Gregor the Overlander is about a boy named Gregor who lives in an apartment in New York with his mother, grandmother and two sisters. One day, he goes to the laundry room with his sister Boots, and they discover the Underland. The Underland is a place hundreds of feet under New York filled with giant bats, cockroaches, rats, scorpions and strange people, who send Gregor and Boots on a quest searching for their missing father.
My favorite character is Luxa, the queen of the Underland. She is a little arrogant but very brave. Gregor the Overlander is the first in a five book series. I give it a 8 and a half out of 10. Gregor the Overlander is suitable for 9 to 13-year-olds; boys and girls alike. Suzanne Collins is also the author of the best-selling trilogy The Hunger Games.
If you are looking for a sensational book to read this summer, look no further. The ACB with Honora Lee is NZ author Kate De Goldi’s latest book, and tells the story of nine-year-old Perry.
Perry likes to ask questions, but she rarely gets answers. Her mother and father are very busy people, and are always working. She doesn’t have many children to play with, either; only her babysitter Nina’s son Claude. Perry is an only child, and her family is very small. There’s Perry, her mum and dad; and, of course, there’s Gran.
Gran lives at Santa Lucia, a home for the elderly. Perry and her father visit her there every Saturday. Santa Lucia is a chaotic place, full of mishaps, mysteries and peppermints. When one of Perry’s classes is cancelled, she decides to spend her Thursdays at Santa Lucia with her gran. The people at Santa Lucia are, to say the least, a wild bunch. Perry’s gran, for instance, has a habit of stealing Melvyn Broome’s peppermints. Melvyn Broome has a habit of hitting people who steal his peppermints with his walking cane. Gran, as well as most the people at Santa Lucia, has a weak memory, yet instead of being confused, she sticks to the few things she can remember about her past. Perry decides that what this unusual yet lovable family needs is something practical, reliable, and orderly; and what could be more reliable than an alphabet book?
As Perry works on her ABC book, she tries to stick to the rules, but as the people at Santa Lucia help her, the alphabet soon is an ACB; a jumbled, confused version of the alphabet. Nothing stays the same at Santa Lucia, but soon Perry begins to wonder: is it Gran, Doris and the others who don’t make sense, or is it the strict, “do-as-I-say” world outside Santa Lucia’s walls that doesn’t?
The ACB with Honora Lee is a simple yet powerful novel, and will be enjoyed by children and adults alike. It is tinged with subtle humour and written in an almost poetic way. You will never want to put it down!
I love each and every one of NZ author Fleur Beale’s novels, but End of the Alphabet has to be my favourite. It is the story of Ruby Yarrow; a fourteen-year-old girl who lives in the shadow of her younger brother Max. Max is smart, talented and adored by everyone. Ruby struggles at school and is always busy at home. She cares for her little brothers, cooks the dinner and cleans up after Max. One day her best friend Tia puts her foot down- she is sick of Ruby being a doormat. Her outburst gets Ruby thinking…does she want to live her life being treated second best? Of course not- so begins Ruby’s journey to find her backbone and start standing up to people.
This book is truly outstanding, one of my favourite of all time. Ruby is one of those characters that you can instantly relate to. If I could meet a character in one of my books I’d want to meet Ruby. She’s just so likeable and so easy to understand. As the book progresses it’s easy to see how Ruby has changed.
If you’re looking for a read that you won’t want to put down, choose End of the Alphabet! It’s a book that you’ll want to read again and again.
Christmas in New Zealand is the complete opposite of traditional images of Christmas. Movies, books and Christmas cards nearly always show Christmas as cold and snowy, with people wrapped up in their warm clothes and gathered around a crackling fire. In New Zealand though, it’s warm and (if we’re lucky) sunny, with people in shorts, t-shirts and jandals.
One of my traditions that I start Christmas day with is getting up early to watch cartoons and What Now. If there’s nothing much on TV I bring out my old favourite videos, Red Boots for Christmas and The Santa Bears. When I was younger my family would go and have a picnic in Hagley Park for lunch where everyone would bring something different to share. These days my family brings lunch to my parents’ house.
