Macleans College

79,882 pages read and 7,365 team points

Team members

Avid reader

81,040 pts

(53,001 pages read)

Tess

By Kirsten McDougall

3 stars

Tess is trying to run away from her troubles but ends up helping another person get over their troubles. A bit too dark for me.
Their Secret wife

By Nicky Webber

3 stars

A rather strange story. When their best friend's wife dies, Mandy and Fred take him in as the third partner in their marriage. Didn't enjoy this one much.
Sodden downstream

By Bravanna Gnanalingam

3 stars

A Sri Lankan refugee is held to ransom by her boss during a terrible natural disaster.
The Bonesetter's Daughter

By Amy Tan

4 stars

A story spanning 3 generations. Ruth resents her single mum, Lu Ling, for her harsh parenting. Lu was brought up by her mute aunt Precious, who it turns out was actually her mother and daughter of a bonesetter.
No retreat

By Rosy Fenwicke

3 stars

A Euphemia Sage mystery chronicle. Ok.
Sprigs

By Bravanna Gnanalingam

5 stars

Teenage Priya is gang raped by boys from a private boys school. Why is justice not served? Suitable for more mature young adults. Depressing but honest.
Trust no one

By Paul Cleave

5 stars

As usual, a fantastic crime thriller! Jerry is a famous crime writer who unfortunately experiences Alzheimers at a young age. As the disease progresses, it appears he has been writing about real crime. How does he know accurate details? Or is it just all in his mind?
My beautiful sisters

By Khalida Popal

4 stars

Written by the former captain of the Afghan women's football team, the pain and struggle under the Taliban rule is vividly explored. As a female wanting to play the sport, Khalida, was fortunate to have a supportive family. However the persecuted and abuse she and her teammates face make their journey so inspirational.
Voices from the past

By Teresa Ashby

3 stars

Romance. Rachel leads a content life running an animal shelter. Then handsome vet enters her office. Followed by first love and father of her son comes to town.
Voices of the Angi

By Phyllis Mullinder

4 stars

Written by an ex-colleague's mother, the book is set around the Hawkes Bay. Starting in the 1920s, life for pioneering settlers, especially women, in the interiors of the Hawkes Bay is explored.
Joe Victim

By Paul Cleave

5 stars

Crime thriller. Sequel to The Cleaner. The Christchurch Carver is in prison and desperately trying to prove his innocence. To what extent will he go to stay alive and get out?
Breakfast under a Cornish Sun

By Samantha Tonge

3 stars

Romance set on the Cornish coast. Kate is supposed to attend frenemy's wedding with her gorgeous boyfriend in two weeks. Problem is the boyfriend doe's exist!
Lies come easy

By Steven Havill

4 stars

Crime thriller set in New Mexico. A little boy is found thrown out of a vehicle by his own father.
Red Scarf Girl

By Ji-Li Jiang

4 stars

Biography of a young Chinese girl caught up in Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution, a time when citizens were encouraged to spy on each other and the constant fear of imprisonment loomed. Would recommend this to those interested in Chinese history.
Duplicity

By Nicky Webber

4 stars

Sophia comes from a wealthy family but when her mum passes away and dad's business goes bust, she decides to do what it takes to stay afloat. An interior designer by day and a high end escort by night, Sophia manages to regain the lifestyle she's accustomed to. At what cost?
The last days of Joy

By Anne Tiernan

4 stars

Joy has just attempted suicide. Her three adult children gather around her. Secrets are revealed.
Wolf Rain

By Nalini Singh

3 stars

Paranoid fantasy romance. A Psy-Changeling novel. Fast paced plot.
A touch of clay

By Maurice Shadbolt

3 stars

Written in 1974, this book is set in the sixties in a seaside town. Paul used to be a lawyer but after facing traumatic events, he now indulges in pottery. He recollects his childhood with references to his grandfather's journal.
The cleaner

By Paul Cleave

4 stars
If Only

By Elaine Blick

3 stars

Alice has everything a girl could ever wish for. She's rich, has a line of suitors but is restless and looking for adventure. Till she enlists as a nurse in the Boer War.
Poor people with money

