One Girl, One Dream - Laura Dekker

(Image: Harper Collins)

Adventure, courage, strength of character

In 2012, at the age of just 16, Laura Dekker became the youngest sailor ever to single-handedly circumnavigate the globe. In realising her long-held dream, she had not only braved the wild oceans and long weeks of solitude at sea, but also the doubts and sometimes hostile resistance of officials.

In this remarkable account of her incredible journey - for the first time in English - Laura describes in her own words what it is like to sail solo around the world, and the determination it takes to do it at such a young age.

Exciting, awe-inspiring and inspirational, this is a real-life adventure for readers of all ages.(Back cover)

Video created by National Geographic

New arrivals

Heartland by Jenny Pattrick

After a short stint in prison on trumped-up charges, the loveable simpleton Donny Mac returns to the house left to him by his grandfather in the small settlement of Manawa, in the shadow of Mt Ruapehu. Now inhabited by a handful of colourful locals, the once prosperous milling town is only bustling in the ski season when the out-of-towners arrive.

Awaiting Donny's return is the drunken and pregnant Nightshade, who claims he is the father. Donny's friends keep watch anxiously. Also watching is the Virgin Tracey, a sixteen-year-old hiding out in one of the abandoned houses, with her own tiny baby. 

When an accident threatens to put Donny back into prison, he and the Virgin Tracey come up with a solution to cover it up. But can the secret remain hidden? (Random House)

Will to Live by Matthew and Diane Ames

For a couple of weeks, Matthew Ames didn't feel well. The busy father of four young children knew things were not quite right but suddenly he was in Emergency, with a severe case of toxic shock syndrome – the common bacteria Strep A had entered his bloodstream and his body had gone into shutdown. He was put into an induced coma and the only way he could be kept alive was to have all his limbs amputated.

Diane Ames knew exactly what her husband would want and that he would cope – he had always been optimistic and practical. Despite a one per cent chance of survival, she asked the doctors to go ahead with the radical operation. And so began the inspiring story of an ordinary family's courage and determination to make the most of a terrible situation. (Penguin Books)

Matthew has a blog that tells his story and journey. An inspiring story of courage and resilience.

Everything to Lose by Andrew Gross

A determined, (down on her luck,) mother caring for her handicapped son becomes entangled in a murderous conspiracy to keep a twenty year old secret buried in this blistering thriller, set during the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. (Harper Collins)

                                                   (Source: Talk of the Town Authors and Books)

I am Rebecca by Fleur Beale 

Award-winning YA writer Fleur Beale's gripping sequel to the bestselling classic I Am Not Esther is a psychological thriller. When she turns 14, Rebecca will find out who she is to marry. 

All the girls in her strict religious sect must be married just after their 16th birthdays.Her twin sister Rachel desperately wants to marry the boy she's given her heart to. All Rebecca wants is to have a husband who is kind, but both girls know the choice is not theirs to make.

But what will the future hold for Rebecca? Is there a dark side to the rules which have kept her safe? Can the way ahead be so simple when the community is driven by secrets and hidden desires?(Random House)

Book review of I am Rebecca.

Loyal Creatures by Morris Gleitzman

(Image: Penguin publishers)

Like many of his mates from the bush, Frank Ballantyne is keen to join the grand adventure and do his bit. Specially as a chest full of medals might impress the currently unimpressed parents of his childhood sweetheart. So Frank ups his age and volunteers with his horse Daisy ... and his dad.

In the deserts of Egypt and Palestine he experiences all the adventure he ever wanted, and a few things he wasn't expecting. Heartbreak, love and the chance to make the most important choice of his life.

They were loyal creatures, the men and horses of the Australian Light Horse, but war doesn't always pay heed to loyalty. This is the powerful story of a young man's journey towards his own kind of bravery. (Source: Penguin)

The following video captures images of the life of horses and their handlers in the theatre of war. These images will provide context when you read Loyal Creatures.

And if you are wanting the New Zealand experience for our own war horses go to First World War horses

Would you let your horse serve in a war?