H.I.V.E. : Higher Institute of Villainous Education / Mark Walden

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H.I.V.E.- Higher Institute of Villainous Education, a place for the worst, most cunning,  most mischievous minds from around the world. When Otto Malpense was 'selected' to become part of an institution like no other, his world changes dramatically. English, Math and PE turns into Villainy Studies, Stealth and Evasion and Tactical Education. Students are divided into Alpha, Henchman, Technical and Political/ Financial streams. But for Otto and his friends, it feels like prison and they are willing to do anything to escape the highly secured premise. This is a very interesting book which explores the world of villainy, where evil is normal and nothing is as it seems.

Who would enjoy this? If you want to explore your inner evil side, then this is the book for you.

Reviewed by Chi-Yen

Handle with care / Jodi Picoult

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Handle With Care is a story about a family with two daughters. Their second child was born with brittle bone disease, a condition that makes her bones break easily and limits her height and movement. When Willow is four, her parents decide to sue their OB for "wrongful birth," claiming that her condition should have been diagnosed earlier in the pregnancy so that they could have terminated the pregnancy.
I think Handle With Care is such a realistic and emotional story. Each chapter is written from a different character's perspective so you understand how and what each person is thinking. It is a sad book and I might have shed some tears while reading it but it was definitely worth the read.

Who would enjoy this? I think people who enjoy reading realistic fiction would enjoy reading Handle With Care.

Reviewed by Anna

Scorpia rising / Anthony Horowitz

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Scorpia Rising is the last book in the Alex Rider series written by Anthony Horowitz. Alex Rider is a teenage spy and works for MI6. The action is non-stop from the sniper attack at Alex's school to the final showdown in the Egyptian desert as Alex battles Scorpia and its insane operative Abdul-Aziz Al-Rahim. Scorpia blackmails the British government about its use of a minor spy.
The book is written mostly from Alex's point of view. I enjoyed reading it because it has unexpected twists and is also very descriptive. It is very well written and it's definitely a must read.

Who would enjoy this? I recommend this book to people who enjoy reading action and adventure books.

Reviewed by Anna

Unravelling / Elizabeth Norris

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The book starts off with an ordinary morning, with an ordinary girl leaving an ordinary beach, until a truck zoomed out of nowhere and hit Janelle Tenner full on. Lying on the ground with a broken spine and multiple fractured bones, Janelle knows she is dead, until she opens her eyes and sees Ben Michaels hovering over her body and healing it. But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something--but to what? And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she has 23 days to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets--and keep from falling in love with him in the process.
This shattering novel tells a story of one girl's fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming. A book that may seem hard to believe at first, but will suck you into the world of mysteries, romance, action and...... aliens?


Who would enjoy this? An action-packed novel filled with mystery, romance and unexpected endings. This is a book that will keep suprising you and keep you on the edge.

Reviewed by Chi-Yen

Angel burn / LA Weatherly

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This is a very interesting must-read book where angels are not the  usual pure and kind spiritual beings, but are fierce stalkers who feed off human beings, drain our souls and damage our brain and body. In comes Alex, an Angel Killer working for the CIA, and his latest mission to kill Willow Fields, a human with psychic powers and a dark secret connected to angels. When Alex falls in love with his sworn enemy, he is determined to protect Willow from those who wants her dead, with many questions unanswered- Why does the CIA want her dead and what exactly is Willow?
I have never read anything like this, where the angels are the bad guys destroying the human race. This is a  unique book where nothing is as it seems, and in the midst of it all, an unexpected romance between an angel assassin and a psychic teenager with a dark secret.

Who would enjoy this? A world full of creepy, irresistible angels, handsome assassins, mysterious teenager with unexplained powers; if you want to try reading something new and different, I recommend this action-packed romance book.

Reviewed by Chi-Yen

Temple / Matthew Reilly

William Race is a professor of ancient languages, hardly an adrenalin pumping job. Yet the government needs him. A super powerful weapon has been stolen, and the key to activating its terrifying power lies in an ancient Latin manuscript...

This story is non-stop action from start to finish. It takes the greatest elements of action films, and synthesises them, resulting in a book that is impossible to put down. You won't be intellectually stimulated by this book, but you'll be so engrossed, you won't really care.

