The library committee has organised for you to take a chance on a blind date with a book. Choose your date from the selection on display and issue it to yourself. To go into the draw for the pamper pack (below) use the bookmark inside your 'date' to rate your reading experience. Write your name on the back of the bookmark and place it in the box in the library. Prize draw will be done on Monday 20th June.
Celestine
North lives a perfect life. She's a model daughter and sister, she's well-liked
by her classmates and teachers, and she's dating the impossibly charming Art
Crevan. But then Celestine encounters a situation in which she makes an
instinctive decision. She breaks a rule and now faces life-changing
repercussions. She could be imprisoned. She could be branded. She could be
found FLAWED. (Back cover)
Cecelia Ahern talks about her book with Anthony Breznican at the L.A. Times Festival of Books in the following video.
Stella Gordon's life is a lie. She does not belong in Thunder Basin, Nebraska. As
the star witness in a murder trial against a drug dealer, Stella is now in the
Witness Protection Program. The small town locals can never know who she really
is. Not even Chet Falconer, the one boy who makes her want to reveal her true
self. She knows that telling the truth will only bring violence to this safe
haven.
Despite how hard Stella tries to stay under the
radar, danger is fast-approaching. (Source: Simon and Schuster)
Anya
used to dream of moving to Britain to start a brand-new life. But as she sits
in a school where nobody understands her, she dreams of Polish summer skies and
the place where she once belonged. Then Anya meets bad boy Dan. He's no angel,
but she's sure there's a sweeter side to him. And when things begin to fall
apart, Anya realizes she's not alone - how can Dan be such bad news when being
with him feels like heaven? (Back cover)
Read or listen to an extract of the book at CathyCassidy
Book 1 in the Soldier Girl series. Set in an alternate World War 2 where young women are called up to fight alongside men, this is the story of Rio Richlin and her sisters-in-arms as they go into battle against Hitler's forces. Read a review here and check out the book trailer below.
She knows duck-billed platypuses don’t have stomachs.
She knows that fourteen squirrels were once detained as spies.
She knows that both chess and snakes and ladders were invented in the same country.
And for once, Harriet knows exactly how her life should go. She’s got it ALL planned out. So her friends seem less than happy, Harriet is determined to Make Things Happen!
If only everyone else would stick to the script…
But is following the rules going to break hearts for GEEK GIRL? (Source: HarperCollins)
Good Reads reviews are raving about the fifth book in the Geek Girl series.
Twenty Questions for Gloria
Gloria is tired of her ordinary life. So when a mysterious boy bent on breaking the rules strolls into her classroom , Gloria is ready to fall under his spell. By the time she learns the truth about him, she is a long way from home... (Back cover) This thriller will have you intrigued, read a review here.
It's 1942, and Featherston becomes the location for a prisoner-of-war camp for Japanese soldiers. Ewen and his friends are given the impression that these enemies deserve to be treated harshly. On seeing the prisoners through a barbed wire fence, the boys only see people, not a dangerous and cruel enemy. However, tensions are rising.....
The story is based on an historical incident that resulted in the death of Japanese prisoners and one guard. It has been described as a dark moment in New Zealand's history. You can find out more by reading this article from the Dominion Post.
New Zealand Sign Language
Week is an opportunity for all New Zealanders to find out a bit more about New
Zealand Sign Language, and get a chance to try it for themselves.
Try your ninja signing skills in this online game. It is challenging but worth a go. Listen to the following video about Ren who expresses her frustration at the way others treat her because she is deaf. I am guilty of number four. I attended a community class to learn sign language and it was the first encounter I had to converse with a deaf person and I fell into this trap. I learnt a lot about my own ignorance. Have you seen or heard of any of the other ten?
The upcoming Easter break will offer opportunities to relax, reflect on the goodness and mercy of God, and finally have time to read! There are many new books to choose from, below are a few to tempt you.
Lee
Westfall has a secret. She can sense the presence of gold in the world around
her. Veins deep beneath the earth, pebbles in the river, nuggets dug up from
the forest floor. The buzz of gold means warmth and life and home—until
everything is ripped away by a man who wants to control her.
Described as Hunger Games on wheels. Cassica
and Shiara live in a harsh outback settlement. Destination: nowhere. But they
have a dream. To win the Widowmaker: an off-road rally through the deadly
Badlands. It’s their ticket to fame and fortune. Or to the mortuary.
The story of a girl who suffers religious persecution as a Christian in Pakistan. Accused of blasphemy, she is thrown into prison. Life in prison is unpleasant, where Aster experiences dangerous and inhumane conditions. Her fight for justice is taken up by her cousin who lives in Australia.
Currently there is a Pakastani woman, Asia Bibi, who is still in jail five years after also being accused of blasphemy. Although a work of fiction, The truth about Peacock Blue will still be thought provoking.
The weekend was a trip down memory lane for past pupils of Nga Tawa, and a wonderful opportunity to hear their stories. The display in the library has photos of some of the changes it has experienced over the decades.
The Wanganui Chronicle has a video incorporating some aspects of the weekend. The athletics sports, slipping and bean bagging feature as well.
International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.
Music has been a vehicle for affirming women and their worth. You Don't Own Me sung by Lesley Gore and recorded in 1963 is a statement about respect and autonomy. These are reflected in the lyrics:
Both songs are designed to inspire and encourage women to stand up for themselves and know their worth. Celebrate International Women's Day with your favourite girl power song.
If you want to go further you can take part in the Pledge for Parity