Christmas can be a really expensive time of the year, so we decided a few years ago to just have a present exchange. You have to buy 1 present for 1 person and there is a limit to how much you can spend. You might get a serious present or something silly, and there’s not so much mess to clean up afterwards.
At night after we’re all full of turkey, ham, new potatoes, ambrosia and Christmas Pudding, we sit down and watch the Royal Variety Concert on TV.
Dear Papa by Anne Ylvisaker is about a family who live during the Second World War. Isabelle Anderson is nine years old when she begins writing to her father, who died a year ago.
The Anderson family has changed since her father’s death; Isabelle’s two older sisters have got boyfriends, her little sister Ida doesn’t seem to remember their Papa, and her Mama has sold Papa’s gas station to the next-door-neighbours. Everyone is beginning to move on after the tragedy, but Isabelle is confused. Why are her family trying to forget Papa? She writes to her father constantly, keeping him up to date with the changes that are occurring.
As the months go by, the family starts to be dragged apart even more. Mama insists on sending Isabelle to her religious aunt and uncle in the country. Isabelle yearns for her family, and writes to Papa for comfort, plotting to escape from her prison and find her way home.
The war has altered Mama to the point that she is unrecognisable. She has got a job, has moved into the home of a man called Frank, and gets cross with Isabelle if she mentions Papa. Will Isabelle ever be able to say goodbye to Papa and accept her new life?
Dear Papa is a wonderful book. Something that I found interesting was how it was written in the form of a collection of letters from Isabelle to her mother, siblings, aunt, and of course Papa. I think this was a fantastic way to write the book, because by reading the letters you learn about various characters from Isabelle’s point of view.
When Isabelle moves to live with her aunt and uncle, I almost feel sorry for Aunt Jaye and Uncle Bernard when Isabelle decides that if she misbehaves, she will be sent back home. She then misbehaves as much as she can, while her aunt and uncle despair. It’s interesting reading a story from a nine-year-old’s point of view; everything seems so bizarre to her.
This book is an awesome historical fiction novel. I give it a 9 out of 10. It’s funny, fascinating, happy and sad at the same time; a curious mix that means you have no idea what will happen next. I loved Dear Papa, I know that you will too!
Michael doesn’t remember his father, who died in a Spitfire over the English Channel. And his mother, heartbroken and passionate, doesn’t like to talk about him. But then Michael’s aunt gives him a medal and a photograph, which begin to reveal a hidden story.
A story of love, loss and secrets.
A story that will change everything – and reveal to Michael who he really is…
A Medal for Leroy is a story of war, love and family secrets. Like many of Michael’s other stories, it’s told from the point of view of someone who is old (in this case Michael) looking back at his life and telling the reader the story of what happened. I really like this style of storytelling because it makes you feel like you are just sitting down for a cup of tea with the main character while they tell you the story. Michael tells us that he never knew his father because he died during the war, but his mother and his aunties love him very much. When one of his aunties dies, she leaves a special package for Michael, full of family secrets. In this package, Michael learns about his auntie’s life and about the father he never knew. Her story is heart-breaking, but with moments of happiness and hope.
Once again, Michael Morpurgo has written an emotional story that you get caught up in. Even though the war is happening, you hope that everything is going to be fine, that Martha will meet Leroy again, and her father will welcome her home. As always, Michael presents the realities of war to portray what life was like during this horrible time. Even though Michael has returned to a topic that he has written about many times before, A Medal for Leroy,is a different story and just as wonderful as his other war stories, like Private Peaceful, War Horse, and An Elephant in the Garden. You can read more about the person who inspired this story, Walter Tull, at the back of the book too.
On Sunday 19 August, from 10am-3pm at Catholic Cathedral College, you can come along to the Christchurch Storylines Free Family Day. It’s your chance to meet your literary heroes – authors, illustrators, storytellers and book characters and it’s absolutely FREE!
As well as meeting some of our best authors and illustrators you can get your face painted and have a go at some of the fun activities, including pen a poem or design a book cover.
