nathan, this much loved novel looks at a year in the life of teenager Simon, who suffers from terminal Muscular Dystrophy. Simon is brave, but not at all saint-like. He experiences teenage anxieties and desires, like any other adolescent. This award-winning story is told with real humour (e.g. an hilarious wheelchair incident) but David Hill also imparts a very real sense of tenderness, as in Simon’s poignant question, “What’s it feel like to ride a bike?” I heartily recommend this book to any class from Year 7 upwards.

Reviewed by Carolyn Mooney