Who would enjoy this?  Anyone who enjoys fast-paced action, amazing set pieces and awesomeness of the explosions variety.

Reviewed by Liam

The recruit / Robert Muchamore

When James' mum dies, he and his sister Lauren are all on their own, passed between orphanages until one day James is recruited by CHERUB - a secret branch of intelligence services that uses kids to spy on adults. Put into a rigorous training programme that challenges him mentally and physically, James must push himself to his limits to succeed. A thrilling action spy adventure, I really enjoyed it.

Who would enjoy this?  CHERUB is a must read for people who enjoy young spy adventures like Alex Rider.

Reviewed by Alex

The Little Lady agency / Hester Browne

After Melissa Romney-Jones is made redundant, a series of events leads her to start a life management agency. As Honey Blennerhesket, the bombshell blonde, she can make over a man faster than you can say Trinny and Susannah. But when a client begins to request her services on a regular basis it becomes hard to tell where Melissa starts and Honey ends...
This is a fantastic read, full of things that will make you laugh really, really hard. You can read it over and over again without getting sick of it.

Who would enjoy this book? Anyone who wants a good laugh, enjoys romance and wince-worthy moments.

Reviewed by Sophie

Mathematical origami: Geometrical shapes by paper folding / David Mitchell

This book is amazing!
Ok, it doesn't teach you how to fold cranes, or unicorns and what-have-you.
But it does teach you how to fold mathematical shapes. It's not boring - on the contrary, many of the shapes are quite interesting! They're really simple, and the instructions are easy to follow (unlike instructions for folding more complicated figures such as animals).
I particularly liked the rhombic star, and the ring of rotating tetrahedra (which claimed the attention of a class-full of people...somehow.)

The only downside? You need paper. Lots of it.

Who would enjoy this book? People who enjoy maths and origami!

Reviewed by Eva

The catcher in the rye / JD Salinger

Regarded as one of the great American classics, this novel brings to life the character of protagonist, Holden Caulfield. After he is kicked out of yet another prestigious boarding school, he decides to embark on a journey to the city to really have some fun. The beauty of the novel is in the narration - Salinger brilliantly uses first-person point-of-view to allow the reader to understand Holden in a way so realistic it is impossible to not see him as a blood-and-flesh person. You can look beneath the veneer - beneath the arrogant personality of one of the most annoying characters ever seen - to catch a glimpse of a true soul. Fantastic writing.

Who would enjoy this book? Good choice for NCEA Wide Reading, also for people who enjoy social realism and commentary on human personality.

Reviewed by Calista

A deniable death / Gerald Seymour

A mission like none other: to observe the house of the bomb-maker - dubbed "The Engineer" - in Iran and report back to MI6 when he is leaving the country for Europe. "The Engineer" is responsible for hundreds of coalition deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan and now the British and the Americans want him removed. But to do that, an operative must observe "The Engineer's" house and find out exactly when and where he is going in Europe.
This novel has very mature themes such as the sheer banality of evil, and the hypocritical bureaucracy that forever governs our society.
A thrilling read, heavily influenced by the writing styles of John le Carre, Chris Ryan, Stella Rimington, Colin Forbes and even Stephen Leather. A truly wonderful book.

Who would enjoy this book? Anyone who likes realistic spy novels.

Reviewed by Joe

Watchmen / Alan Moore

1950's America is on the verge of nuclear war with Russia. Times are tense, and the gutters are filled with poverty, prostitution and desperate people. The Comedian is dead.
One of the first comics I've ever read and  all I have to say is READ IT. Dark humour mixed in with mature themes, this piece of literary gold is quite a challenging read. Conspiracies, murder, a psychotic hero who believes in nothing and the biggest gag that has ever been pulled on the world, this is an exhilarating, compelling and moral-violating book which I found completely unforgettable.

Who would enjoy this book? Sci-fi lovers, mature readers, people who read Neil Gaiman and anyone who wants a taste of the dark side.

