"Reading Spot" competition and Summer Reading

Students returning to school next year are invited to issue up to 5 library books over the summer holidays. If you have any specific titles you would like me to reserve please let me know. 

What is your favourite place or spot to read? Get someone to take a photo of you in that place or perhaps it is somewhere you spent your holidays. Email it to Mrs Stephens at beginning of Term 1 2016 and be in to win. Three prizes up for grabs, such as vouchers for school stationery shop and chocolate. See display board outside library.

Female scientists receive recognition

Two female University of Auckland researchers were awarded top honours from the Royal Society of New Zealand and the Health Research Council of New Zealand.

You Tube: University of Auckland

Callaghan Medal winner Dr Michelle Dickinson and Pickering Medal winner Professor Margaret Hyland speak about their role in the field of science.

Both women are passionate about the work they do and the contribution that women can make in this area. It is wonderful to see these women being recognized and honoured.

Photo Competition

Booksellers NZ Bookshop Day Photo Competition

Send in your most entertaining reading-themed photos to enter

Head over to their Facebook page for competition entry

The runner-up wins their knee-height in books

Be quick, Queen's Birthday weekend is the perfect opportunity to get that snap.

Entries close Thursday 29 October

Conservation Week - Healthy nature, Healthy people

Our natural environment is a toanga. Our status as an Enviroschool reflects this importance and the responsibility we all have to the sustainability of our world.

Wikimedia Commons: Recording Mountain Goat Surveys, Siyeh Pass (Citizen Science)

As part of highlighting Conservation Week (November 1-8), I thought I would invite you to explore the role of a citizen scientist. Citizen scientists are volunteers who participate in scientific projects. When involved in environmental projects this can include collecting data by observation, monitoring, tagging and measuring. Research scientists receive data from the volunteers for analysis.

NatureWatchNZ has a number of projects that you could get involved in. A household in Palmerston North has created their own project documenting observations on their section. View here.

Marine Metre Squared  where you can participate in the monitoring of your local seashore.

If butterflies interest you, take part in the Big Backyard Butterfly Count happening in November. Or become involved in the Monarch Butterfly Tagging Programme.

Flickr Katja Schultz_Tagged Monarch butterfly-CC by 2.0

If you are adventurous you could take part in DOC's National Geocaching Challenge and be in to win great prizes from Air New Zealand and Macpac. Or take part in the Find a Whio competition.

Find out what happening in the Manawatu area for Conservation Week at Events

For more details on how and where you can get involved as a citizen scientist or environmentalist, visit the display in the library during Conservation Week.

Challenged and Banned books

Take a peek to reveal the book that was challenged or banned, some will surprise you.

Into the River by Ted Dawe was awarded the Supreme Margaret Mahy Book of the Year at the 2013 NZ Post Children's book Awards. It also gained notoriety for its content, to the extent that it was given a classification of R14. A recent removal of this restriction prompted a request for an interim restriction order so this reversal could be reviewed. It is now a crime to supply, display or distribute this book. The women in the video below reviews Into the River and the video above is an interview with the author with the American network CNN.

You Tube: Patricia Kay

Many well-known novels have been challenged. Novels such as Of Mice and Men, Lord of the Flies, to Kill a Mocking Bird, Grapes of Wrath, Catcher in the Rye, 1984, Animal Farm, and The Colour Purple. Go to Challenged Classics to discover the reasons for the objections.

How do you feel about books being banned? When is censorship justified? Post your comment here or have a discussion with a friend.

Hogwart Houses

Image: Flickr - The talking sorting hat at Hogwarts by Loren Sztajer (CC licence)

House spirit is strong at Nga Tawa. Where would your loyalties lie if you were a student at Hogwarts? Which house would you belong to? The Guardian has created a quiz to answer this question? Take the quiz here

The rest of us just live here - Patrick Ness

(You Tube: Walker Books)

(Image: Walker Books)

Not everyone has to be the Chosen One. The one who's supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death? What if you were like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. (Inside cover)

 For a review go to The Telegraph

The Lie Tree and Pieces of Sky

(Image: PanMacMillan)

When Faith's father is found dead under mysterious circumstances, she is determined to untangle the truth from the lies. Searching through his belongings for clues she discovers a strange tree. A tree that feeds off whispered lies and bears fruit that reveals hidden secrets. The bigger the lie, and the more people who believe it, the bigger the truth that is uncovered.
But as Faith's untruths spread like wildfire across her small island community, she discovers that sometimes a single lie is more potent than any truth. (Back cover)

Review available at The Guardian

(Image: Allen&Unwin)

Lucy was the state backstroke champion, and swimming obsessed. She lived with her parents and her brother, Cam, in the small coastal town she'd known all her life. She had friends, she had goals - she had a life.

