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Kelston Girls' College

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j.bone

10,976 pts
(7,269 pages read)

  • The Survivalists

    By Kashana Cauley
    4 stars

    A darkly funny rabbit hole into the world of preppers as experienced by a control freak lawyer. Possible recommendation for senior students, but lots of fun for adults!

  • Home Fire

    By Kamila Shamsie
    5 stars

    A modern retelling of Antigone set in the UK amongst a British-Pakistani family. Tragic and compelling, with clear character voice and political undercurrent.

  • Everyone Here is Lying

    By Shari Lapena
    4 stars

    A good solid thriller! Very easy and enjoyable. Watch suburbia implode on itself when a child goes missing.

  • Silo (Wool Omnibus)

    By Hugh Howey
    5 stars

    Thrilling, action packed dystopia. 5 stars for the action and plot, not necessarily for developed characters or theme, although the "Order" and how to achieve it was a strong message. Good for students, not graphic or too mature.

  • Yellowface

    By R. F. Kuang
    4 stars

    A meta thriller about writing, publishing, authenticity, and white guilt. A good book, but should have gone more ghost.

  • The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents

    By Terry Pratchett
    5 stars

    Delightful! Perfect for juniors. Lots of deep meaning hidden behind simple but lovely writing

  • Unsheltered

    By Clare Moleta
    3 stars

  • Kāwai For Such a Time As This

    By Monty Soutar
    3 stars

    The plot, characters, and setting are very compelling. The writing is not. The author doesn't get in his own way and try to be a fancier author than he is, which is to his credit. The prose is simple and let's the weight of the story propel it forward, rather than any insightful words. 3.5 stars. An interesting look into NZ history, and as it's a series I'll keep a lazy eye out for the next book.

  • The Bone Bearer

    By Lani Wendt Young
    5 stars

    This series is a hidden gem in NZ/pasifika fiction. Fun and easy romantic adventure. Highly recommend to teens - this was fun and I smashed the whole series!

  • When Water Burns

    By Lani Wendt Young
    5 stars

    Really enjoying this series, young adult fantasy adventure romance set in Samoa. Not serious but lots of fun

  • Telesā

    By Lani Wendt Young
    5 stars

    An absolutely fantastic YA romantasy set in the Pacific. Sure, don't expect to do critical analysis on this novel, but if you want kids reading for pleasure, this is an EXCELLENT recommendation.

  • Na Viro

    By Gina Cole
    4 stars

    3.5 rounded up because I don't want to take points away for ambition. This is such an ambitious book, and where it succeeds it is glimmering and hopeful. The use of māori, Fijian, and Tongan language, culture, and imagery is a real strength and refreshing and beautiful to read. I wouldn't study this is class with students but would strongly recommend it for readers keen on sci fi or adventure.

  • The Librarian of Burned Books

    By Brianna Labuskes
    4 stars

    This had some absolutely lovely paragraphs about the importance of books and democracy. This was an easy read about important things.

  • Later

    By Stephen King
    4 stars

    4.5 Stars! This was an audiobook and I felt the performance really lifted it. A good thriller, not as scary as some of his other works. Quick too. Not a bad suggestion for students who are wanting to experiment with horror or Stephen King.

  • Cuz

    By Liz van der Laarse
    3 stars

    This was a good survival story with lots of mātauranga māori thrown in. This would be appropriate for 10-14 years old readers and is a nice entry level text. It isn't too repetitive (a fault I keep encountering with middle fiction) but it is quite shallow. I liked the contrast between the cousins, and the whakamā felt by River was very realistic, but I wish the author had developed that cultural background and relationships between the cousins a little more. Good for juniors.

  • This is Not a Test

    By Courtney Summers
    5 stars

    Ohhhh boy this got my heart PUMPING. I love anything "zombie" and this is executed better than most apocalypses novels. Fraught and adrenaline inducing; I finished this in 24 hours, I couldn't put it down. Content warning for suicide and violence, but this is a great story of connection and need and want.

  • Hine and the Tohunga Portal

    By Ataria Sharman
    3 stars

    Awesome to see a young adult fantasy steeped in Māori pūrākau. But I found the plot repetitive and would liked to have spent some more time with the characters. This may work with year 9s, but it is cool to know there is choice in this realm of literature now.

  • A Man Lay Dead

    By Ngaio Marsh
    4 stars

    Great old timey murder mystery

  • Home Run

    By Paula Boock
    2 stars

    Although the teenage point of view is convincingly done, this book is outdated. The author attempts to address socioeconomic issues "without pulling any punches" but her own biases shine through pretty strongly. Read it to assess whether it could be taught her at KGC (a decile 2, highly pasifika, inner city Auckland school). NOPE.

  • The Ocean at the End of the Lane

    By Neil Gaiman
    5 stars

    My first Neil Gaiman! Magical!

  • The Hero and The Crown

    By Robin McKinley
    3 stars

    Easy entrance fantasy - but not my favourite in the genre.

  • Thornhedge

    By T. Kingfisher
    3 stars

  • Pet

    By Catherine Chidgey
    4 stars

    A good thriller with detailed throwbacks that feel like kiwi childhood - including the misogyny and racism. Chilling and fun!

  • Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts

    By Josie Shapiro
    5 stars

    This was magnificent and energetic read with real forward momentum. Possibly appropriate for year 13, although the are trigger warnings. Very enjoyable, even for someone who will never, ever run long distance.

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