Listen to the Wind: the story of Dr. Greg & three cups of tea by Greg Mortenson and Susan L. Roth

Here at School Services we are often asked for resources about people who make a difference in the world.

We have a few favourites:
Harvesting Hope: the story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull
Ryan and Jimmy: and the well that brought them together by Herb Shoveller
Planting the Trees of Kenya: the story of Wangari Maathai by Claire A. Nivola
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
These are all stories about remarkable, strong-willed individuals who decide, despite the obstacles in their way, to make a difference in the world. Listen to the Wind is another that we can now add to this list.

Greg Mortenson is an American nurse who, while returning from an unsuccessful attempt to climb K2, becomes separated from his climbing buddy and lost in the mountains. He stumbles into Korphe, a Pakistani mountain village, “cold, hungry and sick”. The village nurses him back to health and when he asks the wise man how he can repay them, the advice is “listen to the wind”.

You will have to read the book to find out what he does to make a difference to the village – and to many other villages in that part of the world.

Kids of all ages will love this book, not only for the inspiring story but also for Susan Roth’s gorgeous collage and the informative photos.

reviewed by Beth

Published by Dial Books for Young Readers (2009)

Kiwi Classic: The Runaway Settlers by Elsie Locke

First published 1965 and re published by HarperCollins in 2009 this story of early colonial New Zealand tells of a plucky mother and her children who escape an abusive husband and father by emigrating to New Zealand. They settle on Banks Peninsula, near Christchurch, and set up a small market garden to provide fresh fruit and vegetables for Lyttelton. Some of the harsh living and working conditions of those days are experienced, including virtual slave labour for a landowner, a burn-off which turns into a bushfire, and a trek to the West Coast to sell cattle.

While the neighbourliness and strong family ties reveal the strengths of colonial life, Locke dosn't gloss over the hard working conditions, isolation, and a lack of human rights. This book will certainly give readers a vivid insight into the challenges our pioneers faced.

The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness (Chaos Walking series - Book 2)

If you read The Knife of Never Letting Go and enjoyed it, then you are going to love this second part. It is brilliant yet leaves you in a state of total confusion at the end because it is a world in which the thoughts of men are open for everyone to hear and the confusion should surprise nobody.

At the end of The Knife of Never Letting Go, Todd is left carrying the wounded Viola in the city of Haven which is the opposite of it's meaning. The Mayor of Prentissville and his army have taken over and are determined to establish their power before the arrival of space ships with new settlers. The civil war that eventuates is brutal, in which the women's group called the Answer attempt to overthrow the tyrannical world of chaos created by the men who are known as the Ask. Underneath it all is a deep and caring love story between Todd and Viola who are separated for most of the story. The ending is more chaotic than the start with a few surprises that will have the reader crying for more. Relief is at hand with the third part due next May.

Essentially aimed at Secondary school students but younger and older readers will enjoy this novel.

Reviewed by Bob

Published by Walker Books (2009)

Patrick Ness has an entertaining website

The Ant Colony by Jenny Valentine

This is Jenny Valentine's third book so if you liked Finding Violet Park and Broken Soup then you will love this, cos I did.

The first sentence in this story sets you up for what is to come. Sam has run away from the countryside to London. He is 17, he is capable, but he has a past that will catch up with him in this book. He finds a job and a place to stay and this is where he meets 10 year old Bohemia who changes his life for ever. Bohemia has a dysfunctional mother but like some of Jacqueline Wilson's characters she is made of sterner stuff and is just a wonderful girl to know. These two get to know each other within the rundown boarding house in which they both dwell and become reluctant friends or so it seems on the surface. There are secrets to be discovered and when they are revealed you will be stunned.

In between times you get a picture of loneliness and poverty in a big city and an insight into the character of London.

An excellent read this for Secondary school students.

Reviewed by Bob

Published by HarperCollins (2009)

You might be interested in Mary Hoffman's Guardian review as well.

Pig City by Louis Sachar

This book was a delight to read from the author of Holes but nothing like it at all.

It is a school story about students of a year 6 class who form a secret club. Lead by Laura who acquires a hat with the words Pig City written on the front, the students form the Pig City club. Each student is sworn to secrecy and to be sure they keep the secret they each leave an embarrassing secret in the club treasure chest. Should anyone spill the beans then the secret will be exposed to the whole class. Friends fall out, misunderstandings are rife and a cunning teacher becomes involved.