Reviewed by Lisa

A deadly touch of the tigress / Ian Hamilton

Ava Lee is an accountant. But not just any kind; a forensic accountant. For a fee, she'll find your money, secure and return it to you. By any means necessary. But Ava may have bitten off more than she can chew when she takes up a mysterious job from a friend of her boss...
A deadly touch of the tigress is a slow book, but it more than makes up for it in its atmosphere, action and the monumental achievement of making accountancy look interesting.

Who would enjoy this book? Anyone who enjoys slow, thought-out action and adventure.

Reviewed by Liam

Madame Tussaud: a novel of the French Revolution / Michelle Moran

Everyone has heard of the famous Madame Tussaud Wax Museums. This novel tells the story of the life of the real Madame Tussaud - her loves, her fears and her ambition for success as a woman during the French Revolution. I found the character of Tussaud very compelling and the novel shed new light on a famous historical event through the retelling of Tussaud who was familiar with many of the key figures during the revolution. The novel is a great way to gain more knowledge about the revolution and of the great wax sculptor because you want to read about her story and you want to know how her story ends.

Who would enjoy this book? People who love historical fiction.

Reviewed by Calista

Mister O / Lewis Trondheim

Mister O is a book devoid of words, showing a series of events depicting a small round figure, Mister O. One story is shown per page with 60 small panels all with simple drawings. Mister O comes to a cliff and wants to cross but try as he might he is just unable to cross the ravine. His ideas for crossing are clever and creative but usually end in failure. This book is funny and cute (and sometimes a bit gruesome). It shows just how creative you can be with a simple picture. Will Mister O ever get to the other side safely? And what will he find if he does? Mister O is a must read for all ages.

Who would enjoy this book? People of all ages who can see the cute and funny side of Mister O's struggles.

Reviewed by James

Deltora quest / Emily Rodda

When the Shadowlord descends on Deltora and takes the belt containing seven gems that protects the nation, the country falls and the Shadowlord takes over. The belt is scattered across the country and guarded by fierce monsters that guard the stones from anyone foolish enough to try and get them back. However an unlikely trio forms and travels on a quest around their country to take back the gems and restore the belt. This is a very good series and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading books containing life-threatening situations and fantasy creatures.

Who would enjoy this book? Fantasy readers

Reviewed by Bradley

The gospel according to Larry / Janet Tashjian

Josh was always a little strange (to say the least). Disturbingly intelligent, eccentric, and all the usual characteristics, Josh has never had many friends. Apart from Beth, who he has loved forever. She, however, has taken a fancy to Larry, an anonymous internet sensation who has taken the world by storm with his amazingly deep essays on consumerism, love, and everything in-between. But little does Beth know that Larry is actually Josh...
This is a book which I can recommend entirely. The characters are funny, whimsical, and wonderfully real, and the plot, while basic at its core, is relevant to every person who has ever felt out of place. Read it. Now.

Who would enjoy this book? Everybody. Seriously.

Reviewed by Liam

Once a witch / Carolyn MacCullough

Tasmin Green comes from a long line of witches, and on the day she was born her grandmother proclaimed that she would be the most talented among them. But years later her talent still hasn't shown up, and she is forced to accept that it will never arrive. She lives her life as a normal person at school, but in summer must work at her family's bookshop. When a handsome professor shows up and mistakes her for her sister, she agrees to help find a long lost family heirloom. But the search proves to be more sinister than she realises, and it ultimately sends Tasmin on a quest that will unleash a deadly force that may wipe out her family.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who likes mystery and romance, time travel and magic.

Reviewed by Sophie

A game of thrones / George RR Martin

A game of thrones is the first book in George R.R Martin's epic, A song of ice and fire. This incredible tale tells the story of a multitude of characters in the lands of Westeros and Esteros. The series focuses around a medieval world where the land of Westeros is being fought over by families of nobles, such as the Baratheons, the Starks and the Lannisters. A story on a par with J.R.R Tolkien's Lord of the rings, A game of thrones is at the pinnacle of the fantasy genre, a combination of amazing, completely unpredictable plotlines, deeply-personal, fleshed out characters and set in a world rich with history. It is a masterpiece.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who has the slightest interest in the fantasy genre should definitely read this book.