Now Cam is dead, her parents might as well be - and Lucy can't bear to get back in the pool.

Drawn to Steffi, the wild ex-best-friend who reminds her of her artist brother, and music-obsessed Evan, the new boy in town, Lucy starts asking questions. Why did Cam die? Was it an accident or suicide? But as Lucy hunts for answers she discovers much more than she expects. About Cam. About her family. About herself.

Scorch Trials by James Dashner

(You Tube: 20th Century Fox)

The second book in the Maze Runner series has made it to the screen, where Thomas must face another trial and cross the Scorch to again save himself and his friends.

Fans of the Maze Runner series can now choose their own path in an interactive Twitter adventure tagged #ScorchMaze. You get to make the decisions, and control how the story ends. For more information go to The Guardian.

The Maze Runner series is also available on the shelves.

Which fictional school do you belong in?

Image: Flickr - created by OZinOH (CC licence)

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to attend some of the fictional schools like Hogwarts, CHERUB, Malory Towers, Camp Half Blood or the Shadowhunter Academy? The Guardian has created a quiz to see which one you would most likely succeed at.

Take the quiz here.

National Poetry Day - August 28

It is not hard to find quotes that describe the eloquence, creativity, anguish and beauty that can be discovered in reading poetry. Poetry does not need to be difficult. One way to explore your creative potential is to try a technique called block out poetry.(as pictured below)

Or perhaps you would like to use the style found in this link

To celebrate National Poetry Day, the library will be holding a block out poetry competition. The text can come from a book, magazine, or newspaper. There will be some pages available at the library display.  First prize for the best poem is a chocolate treat and the latest trend catching on, a mindfulness colouring-in book. Small chocolate bars for second and third. Competition ends Friday 10th September. Entries can be handed in to the librarian.

Evie's war by Anna Mackenzie

Image: RandomHouseNZ

Evie is 18, straight out of school and excited by the prospect of a tour of Europe. Instead, she finds herself immersed in war; first in the Home Counties – where the young New Zealander is confronted not only by society's restrictions and her family's expectations, but by the burgeoning women's rights movement – then as a VAD nurse tending injured soldiers in a local hospital. 

After personal tragedy changes the course of her life, Evie impulsively travels to Belgium, experiencing first-hand the shambolic horrors in a Casualty Clearing Station just 10 km behind the Front Lines. War, at first distant, becomes increasingly personal. (RandomHouse)

Go to Teenbooks for a review

A great follow up for any student who has studied some aspect of World War One. A work of fiction that will add richness to what you have learnt.

In the Quiet by Eliza Henry Jones

Image:HarperCollins

Cate Carlton has recently died, yet she is able to linger on, watching her three young children and her husband as they come to terms with their life without her on their rural horse property. As the months pass and her children grow, they cope in different ways, drawn closer and pulled apart by their shared loss.  And all Cate can do is watch on helplessly, seeing their grief, how much they miss her and how - heartbreakingly - they begin to heal. Gradually unfolding to reveal Cate's life, her marriage, and the unhappy secret she shared with one of her children. (Back cover)

For a review go to Readings

I started reading the first chapter because I needed to fill in some time. It has a surreal feel to it. In the Quiet is an apt title as there was this sense of stillness, like watching the television with the sound off. I have yet to return the book as I am in the middle of another novel, but it looks to be a promising read.

The eye of the sheep by Sofie Laguna

Image: Allen&Unwin

The cover is one of my favourites. I have opened the book in different places to read and each page drew me into the story. The main character is a young boy called Jimmy and it is told from his point of view. It is not childish chatter as he views his world and the troubles that accompany it but offers language to engage a mature audience.

The Eye of the Sheep is the 2015 winner of the Miles Franklin Literary Award.

Read more about this book and the author's comments here.