Superbly written, with the dialogue between the students right on the nail. I haven't read many stories like this about relations between boys and girls that is as enjoyable, perceptive and as funny as this book.

It will appeal to middle and intermediate school students and would make a great read-a-loud for the same classes.

Published by Bloomsbury (2009)

Laika by Nick Abadzis, colour by Hilary Sycamore

This graphic novel is a masterpiece, even if you do not like this genre, you will be stunned and moved by this story.

It is the story of the first living thing in space, the dog Laika, launched in Sputnik 2 November 3 1957, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Russian Revolution.

Abadzis with brilliant graphics personalises the story of Laika,(real name Kudryavka), and all those responsible at the top level for putting this unfortunate dog into orbit. He also recognises the tensions of the time as Khrushchev strives to capitalise on the propaganda opportunity after the Russians launched the first satellite (Sputnik 1) in early 1957.

Fact and fiction are blended together brilliantly to tell a story that will enthral you and horrify you at the same time.

Suitable for everyone. Don't let it pass you by.

Reviewed by Bob

Published by First Second, New York (2007)

The Resistance by Gemma Malley

An excellent issues based book that is a sequel to The Declaration . Set in a world in which a chemical company Pincent Pharma dominates the population through their production of a drug that reverses the aging process. Everybody takes the drug and in return for this people sign a "declaration" which states that they will not have children. Of course children are born and these are called "surplus" and are isolated and re-educated as slaves who one day may achieve the status of "valuable asset".

Anna and Peter have escaped the status of "surplus" and now live in a world in which they are pressured to sign the declaration. Peter takes a job in his grandfather's company Pincent Pharma and is pressured by the underground movement led by Pip, to help destroy the old order. Very exciting action and clearly not the end of this story.

Issues of state control, stem cell research, science verse religion and the public right to protest are all in evidence in this book. Fans of Margaret Haddix's Shadow Children series and Malorie Blackman's Noughts and Crosses will love this book. For Intermediate and Secondary school students but adults will enjoy this too.

Published by Bloomsbury (2008)

Kiwi Classic: Lacey and the Drama Queens and Lucky for Some by Fleur Beale

Lacey and the Drama Queens
Lacey’s got some good friends at school, but one of them, Vanessa, can be mean when she feels she’s not the centre of attention. Vanessa is certainly the leader of the drama queens. When Lacey dares to question the qualifications of their dancing tutor she experiences the silent treatment from Vanessa and most of her classmates. With Belinda, the new girl at school, she manages to turn the situation around and learns some good lessons about friends (and dancing) along the way.

Lucky for Some
Lucky for Some chronicles Lacey’s next year at school. Her Mum and Dad decide that the family will benefit from living life in the country. Lacey is horrified – not only are there only two other people in her class at the small country school, but they are both boys! And how will she continue her dancing living so far out of town? Lacey’s country life, her adventures with the donkey and her calf and her cantankerous relationship with Mr Fred the farmer next door all make for a great adventure.

Both books are excellent reads for year 5 and up and will absolutely appeal to girls!

Michele Leggott New Zealand Poets The laureate series

Find yourself a quiet place and some quiet time and be prepared to be transported to distant lands, question what you hear, see and feel, experience myriad colours, movement and lyrical sounds as you listen to the soft, gentle, lilting voice of Michele Leggott’s articulation of her rich collection of poetry.

Michelle Leggott teaches at the University of Auckland and was New Zealand’s inaugural Poet Laureate from 2008-09. In 2009 she was awarded Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for her contribution to poetry.

This excellent CD is an anthology of poems from Michele Leggott’s published collections and was produced with assistance from the National Library which administers the New Zealand Poet Laureate award.

The CD can be currently purchased from selected independent bookstores
like Vicbooks, Unity, Parsons, Page & Blackmore, also Marbecks Records,
Jayrem's website and Amplifier.

‘Trendsetter: have you got what it takes to be a fashion designer?’

by Lisa Thompson Series (On the Job)

This series of books could be used from Year 5 through to junior high school. It explores the world of careers, and in this particular title looks at who is involved in the business and production of clothing and the fashion industry. There is some background on how the designer got started, a brief history on fashion, and a diary of the steps needed to put together a collection for showing at Fashion Week. The book is visually attractive and the text very approachable. Although this is an American publication, the advice addresses the industry as a whole, with the guidance on qualification fairly non-specific. This would make a very helpful addition to any school library to help children looking for simple career information. There are nine titles in the series.