By Dominic Hoey

3 stars

Monday's job gets her just the minimum wage. She needs an extra income to cope with debts and family responsibilities. Drug dealing seems an easy way out. But is it?
The pain tourist

By Paul Cleave

5 stars

James wakes up after 9 years in a coma. He was injured in a violent attack where his parents were murdered. But his memories appear to include detailed descriptions of crime that has taken place over the last few years. Superb mystery!
The dead of the night

By John Marsden

3 stars

If you enjoyed Tomorrow When The War Began, this one's for you.
Chicken Soup for the mother's soul

By Jack Canfield, Mark Hansen, Marci Shimoff, Carol Kline

5 stars

Beautifully touching real life stories and anecdotes celebrating motherhood.
No Maori Allowed

By Robert Bartholomew

5 stars

Reread this book today, it being Waitangi day. Non fiction, written by a local teacher. Details the plight of Maori in south Auckland, especially Pukekohe, last century. Highly recommended.
And Thereby Hangs a Tale

By Jeffrey Archer

5 stars

A collection of short stories from this fantastic story teller. Blind Date was my favorite.
Where the bellbird sings

By Elaine Blick

3 stars

Family saga set in Nelson. Passable.
Another woman's daughter

By Fiona Sussman

4 stars

Miriam is sent reluctantly by her mother, Celia, to England. Set during the apartheid movement, the book delves into how far a mother's love extends.
In Sickness and in Health

By Fiona Sussman

5 stars

Carmen, wife and mother, starts behaving totally out of character. She's diagnosed with a brain tumour and the family's doctor friend steps in to support them. And then he's found dead.
Cemetery lake

By Paul Cleave

5 stars

Crime thriller. A post mortem examination leads to sinister secrets being discovered. Mystery maintained till the last page. Loved this book.
Time's Raven

By Eileen Merriman

3 stars

Science fiction, time travel. Not my favorite genre but Merriman's fast paced plots got me enthralled.
The adventures of Huckleberry Finn

By Mark Twain

4 stars

The simplicity of the language used is appealing.
Sense and sensibility

By Jane Austen

4 stars

Don't have an English literature background but was drawn to the eloquent use of language.
Shifting colours

By Fiona Sussman

5 stars
The Fellowship of the Rings

By J. R. R. Tolkien

5 stars

Better than the film!
Everything is beautiful and everything hurts

By Josie Shapiro

4 stars

A story of self discovery, self confidence and physical endurance.
Dawn Raid

By Siobhan Rosenthal

5 stars

Moving between 1862 and the present, this book was an eye opener for me. 3 students, each with personal demons experience the power of history. Would recommend.
The Whale Rider

By Witi Ihimaera

5 stars

A bit different from the film. I think this novel would appeal to teenagers new to New Zealand.
A trio of Sophies

By Eileen Merriman

5 stars

Three Sophies, best friends. The prettiest goes missing, last spotted kissing her English teacher. What does the secret diary contain?
The colour of our country

By John Sargeant

3 stars

Set after the Second World War, the book starts off well but not sustained. Fay, the villian, is a believable character.
Invisibly breathing

By Eileen Merriman

5 stars

Fantastic as always! Recommended for young adults.
Harry Potter and the cursed child

By J. K. Rowling

3 stars
The Last time we spoke

By Fiona Sussman

5 stars

A violent crime changes the lives of Carla and prisoner, Ben. Can literacy lead to salvation?
On call

By Ineke Meredith

5 stars

Candid, real and raw, a Samoan surgeon's memoir. Beautifully written yet light and at times humorous.
Gangster's Paradise

By Jared Savage

5 stars

Having read articles by this journalist in the New Zealand Herald, I borrowed this book on an impulse. What an eye opener! I found reading about the Asian crime syndicates most interesting.
The Haystack

By Jack Lasenby

4 stars

Set in Waharoa during the Depression, Maggie misses having her mum around.
The Client

By John Grisham

5 stars

Compelling thriller!
Field of honour

By Timeri Murari

4 stars

Set during the onset of the British Raj in India, a young prince tries his best to prevent his kingdom from succumbing to the English.
Double Helix