Because you'll never meet me by Leah Thomas

Image: Bloomsbury

There are truths you can only tell a stranger.

Ollie and Moritz are best friends, but they can never meet, because if they did, one of them would certainly die.(Back cover)

Reviewed by happyindulgencebooks

Never always sometimes by Adi Alsaid

You Tube: HarlequinTeen

Best friends Dave and Julia are determined to never be cliched high school kids - the ones who sit at the same lunch table every day or those plotting to be prom king or queen. They even write up their 'Never' to do list - but as the saying goes 'never say never'.

Fire colour one by Jenny Valentine

Image: HarperCollins

A teenage girl will soon discover some things which burn brighter than fire.

Review from The Guardian

A flash of blue by Maria Farrer

Image: Scholastic

A number of books are being written lately that seem to revolve around death, perhaps in light of the success of The Fault in our Stars. I am not a fan of syrupy sadness or melodrama, so I am pleased to say that I enjoyed this story. The sudden death of Amber's brother from an undiagnosed heart condition affects the family in different ways. Amber and her parents individually become estranged from each other, rather than drawing together to cope with their grief. The circumstances surrounding Liam's death creates a climate of guilt and regret that influence the characters' behaviour and choices.

The story has tension, mystery, risk and twists. A recommended read. This review confirms it.

Pick up lines.. and a pink jar

The first few lines of a book often lead us into the story with a sense of intrigue, humour or horror. It can be as simple as "They went to war in a taxi" (The Bridge - Jane Higgins). I love a great beginning, it offers the promise of a good read. Check out the first lines of the books on display and find one that appeals to you.

Got a book on your mind that you would like to see in the library? Place your suggestion in the jar on the front desk.

But wait there's more...

Rosabelle by Linda Harrington

Set in Woodville, Manawatu.

(Image: Children's bookshop)

Jane Williams is an 11-year-old girl growing up in 1970s New Zealand, a farming nation at the bottom of the world. Living on the outskirts of a small rural town, her family have no telephone, no fridge, and use an outside toilet. However, the family does own a promising racehorse, Jane's pride and joy - Rosabelle. When the family falls on tough times, Jane finds out that all is not as it seems in Woodville. With the help of her Italian best-friend and Scottish teacher, will Jane be able to uncover the town's and her own family's secrets and save Rosabelle before it's too late? (Back cover)

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Described as Game of Thrones meets X-Men, this book is destined to become a movie.

(Source: Penguin Teen)

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites. (Source:PenguinRandomHouse)

Soon by Morris Gleitzman

Soon continues the incredibly moving story of Felix, a Jewish boy still struggling to survive in the wake of the liberation of Poland after the end of World War Two. What began in the first novel Once, continues with the fifth novel. Enjoy listening to Morris Gleitzman describe his journey with Felix and the lesson he learnt.

(Source: PenguinBooksAustralia)

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes

Image: HarperCollins

The Kevinian cult has taken everything from seventeen-year-old Minnow: twelve years of her life, her family, and her ability to trust. And when Minnow rebelled, they took away her hands too.
Now the Kevinian prophet has been murdered and the camp set aflame and it's clear Minnow knows something.
But she's not talking. (Back cover)

Click here to read a review.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Image: HarperCollins

What if you were the spark that could ignite a revolution?

For years Laia has lived in fear. Fear of the Empire, fear of the Martials, fear of truly living at all. Born as a Scholar, she’s never had much of a choice.

For Elias it’s the opposite. He has seen too much on his path to becoming a Mask, one of the Empire’s elite soldiers. With the Masks’ help the Empire has conquered a continent and enslaved thousands, all in the name of power. (Back cover)

For a review go to Kirkus

New books

The unlikely hero of Room 13 B

(Image: Walker Books)

When Adam meets Robyn at a support group for kids coping with obsessive compulsive disorder, he is drawn to her almost before he can take a breath. He's determined to protect and defend her, to play Batman to her Robyn, whatever the cost. (Back cover)

One to read if you enjoy John Green novels. For a review go to Book Bag

Stay with me - Maureen McCarthy

(Image: Allen & Unwin)

Tess knows she's got to get away. If not for herself, then for her three-year-old daughter. but how? Stuck on a farm in the hills outside Byron Bay, she has no car, no friends, and no money - not even a phone. Then suddenly a chance meeting with a stranger offers her a way out... a road trip back to the family she lost contact with years ago.(Back cover)

Described as gripping, electrifying and heartbreaking. For a review go to Burn Bright

I'll give you the sun - Jandy Nelson

(Image: Walker Books)

A story of first love, family, loss, and betrayal. 

