Reading On Up

Books to share with children from eight to twelve years old

Compiled by Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust of

www.storylines.org.nz Reading On Up

It’ll be great if you read some of these stories to your kid(s). It'll be even greater if you read some with your kids. You’ll both end up healthier. A lot of people see reading as a passive activity, a process of sitting and absorbing. It’s not. For one thing, how many 8-12-year-olds just sit to read or hear stories? They shift around; they jerk in their seats at the tense bits; they laugh and gasp and go ‘Aww, sick!’ For the audience at this age, and for the adults who read to them, books are an emphatically physical activity. More significantly, books also promote mental and emotional fitness. They extend kids’ emotional range, let them make comparisons and contrasts with themselves - comparisons that can reassure and stimulate them. Children who read stories where someone their age has triumphs or laughs or adventures feel ‘Yes! I can do that, too!’ Books develop neural links that no other activity seems to. They deepen a young reader’s inner resources, and take them into those quiet, deep, timeless experiences that are such an antidote to the distraction and fragmentation of the world. And of course, books let kids enjoy themselves. They’re great fun: alarming fun, gentle fun, rude fun, loving and sad fun. (Indeed there’s such a thing.) They let you as an adult have the huge pleasure and privilege of sharing that fun with your or other kids. So books and reading represent one of the healthiest, most unreservedly good gifts that any teacher, parent or rellie can offer a child. In New Zealand, we’re lucky to have a whole lot of stand-out writers for this age-group. (Actually, it’s not luck; it’s due to the dedication of publishers, editors, authors, groups such as Storylines.) Their work affirms that this small country holds big stories. It will make young readers feel that New Zealand and their lives in it are something special. Enjoy this booklet, and enjoy the books.

David Hill, author.

ISBN: 978-0-473-12591-2 © Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand, 2007 PO Box 96 094, Balmoral, , New Zealand. [email protected] www.storylines.org.nz

© Storylines 2007 Sharing books together is a great idea for any age Ten reasons to read to your child t So you have a great excuse to relax together at any time of the day t So you can enjoy the sound and rhythm of language, the taste of words and the way words join together to create magic through stories t To open doors to knowledge, as well as fantasy t So you can encourage their imagination to run where it wants to, into other worlds t To continue age-old storytelling traditions t To grow their vocabulary, so they can communicate with you and others t To set them on the road to becoming a life-long reader t To create memories that last for a lifetime t Because one day they will read to you t Just because it’s fun!

Books for adults about children and books

These books will give you some great ideas and information if you would like to learn more about the benefits of reading to your child, and encouraging children to read themselves

Paul Jennings, The Reading Bug, Penguin Jackie French, Rocket your Child into Reading, HarperCollins Mem Fox, Reading Magic, Pan James Moloney, Boys and Books, ABC Books Bernice E. Cullen, Read to Me: Raising Kids Who Love to Read, Scholastic www.storylines.org.nz

1 Aiono-Iosefa, Sarona The Pipi Swing Illustrated by Bruce Potter Reed A poignant picture book with a Pacific Island flavour about a young girl whose father has died. One day her grandparents invite her to a ‘pipi swing’, something they used to do with her dad. Together she and her grandparents learn to have fun again. Beale, Fleur Ambushed Scholastic Richard didn’t want to leave the city and now he’s stuck in the countryside struggling to make friends. A group of boys befriend him, then start bullying him, but Richard isn’t an easy target. There are many other novels by including Walking Lightly and A New Song in the Land (from the My Story series). Beck, Jennifer John Britten: the boy who could do better Scholastic A biography of the designer of the Britten motorbike, exploring his background, childhood, learning difficulties and successes. Nobody’s Dog Illustrated by Lindy Fisher Scholastic Sam’s grandad tells him the story behind the painting of a dog that hangs in his house. A touching picture book about the devotion between a young boy and a dog, illustrated in stunning mixed media and with interesting use of typography. NZ Post Children’s Choice Award 2006. Jennifer Beck and Lindy Fisher have also created A Present from the Past you might enjoy too. Bishop, Gavin Taming the Sun Random House Four Maori myths: Maui and the sun; Kahu and the taniwha; Maui and the big fish; and Rona and the moon. Follow up with the next volume Riding the Waves, also available in te reo Maori. You could also read The House that Jack Built for an interesting perspective on New Zealand history. © Storylines 2007 2 Bland, Peter The Night Kite: poems for children Illustrated by Carl Bland Mallinson Rendel A whimsical illustrated collection of poems to enjoy.