Reviewed by Alex

The ultimates vol 1: Superhuman / Mark Millar

The World is changing. For once, humanity can no longer deal with the threats to it on its own. So a group of extraordinary individuals are brought together. A half mad genius. A flamboyant billionaire in an iron suit. A delusional nurse with god-like powers. And an ancient superhero, bought back from the war....

The Ultimates is the first volume in Marvel Comics' reboot of their traditional comic universe, which was met with huge success. Witty dialogue, contemporary plots, lumped in with a large dose of 'destroy everything' makes this comic a must read. (look out for the George Bush Cameo).

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who enjoys action, as well as those who enjoy 'The Avengers'

Reviewed by Liam

Revived / Cat Patrick

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Revived tells the story of what might happen should an experimental drug be available to bring people back from death in certain circumstances. I've never thought about such a thing before, but Daisy has - she's died 5 times! Cat Patrick seems to be able to think up very original ideas for her books and this one is great. The situation Daisy finds herself in seems completely reasonable, but the moral implications are brought home to her when her best friend is dying of cancer. And how far should researchers go when they are working on new drugs?

Who would enjoy this? This is an absorbing and exciting story which brings up some interesting issues - people who like to do a bit of thinking with their reading will like this book.

Reviewed by Charlotte

Ransomwood / Sherryl Jordan

Ransomwood is almost a fairy tale, but not quite. Harry, Gwenifer and Dorit are all characters you come to know and care about, and this book is shocking, exciting, sad and satisfying by turns. It takes place in a society where women are treated appallingly, where those who don't seem to be as clever as 'normal' people are the scapegoats for all that goes wrong and where superstition and cruelty are the norm. And yet, this book also contains a gentle love story which is very well worked out.

Who would enjoy this?  A New Zealand author, and a story that is exciting, dramatic and romantic in turn makes this a terrific book to lose yourself in.

Reviewed by Charlotte

The rook / Daniel O'Malley

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Myfanwy Thomas is in a bit of a pickle. Not only has she no idea who she actually is, or the fact  that she woke in a circle of dead bodies, but she has to go into work on Monday.  For the very people who tried to kill her. Mixing surrealist humour with intriguing conspiracy and action, this is an enjoyable, intelligent read from start to finish.

Who would enjoy this? Those who enjoy wacky humour with clever conspiracies woven in.

Reviewed by Liam

Reach / Hugh Brown

Keeping in mind that Bill Gates says to be nice to nerds because they may (eventually) give you a job, then this book is a good way to find out how they function. Will Clark is definitely a nerd worth knowing - always has his nose in a book but he's not ugly and he's shaping up to be a martial arts expert. If he could just sort out (1) his parents, (2) his grandparents and most importantly (3) how to talk to girls, then life would be sweet.

Who would enjoy this? This is a straight forward and believable story. Will is a typical kiwi teenager even if he is a nerd so if you would find it relaxing to read about someone else's problems rather than concentrating on your own, then this is the book for you!

Reviewed by James

Dark eyes / William Harlan Richter

Swapping a privileged life in New York for life on the streets is not what most people choose. But Wallis (Wally) Stoneman - born in Russia, adopted by an American couple - is not your usual teenager. As it turns out, the skills she's gained the hard way make all the difference when she starts to search for her birth mother. With both the police and Russia gangsters on her tail, Wally is in big trouble but determined to find out the truth of her parentage.
This is an intriguing story especially because Wally and her friends are living a life very different from teenagers in Christchurch.

Who would enjoy this? Danger... intrigue... who wouldn't enjoy this? It is written by a Hollywood screenwriter, so it is also possible to imagine it as a great action packed, completely believable  movie.

Reviewed by Amy

Okay for now / Gary Schmidt

Read this book! Doug has to move to a new town with his abusive father and horrible brother. His mother is the only decent member of the family. Add to this the fact that his family is really poor, Doug can't read and he lives under the shadow of his brother's poor reputation and you have the ingredients for a book that really zings. I needed to keep on reading as I saw Doug make a really good friend in Lil, learn to read and most importantly learn to paint and draw, and in the process make friends among the townspeople. Everything is in this book - romance, triumph over adversity, sheer guts and sticking up for what you know to be right. Loved it!