By Eileen Merriman

4 stars

Medical drama. Dr. Jake's mum had Huntington's disease and he has lived most of his life afraid he will inherit it.
Catch a falling star

By Eileen Merriman

4 stars

Another gem from Merriman, this time suitable for more mature young adults. Reference to depression and self harm.
Anne's house of dreams

By L. M. Montgomery

3 stars

Suitable for intermediate students, simple straightforward language and themes.
10th Anniversary

By James Patterson

4 stars

Fast paced crime thriller.
Nothing to lose

By Lee Child

4 stars

Jack Reacher thriller. Did not disappoint.
The widows of Malabar Hill

By Sujata Massey

4 stars

Set in an affluent suburb of Bombay during the British Raj. One of the first female lawyers is left wondering why rich widows decide to leave their inheritance to charities.
The Lovely Bones

By Alice Sebold

4 stars

Recommended by a student some time ago, I thought this would be a depressing, morbid book dealing with life after death. But I was pleasantly surprised. Susie has been murdered but is not quite ready to move on.
The taming of the queen

By Philippa Gregory

4 stars

The story of King Henry VIII's wife Katherine Parr. The author has an incredible talent for breathing life into historical characters.
Only two seats left

By John Anderson

4 stars

The story of the founder of Contiki. Inspiring and well written.
Black Spiral

By Eileen Merriman

3 stars
Violet Black

By Eileen Merriman

3 stars
Indigo Moon

By Eileen Merriman

3 stars

Science fiction, the first of this series. Fast paced and plenty of suspense but didn't enjoy this as much as other work from Merriman.
Moonlight Sonata

By Eileen Merriman

5 stars

Molly returns to New Zealand with her family to catch up with her family, especially her twin. When secrets threaten to be exposed and history repeats itself, what will the twins do? Mystery and doubt well woven throughout the novel.
Caging Skies

By Christina Leunens

4 stars

Young Johannes is an ardent Hitler fan until he discovers and falls in love with a Jewish refugee.
Better Left Dead

By Catherine Lea

4 stars

Set in Northland, a woman is found dead. Detective Inspector Bradshaw has enough to deal with, her son is in prison. Can she do justice to this case?
She's a killer

By Kirsten McDougall

4 stars

Alice thinks she's extremely clever until she meets Erika. Nail biting crime thriller.
New Treasures of the Past

By Brian Fagan

5 stars

An excellent book that would appeal to most reluctant history students. I enjoyed the finding, raising and restoration of Henry VIII's flagship, Mary Rose, the best.
Quest for the Past

By Dorling Kindersley

5 stars

A bit dated, but very informative and interesting. Pictures bring the history alive.
How To Get Fired stories

By Evana Belich

2 stars

Short stories that are somehow connected. Ok, but not my cup of tea.
By the Green of the Spring

By Paddy Richardson

4 stars

A love story set during the First World War, detailing the suffering of Germans in New Zealand at that time. Otto's experiences on the Somes Island were akin to a Nazi concentration camp. A sad, depressing eye opener for me.
The Quiet People

By Paul Cleave

5 stars

7 year old Zach, mildly autistic son of crime writers, goes missing from his room one night. Has he run away, been abducted or are his parents staging his disappearance for publicity? Cleave certainly knows how to capture his readers' attention.
A Little Fire & other stories

By Jane Mander

4 stars

Written by an accomplished early twentieth century writer, the book contains 9 short stories. Interesting to see the use of language and way of life from a previous century. My favorite story was The Desk.
Because All Fades

By Freddie Gillies

3 stars

2 young kiwi couples go to Europe for their OE. An accident changes the dynamics of their relationships.
Addressed to Greta

By Fiona Sussman

4 stars

Plain Jane office lady, Greta, lives a mundane life in Davenport, with just a chook for a friend. When the only person who really gets to know her, leaves her an all expenses paid trip of a lifetime, Greta embarks on an adventure of self discovery.
The Dressmaker and the Hidden Soldier

By Doug Gold

3 stars

Ok
Once were Warriors

By Alan Duff

4 stars

The book is as intense as the film. Duff's style of writing is raw and real. I liked how the story is narrated through the perspective of each main character. It's sad that this story could very well be taking place today.
Boyo

