Cup magic: Auckland-San Diego, 1995

This book focuses on the America's Cup race in San Diego in 1995. Mike Lucas lives in Auckland. When he is sent to his grandparents, he learns to sail along with his best friend Hone, with his grandfather as teacher. Then he finds out that his family is involved in the America's Cup team and the book follows him and his family through preparation, races and the glory of bringing the Cup home to New Zealand. I recommend this book to people interested in sailing, and with the race on right at the moment, it is very timely and a perfect realisation of New Zealand's sporting ability.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who likes sailing and the thrill of a big race, where the honour of the nation is at stake.

Reviewed by Cassandra

Between the lives / Jessica Shirvington

What Sabine wants most of all is to be like other people. But there's not much chance of that when she lives every day twice, in two different places and with two different families and circumstances. Can she choose just to live one life? It's a risk, but one Sabine is determined to take...

This is a fast and absorbing read. You are right beside Sabine as she psychs herself up for the inevitable midnight change and you really get to care about which life she will choose.

Who would enjoy this? This is a story about identity, choices and taking risks - anyone who enjoys a good story will appreciate it, especially girls.

Reviewed by Amy

The last song / Nicholas Sparks

It is a story about 'family, first loves, second chances and the moments in life that can lead you back home'. In my opinion, Nicholas Sparks writes with a depth of feeling and tenderness rarely seen in male authors. When I read this book, he brought both joy and sadness to my heart. This story is based on the changing relationship between Ronnie and her father during a summer holiday. It started when Ronnie was sent to her father's place for summer. They didn't really get along because Ronnie believed that it was her father who left her mother because he thought his career was far more important than the family. Ronnie realised over the summer that she was wrong about that, and that her father loved Ronnie and her brother Jonah more than anything. When she found out that her father was dying because of terminal cancer, Ronnie felt her world was coming down. They had so little time left together after they finally reunited. Life was much like a song. In the beginning there's misery, in the end there's confirmation, but it's in the middle where all the emotions resides to make the whole thing worth while. This book was made into a movie in 2010.

Who would enjoy this? People who enjoy adolescent love stories and relationships between family members.

Reviewed by Angela

Zac & Mia / A.J. Betts

Zac and Mia are unlikely friends, but by meeting in hospital, at least they have some idea about what each of them is going through. Zac thinks Mia is lucky and vice versa - it turns out they both need different kinds of luck when the going gets tough. On the front cover there is a quote 'be warned: if you pick up this book, you won't want to put it down". It's true! It is a story with wonderful characters in challenging circumstances, but it is uplifting to read.

Who would enjoy this? Fans of 'The fault in our stars' will enjoy this Australian story. There are some similarities with Hazel and Augustus but there are enough differences to make it a great read in its own right.

Reviewed by James

Alone on a wide wide sea / Michael Morpurgo

This book is a tale of a modern mariner. It is based on the history of English orphans transported to Australia after WWII. The book is split into two halves - the first half is the base of the story and the second half is a biography. The first half is about Arthur Hobhouse. We read of his harsh, rough, adventurous, antipodean childhood, his journey to Australia and eventual happy marriage. His death ends the book's first half. Arthur possessed one English souvenir-'lucky key'-a farewell gift from his sister Kitty. After his death, Arthur's daughter, Ally, sails alone in a boat built by her father, from Hobart to England in pursuit of Kitty.
The story was very exciting and easy to read and it let me learn the history in a personal, moving way. I recommend it!

Who would enjoy this? Someone who likes to read about friendship, family, adventure and loyalty.

Reviewed by Angela

Nobody / Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Claire spends her life being seriously overlooked by others to the point where her parents keep forgetting she lives in their house. No one even looked at her at school and she was desperately lonely. And then Nix came into her life, when he was sent to kill her. Seriously weird in some ways, this book kept me reading because I wanted to find out what was going on. It is original in concept and interesting to think about but be warned, you'll end up wondering if what the author imagines really does happen in our world today.

Who would enjoy this? If you like your books with pace, tension and new ideas, this should suit you.

Reviewed by Charlotte

The boy with 2 heads / Andy Mulligan

Richard, an ordinary boy with ordinary parents, wakes up one morning with a sore throat. So far, so normal. But instead of getting better, his throat gets worse, starts to swell, he can hardly breathe, and then the unimaginable happens: he grows another head! I thought this would be a funny book because of its title, but it really wasn't. However, it was interesting and absorbing as the author explored what it is like to lose someone you really really love to death, in a most unusual and even bizarre way.

Who would enjoy this? If you are up for a challenge, this quirky book has lots to offer the reader.

Reviewed by Jason

Period.8 / Chris Chrutcher

 

Paulie goes to a class every lunchtime at school called Period 8. Quite different from every other class he takes, this one has a teacher he really admires, and the freedom to discuss whatever the class wants as they prepare for life beyond school. And then one of their classmates goes missing. The ramifications are huge, scary and dangerous as the group comes face to face with organised bullying that could lead to death or worse. This book made me think, hard, about what people are really like underneath. Are the good guys truly good? Are the wimps really as weak as they seem? This is a fantastic book and I strongly recommend it.

Who would enjoy this? This one has a bit of the psychological thriller about it, so if you want a book that makes you think and is completely absorbing, try it.

Reviewed by Hamish

The kissing booth / Beth Reekles

 

Kissing booths? Do such things really exist? Well they do in this book, and it's really a ploy to get Elle and Noah (her best friend's brother) together. It works! This is the story of how they get together, while pretending to themselves and everyone else that they aren't.
The author is still at high school herself but she has done a really good job of taking us into Elle and Noah's world with all the excitement and angst of first love.

Who would enjoy this? This is an easy and relaxing escapist read. If only real life was like this!

Reviewed by Charlotte

Breathe / Sarah Crossan

Breathing is something you should be able to take for granted. But in Alina, Bea and Quinn's world where all of the trees have been destroyed, oxygen is rationed. If you are a Premium you can buy more, if you are an Auxiliary then life is a struggle. But living outside the Pod are the dissenters who are proving that trees can grow again, and that everyone could have a choice about where they live.
Considering that there is not enough oxygen to go around, this book moves along at a fast pace! The author has created a world that is believable enough that you'll find yourself taking a deep breath, just because you can! It is thought-provoking as well as engrossing.

Who would enjoy this? Readers who like dystopian and post-apocalyptic stories will be able to add this to their book pile. Also if you like to hear a story from different narrators you will appreciate hearing this story told from Alina, Bea and Quinn's viewpoints.

Reviewed by Charlotte

The wall : a modern fable by William Sutcliffe

It starts off so innocently ... a soccer ball kicked into a building site ... the discovery of a tunnel ... a whole new world on the other side of the wall. A world that Joshua had no idea about, a world where he meets Leila, a world that makes him question everything he has ever known.

This is an amazing story that grabs you and doesn't let you go until the very last page. Don't be surprised if you stay up all night finding out what happens to Joshua in one of the world's hotspots.

Who would enjoy this? 'Enjoy' isn't really the right word, but it is a story you will never forget. This is a must-read for anybody who appreciates thought-provoking and moving stories.

Reviewed by Hamish