Suzanne Hardy

A Small Free Kiss in the Dark by Glenda Millard

A moving story about how good and humane people can be in times of great crisis and stress. What is remarkable is this humanity is shown by characters who, if we saw them in the street, we would pass by without giving them a second glance or thought.

The narrator and main character is Skip, a twelve year old boy, who has chosen to live on the street because he is mistreated by his foster parents. While living on the street he meets Billy a man who has spent years on the street but is mistrustful of everybody.

When war strikes the unnamed city and it is flattened by bombs, Skip and Billy pick up 6 year old Max who has lost his mother and Tia a 15 year old damaged girl with a young baby.
Together this odd group survive in the rubble and dog-eat-dog society that war creates, until a violent act forces them into reluctant action.

A superb simple novel that moves your heart and creates an empathy with this ragtag group who are only human when all said and done. If you miss this one you will kick yourself.

Suitable intermediate to secondary school students and adults of course.

Reviewed by Bob

Published by Allen & Unwin (2009)

Living dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

The subject of this book doesn't bear thinking about and many will ask themselves "is this a children's book?". Well it is.

When Alice was ten a man called Ray abducted her while she was on a school trip. He beat her, abused her, mentally degraded her, threatened to kill her parents if she tried to escaped, and then told her she was one of the luckiest girls in the world. Not many girls are loved like she is.
Now she is fifteen and puberty is upon her and Ray detests her for it. He starves her, makes her wax all her hair off and gives her pills to stop her developing. Alice's predicament is horrible but she has been abused for so long that she doesn't know what to do. When Ray decides he wants another younger girl and forces Alice to help him, things come to a head.

Brilliantly written and structured this book is compelling reading for senior students. The portrait of Ray is stunning, he is your worst nightmare, but the reader is with Alice all the way. You will never forget this story.

reviewed by Bob

Published by Simon Pulse (2008)

Kiwi Classic: Canoe in the mist by Elsie Locke

Elsie Locke's Canoe in the Mist is a neatly constructed historial novel of old New Zealand. It was first published in 1984 and in a sense was a precursor to the recent Scholastic "My Story" series.

As the title suggests the story is based on the extraordinary events leading up to and including the Tarawera eruption and has reference to the real people affected by this natura; disaster. Maps of the Rotorua Lakes district in 1886 are presented in the front and back of the book. A useful glossary of Maori words and phrases is also provided.

The fact that the book was republished in 2005 confirms that it has and continues to be a very readble story for today's year 6 - 8 students.

2009 LIANZA Children's Book Awards

It was a case of latte meets literature at last night’s 2009 LIANZA Children's Book Awards held in one of Wellington’s most popular cafes, Caffé L’affare.

Speeches were short, the wine and venue wonderful, and the winners judging by the applause and exclamations of delight were popular choices with those present. Speaking of which they are:

Esther Glen Award (Fiction)
The Esther Glen Award prize was presented to Wellington writer Fleur Beale for her popular young adult novel Juno of Taris (Random House). And good news for fans of Juno. In her acceptance speech Fleur mentioned she is currently working on a sequel.

Russell Clark Award (Illustration)
Dunedin based author and illustrator Robyn Belton (who actually trained under Russell Clark) received the Russell Clark Award for Herbert: The Brave Sea Dog (Craig Potton Publishing).

Te Kura Pounamu (te reo Maori)
For the first time Te Kura Pounamu Award went to a novel, Mihiroa by Peti Nohotima with illustrations by Misty (He Kupenga Hao I te Reo).

Elsie Locke Award (Non Fiction)
Raido NZ's Our Changing World host Veronika Meduna and science historian Rebecca Priestly won the Elsie Locke Award for Atoms, Dinosaurs and DNA (Random House) The book based on a 2006 National Library science exhibition brings to life sixty eight past and present New Zealand scientists.

Words of Wisdom: Speed Dating Authors

Here's a novel (ahem) idea for young Wellington writers. On 18 September
the New Zealand Book Council is holding a writing workshop at Island Bay school where six writers will talk to groups of students each for 15 minutes about key writing tips and techniques.

The Speed Date an Author workshop is open to intermediate pupils ages 10 - 12 and at a cost of $10 per pupil it's exceptional value given the writers who will be present; Gavin Bishop, Melinda Szymanik, Mandy Hager, Maria Gill, Ruth Paul and Tessa Duder.