By Lynn John

4 stars

The funny romantic tale of Marc, a Welsh teacher, and kiwi Carole. Set in the sixties across both countries.
Faces in the water

By Janet Frame

3 stars

A rather raw account of Istina Mavet, institutionalized and ever afraid of the treatment, electric shock therapy.
Belgravia

By Julian Fellowes

3 stars

Historical fiction with a good mix of romance and mystery.
Amma

By Saraid de Silva

5 stars

A fantastic book set over three generations across the globe. The powerlessness of humans starting with young Josephina, is vividly portrayed. A must read.
Saving fish from drowning

By Amy Tan

3 stars

Set on the trail from Myanmar to China, a group of tourists are mistakenly abducted. Narration is good, plot is a bit slow.
Bid

By Esther Tyler

4 stars

Life in Wanganui, a century ago, as seen through the eyes of a child. A detailed account of the daily activities, family life and society with references to the family tree.
A Christmas Return

By Anne Perry

1 stars

Too repetitive and predictable.
The Lost Symbol

By Dan Brown

4 stars

This is a sequel to The Da Vinci Code. Robert Langdon is duped into carrying a parcel for his mentor only to find Peter Solomon is being held hostage. Fast paced page turner.
One of those mothers

By Megan Reed

3 stars

Ok
So I Hit Him

By Mick Whatham

4 stars

A heart warming memoir. Michael is a twin, born in a Manchester workhouse hospital, with physical and mental disabilities. Placed in a multitude of institutions, he was deported to Australia. Before being diagnosed with Aspergers, he worked in the army, was married twice, was an alcoholic and arsonist.
Cold Wallet

By Rosy Fenwicke

4 stars

Andrew dies while in Fiji on his honeymoon leaving his cryptocurrency business and recently bought properties to his doctor wife, Jess. However his best friend and business partner, Henry, appears to hinder her every move. Who can she trust? The last chapter holds all the suspense!
Just Mercy

By Bryan Stevenson

4 stars

An autobiographical recount of this young lawyer's journey to get justice for Americans on death row due to prejudicial bias.
The Silence of Snow

By Eileen Merriman

5 stars

Jodi comes from a family of doctors and is in her first year at a busy hospital. She's exhausted and questions her decision and ability. Rory is an anaesthetic at the same hospital fighting his own personal demons. He starts self-medicating. What are the consequences?
The Aladdin Factor

By Jack Canfield and Mark Hansen

4 stars

From the authors of Chicken Soup for the Soul, this book didn't disappoint. Lots of advice and techniques to gain confidence and self belief. My favorite section was Releasing the Genie.
No Ordinary Man

By Nicky Webber

4 stars

Based on a true story. Mick returns from the second World War and tries hard to keep his secrets and stay sane. He has been ridiculed as a child for his sexuality and fetish for dressing as a female. At the same time his affair with a married woman results in a pregnancy. What happens next? Webber is a fantastic story teller, and I would recommend her work.
Puzzle me dead

By Kathy Childs

3 stars

Careen is revisited by the Clown Killer after two decades, stalking her, sending pieces of a jigsaw. She was the first victim and the only one to get away alive. She can't trust anyone now, not even her only living relative. Gripping novel and fast paced, but I didn't much like the ending.
The Boyfriend

By Laura Southgate

4 stars

A great novel for a first by this author.
Great short stories of the world

By Reader's digest

4 stars

Finally completed the book. Great pick of some fine works by authors from all over the world. Particularly enjoyed W. Somerset Maugham's The Outstation.
Real Life and other Disasters

By Merren Tait

2 stars

Love story of two teenagers goes wrong. 14 years later, Adam, a solicitor, rescues Sarah when she breaks a prospective employer's nose. Will they be able to rekindle their love?
Mack the Good Shepherd

By Patricia Snelling

3 stars

Set in the rural southern Alps, a story of determination, family and faith.
Mistress of Melody

By Anthea Lawson

2 stars

Historical romance.
Dry Bones in the Valley

By Tom Bouman

3 stars

Murder mystery. A young man is found in the thawing snow, dead from what appears to be a gun shot. Then Deputy Officer Ellis is murdered.
Threads of Gold