Who would enjoy this? Everybody - it's a book with a message for all of us.

Reviewed by Charlotte

Memoirs of an imaginary friend / Matthew Green

When you were little did you have an imaginary friend no one else could see? This book is written by one of these imaginary friends and it was fantastic. Budo is the imaginary friend and Max is his imaginer. He is in danger, and Budo has to try to rescue him, despite his limitations in the real world. You believe totally in Budo and the other imaginary friends he meets, and the way the book ends is exciting and scary, though ultimately happy. I wasn't sure I was going to like this book, but a comment by Jodi Picoult on the cover encouraged me. It said: 'You've never seen a book like this before.' And it's true.  And along the way you get to think about what is real, and what death means and how to be a good friend. I recommend this book highly.

Who would enjoy this? This is a terrific book so if you want a good story with some interesting twists, you should enjoy it.

Reviewed by Charlotte

Before we say goodbye / Gabriella Ambrosio and Alastair McEwen

Myriam and Dima both live in the same city but belong to different worlds - Myriam is Jewish and Dima is an Arab. On one fateful afternoon their worlds collide...
When there is a news item about a suicide bomber in the Middle East, it is very easy to dismiss it because it doesn't affect us. In this story however, you are faced with what is happening for the ordinary  people on both sides of such a tragedy. Even though you have a sense of impending doom you want to keep reading to find out why this is happening and to try and understand  the choices each person is making.

Who would enjoy this? This is a somber story based on a true incident. It is not possible to 'enjoy' such a story but it does  reward the reader with thought provoking realities and insights into how and why people get caught in futile and destructive patterns of behaviour. It is an important story to read.

Reviewed by Amy

Bluefish / Pat Schmatz

Travis is a quiet boy. He never was one to talk much, preferring to confide in his dog. But now his dog is dead, and Travis is as silent as a stone, in a new school and new house, forced to live with his reforming alcoholic grandfather. But then he meets Velveeta. She is everything he isn't - funny, fast-speaking, and light. And so it begins. Bluefish is a beautiful book. The characters are wonderfully easy to relate to and understand, yet the book still retains a sense of story and narrative that is rarely seen in modern YA books. A must read.

Who would enjoy this? Anybody who enjoys beauty in a piece of work. This book has it.

Reviewed by Liam

Candor / Pam Bachorz

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In Candor, you are what you hear. The citizens of this model town are secretly brainwashed by subliminal Messages which will control their behaviour. Son of the creator of Candor, Oscar Banks is the perfect Candor teen. He's got the looks, the grades, and the perfect behaviour. Or so that's what everyone thinks. But no one knows he has found a way to protect his own thoughts and that he has built an entire business helping new kids escape before the Messages take control. Then Oscar meets Nia, a girl he can't stand to see changed. But saving her means losing her forever, and keeping her in Candor means risking everything. This isn't just your typical love story. The town seems too unreal, yet the characters are totally believable. I really enjoyed this book as it can really let you see the art of brainwashing and Oscar's struggling battle with his own mind. The book shows you that, no matter how hard you try, there is no such thing as a perfect world or a perfect person.

Who would enjoy this book? Anyone who wants to read about brainwashing and how our world can never be perfect

Reviewed by Chi-Yen

Chomp / Carl Hiassen

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Wahoo (!) has  a father who is an animal wrangler, which means that he tames wild animals enough that they are relatively safe to use in movies. Unfortunately he has been injured by a frozen iguana falling on his head(!), the mortgage desperately needs to be paid and his mother has had to go to China to make some money. Wahoo accepts a TV job with a survivalist, and the chaos that follows made for a funny, gripping and interesting read. I really liked the book and recommend it highly.

Who would enjoy this book?  If you like a book with lots of action, craziness and downright fun, try this one out.

Reviewed by Jason

Epitaph Road / David Patneaude

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When a virus wipes out 97% of the male population, the world becomes a different place. Years down the track, those remaining with a Y chromosome are still at risk - and not just from the virus. Teenager Kellen Dent is used to being in this very small minority and up to now he and his friends haven't has reason to doubt the official history of what actually happened but when there are rumours of a new outbreak it's time to discover the truth.
This is a completely believable and original story with plenty of twists and turns that keep you reading and wondering, could this really happen?

