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

Legend / Marie Lu

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Take two teenagers, one from each side of the tracks, add a corrupt government and family casualties and you have a potent mix. June is a military prodigy contemplating a stellar future in the military controlled government while Day is the Republic's most wanted criminal, a legend in fact, desperate to save his family from the plague.
Although 'Legend' has the predictable components of any dystopian novel, the author has created a fresh and exciting story.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who enjoys a good story will find 'Legend' worth reading, especially if you are a fan of dystopian fiction.

Reviewed by Hamish

Going underground / Susan Vaught

Sometimes I am so glad that I live in New Zealand. Some of the laws in America seem downright scary! Del, a top student and all round good kid, at age 14 found himself convicted of child rape and pornography, and is now struggling to see how his life can ever amount to anything. This was a great read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to find out how the law can work against you, and the way people fight to change these unjust laws.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone, I think: it's got love, drama, frustration at stupid laws, and hope for the future. What more could you ask?

Reviewed by James

Variant / Robison Wells

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The chance to go to Maxfield Academy seems almost too good to be true for student Benson Fisher. But it is only after the gates have been locked behind him and it's too late that he realises it WAS too good to be true. All of the other students are just like him - no family, no one  interested in where he is and how he's getting on. Like rats in a maze, Benson and the other students are going to have to work hard to survive.
This is a great story about how people behave under pressure and what they are prepared to do to survive. It is cleverly written and keeps you in the dark for a long time until you slowly work out the truth.

Who would enjoy this? If you enjoy puzzles that get you thinking outside the square, this book will keep you engrossed.

Reviewed by James

Give me four reasons / Lizzie Wilcox

Paige finishes primary school feeling as if she is invisible. Over the summer holidays, she gets the chance to reinvent herself and starts high school ready to be a different person altogether. But she ends up missing her old friends and then falling out with the new ones. I really liked the way this story was so believable, and kept wanting to read so I could find out how the book turned out.

Who would like this? If you like stories that could really happen, then this one should be good for you.

Reviewed by Katya

Missing / Christine Harris

Raven's father has gone missing and her life is falling apart, and so is her mother. Raven wants to know what has happened to her father - is he dead? has he abandoned them? has he been kidnapped?
I liked this book lots because it was exciting and interesting, and quick to read. It finished up in the air, and I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who likes action, mystery and excitement along with a quick read.

Reviewed by Katya

Cinnamon rain / Emma Cameron

Loved this book! I don't usually read verse novels but picked this one up and couldn't put it down. It was a fast read and an absorbing one. Three kids in the same year at school tell their stories - Bongo and Casey have really hard lives, and Luke is a guy who cares about what happens to people. I loved getting to know these characters over a period of several years and found the ending satisfying and hopeful.

Who would enjoy this? Anybody would like it, I think, but if you are not so keen on reading this would be especially good as it is so quick to read.

Reviewed by Charlotte

The last thing I remember / Andrew Klavan

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Charlie West has just woken up in a cell, strapped to a chair and about to be killed. But why? All Charlie can remember is the day before...he hadn't done anything wrong, had he? But before he can figure out what happened, he must first escape certain death... 
The Last Thing I Remember is a book which knows exactly what it is, and plays that up to great effect. Even though you already 'know' what is coming up, it is an enjoying and fast paced ride. A must read for action fans.


Who would enjoy this? Those who enjoy the 'Bourne' movies and books. They possess many similar elements.


Reviewed by Liam