If you’re a huge fan of the Eragon series you’ll probably be jumping up and down with excitement right now. Christopher Paolini, author of the Eragon series, is touring New Zealand in June. Christopher will be in Christchurch on Saturday 30 June and you can meet him in person at the Armageddon Expo at Addington Raceway.
If you’ve never been to the Armageddon Expo before it’s two days of movie screenings, animation screenings, eating challenges, Dragonball Z contests, autograph signings and much more. For more information check out the Armageddon Expo website –
http://www.armageddonexpo.com/nz/
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a superstar? Iris and her friend Sidney have. Iris wants to be the best rapper and ukulele player in the whole of the entire universe. Preferably with her best friend ever, and fellow Master of the Musical Universe, Sidney by her side. Iris and Sidney have been working on their masterpiece, a rap musical about werewolves and vampires, and when they hear about the talent contest at their mall they know this is their big chance at stardom. Then everything starts going wrong – Sidney decides he wants to write his own song, Iris doesn’t stand up for her best friend when he’s in trouble, and her mum starts ‘not exactly’ dating her ukulele teacher. Will Iris ever become the Master of the Musical Universe?
Iris’s Ukulele is a story about friendship and reaching for your goals. Both Iris and Sidney are unique and have their own sense of style that makes them stand out from the crowd. Iris gets into some tricky situations but her Mum and her Gran help her out and point her in the right direction. Her Gran is a pretty cool character and has a unique personality like Iris. This is Kathy Taylor’s first book (she won the Tom Fitzgibbon Award for a previously unpublished writer) and sometimes I thought she was trying too hard to make Iris’s voice sound right, but overall the story was interesting. Iris’s Ukulele is a great book for anyone who likes stories about friends and family.
I’ve been looking forward to seeing The Adventures of Tintin since I heard the movie was being made, so I went to the very first screening on Boxing Day. All of the pictures and movie trailers I’ve seen for the film made it look amazing and I wasn’t disappointed.
The Adventures of Tintin is a mish-mash of three different Tintin stories, Secret of the Unicorn, Red Rackham’s Treasure and The Crab with the Golden Claws, so there are locations and characters from each of these books (minus Professor Calculus). The opening credits really set the scene with an endless action sequence that highlights lots of different Tintin stories. The movie opens with Tintin’s creator, Herge, making a guest appearance in the market where Tintin discovers the model of the Unicorn. The story rockets along like all good Tintin adventures and you meet some of your favourite Tintin characters, including Captain Haddock and Thompson and Thomson.
The motion capture animation is amazing, making the characters look real while still looking like Herge’s illustrations. The characters use their catch-phrases, including my favourite ‘Billions of blue, blistering barnacles!’ There are some brilliant action sequences throughout the movie, especially in Bagghar (this part made me crack up laughing as well). I saw the movie in 3D but I’m sure it’s just as great in 2D. Whether or not you’re a fan of Tintin you should go and see The Adventures of Tintin for your dose of action, adventure, and laughs. It’s perfect for anyone from 7-107. 10 out of 10 – my favourite movie of the year!
Hi Guys. I have just finished the brand spanking new Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever book. This book is about Greg Heffley wanting to get money to play net kritterz, but along the way he gets into all sorts of mischief. Now the police are looking for him and then it starts to snow. The snow gets up to 2-3 feet high and Greg decides to make a new paper for the holiday bazaar while there is no power all because of Manny!!!!
Highly recommended A++++++++++++. I was glued to this book. It has 217 pages with awesome pictures. It took me a day and a half-2 days to read this awesome book. Recommended for ages 8- any age. Now I am so sad the book is finished=( !
Elise never really knew her parents. Her mum died after her birth and her dad got sick and died of cancer a few years later. Her Uncle Hugh and Aunt Bessie promised to look after her and she has lived with them ever since. She’s been best friends with Franklin for years and they’ve always loved playing games like Knights together. When they start middle school Elise starts to get embarrassed by Franklin and doesn’t want to hang around with him anymore. Then there’s her locker buddy, Amanda who nicknames her Scabula and squashes her lunch every morning. Elise starts to hate school and is afraid to go because of Amanda’s bullying. Just when she needs it a special surprise comes along. Her father leaves her a mystery to unlock and with each discovery a new key arrives.