Interested? Bookings are limited to 50 students. More workshop and enrolement information here.

flickr image by by Darwin Bell

Then by Morris Gleitzman

A sequel to Once, again featuring 10 year old Jewish boy Felix, who is on the run from the Nazis in Poland. This time he is accompanied by 6 year old Zelda and they find shelter with a woman Genia who runs a farm.

Felix is no longer the innocent he was in Once but his narration of the story is simple and brilliantly told. Like Once, this is one of the most accessible stories of the Holocaust for children and also one of the most powerful. The end of the story is stunningly powerful.

Told in that simple and easily readable style of his, Morris Gleitzman has written another winner for children of all ages. The full horror of the Holocaust has been exposed in a beautiful story of friendship between two children.

It is a must read.

Reveiwed by Bob

Published by Viking (2008)

Derek the Sheep by Gary Northfield

Derek is a bizarre sheep, 12 years old in dog years, loves the colour green and eating grass, hotdogs and cheese spread sandwiches. And he is daft as a brush. He has a friend Lenny and numerous acquaintances including Cecil the bee, and they have some amazing adventures that will have you in tears of laughter.

Written in graphic novel style, the thirteen stories are brilliant snapshots of ordinary feelings and behaviours that somehow go wrong for Derek.

Originally a regular feature in The Beano comic, this collection will have the most reluctant of readers clamouring for more. Very suitable for all ages. These stories are just brilliant.

Reviewed by Bob

Published by Bloomsbury Children's Books (2008)

Scat by Carl Hiaasen

Friends, Nick and Marta, are worried about the disappearance of Mrs Starch, their teacher, after a class field trip to the local swamp. There have been sightings of an extremely rare panther in the swamp, and the class are forced to end their field trip hurriedly because a wild fire. Add a couple of shady oil prospectors, a chatty macaw, and some extremely quirky characters and you have a standard Carl Hiaasen story.

Carl Hiaasen has written fun, slightly whacky, novels with an environmental theme for adults for a long time. He started writing in a similar vein for children in 2002, and Scat is his latest offering.

A good read for Intermediate and junior secondary.

Reviewed by Beth

Published by Alfred A. Knopf (2009)

Read about the interesting life of Carl Hiaasen and his books

Kiwi Classics: Whitebait Fritters

Whitebail Fritters by Kingi McKinnon Published by Scholastic 1995

This easy-read book tells the story of Wiremu, who is going on his first whitebaiting expedition with his father. His father shares family traditions and tips as Wiremu learns not only about whitebait, but various life skills during their overnight stay. The dialogue is realistic, and scattered with Maori words and phrases. Most of these are reasonably well-known, but a glossary might have been helpful.

This is a great. positive story about a boy and his Dad doing things together.

Reviewed by Lynn

New Zealand Library Week

Library Week: Escape Explore Discover - Ki te whai ao, ki te ao mārama

Library week 10th – 16th August is almost upon us. and for students there are some great competition activities. They can illustrate the next 4 frames of an ongoing graphic novel originally started by Dylan Horricks. There’s a writing competition for years 6 –8 students and also a video competition where pupils can make a short video (in movie trailer style) letting people know whay they love their local library.
As well Libraries across the country will also be participating in ‘NZ’s Biggest Storytime’ event - a simultaneous reading of Itiiti’s Gift by Melanie Drewery, and illustrated by Fifi Colston.

For more information on this and other events head on over to Library Week 09.

Flickr image by Athanasius

Violence 101 by Denis Wright

A unique book for teenagers and a powerful one at that. Hamish is 14, he is intelligent, worldly wise and violent. He loves violence and sees it as an essential part of the human condition. He loves Alexander the Great, Te Rauparaha and Charles Upham and he is in detention. While in detention he has bewildered his social workers counsellors and jailers with his attitudes and behaviour. Can he be tamed or is he to be locked away for ever? You will have to read this story to find out.

The story is told from two points of view. The author as observer and Hamish himself through Journal and diary writings concerning his beliefs and recounts of his actions. They are stunning.

At first I was appalled by Hamish's views but as the story progressed I unbelievably started to like him. At one stage in the story he states that he cannot go on like he is for ever and herein lies the hope of the story. The gripping ending does bring a form of redemption.

This is a well written book about issues of youth violence and the title makes it sound like a University exam paper. Indeed it could be. One of the best New Zealand novels I have read this year.

Will appeal to reluctant boy readers from Intermediate to High school age.

Reviewed by Bob

Published by Penguin

Penguin also have some teachers' notes