Brassi, G Attacked! Scholastic Livvy goes fishing with Jack and his dog, Serge. When Jack is attacked, she has to overcome her own fears, not to mention engine problems, to get them all back to shore in one piece.

Brook, Alison (editor) Incredible Science Puffin An interactive guide to encourage children to explore the world of science, learn facts and theories about the world around us, and bring science to life with easy-to-follow experiments to do.

Butler, Dorothy Davy’s Ducks Illustrated by Lyn Kriegler Reed Set in Waihi in 1904, some ducks get stuck in a newly built tarsealed road. Will Davy and his family be able to rescue them? If you enjoy this then read another Tale of Old New Zealand by - Come Back Ginger.

Catran, Ken Something Weird About Mr Foster Scholastic Joe Bennet has doubts about his teacher, Mr Foster, when he spies him retrieving a ball by stretching his arm halfway across a carpark. has written heaps of other novels you will enjoy including Lin and the Red Stranger.

© Storylines 2007 3 Corlett, Shirley You’ve Got Guts, Kenny Melrose Scholastic Set in New Zealand just after WW1. Life at Briden Orphanage is tough for Kenny and his sister. They’re being punished for something their father did that Kenny can’t understand. Also read Shirley Corlett’s novel Through Thick and Thin.

Cowley, Joy Bow Down, Shadrach Puffin When Hannah discovers where her elderly Clydesdale horse has been sent she mounts a rescue operation. AIM Book of the Year 1992. Gladly, Here I Come and Shadrach Girl continue the series.

Hunter Puffin In 2005 Jordan and her brothers are in a plane crash in remote Fiordland. Somehow Jordan experiences a link back to Hunter, a young Maori slave who is on the run in 1805. Through their interconnecting visions Hunter helps Jordan and her brothers survive. NZ Post Book of the Year 2006.

Tulevai and the Sea Illustrated by Manu Smith Scholastic Tulevai’s mother proves her love is stronger than the sea and the wind and rescues her son from their clutches. There are lots of other books you will enjoy including The Silent One, and the Wild West and Froghopper series. Crowe, Andrew Which New Zealand Bird? Illustrated by Dave Gunson Penguin How to identify New Zealand birds by their habitat, size and other simple methods. Andrew Crowe is the author of more than a dozen illustrated books about New Zealand’s flora and fauna.

© Storylines 2007 4 De Goldi, Kate Clubs Illustrated by Jacqui Colley Trapeze Everyone in Lolly’s class at school is in a club - except for Lolly, until she comes up with one of her own. Russell Clark Award for illustration and NZ Post Book of the Year 2005. You’ll enjoy the next Lolly book too - it’s called Billy. Doak, Wade I am a Fish Reed A fish identification guide with stunning photographs. 14 fish commonly found in the waters around New Zealand are featured. The fish tell their own stories and explain what makes each unique. Drewery, Melanie Koro's Medicine Illustrated by Sabrina Malcolm Huia From blisters to blocked noses, Koro has a natural remedy for everything, from traditional Maori medical lore. Also available in te reo Maori. Duder, Tessa Night Race to Kawau Puffin Sam’s father enters the night race to Kawau. But Terry, the other crew member, fails to turn up for the race and then, as the sun sets and the weather worsens, Sam’s father is knocked unconscious. So Sam, her sister and her mother are left to sail the boat alone. for a Much-Loved Book 2005. Duder, Tessa & Orman, Lorraine (editors) Out of the Deep and other stories from New Zealand and the Pacific Illustrated by Bruce Potter Reed/Storylines An anthology of 16 stories published to celebrate International Children’s Book Day in 2007. The stories feature adventure, myth, mystery, history and legend, reflecting the diverse range of lives and lifestyles that the Pacific encompasses.

© Storylines 2007 5 Falkner, Brian Henry and the Flea Mallinson Rendel Daniel wants to play for the New Zealand Warriors. The problem is he’s only 12 years old. But Daniel has a secret. Brian Falkner has other novels as well. Be sure to read The Real Thing and Super Freak. Feehan, Brigid Stella Star Scholastic Stella is an aspiring writer, and her murder-mystery play is almost ready for its one-off performance. But while Stella can direct her friends and family on the stage, she can’t control them in real life. Tom Fitzgibbon Award 2004. Read the sequel Maybe Stella. Ford, Vince 2MUCH4U Scholastic Davin Smith goes from one mess to the next when he wrecks his mum’s car. To make amends he starts an odd job service, but some of them are even too much for him. Tom Fitzgibbon Award 1999. NZ Post Junior Fiction & Best First Book 2000. Look out for Vince Ford’s other titles. Boyznbikes is an exciting read. Galbraith, Ben The Three Fishing Brothers Gruff Hodder Children’s Books The brothers Gruff fish out Poverty Bay. Minke Whale, Guardian of the Ocean, isn’t happy, and neither are the people of the area. Look through the portholes in the pages. Great col- lage-style illustrations. NZ Post Children’s Choice Award 2007. Gardiner, Kelly Ocean Without End HarperCollins 12-year-old Lily is taken as a slave on a pirate ship where she learns that her father, who she thought was dead, was really kidnapped. There are three books in the exciting Swashbuckler series, set in the Napoleonic Wars in the golden age of piracy.