Who would enjoy this book? Readers of 'what if?' scenarios  will enjoy this book. Plenty to think about no matter if you have an X or Y chromosome.

Reviewed by James

Empty / Suzanne Weyn

'Coming to a town near you' ...sounds promising doesn't it? But in this story  what arrives on everyone's doorsteps is the end of the world as we know it because there is no more fossil fuel. Suddenly there is little or no electricity and just getting enough to eat and drink fills up the day. Throw in some resourceful teenagers (Gwen and Tom) and you have an attention grabbing story that makes you want to buy a bike and instal solar panels, immediately!
 Although this story has a serious message you just have to keep on reading. Fortunately it also gives you hope that we can find a more sustainable way to live.

Who would enjoy this book? If you are interested in what the future might  be like then this is a thought-provoking and encouraging story.

Reviewed by James

Your inner fish / Neil Shubin

We live in a world of amazing discoveries and achievements. But there is still so much we don't know. Where do we come from? How closely related are we to flies and other life? These questions, and more, are answered in this book. Neil Shubin takes the reader on a journey examining why we are the way we are, and how you can use a gene from a mouse to put an eye on the back of a fly. The writing is simple and clear, and the concepts, though incredibly complex, are easily presented and completely understandable. An inspiring read.

Who would enjoy this book? Anybody who is interested in how our world functions and finding out how awesome it is.

Reviewed by  Liam

Six rules of maybe / Deb Caletti

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Scarlet's life is about to undergo change that would have been unimaginable even days before. Her sister arrives home married and pregnant, Scarlet starts to love her husband, Hayden, far more than is appropriate, her mother seems about to marry a totally unsuitable man and Scarlet herself feels as if all that she has built her life on is crumbling before her eyes. This book is amazing - the story is gentle, compelling and absorbing, and the writing is beautiful. I think it is going to stay with me for a long time.

Who would enjoy this book? A love story with a difference, beautiful writing and a satisfying ending: if you like these things, try this book.

Reviewed by Amy

Erebos / Ursula Poznanski

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If you like computer games, you're going to like this book. There's a new game going round the school, and it's being given out secretly. Once you start playing it's almost impossible not to get addicted to it. The catch is that to keep playing, the game directs you to do certain things in the real world, and sometimes those things are dangerous and even downright illegal. Nick, Emily and Victor race against time to prevent a murder being committed. This book is intriguing, absorbing and very thought-provoking: it left me wondering if it really could be possible for games to manipulate real life.

Who would enjoy this book? If you've ever wondered about the effect of computer games on real-life, or if you just like an interesting and intriguing story line, this should meet your need!

Reviewed by Hamish

Starters / Lissa Price

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Sixteen-year-old Callie is desperate to provide a proper home for herself and her little brother, but when you're living on the streets it's not easy. In desperation she rents out her body to a rich Ender, an old person wanting to experience  life as a teen again. But the Ender who is inhabiting Callie's body has a sinister motive for being young - murder. 

I really liked the idea of taking over someone else's body, and found this an exciting read. Callie is a strong character, and I really want to read the next one in the series when it's published.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who enjoys Scott Westerfield's Uglies trilogy

Reviewed by Charlotte

The outcasts / John Flanagan

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If you've read and enjoyed any of the Ranger's Apprentice series, you'll be as happy as I was to see the first book in The Brotherband series by the same author on the shelves. I wondered if I would like to read about different characters in the same world, and I really did. The book is set in Skandia and is about the way the 16 year olds in this country learn how to become Wolfship sailors. They have to work incredibly hard and put up with bullying and pretty dreadful demands from their teachers. It is exciting and I loved it. Don't know if I'd survive the training though!

Who would enjoy this? John Flanagan fans, and anyone who likes adventure stories set in different places.

