Book Reviews: Kiwi and a monster mum
If there is one thing we can be sure of in New Zealand publishing, it’s that there will be at least a dozen kiwi books published over the year. This batch of reviews includes three books including kiwi that are…
Sarah Forster
Book Reviews: New non-fiction from Aotearoa
Fascinating facts aren’t just found in Frank Worsley’s famous expedition to Antarctica, but also in our local shores, with captivating creatures and interesting snippets about our current Prime Minister. Writer Raymond Huber reviews two exciting new non-fiction books from publisher New Holland and…
Book Reviews: Alex: The Quartet, by Tessa Duder
Alex still stands out in editor Sarah’s mind as one of the best flawed, real female characters ever written in New Zealand YA. Alex: The Quartet brings together the four Alex books in one handy package, giving her the ideal…
Across the Ditch: The talented Davina Bell
Australian author and editor Davina Bell is an exceptional storyteller for kids aged 2 to 12. Her broad range of books include picture books like Under the Love Umbrella (Scribble) and her most recent All of the Factors of Why…
Book Reviews: Junior and Middle Fiction
Sarah Forster reviews current releases Harriet and the eye of the Bird, Bonjour Lucy Bee and The Invincibles: Power Up! She also reviews a final manuscript for Tūī Street Heroes, thanks to Wildling Books. This will release in September. The…
Book Reviews: YA fantasy that burns bright
Fantasy’s a funny word for the genre of imaginative worlds, considering how many of the places created are the last place anyone would ‘fantasise’ about living in. But naming conventions aside, it’s a beloved genre by many, including your team…
Book Reviews: Two Great Female Writers
Sarah Forster reviews another fantastic YA book by Eileen Merriman, and a book by Philippa Werry telling a WW1 story from the perspective of a 14-year-old girl at home, working as a telegram delivery girl. Both books are well-written and…
Book Reviews: The Dog Runner and Jillion
The only thing these two books have in common is that they are absolutely stunning, and they are broadly for a junior fiction age range. The Dog Runner, by Bren MacDibble, is another well-told ecological story; while Jillion is a…
New books for the 125th suffrage anniversary
On 28 November 1893, Māori and European women voted in national elections for the first time in New Zealand, having won a law change on 19 September of that year. Today we introduce two new books for children on the…
Three Wonderful NZ Young Adult Titles
Sarah Forster reviews three fantastic new New Zealand YA titles. These are three quite different titles, from Take Flight, set in a world where a group of teens have gained wings and the power of flight; to Slice of Heaven,…