© Storylines 2007 6 Gee, Maurice The Halfmen of O Puffin The first book in the award-winning O trilogy. Susan and Nick are drawn into a frightening adventure in the land of O where Otis Claw and the evil Halfmen are trying to take over the planet. NZ Children’s Book of the Year 1983. Read The Priests of Ferris and Motherstone to complete the tril- ogy. Other books you might enjoy are Under the Mountain and, for older children, The Fat Man. Gossage, Peter In the Beginning Scholastic An illustrated retelling of the Maori creation story. The children of Rangi and Papa, tired of living in the dark, force their parents apart and allow light into Aotearoa. Also available in te reo Maori. Grace, Patricia Watercress Tuna and the Children of Champion Street Illustrated by Robyn Kahukiwa Puffin A tuna (eel) leaves his home and visits the children of Champion Street. Each child pulls a special gift out of his mouth. Also available in te reo Maori. Green, Paula Flamingo Bendalingo Illustrated by Michael Hight Auckland University Press A great collection of poems about animals at the zoo. Written by Paula Green and 50 children from Swanson Primary School. A useful glossary to help you write your own poetry too. Hakaraia, Libby Celebrating Matariki Reed Explains what Matariki is, how, where and when the constel- lation can be seen, the importance of Matariki in Maori life and culture. Illustrated with historical and modern imagery and includes activities for children to try.

© Storylines 2007 7 Harris, Jill Sil Longacre Sil is a rising star among tuis; a brilliant singer and talented composer, looking forward to the annual singing competitions. A sense of menace closes in as magpies plot to devastate the valley and the tui way of life is about to be destroyed. NZ Post Junior Fiction Honour Book 2006. Hill, David Fat, four-eyed and useless Scholastic Ben is useless at sport but when he joins the writers’ group at school he finds he has some talent. 1998. You will find an abundant supply of ’s novels to read - try See Ya Simon, and Journey to Tangiwai.

Hunt, Des Frog Whistle Mine HarperCollins 12-year-old Tony has travelled all around New Zealand with his nomadic mother. When they arrive in Charleston he thinks he’s finally found somewhere to belong, but things aren’t as they seem and he gets caught up in mysterious events. Other books by include A Friend in Paradise.

Hunt, Janet A Bird in the Hand Random House Looks at a number of New Zealand’s unique creatures, the places where they are safe and some of the people who are working to keep them that way. Award and NZ Post Book of the Year 2004. Ihimaera, Witi The Whale Rider Illustrated by Bruce Potter Reed A picture book adaptation of the novel of the same name about a young girl’s struggle to be accepted by her grand- father as the leader of her people. Readers 10 years + could read the novel too. © Storylines 2007 8 Jones, V.M. Buddy HarperCollins Josh loves sport and is determined to win the Energex Iron Kid Triathlon, but due to his twin, Buddy, nearly drowning, he has aqua- phobia. NZ Post Best First Book and Junior Fiction Award 2003.

The Serpents of Arakesh HarperCollins The first in the Karazan Quartet about Adam Equinox. Abandoned as a baby on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Pilcher, Adam enters a competition and wins the chance to visit Q, the creator of a computer game called Quest to Karazan. He, and others, are transported through a computer into the fantasy world of Karazan. Jordan, Sherryl The Wednesday Wizard Scholastic The first in the series The Adventures of Denzil - Apprentice Wizard. Denzil travels between his medieval home, and modern New Zealand. Other titles are Denzil's Dilemma, The Great Bear Burglary and The Silver Dragon. Lasenby, Jack The Lies of Harry Whakatipu Longacre A collection of stories starring a lazy, bad-tempered packhorse called Harry - the biggest liar in the history of the Vast Untrodden Ureweras. NZ Post Junior Fiction Honour Book 2001. has written a lot of good reads - there are more Harry Whakatipu books, the Aunt Effie series, The Battle of Pook Island and the other Seddon Street Gang books, and Mr Bluenose. Mahy, Margaret The Great White Man Eating Shark Illustrated by Jonathan Allen Penguin Norvin is a great actor who makes a wonderful shark, scaring all the swimmers out of the bay so that he can have it all to himself. And then one day a real shark appears in the bay...

