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