Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers:

A witty, creative and nostalgic collection, Natalya Newman

Skinny Dip
Various edited by Kate de Goldi and Susan Paris
Massey University Press
Pub. 2021

 

February 15, 2022

Split into four terms to mirror a school year, this collection looks into the minds of student poets who float around the fringes of every school, observing the world around them and letting their imaginations carry them into the sky.

Skinny Dip is a collection of poetry from the perspectives of those in a school environment. Edited by Susan Paris and Kate De Goldi, it was published by Massey University Press last year. The book brings together a group of established NZ poets reminiscing about their own school days.  Read more

February, 2022 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers:

An exciting read with humour and explosions, Sana Sharma


Steel Pelicans
Des Hunt
HarperCollins
Pub. 2012

 

February 1, 2022

Steel Pelicans by Des Hunt is a thrilling book about three high school boys, Dean, Afi, and Pete (Pelly for short).

This book is written from Pelly’s view. The story begins in Australia, in an isolated area with a tunnel. Dean and Pelly are trying to add others into their group, the Steel Pelicans while testing out a new explosion. The group finds the tunnel and a disgusting dead rat to blow up, but something happens and Pelly almost gets blown up with it!

Pete is a shy boy who was born in New Zealand but moved to Australia almost instantly.  Read more

February, 2022 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers:

Powerful and accessible history of protest in Aotearoa, Denika Mead

Protest! Shaping Aotearoa
Mandy Hager
OneTree House
Pub. 2021

 

February 1, 2022

Protest! Shaping Aotearoa is a non-fiction book by Mandy Hager. It was published by OneTree House in July 2021. Protest! covers a wide range of protests, and the information is presented in an accessible way. Hager provides an overview of each protest and outlines how the protests and the issues have affected our society and way of life. The book is divided into sections and takes the reader through a history of the protests that have made an impact on Aotearoa. Grouping the protests by the cause immerses the reader in the issue and gives a sense of how the issues have developed over time.  Read more

February, 2022 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers:

Wonderful characters with a big issue woven through, Stuti Patel

Call me Madeleine
Kate S Richards
Green Room House
Pub: 2021

 

February 01, 2022

“Climate change is upon us, it seems…”

Call me Madeleine is a beautiful book written by Kate S Richards. Her novels are commonly based on adventure and serious topics.

Call me Madeleine is about climate change. Madeleine is a student who wants to make a difference while battling family drama and her romantic life. The story is set in the future, where there are driverless buses and electric cars. Her parents don’t understand her alarm about the burning planet but do support her ideas and plans for how she might help the environment.  Read more

February, 2022 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers:

Coming-of-age novel with all the fundamentals of fantasy writing, Prabhleen Notra


The Last Kingdom
Denika Mead
Pub. 2020

 

 

January 25, 2022

“Rise from the ashes, my Phoenix.”

There were two deaths; one prompted a war between species, the other became a catalyst for a final, defining battle. Years before the main story begins, there was a Pixie King who hoped to negotiate amongst the four kingdoms of the land. To the dismay of his daughter, those who he tried to commune with caused his untimely demise. Thus, the antagonist was born: a revenge-driven, humanity-less pixie queen.

Phoenix is a 17-year-old boy with no intention of succeeding his father — King Raymond — as he does not believe he has the ability.  Read more

January, 2022 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers:

Meaningful messages in a heart-warming story, Samantha Waters


Just End It
Donna Blaber
Light House
Pub. 2020

 

January 19, 2022

This heart-warming story is a must read for anyone who likes books with a feel-good ending.

It all starts one day when teenager Jessie Brown goes to Whale Bay. It’s a beautiful beach that she hasn’t thought much of until she takes a glittering black rock that is lying on the sand. She has no idea how her life is about to change. Jessie doesn’t know that if it is taken without permission, you become cursed with bad luck. The rock also has a huge story to tell that explains Jessie’s new friend only appears in her dream but becomes a big part of life.  Read more

January, 2022 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers:

An absolute must have for any artist, Brianna Hellyer

Draw Some Awesome
Donovan Bixley
Upstart Press
Pub. 2021

 

 

January 19, 2022

Do you love to draw? Are you constantly looking for new ideas for your drawings? Or maybe you just need some good tips? Well, you’ll find them packed inside this amazing book.

Draw Some Awesome by award-winning illustrator Donovan Bixley is an absolute must-have for any kind of artist, young or old. It is full of tips and tricks for better drawing, and you will feel inspired as soon as you open the first page.

From perspective to composition and everything in between, this book is full to the brim with everything an artist needs.  Read more

January, 2022 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers: , , , , ,

An engaging and fun ride, Charlie Kaval Wilding


Partners in Slime
Belinda O’Keefe
Scholastic
Pub. 2021

 

January 19, 2022

There is a really cool new ride called the Steel Beast opening soon at the local amusement park.  Jake and Cooper are desperate to go to the grand opening, but their parents won’t give them the money to go, and they don’t have any money either. They are desperate to go to this grand opening. They just have to be there. So, they decide to figure out a way to make the money so they could be sitting on the ride on opening day.

They thrash around tons of ideas in their heads.  Read more

January, 2022 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers:

A kaleidoscope of perspective and identity, Natalya Newman


Out Here: An Anthology of Takatāpui and LGBTQIA+ writers from Aotearoa
Edited by Chris Tse and Emma Barnes
Auckland University Press
Pub. 2021

 

January 18, 2022

Published in 2021 by Auckland University Press, Out Here is an anthology of work by Takatāpui and LGBTQIA+ writers from Aotearoa. It’s a collection of short stories, poems, comics, and plays; of literature in its many forms viewed through a spectrum of colour. This book is edited by Chris Tse and Emma Barnes, and I knew even before opening the first page that this would be unlike anything I have ever read before.

The cover is one that draws attention, as it shows many colours being mixed and creating new shades.  Read more

January, 2022 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers:

A story about thoughtfulness and perseverance, Aimee Goga


The Life and Times of Eddie McGrath
Brigid Feehan
OneTree House
Pub. 2021

 

January 18, 2022

The Life and Times of Eddie McGrath is an enjoyable read that centres around Eddie, a young teen who loves hiding behind a good book snuggled up with her pet cat, Olaf. The story is written in first person from Eddie’s point of view. Her love of books is evident in the way she thinks, talks, and writes. It was cool to see things from her perspective.

She loves being in the background and staying inside her comfort zone, so when she wins a writing competition to spend the day with a Member of Parliament, and then later give a speech in front of the Prime Minister on TV, Eddie is terrified and wants to turn the prize down.  Read more

January, 2022 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers:
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