Eight Keys is about a girl discovering who she is and learning about the parents she didn’t know. When Elise is feeling lost and worried, the mystery that her father left for her comes along and helps her choose who she wants to be. It helps her see who her mum and dad were and how much they loved her, even before she was born. You see a real change in Elise, from the worried, confused girl at the start to the confident, happy girl at the end. I really liked the character of Franklin because he’s funny, loyal and will do anything to help his friend. Eight Keys is the perfect book for girls who like Jacqueline Wilson and Cathy Cassidy. It will make you laugh and cry, but leave a smile on your face. Recommended for 9+ 8 out of 10
Keeper is a great story, when I had got to the end of the chapters I was desperate to keep on going .
There are about three stories going at once and then near the end they all weave in together, I’ve got to admit you never know whats going to happen next.
There’s a girl named Keeper – she believes in myths and mermaids, and believes that her mum was a mermaid .
Keeper has set off in a small boat called The Scamper with her dog named BD (best dog) and a seagull named Captain (you’ll find out when he comes in).
Keeper’s on a mission to find her Mum, Meggie Marie, who left her when she was just three. But things don’t go to plan and the heavy waves start taking her out to sea.
This is one of my 5 star books, one of the ones that I really want to have as my own. (Some lovely, lovely pictures in there as well.)
If you like animals and magical, moving stories then you’ll love this book.
It’s about a girl called Beauty who lives with her mum and dad. Beauty gets bullied at school and her father bullies her and says that she is ugly!!
Unlike her father ,her mother is really kind she doesn’t get mad at her or hits her or even say that she is ugly. Beauty gets called ugly at her school and she doesn’t have any friends although there is a girl called Rhona who likes her but Rhona is a friend of the girl that bullies Beauty (Skye)and Skye will make fun of Rhona if she hangs out with Beauty.
And her father has silly rules like she’s not allowed to get a pet or spill anything on the floor or accidentally brake the mirror.
When Beauty’s birthday comes up her father spoils her. He asks her what she wants and she says that she wants a bunny, of course because she watches a show called Sam and Lilly and she is obsessed with Lilly (the bunny). After that her dad gets very angry because she told him that she wants to get a pet !! So in the morning when its Beauty’s birthday her dad wakes her up with a big horrible beast and it seemed to be a big purple rabbit !! But I’m not going to tell you the whole story you have to read it .
It’s Sunday morning. The sun is shining and I’m off skiing at my favourite skifield very soon: Ohau, where the sun shines, the snow invites, the views are spectacular, there are no lift queues, and my friends are dotted around the field or eating noodles and drinking coffee in the little cafe. It’s a great place. Ohau means place of wind and yes, it can be windy there, but not today!
Here’s a link to Ohau Ski Area, a photo of Lake Ohau taken by my son Josh (15), and a couple of poem that have come into my head when I have been skiing at Ohau.
(That poem was published in Crest to Crest by Wily Publications. It is a poem adults might understand more than kids because one of the meanings of Teal is that it is the name of an airline that used to be in N.Z. a long time ago – a time that my 7 year-old twins would call the olden days!)
And also for you today blog readers: Something from history …
Images from Guadalcanal in August 1942, the time in history that I wrote about in my book. It looks kind-of beautiful, but actually it must have been terrifying and heart-breaking.
The book i am reading at the moment is a really good book called Scarlett. Scarlett is always getting in trouble with her teachers at school and gets sent to her nana’s. Her nana got sick of her and so she had to go stay with her uncle who is well. He got annoyed with her and sent her back to her mum. Her mum said it was for the best and so far she is staying with her dad.
We’re back at school in Twizel and I’m sure you are too! My class is busy preparing Science Fair projects. Wow we have been busy! What have you been doing?
