This year marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War One. The day commemorates the lives of the people who died during the 4-year war. At 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1919, the war was officially over. Each year at this time a two minutes silence is observed. The two minute silence was declared by King George V on November 7, 1919.
"...all work, all sound, and all locomotion should cease, so that in perfect stillness the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead." (King George V)
To read the complete declaration go to The Guardian
This year following the two minute silence there is an invitation to toot horns and ring church bells to recreate the celebration and joy people experienced in learning that the war was over.
NZ Bookshop Day is being held on Saturday 27 October. 60 bookshops across New Zealand will be celebrating with displays and events. Grab a friend or your family and give your brain some love. Reading grows stronger people. Reading can act as a balm for busy brains, a world of imagination, or satisfy a mind thirsty for knowledge.
Let nature in, strengthen your wellbeing – Mā te taiao kia whakapakari tōu oranga!
This is the theme for this year's Mental Health Awareness Week. Research has shown that our well being is improved when we experience and get involved with nature. The Mental Health Foundation has listed Five Ways to Well Being in nature. The library has books on display that support these five recommendations. In addition, nature has been brought inside. An experiential display of flora and a zen garden offers students the opportunity to smell herbs, feel the varied textures of pine cones, shells, bark, sand, driftwood, and conifer. At certain times of the day you can hear birdsong. Tastings of kawakawa tea have been enjoyed as well.
2018 marks the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand. On 19 September 1893 the Electoral Act 1893 was passed, giving all women in New Zealand the right to vote. We can be thankful for the courage and tenacity of the women and men of that time who fought hard for this right. Particularly when it was voiced that women were better off not "meddling in masculine concerns of which they are properly ignorant". You can view the full notice here.
The short video below gives a fascinating historical account of the global suffrage movement.
Ilena had the pleasure of reading her poem on National Poetry Day, joined by other notable NZ poets at Unity Books in Wellington. Find out where Ilena's inspiration for her poem came from at NZPoetryShelf The calibre of writing is tremendous, go to School Poetry Award to read the poetry of the other nine finalists.
Rupi Kaur has created two poetry collections, the first one is Milk and Honey and the second The sun and her flowers. She is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. This is quite an achievement for a poet. Listen to her interview with Jimmy Fallon and the reading of her poem Timeless. If you enjoy her poetry, both these books are available in the library.
A story about family, loyalty, kindness and bravery, set against an all-too-possible future where climate change has forever changed the way we live. (Allen&Unwin) Read an excerpt of the story which sets the scene. Need more convincing then read this review. Shortlisted for the 2018 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.
Dawn Raid
Use of image by SLANZA Publisher Permissions
Like many 13-year-old girls, Sofia's main worries are how she can earn enough pocket money to buy the groovy go-go boots that are all the rage, and if she will die of embarrassment giving a speech she has to do for school! It comes as a surprise to Sofia and her family when her big brother, Lenny, talks about protests, overstayers and injustices against Pacific Islanders. (Back cover)
Read an excerpt here. Then read the book and learn about this appalling period in New Zealand's history.
Shortlisted for the 2018 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.
Michael's payback prank on sworn enemy, Angus, backfires and he finds himself in the school production as a tree. When he overhears a kidnapping plot that suggests Angus is the target, Michael and his friends set out to solve the kidnap mystery.
Read the review here and you will want to read this book. Read an excerpt from How to stop a kidnap
Shortlisted for the 2018 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.
Caleb is in his last year at high school, and with it comes all the challenges and pressures. When it all gets too much he struggles to keep it together. This story is based on the author's own recovery from anorexia and battles with depression and anxiety. Described as raw and honest with beautiful poetic language. Shortlisted for the 2018 NZ Book Awards, and available in the library. Listen to the Radio interviewwith Erin Donohue as she talks about writing this story. Read an excerpt from the book.
Even if you are not a Sci-Fi fan this Book review will change your mind. Tamara has seen her family killed by an alien race, the Crowpeople, and is then kidnapped by them. She learns their ways in order to survive and experiences many horrors as a result. The violence is not for the fainthearted. As Tamara learns more about the Crowpeople, she discovers her own loyalties are tested. This story explores themes of family, belonging, survival, human rights and cultural differences. Another worthy entry on the NZ Book Awards shortlist.