Reviewed by Jason

Everybody sees the ants: a novel / A.S. King

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Lucky is being bullied by Nader McMillan and has been all his school life. He has hardly any friends and a strange and dysfunctional set of parents. He also has a close relationship with his dead grandfather (strange, huh?), who is a strong presence in the family because he went Missing in Action during the Vietnam War. After one particularly bad bullying incident, his mother takes him to stay with his uncle and aunt. After this life-changing time the future looks brighter. It's a great book - different and engaging and just really interesting about all sorts of things. This quirky story got under my skin and I'm still thinking about it. I especially enjoyed learning a bit about some of what happened in Vietnam - dreadful things

Who would enjoy this? If you're looking for a different and original story, with action, great characters and a chance to learn something new, then try this book!

Reviewed by Hamish

Wintertown / Steve Emond

Evan and Lucy have been best friends forever, but then Lucy moved away when her family broke up. She comes back every Christmas to see her father, and she and Evan pick up where they left off. But this year everything is different. Lucy has come back as Goth Girl and she isn't talking. There's something very wrong. This book grabbed me, and made me keep reading. It's written in an interesting way with the chapters interspersed with parts like a graphic novel. I felt very "bonded" to both the main characters and I loved the ending.

Who would enjoy this? Someone who's willing to take a bit of a risk with a book - it's worth the effort!

Reviewed by Amy

Lone wolf / Jodi Picoult

Luke Warren is not your typical father. Instead of being with his family, Luke would rather be with a pack of wild wolves in the forest. His love and devotion to wolves is more than that to his own family, driving his family apart. One day, he has a car accident and is in a coma. His son, Edward, comes back to his father's side after leaving his family for five years after an irreparable fight with his father. Together, Edward and his sister Cara must decide their father's fate. Cara wants to wait for a miracle, but Edward wants to terminate life support and donate his father's organs. Is he driven by altruism, or revenge? To what length will Cara go to stop him from pulling the plugs? And what secrets have Edward and Cara kept from each other? As a family is reunited and secrets start to unravel, the Warren family must remember that within a pack, survival means sacrifices.
Jodi Picoult has again written another amazing profound book which makes readers pause and think about morals underneath the lines. I really enjoy her books, especially this one. I always learn something new and interesting from her books.

Who would enjoy this?  Any Jodi Picoult fan will not be disappointed by this amazing novel. Anyone who enjoys reading about family, love and wolves will also enjoy this book.

Reviewed by Chi-Yen

How to save a life / Sara Zarr

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Jill's father died nearly a year ago, and she can't deal with the grief. She has pushed her friends and her boyfriend away rather than talk about things and life is pretty hard. Then, to her horror, her mother decides to adopt a new baby. Mandy is pregnant and because she doesn't know how she could possibly look after the baby she goes online to find a home for it. This book is about what happens when Mandy comes to live with Jill and her mother. I loved the whole story. I really empathised with both Mandy and Jill and even Jill's pretty strange mother. And the part about the boyfriend(s) really made me think about what makes a good relationship. There was a great ending too.

Who would enjoy this?  If you want a feel-good ending with an absorbing lead-up, then try this book!

Reviewed by Charlotte

Ready player one / Ernest Cline

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The internet is a very strange and amazing place. And it becomes even more so in the future, where the world has  been ruined by climate change and peak oil, forcing everyone online to escape the horrors of life. And then, the creator of OASIS, the virtual reality, dies, leaving behind 130 billion dollars. But to claim it, users must take part in a game, based on his obsession with '80s pop culture... This book is definitely not pandering to a mainstream audience. It is proud of it's nerdiness, and the many obscure references are integrated well into the compelling story, which is a compelling look into our perceptions on the internet vs reality.

Who would enjoy this?  This is the kind of book that nerds dream of. It definitely helps to be one.

Reviewed by Liam

The future of us / Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

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What a great concept! Emma and Josh are next-door-neighbours back in 1996. Josh gives Emma a CD-ROM to download America Online so she can get an email account. But something goes badly(?) wrong and she ends up being able to see her Facebook account 10 years in the future - remember that Facebook wasn't even invented in 1996! Emma and Josh can see what their lives will be like and Emma particularly sets about changing things to give herself a better life. I thought having two different characters (and two different authors in real-life) write from their point of view made the story especially interesting as I got to see how girls think more than I usually would. How would you change your future if you knew what was coming? I'm still thinking about what I would do!