© Storylines 2007 9 Portable Ghosts HarperCollins Ditta wants to be a detective and when she meets a ghostly boy in her school library she has her very first mystery. Then her best friend Max tells her the floor in his brand new bedroom is haunted. But first they have to uncover a deep dark secret. ’s books are famous around the world. You might enjoy The Riddle of the Frozen Phantom or A Villain’s Night Out, and the series of short stories called Wonderful Me!, Wait for Me! and Watch Me! Marriott, Janice Thor’s Tale HarperCollins 11-year-old Thor is a whaler’s boy at a subantarctic whaling station, wishing he was soaring with the albatrosses. Then one day a ghostly ship emerges - Shackleton’s Endurance on a voyage of discovery to the Antarctic. NZ Post Junior Fiction Award 2007. Also read ’s story about a real New Zealand hero - Soldier in the Yellow Socks. Marshall, Jill Jane Blonde, Sensational Spylet Macmillan Janey Brown feels like she is practically invisible, no-one ever notices her. Then crazy G-Mamma turns up, telling Janey that she really is something special. Lots of fun and excitement. Read the other books in the series too. Mason, Marc Predators in New Zealand Reed All about predators in New Zealand, their effects on the environment and the methods used to get rid of them. Great photographs. McKay, Sandy Recycled Longacre Colin wants to save the world and the rubbish bin seems a good place to start. NZ Post Junior Fiction award 2002. Also try Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

© Storylines 2007 10 McQuillan, Heather Mind Over Matter Scholastic Life has been pretty tough lately for Jono. He doesn’t fit in at his new school, he has bully problems, and then there’s his dad. When an alien creature enlists Jono’s help to save the world Jono’s not sure he’s the right guy for the job. Tom Fitzgibbon Award 2005. Ng, Eva Wong Chinatown Girl Scholastic Silvey Chan lives above a shop in Auckland’s downtown Chinese district in the anxious years after WW2. For a school project she asks her mother and grandmother about emigrating from China, and writes in her diary about everyday life and her fears about the war. One of the My Story series. Noble, Jo (editor) 30 New Zealand Stories for Children Illustrated by David Elliot Random House A collection of upbeat, lively stories by some of New Zealand’s best authors. There are several subsequent collections edited by , some illustrated by Philip Webb. 100 New Zealand Poems for Children Illustrated by David Elliot Random House Poems for children by grown-ups and kids. Themes range from moas and dinosaurs, to skateboards and bikes, witches and itch- es, spring days and windy nights. Also dip into Another 100 Poems for Children, edited by Rachel McAlpine. O’Brien, Bill Castaway Scholastic Sam leaves the orphanage to work his passage to Sydney on a ship. He plans to go on to America to find his brother but he chooses the ill-fated Dundonald which is wrecked and Sam is one of 15 sailors castaway on Disappointment Island. Another title in the My Story series.

© Storylines 2007 11 O’Brien, Gregory Welcome to the South Seas Auckland University Press A high-spirited introduction to contemporary New Zealand art for young people. Bold, colourful and engaging, something for the whole family to enjoy and appreciate. Elsie Locke Award and NZ Post Non-Fiction Award 2005. Stace, Glenys Blue New Zealand Penguin From the muddy calm of the harbour to open seas and surf- battered rocks, the sea and its shores are home to some of the most diverse and fascinating plant and animal life we know. NZ Post Non-Fiction Honour Award 2006. Stenson, Marcia Illustrated History of the South Pacific Random House A good introduction to the story of the seafaring people of this vast area, beginning about 5000 years ago. Includes specific information on Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and the Polynesian outliers. NZ Post Book of the Year 2007. Taylor, William Agnes the Sheep Scholastic An eccentric old lady leaves her large and nasty sheep, Agnes, to Belinda and Joe, setting off a wild and woolly sheep chase. Esther Glen Award 1991. Another funny book by is Knitwits. Tipene, Tim Haere: Farewell, Jack, farewell Illustrated by Huhana Smith Huia It was a cold day when Koro Jack died. Thus begins this evoca- tive tale of mourning and joy, ending with the birth of baby Jack on a warm day. NZ Post Picture Book Honour Book 2006. Also available in te reo Maori.

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ISBN 978-0-473-12591-2 Design: Crissi Blair - Silvertone Lt