 For fans of John Green, Gayle Forman and Lauren Oliver. Go to The Guardian for a review.

Digital Citizenship booklet

A group of students in their Learning to Learn class researched the topic of Digital Citizenship and presented their findings in this impressive large booklet on display in the library. It is filled with wonderful interactive activities, quizzes, a board game and practical advice. Well done Jezelle, Lauren and Rebecca.

Make sure you take a look when you visit the library.

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) celebrates 40 years. 

In the early 1970’s it was becoming obvious that less and less people in New Zealand were able to speak Māori. Many people were concerned by the state of decline, and signed a Māori language petition which was organised, in part, by the Te Reo Māori Society. In total, 30,000 people signed the petition, which was presented to Parliament on 14th September 1972. This day become recognised as Māori Language Day, and in 1975 was responsible for the formation of Māori Language Week.(Source: KiwiFamilies)

(Source: FinnianGalbraith)

Finnian Galbraith, a Year 11 student at Kapiti College, wrote this speech for a speech competition in 2014. He delivers a message about the correct pronunciation of Te Reo, and helps us to understand we already pronounce the sounds required. 

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori gives us the chance to celebrate something unique to our country. On the display board in the library will be examples of kiwaha, everyday sayings that you can put into practice. You can also scan the QR codes to hear some proverbs.

If you are interested in learning a few more kupu/words you can also go to 365-maori-words

Haere mai ki te whare pukapuka.

Alice in Wonderland - 150 years

Image: Übersetzer: Antonie Zimmermann Orginal Titel: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Illustrationen: John Tenniel (Wikicommons)

Alice in Wonderland celebrates its 150 anniversary on July 4. It was written by Lewis Carroll, the pseudonym for an English author named Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. 

Find out how this timeless classic was inspired by real events and a real child at Alice in Wonderland. You can also discover the variations in the colour of Alice's dress, the variety of book cover designs, and background information about the illustrations. The website also suggests how to celebrate by having a Mad Hatters Tea Party.

Find out 10 things you may not have known about Alice in Wonderland.

For memorable quotes, click here.

New Books

                                                              You Tube: EpicReads

The Heir by Kiera Cass

The Selection was a success story for her parents but she has doubts it will work for her. Can someone steal her heart?

Find Me by Laura Van Den Berg

                                                             Image: RandomHouse

Joy spends her days working the graveyard shift at a store outside Boston and nursing an addiction to cough syrup, an attempt to suppress her troubled past. But when a sickness that begins with silver blisters and memory loss and ends with death sweeps the country, Joy, for the first time in her life, seems to have an advantage: she is immune. (Source: RandomHouse)

Naveed by John Heffernan

You Tube: Allen & Unwin

Naveed is sick of war - of the foreign powers and the Taliban, the warlords and the drug barons that together have torn Afghanistan apart. He's had to grow up quickly to take care of his widowed mother and little sister, making what little money he can doing odd jobs and selling at the markets. When he adopts Nasera, a street dog with extraordinary abilities, he has a chance to help rebuild his country. But will a new friend's betrayal crush his dreams of peace forever? (Back cover)

Lullaby by Bernard Beckett

Rene’s twin brother Theo lies unconscious in hospital after a freak accident left him with massively disrupted brain function. There is hope though. An experimental procedure—risky, scientifically exciting and ethically questionable—could allow him to gain a new life. But what life, and at what cost?

Only Rene can give the required consent. And now he must face that difficult decision.

But first there is the question of Rene’s capacity to make that decision. And this is where the real story begins. (Source: Text Publishing)

Book review of Lullaby

Blind Date winners

Thanks to all who participated in the 'Blind Date with a Book' event. Congratulations Natalia on winning the main prize for her six-word review of her book 'date'.

Anateira and Lucy were the lucky winners of the minor draws for participating in the event.

Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley

                                                        Image: Good Reads

Maria Dahvana Headley's soaring YA debut is a fiercely intelligent, multilayered fantasy where Neil Gaiman's Stardust meets John Green's The Fault in Our Stars in a story about a girl caught between two worlds . . . two races . . . and two destinies. (Source: Harper Collins)

Reminiscent of Avatar, Aza Ray has a debilitating disease which makes it difficult for her to breathe. In Magonia she is healthy and more powerful. It is a story of love, adventure, and an impending war. 

If you want to read the first few chapters and listen to a talk about this novel head over to to EpicReads.

Korowai Maumahara - Cloak of Remembrance

The weekend didn't afford us much opportunity to see the constellation Maori have named Matariki, but hopefully you will be able to spot it if you are up before sunrise. It is on the horizon, slightly left of where the sun rises. If you need help spotting Matariki go to this website.

Matariki is a time for coming together with whanau/family to think about the past year, plan for the future and to take action. 

In thinking about the past, we include remembering deceased whanau. One way to express this is a korowai maumahara (cloak of remembrance). If you would like to remember someone or several people, you are invited to go to the library, write the name or names of persons you want to remember on a feather.

Matariki

A new display is on the noticeboard opposite the library that highlights Matariki.

It offers suggestions on how you could celebrate this event.

Next week in the library there will a cloak of remembrance. Matariki is a time to remember loved ones you have lost. This could be one way you could participate in celebrating Matariki. It would involve writing the name of your loved one/s on a feather then pinning it to the cloak. If you want to, you could also bring a photo of the person. 

New books

I'll Be There:

 Emily believes in destiny. Sam wishes he could escape. Then everything changes. Because Sam meets Emily. This tender story of star-crossed love is both romance and thriller.(Back cover)
The Guardian book review

The Liar

A new life. A new home. but can Shelby ever escape her past?

A captivating novel of passion, betrayal and courage. (Book cover)

A Little in Love

What is the price of friendship - the love of a boy? Eponine's story from Les Miserables. (Book cover)
A review from an historical novel society

The Apple Tart of Hope

Meg and Stevie are determined to find out what happened to Oscar (who is missing, presumed dead). Together they learn about loyalty, friendship and the power of never giving up hope. (Back cover)
The Guardian book review

Blind date with a book

Think of yourself as a bachelorette with a blindfold.

There will be an element of mystery and risk.

The scene is set for you to select your date with a book.

Entry for the mystery prize is for those who spend the time reading to the end.

Details on how to hook up with your book is on the board in the library.

Poetry with an accent

 The following poem is from the movie Four Funerals and a Wedding. It is a moving piece. 

You Tube: Englishclasspoems

Shout out for Claiming Noah

Check out the latest on the Shout Out Board located next to the library catalogue computer terminal. Recognize who has contributed this week? This lovely lady is more than willing to share more about why she enjoyed Claiming Noah. 

Competition

Enter the Fair Trade Fortnight competition by going to the link in your email. Correct entries will go in the draw to win three bars of chocolate, coffee, drinking chocolate, soap, a bobbing head turtle, and a magnet with Love inscribed. Competition closes Thursday 22 May.

Become more informed. Find out what the Year 10's discovered about some industry practices.

Pop into your nearest Fair Trade shop for the ingredients to make these choc delights.

YouTube: Trade Aid

Fair Trade fortnight

You Tube: How fair are you?

May 8 - 22 May 2015 is Fair Trade fortnight. Listen to the answers that the students at Pt Chevalier Primary School give to what they consider as 'fair'. They are switched on to it! (And just a bit adorable)

Want to see how you would respond to 'What is Fair?' then take this test at  Be Fair

During that fortnight I will be offering the opportunity to answer a few questions too and if answered correctly, you will go into the draw to win a few Fair Trade goodies. I will keep you posted.

This Mother's Day maybe you could consider buying your mother something from Fair Trade to support the mothers who supply these goods.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

This book is already being considered by Hollywood

and has only just been published. Get your copy from the library and enjoy this thriller.

You Tube: Interview with Paula Hawkins

Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She's even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. ‘Jess and Jason', she calls them. Their life – as she sees it – is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy.

And then she sees something shocking. It's only a minute until the train moves on, but it's enough. 

Now everything's changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she's only watched from afar.

Now they'll see; she's much more than just the girl on the train… (Back cover)