Welcome back

Image: By Neurolysis [CC SA 1.0]

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.

Check out these new books

Image: PanMacMillan

You Tube: The Lotterys plus One

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 One has 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.

Image: Penguin

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.

Listen to this podcast interview with Morris Gleitzman.

Maybe has 4 and a half stars on Good Reads

Stacey Gregg and Kelly Wilson chat about their latest books

Image: PenguinNZ

Having tamed Kaimanawas in New Zealand and Mustangs in America, Vicki, Kelly and Amanda Wilson travel to Australia for their latest adventure. (Back cover)

Image: HarperCollins

One girl's determination to save the animals she loves against the aftermath of the Kaikoura earthquake.

Read the chat between Stacey Gregg and Kelly Wilson as they share about their love of horses and their latest books. Go the The Sapling.

Both books available in the library.

What does John Green and a tuatara have in common?

Watch this video and find out

You Tube: The New Zealand Five Cent Coin

What is your favourite book that you have read this year?

In the library currently are books that have been named as favourite reads for the year. Is there one on the board that you want to add? 

Just for fun:
Click this link to see the book that matches the video game you choose. If it is a book you would like to read, let me know and I will place it on the list to buy next year.

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.

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.