By Jude Thomas

3 stars

Set in Dunedin at the end of the nineteenth century, a forward thinking young woman encourages her husband and 5 children to befriend recent Lebanese migrants.
Agatha Raisin and the Blood of an Englishman

By M.C. Beaton

2 stars

An actor in an amateur theatre production is murdered. Agatha finds the culprit. No surprises.
Night Lark

By Nicky Webber

4 stars

A thriller set north of Warkworth. Two sisters left orphaned in a tragic boating accident. The younger sister, Grace, a forensic analyst with the NZ Police, ends up dead in Italy. Was it a drug overdose, murder or suicide?
The First Day

By Phil Harrison

2 stars

Divided into two parts. One set in Ireland, the other 30 years later in New York. Not impressed with the narration, too descriptive. Plot is slow drawn.
Ten Acceptable Acts of Arson and other very short stories

By Jack Cottrell

3 stars

Nice, short stories, each with a message.
The Little Unicorn Gift Shop

By Kellie Hailes

2 stars

Romance
Great short stories of the world

By The Reader's Digest

4 stars

A collection of short stories by a selection of excellent writers. The Open Boat by Stephen Crane is my favorite so far.
Cockroaches

By Jo Nesbo

4 stars

Set in Bangkok, the Norwegian ambassador is found murdered in a motel room by a prostitute he hired. Harry needs to find the culprit and the villian who killed the man who supplied him with evidence.
National Geographic

By Editor: William Allen

5 stars

As expected, did not disappoint. So informative, interesting and authentic.
Sonata for a Scoundrel

By Anthea Lawson

3 stars

Historical romance. Ok
After the Peace

By Fay Weldon

2 stars

Good plot, but the narration was a bit too disjointed for my liking. Rozzie is conceived 20 years after her father, who happens to be a viscount, visited a sperm bank.
Child worker: Mehboob's Story

By Catherine Chambers

4 stars

A real life story of a young boy helping his parents get financially stable. Effects of child labor and poverty on Indians in rural areas. Good book but dated- 2005.
Pieces of you

By Eileen Merriman

4 stars

A teenager moves to a new city and just when it seems things are looking up for her, her world shatters.
The Spanish Garden

By Cliff Taylor

4 stars

Rich in the history of Kaipara, the book follows the life of 100 year old Sidney King, a Pakeha, involved in the 1936 Spanish Civil War.
The Doctor’s Wife

By Fiona Sussman

5 stars

A thriller set in the North Shore. Two close couples, one wife is dying of brain cancer, the other found dead. The murderer was in plain sight!
The other Boleyn Girl

By Philippa Gregory

4 stars

Mary Boleyn is 14 when Henry takes an interest in her. However she needs to make way for her sister, Anne. Politics, ambition and family. A great read.
The House of Unexpected Sisters

By Alexander McCall Smith

5 stars

Mma Ramotswe makes an interesting detective. Set in Botswana, Mma is confronted with someone sharing the same extremely rare surname as herself. Who's the mysterious nurse Mingie Ramotswe?
Our Woman in Kabul

By Irris Makler

4 stars

A vivid account of the lives of women in Afghanistan, after the 7/11 attacks. Makler was one of the first female journalists to cover the war but she looks through the eyes of the Afghan women. Quite moving and the pictures bring the text to life.
Full dark, no stars

By Stephen King

5 stars

5 short stories by this excellent writer. Would recommend.
Airman

By Eoin Colfer

3 stars

Conor is crazy about flying, but a tragic event changes the path of his determination.
The Piano Girls

By Elizabeth Smither

3 stars

A collection of short stories. Ok
Chinese Cinderella

By Adeline Yen Mah

4 stars

A visit from an ex-colleague now settled in Shanghai, led me to reread this novel. I looked at it through a new lens and was fascinated by the historical background of the French Occupation and the Chinese Cultural Revolution.
The Room on the Roof

By Ruskin Bond

4 stars

From one of my favorite authors of children's literature, this one did not disappoint. Set in an area I once lived in, Rusty has lost both his parents and needs to adjust to life with his British guardian, Mr. Harrison.
Girl of the Mountains

