Journey to Tangiwai


Book Description

It's 1953 and Peter is determined that his scout patrol will get to the finals of a First Aid competition. This means travelling to Auckland by train on Christmas Eve, a journey that Peter will never forget. Suggested level: intermediate, junior secondary.




My New Zealand Story: Journey to Tangawai


Book Description

When Peter Cotterill begins his diary in 1953, little does he realise that something is happening elsewhere in New Zealand that is going to have a huge impact on his life. As he tells of his day-to-day life in Napierschool, paper round, Scouts, as well as the lasting effects of World War II on his friends and familythe forces of nature are at work, culminating in an event so tragic that it will shock a whole nation. That was, of course, the Tangiwai rail disaster on Christmas Eve 1953, as a result of the Tangiwai bridge being washed away by a lahar from Mt Ruapehu.




Hut Builder


Book Description

"'As a boy in the late 1930s, young Boden's life is changed for ever the day his neighbour Dudley drives him over the mountains into the vast snow-covered plains of the Mackenzie Country. He realises he will never be the same again. Years later, the 20-year-old Boden, now a university student, helps build an alpine hut high up on the eastern slopes of Mount Cook. Living in snow caves while the hut is built, Boden forms important relationships with members of his working party, most notably with Walter, a conscientious objector from the Second World War" --Back cover.




My New Zealand Story


Book Description

Set in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1942, in an area of the city known as Chinatown where the descendants of the Chinese miners and market gardeners gathered together to maintain their culture and provide a sense of community. New Zealand is at war when Silvey starts her diary, but for Silvey this is just a backdrop to the main issues of her worldthe closure of her school and the arrival of Chinese-American soldiers




Dawn Raid


Book Description

Imagine this: You're having an amazing family holiday, one where everyone is there and all 18 of you are squeezed into one house. All of sudden it's 4 o'clock in the morning and there's banging and yelling and screaming. The police are in the house pulling people out of bed ... Sofia is like most 12-year-old girls in New Zealand. How is she going to earn enough money for those boots? WHY does she have to give that speech at school? Who is she going to be friends with this year? It comes as a surprise to Sofia and her family when her big brother, Lenny, starts talking about protests, "overstayers", and injustices against Pacific Islanders by the government. Inspired by the Black Panthers in America, a group has formed called the Polynesian Panthers, who encourage immigrant and Indigenous families across New Zealand to stand up for their rights. Soon the whole family becomes involved in the movement. Told through Sofia's diary entries, with illustrations throughout, Dawn Raid is the story of one ordinary girl living in extraordinary times, learning how to stand up and fight.




My New Zealand Story: the Wahine Disaster


Book Description

When Debbies grandmother gives her a copy of her forefathers old sea journal, she finds it fascinating. While Debbies own diary tells of 1960s school life and troubles with her friends, excerpts from the diary of 1841 tell of the hardships of life on an emigrant sailing ship. At home, sick with glandular fever, Debbie feels transported back in time. Is it the fever, or is her long-dead relative trying to tell her something? Following a trip to the South Island to visit relatives, Debbie boards the ferry to return home to Wellington. It is April 1968. The ferrys name is Wahine...




See Ya, Simon


Book Description

Simon is a typical teenager – in every way except one. Simon likes girls, weekends and enjoys mucking about and playing practical jokes. But what s different is that Simon has muscular dystrophy – he is in a wheelchair and doesn t have long to live. See Ya, Simon is told by Simon's best friend, Nathan. Funny, moving and devastatingly honest, it tells of their last year together. Winner of the Times Educational Supplement Nasen Award, the Silver Pen Award and the Storylines Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much-loved Book, See Ya, Simon has been published in the USA, UK, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, China, Japan and Slovenia.




My Nz Story: Stop the Tour


Book Description




Fat, Four-Eyed and Useless


Book Description

Ben is useless at sport but when he joins the writers' group at school he finds he has some talent. Suggested level: primary, intermediate.