John Green's latest novel is here

Image: PenguinRandomHouse

Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis. (Inside cover)

 You Tube: Good Morning America

Listen to the video and hear John Green discuss his new book in this interview on Good Morning America.

Just for fun - find out which Mortal Instuments character you are

Curious to know who you are most like? Check out the following tests to see if they come up with the same character. Rivetedlit  and BuzzFeed.

Rā Maumahara - Commemorating the New Zealand Land Wars

The Death of Von Tempsky at Te Ngutu o Te Manu, a portrayal of an incident in the New Zealand wars on 7 September 1868. 
By Lithograph by William Potts (1859-1947), from a painting by Kennett Watkins (1847-1933) (Image: [1]; details: [2]) [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

A national day of commemoration for the New Zealand Land Wars was first discussed in 2010. Those present identified a need to acknowledge the wars and conflicts between Maori and Pakeha during the early colonial period. Further talks took place until in 2016 when a date was set: October 28. 

The first commemorations will be held this year in Te Tai Tokerau. The commemorations will then be held in a different region each year.

Although there were other groups involved in the creation of a commemoration day, a petition by a group of Otorohanga students who gained 13,000 signatures added to its impetus. Read their inspiring story by Leah Bell (one of the students and a descendant of Elizabeth Colenso)

Leah Bell: How a campaign by school pupils led to a national day marking the NZ Wars

Take some time to browse the display opposite the library entrance as you pass by that way.

You may also like to listen to a podcast that features historians and an iwi representative discussing the Wars, their significance and the importance of remembering.  

Conservation Week

The theme this year is Love Your Backyard.

The Department of Conservation has chosen this theme to encourage us to get involved either in "our own backyard or in our big New Zealand backyard." We can all take part in helping our native birds, and protecting our wildlife and environment.

The Department of Conservation site has many ideas you can explore. Feeding New Zealand's birds is just one of these. View the video to out find how.

You Tube: Ecology Ngātahi - Feeding New Zealand's Birds.

How well do you know your native bird species?  Challenge yourself and enter the competition to win a chocolate bar. See the noticeboard opposite the library for more information.

All you need to do is identify 8 birds. Can you name them?

You might also like to vote in Bird of the Year. Go to this link.

Holidays Hooray!!

No need to starve yourself of stories. There are loads of options to satisfy your appetite.

Option One: Get to the library and find something that tickles your imagination. (Ps: absolutely do not miss option three)

Option Two: Download an e-book

Did you know there are over a 1000 titles to choose from! All you need to do is download the app (see image), find Nga Tawa Diocesan School and start browsing. Email Mrs Stephens for your username and password.

Option Three: Watch the Lizzie Bennett Diaries

You Tube : Lizzie Bennett Diaries

Warning: watching these is addictive!

Hop into the library before Easter break

Image: Flickr - Wendy Piersall CC by 2.0

You could try making these finger puppets during the holidays or it might be just the right time to read.  

There is a good selection of graphic novels available. You can find these on the bottom shelves of the fiction area.

There are 35 books in the library collection with links to an online audio version.  A full list of audio books and resources is easily found by clicking Quick Lists on the library catalogue. Scanning the QR code located on the inside of the book will also take you to the audio website.  A great option to use if you are on a journey and can listen to it on your phone especially if you have a good data plan.

If you don't have time to get into the library, you can use the E-book collection. There are over a 100 titles to choose from. Find the image below on the library catalogue, click on it to be directed to the e-books. The easiest way to borrow them is to download the Wheelers e-platform app and find Nga Tawa Diocesan School Library Ask Mrs Stephens for your username and password.

New books

No Place to Fall

Amber is faced with an impossible choice between her promise as a singer and the people she loves. Which will she choose?

A story about pursuing your dreams, facing your fears and rising above challenges.

Check out the TeenReads review.

The night she disappeared

Image: Walker Books

A thriller that delivers on tension and surprises. Watch the book trailer below to discover more.

YouTube: Morgan Ryan

The one memory of Flora Banks

Image: Penguin Books

Could you imagine having amnesia? Forgetting what happened a few hours before? Flora has to live with this condition for the rest of her life, but then she discovers she remembers her first kiss. 

Listen to Sophiie's book review below which 'm sure will entice you to read it

Source - YouTube: Sophiie Elaine reads

Beautiful broken things

Image: PanMacMillan

The complexities and drama of three teenage friends. Where once there were two who were inseparable, the dynamics change when Suzanne becomes part of their group. The Guardian provides a review of Beautiful broken things.

How not to disappear

Image: Simon and Schuster

Gloria the gin-slinging great-aunt and a pregnant Hattie set out on a road trip of self-discovery. Both characters have to come to terms with the predicament they find themselves in. What will they learn about each other and themselves?

International Women's Day

International Women's Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women.

UN Women is putting the spotlight on women in the changing world of work.

You Tube: UN Women

 Women in the workforce: facts you should know In this link you can access statistics such as wage gap, unpaid work, parental leave, unemployment, legal barriers that affect women internationally.

You can lend your voice to the #BeBoldForChange global campaign to advocate for women's humans rights. Get your selfie.

In New Zealand, the focus is "Violence against Women: An Equality and Human Rights Violation"

According to a Chinese proverb "Women hold up half the sky". If you are curious to know what this might mean go to The Northern Advocate


The following video features some interesting developments that have affected women and their role in the workforce.  

You Tube: Kronos Incorporated

Kronos is a recruiting and software company that produced the following video in celebration of International Women's Day in 2011.