Anyway, today I thought I’d tell you a bit about my book. Please blog and tell me if you have read it, or if you think you might like to read it …
ABOUT MY BOOK:
The Ghosts of Iron Bottom Sound took me about one year part-time to write and a lot longer to edit and make good enough for readers. It was published by the wonderful team at Harper Collins in 2010.
It’s a ghost story and a war story and a story about the importance of peace and friends and family all mixed into one. I wrote it for boys who are about 10-14 years old but girls like it just as much and older kids and adults do too. It’s one of those books that’s okay for lots of people.
The Ghosts of Iron Bottom Sound is a fictional story about an 11-year-old New Zealand boy named Paddy, but part of it is about a terrible night in World War Two at a place that was named Savo Sound but is now called Iron Bottom Sound (can you guess why?). That battle happened in August, so Harper Collins released my book in August, and now it’s August again when I am Star Author, so I think that’s kind-of cool. The night of 8-9 August will be the anniversary of the 1942 battle, which was named ‘The Battle of Savo Island.’ I will post that day and it will be a sad post. Can you work out how many years ago the battle was?2011 – 1942 = ? or you could turn it around: 1942 + ? = 2011 – Hey, you can tell I am a school teacher can’t you?
Anyway, the ship central to my story was the largest ship Australia lost in the war, H.M.A.S. Canberra. Three American ships were sunk that night too. The Japanese were the clever ones on that wet dark night.
So … my story has:
1. A New Zealand boy with N.Z. friends and family
2. A stretch of deep water in the Pacific Ocean
3. Australian and American sailors fighting for peace and for their lives
4. A convoy of clever Japanese who sneak up and attack in the dead of night.
It’s quite an international story!
All of the history parts in my story are true – even the bit about someone getting shot in the bum (oops – I mean bottom) and about survivors being given frozen oranges (have you ever tried to eat a frozen orange?)
Ka kite ano – see you soon
From Sandy Nelson – your Star Author who lives in the land of tussocks and snowy mountains
What is it like to be one of the authors of the Zac Power series?
It’s pretty cool! Whenever I visit a school and ask how many kids have read a Zac Power book, I’m always amazed at how many hands go up!
What’s your favourite Zac Power gadget?
I think Zac’s Turbo Boots in Volcanic Panic are pretty awesome. Jetpack shoes powerful enough to blast someone out of a volcano? That sounds pretty good to me!
Zac Power books written by Chris Morphew
What inspired you to write your action-packed Phoenix Files series?
This might sound a bit morbid, but one of the biggest things I want to do with The Phoenix Files is tell a story about hardship and suffering. I want to be really honest about the darkness and brokenness of the world. But I don’t want to stop there. I want to suggest that the darkness and the brokenness isn’t all there is, and that maybe there’s a bigger story being told that makes the bad parts worthwhile in the end.
In The Phoenix Files Luke, Peter and Jordan learn that there is only 100 days until the end of the world. What would you do if you knew you only had 100 days left to live?
I would pray a lot. And then maybe see if I could find a super-powered homeless man to tell me what was really going on.
What was the book you loved most as a child?
That’s a tough one! There are so many!
Fiction: The Narnia series, Animorphs, Where the Wild Things Are…
Non-fiction: The Bible and books about dinosaurs.
Who is your favourite author/children’s author?
It’s a toss-up between C.S. Lewis and J.K. Rowling.
Why did you want to be a writer?
Because I love telling stories! I think fictional stories have incredible power to help us understand the real world in new ways.
What’s the best thing and worst thing about being a writer?
The best thing is having the opportunity to explore interesting ideas. The worst thing is usually my next deadline. I write pretty slowly, and sometimes it’s hard to keep up!
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Write about things that matter. If you care about your story, then other people are far more likely to care about it too.
Gregor the Overlander is about a boy named Gregor who lives in an apartment in New York with his mother, grandmother and two sisters. One day, he goes to the laundry room with his sister Boots, and they discover the Underland. The Underland is a place hundreds of feet under New York filled with giant bats, cockroaches, rats, scorpions and strange people, who send Gregor and Boots on a quest searching for their missing father.