By Trish Mccormick

5 stars

The effects of a series of events in 1952 are life changing for Kath and her two young daughters in 2019. Set against the Southern Alps, this is a fantastic book, especially if you love the outdoors.
The Only Child

By Mi-Ae Seo

5 stars

Fantastic psychological thriller set in Seoul. Suspense maintained till the last word!
A Missed Murder

By Michael Jecks

2 stars

Crime set in the reign of Queen Mary. Didn't enjoy it.
A better place

By Stephen Daisley

3 stars

Twins fighting in the Second World War, separated, with the POW assumed dead. Interesting ending.
A Shining Path

By Elaine Blick

3 stars

Sequel to Beyond the horizon, we follow Peggy, influenced by Elizabeth Fry. Peggy, an ex-convict is now a school teacher in Australia. I still prefer First Names Only by this author.
Meltwater

By Suzanne Ashmore

4 stars

A beautifully crafted novel, delving into how trauma reflects in Elizabeth's many 'selves'.
The secrets of the little Greek Taverna

By Erin Palmisano

2 stars

Passable and predictable
Smoke and Mirrors

By Angus McLean

5 stars

Fast paced thriller about a kiwi Jason Bourne.
Pohutukawa Highway

By Tammy Robinson

3 stars

A predictable romance set in a kiwi summer at a beachside camping ground.
Mellons Bay

By Suzanne Singleton

4 stars

Fiction, based on the Mellon family, early Irish settlers in East Auckland. Rich in history of the area and the lives of the Fencibles.
His favorite graves

By Paul Cleave

5 stars

Couldn't put this one down. A crime thriller which keeps you guessing till the last page.
Ellie's Story

By Chris Curtis

3 stars

Set in the 1960s in the British Channel Islands, teenaged Ellie finds herself pregnant and married to the villian, Henri, much to the chagrin of her siblings.
The Red Palace

By Jane Hur

4 stars

Recommended by a student, this historical fiction is set in Korea. Hyeon, a young nurse at the palace needs to find the murderer of 4 women. Is it the Crown Prince?
I think I love you

By Allison Pearson

3 stars

Passable
The Pact

By Jodi Picoult

4 stars

Was it suicide or murder? Will not disappoint, especially if you enjoyed My Sister's Keeper. Would appeal to teenagers
Brothers

By Alex van Halen

3 stars

Finished the book finally. Interesting to see other aspects of Van Halen's life. A bit long winded. Didn't know their mum was Indonesian.
Beyond the horizon

By Elaine Blick

3 stars

Not as riveting as First Names Only, passable.
Apple tree and camel pee

By Linley Jones

4 stars

The author is a local and I was gifted this book. A collection of short stories.
Six Suspects

By Vikas Swarup

5 stars

From the author of Slumdog Millionaire, a novel filled with suspense, leaving the reader guessing who killed Ruby's murderer, Vicky.
A Beggar at the Gate

By Thalassa Ali

4 stars

Sequel to A Singular Hostage, I was keen to find out what happened to Mariana. Rich in history of life in India during the British Raj. Did not disappoint, and looking forward to the third book of the series
The Old Occidental Writers' Hotel

By Jennifer Manson

3 stars

Failure is the first step to success. A middle aged mum learns financial responsibility when the creative projects she undertakes end in losses and a marriage break up. Ok.
The Bone Tree

By Airana Ngarewa

4 stars

Two young Maori brothers orphaned. Kauri shows great responsibility caring for his dying, alcoholic father and later tries his best to keep Oranga Tamariki from taking his brother.
Headwaters

By David Hale

3 stars

Saga spread across two generations across two wars. Rich in cultural history and effects of PTSD on relationships, but a bit long.
The Manuscript Killer

By Noel Lee

2 stars

Crime mystery but the culprit is quite predictable.
Bodies of water

By V. H. Leslie

3 stars

A horror thriller. Ok.
The Cry

By Helen Fitzgerald

5 stars

An excellent psychological crime thriller about missing baby Noah.
Never what it seems