Listen to an interview with Cally Black to hear more about the story behind her novel.
Go to BuzzFeed to see which actors are playing the other characters in the movie. This book has just won the Amnesty CILIP Honour award at the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Children's Book Awards. It has had 24, 771 reviews on GoodReads and is rated 4 1/2 stars. Inspired by the #BlackLivesMatter movement, I have heard it described as the modern day version of To Kill a Mocking Bird. This is a must read. There are 2 copies in the library and it is also available as an e-book.
Check out the trailer for Jenny Han's novel. The story about secret love letters, written by a girl for the boys she has loved, which are meant for her eyes only but end up being mailed out to those boys.
The appearance of Puanga and Matarikiare significant events in the Māori calendar. For Taranaki iwi, Puanga marks the beginning of the Māori New Year and appears just before Matariki.The video shows Puanga rising on the horizon just before dawn.
The appearance of Matariki like Puanga appears at the end of the harvest, it is a time to remember the past and plan ahead. On a clear night, take the opportunity to spot the Matariki star cluster. Learn how by watching the video below. Or listen to the second video to hear a Matariki waiata.
March 21 marks World Poetry Day. This day was declared by UNESCO in 1999 to promote poetry throughout the world.
On the United Nation website it states:
'In celebrating World Poetry Day, UNESCO recognizes the unique ability of poetry to capture the creative spirit of the human mind'
The beauty of poetry is the playful use of language expressed in a myriad of forms. These are some of the gorgeous new poetry books available in the library.
For fans of His Dark Materials; return to this world in the first of three prequels.
Finding himself linked to a baby by the name of Lyra, Malcolm is forced to undertake the challenge of his life and to make a dangerous journey that will change him and Lyra forever...(Back cover)
Listen to a 4 minute book review. Take this quiz to find out what your daemon is.
A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery: humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now Scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control. (Source: GoodReads)
This book has won the Printz Honor Award as well as several mentions in other finalist lists.
Three young people will go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. All will face unimaginable dangers–from drownings to bombings to betrayals. But for each of them, there is always the hope of tomorrow. And although Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are separated by continents and decades, surprising connections will tie their stories together in the end. (Inside cover)
This book is highly rated at 4 and 1/2 stars on GoodReads.
In acknowledgement of Valentines Day, I leave you with the quotes in above video. Can you remember these quotes from the books: Perks of being a wallflower, Allegiant, The One, I'll give you the sun and Before I fall? Haven't read them yet? All these books are available in the library.
Our e-book collection has over 250 romance novels to choose from, and be sure to check out the Romance section in the library.
Carlos Garcia Knight made it through to the finals and placed fifth overall. Such a wonderful achievement from this athlete who "put down the best one" he could.
No medals for New Zealand yet. For updates on the Medal Table go to Medal Standings I will also be adding a tally to the display on the noticeboard opposite the library. The display also includes information on who is in our New Zealand team for these Winter Games. Who do you admire? Which sport do you enjoy watching?
I hope you have all enjoyed your holiday break. I look forward to meeting you all as the weeks progress. New books will soon appear on the shelves, these books were selected by students at the end of last year. If there is a book you would like to request, please let me know or fill in the paper slip and pop it into the pink jar on the front desk.
From the author of Room, Emma Donoghue has written a story about adjusting to the arrival of their 'grumpy' grandfather' who comes to live with the Lottery family. The Lotterys are a very large and extremely unruly family of diverse people and relationships. They live a family-centered hippy life that grandpa is struggling to come to terms with. Nine year old Sumac does her best to help her grandfather cope.
The Lotterys Plus Onehas 3 and a half stars on Good Reads.
Image: RandomHouse
Summer is trying to recover from a tragedy, but it seems impossible when her family is falling apart around her. Having an extraordinary best friend like Mal helps a little, but Summer's secret source of happiness is a link to the past: one very special guitar.
Now her dad's plan to save them is turning Summer's life upside down again. The next thing she knows, they've moved to the other side of the world. (Back cover) The Other Side of Summer has 4 and a half stars on Good Reads.
Following on from the popular series Once, Then, Now, After, and Soon; Maybe is the next episode in the life of Felix, who goes to Australia as a refugee at the close of World War Two. He and Anya welcome this new life but feelings of revenge still linger.