Who would enjoy this? If you like a book that makes you think and is a great read at the same time, you'll enjoy this.

Reviewed by Charlotte

The scent of apples / Jacquie McRae

Libby lives on an orchard and life is pretty good, despite her having a very rocky relationship with her mother. But then her beloved grandfather dies, her grandmother loses touch with reality as a result and Libby gets sent to boarding school. To deal with all this she starts to self-harm in a way I hadn't heard about before. It's not all doom and gloom though, because at boarding school Libby meets a girl who, along with her family, shows her that there is a way through the misery she is experiencing. I enjoyed this book  because the story was absorbing and most of the characters were believable. Because it is a New Zealand novel, it was great reading about things uniquely-Kiwi - that added a lot to my enjoyment of the book.

Who would enjoy this? Someone who wants to explore what can happen when things change radically in your life: sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.

If i stay / Gayle Forman

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For seventeen- year- old Mia, life was perfect. She had a loving family, a gorgeous boyfriend, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to study at Julliard. But life can change in an instance. For Mia, all it took was a cold February morning, a snowy road and two distracted drivers. In the blink of an eye, Mia finds herself watching as her own damaged body is dragged out of from the wreck and rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency aid. Now in a coma, Mia has an out-of-body experience where everyone she loves gathers by her bedside and convinces her to stay. But will she stay in this world? Or will she slip away and die? I absolutely fell in love with this book as I followed Mia through making a choice between life and death. This is a very heart-rending novel which will make you appreciate life and what it gives you.

Who would like this? Anyone!

Reviewed by Chi-Yen

Where she went / Gayle Forman

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It's been three years since the devastating accident... three years since Adam made Mia stay and three years since Mia walked out on Adam's life. Now, both are on the rise in their careers: Mia is Julliard's new rising star and Adam is the media's new gossip, thanks to his rock-star status and actress girlfriend. On a night in New York, chance brings Mia and Adam back together, for one last time. As the two explore the city, they reopen old wounds and their feeling for the future- and each other. This is a novel which explores love and loss, the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance. After falling in love with the first book, If I stay, I couldn't wait for this book. And, trust me, I wasn't disappointed. The author's raw and powerful writing really took my breath away! This is a book that can make you cry for hours after reading it.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone one who enjoys a heart-breaking romance. People who have read the first book, If I stay, will definitely not want to miss the second heart- rending novel from Gayle Forman.

Reviewed by Chi-Yen

Playground / 50 Cent

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Butterball has moved to another town, he's had to start at a new school, his mother has left his father and the person he thought was his best friend has said something unforgiveable about his mother. He reacts badly and ends up getting into major trouble for bullying. I liked this book. The chapters are short which make it very quick and easy to read. It takes place in America where things are really different from here and that made the book interesting too. I recommend this book heaps.

Who would enjoy this book? Anyone who is interested in school life and especially the effect bullying has on both the bully and the bullied.

Reviewed by Jason

Wonder / R J Palacio

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August is only 10 years old. He's never been to school because he has spent so much time in and out of hospital. He had to  have lots of operations to try to improve his ability to breathe and eat. He has very severe face and skull deformities, so bad that people can't help but stare at him. The staring is not so bad, but the name-calling and cruelty are hard to cope with. And then his family decides that he should go to school for the first time in Year 5,  which is a very big deal for him. I loved this book so much, I couldn't put it down. Even though the main character is so young, the story is completely engrossing and you read and read to find out what happens next. And you fall in love with August too because he is such a cool character.

Who would enjoy this? If you liked The boy in striped pyjamas you will love this book. If you've not read that one, still read this as it is so great.

Reviewed by Amy

The fault in our stars / John Green

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Hazel has cancer. So does Augustus. So does everyone at their support group. And so begins their story together, and of their trying to find the author of Hazel's favourite novel, who ended it in the middle of a sentence. Beautiful, funny, and incredibly interesting. The fault in our stars is the kind of book you cry over. In a good way.


Who would enjoy this? Anybody who enjoys witty humour, interesting ideas, and lovable characters.

Reviewed by Liam