By Wayne Andrewartha

4 stars

A fast paced crime story.
All the light we cannot see

By Anthony Doerr

4 stars

Finally finished the book. Set in France during the world War. Told through the eyes of two characters.
A singular hostage

By Thalassa Ali

4 stars

The first book of a trilogy, captivating for Indian history fans. Set in the 19th century during the British Raj.
The Letty Stories

By Alison Lloyd

4 stars

4 books set in 1941. Young Letty accidentally ends up on a ship bound for Australia. The stories follow her journey from childhood to adulthood to marriage and motherhood.
When Breath Becomes Air

By Paul Kalanithi

5 stars

This autobiography of a young neurosurgeon diagnosed with cancer is a must read. I couldn't put it down, so inspiring and honest.
Summer adventure

By Aquila

4 stars

Another fantastic edition from this educational magazine. Great for home schooling too. A range of genres and ideas.
The Fish

By Lloyd Jones

4 stars
The invisible Mile

By David Coventry

4 stars

The 1928 Tour de France is reimagined.
Murder on the Safari Star

By M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman

3 stars

A mystery set on a train journey in South Africa. Possibly inspired by Agatha Christie's work, suitable for young teens.
Things seen from above

By Shelley Pearsall

5 stars

Some good lessons in seeing the potential in every child and not judging a book by its cover. Suitable for intermediate students.
Shades within shadows

By Alan Machado

4 stars

Set against the Portuguese occupation of the western coast of India, the novel is rich in history and Tipu Sultan's attempts to prevent captivity.
Searching for women who drink whiskey

By Miranda Kennedy

5 stars

A 'firangi' or foreigner in the capital of India.
The laws of evening

By Mary Yukari Waters

3 stars
Titanic

By Aquila

5 stars

A great educational magazine for preteens. Illustrations, activities and challenges would appeal to a range of readers
River song

By Di Morrissey

3 stars
Soof

By Sarah Weeks

3 stars

Recommended by a student, written in very simple language.
Sea Disasters

By Keith Eastlake

5 stars

A bit dated but good pictures and layout might appeal to non fiction readers.
Telesa The Covenant Keeper

By Lani Wendt Young

4 stars

A bit long, but ok for an extended text reading log. Set in Samoa and inspired by Pacific mythology.
Skeleton Key

By Anthony Horowitz

3 stars

Graphic novel, ok for reluctant readers.
Shaozhen

By Wai Chim

4 stars

With simple language used and a quick paced plot, this novel would appeal to young teens. Based on the 2014 drought in Henan, China.
To Italy, with love

By Nicky Pellegrino

2 stars

A sugary romance that I breezed through.
First names only

By Elaine Blick

4 stars

An eye opening perspective of the lives of unwed young girls in the 1960s.
Scarlet and Magenta

By Lindsey Dawson

3 stars

Historical fiction set in the Bay of Plenty in the 1880s. Some interesting references to Auckland.
The trials of Nurse Kerr

By Scott Bainbridge

4 stars

Non fiction, follows the deaths and possible murder court trials of a seemingly unassuming nurse. Set in Devonport in the 1930s.
New Zealand Disasters

By Maria Gill

5 stars

A simple yet interest sustaining non fiction book. Would appeal to reluctant readers. I was impressed by the reference to PTSD as an aspect of recovery
All the light we cannot see

By Anthony doerr

4 stars

Quite riveting so far.
Ocean of milk

By Belinda Aycrigg

2 stars

Starts off a bit too slow.
Brothers

By Alex Van Halen

3 stars

OK, so far.
After the Tampa

By Abbas Nazari

5 stars

Just finished the book, would highly recommend
After the Tampa

By Abbas Nazari

4 stars

An inspirational journey of a remarkable refugee.
Blue water hues

By Vicki delany

3 stars
On Hitler's mountain

By Irmgard Hunt

4 stars
Slow Down, You're Here

By Brannavan Gnanalingam

5 stars

A good thriller, events would resonate with children of new migrants.
The Night She Fell

By Eileen Merrimen

5 stars

Psychological thriller, set in Dunedin, about a group of Otago Uni students. Didn't see the twist at the end coming:)

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