BEST NZ BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS 2019 Our 2019 awards ambassadors — Ajay, Poasa and Serina — are all 9 years old, and go to Corinna School in Porirua, where they have lots of great books to choose from. Dr Seuss and books about magic are Ajay’s favourites. He likes Dr Seuss because of the rhymes, and magical books, LOVE TO READ? GREAT NEWS! he says, are “just cool”. Reading is fun for Poasa. When he reads, he feels happy, HERE ARE 29 FANTASTIC, “which makes me want to read all the time!” Serina’s favourite place to read is lying down on the FUN, EXCITING BOOKS CHOSEN couch. She finds chapter books the most interesting, and likes books she can really get into. BY THE JUDGES OF THE 2019 NEW ZEALAND BOOK AWARDS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS. EVEN BETTER, THEY’RE WAITING FOR YOU RIGHT NOW AT YOUR NEAREST BOOKSHOP OR LIBRARY, OR AT YOUR SCHOOL! GET STUCK IN TO THE BEST NEW BOOKS, Kia ora and Talofa lava CREATED BY NEW ZEALAND to this year’s Children’s AUTHORS SO READERS JUST Book Awards Ambassadors! LIKE YOU CAN ENJOY THEM. PONIES, PUFFINS, DIVE Search for a Kiwi Killer, By Des Hunt Published by Tōrea Press, $22.00 PB BOMBS, SEA CREATURES AND A tightly written mystery set in a Northland forest, where a dog has been PICTURE BOOK killing kiwis. Tom has rescued an injured dog and is set on proving its STOLEN RAINBOWS innocence — but there are multiple dog suspects in this clever reframing of the page-turner detective genre. This unputdownable novel captures our AWARD landscape and genuine characters, keeping the reader captivated through to the dramatic conclusion. Mini Whinny: Happy Birthday to Me, By Stacy Gregg, illustrated by Ruth Paul The Dog Runner, By Bren MacDibble Published by Scholastic New Zealand, $19.99 HB Published by Allen & Unwin, $18.99 PB A gentle tale about a little pony who is unhappy about sharing her birthday Be transported to a convincingly rendered dystopian future in which all with all the other horses. Superb production and a muted colour palette give grasses have been destroyed. The only real chance of survival for Ella and this book a classic and child-friendly appeal. Any child who has ever had her half-brother Ellery is to leave the city and travel with their magnificent to share their birthday will completely understand Mini’s behaviour — and doggos by dogcart, across the wilderness to Ellery’s family farm — and hope. ultimately her regret. The wonderful resolution and energetic ending keep Danger is everywhere, food and water scarce. Resilience and resourcefulness this story upbeat and celebratory. are essential in this enthralling, fast-paced ecological drama. Puffin the Architect, Written and illustrated by Kimberly Andrews Published by Puffin, Penguin Random House, $19.99 PB The Mapmakers’ Race, By Eirlys Hunter, An architect takes on the toughest clients yet in this clever story, full of warmth and illustrated by Kirsten Slade gentle surprise. Luminous and detailed illustrations reveal cross-sections of each Published by Gecko Press, $19.99 PB animal’s house, and encourage exploration. The rhythm and rhyme are impeccable, Join the race as four children, their parrot and a friend compete against adult with a refrain listing the essential requirements for the perfect home — readers are teams to map a route for the railway through a fantasy American wilderness left in no doubt that friends and family are the most important ingredients. from one town to another, with a big prize at stake. They have individual talents and flaws, so teamwork is essential if they are to survive. A classic adventure, delicate maps and vivid language will captivate young readers The Bomb, By Sacha Cotter, illustrated by Josh Morgan in this beautifully produced novel. Published by Huia Publishers, $23.00 PB Set firmly in Aotearoa, this summery, exuberant tale will resonate with any The Telegram, By Philippa Werry child who has ever tried to do something that scares them. The detailed, Published by Pipi Press, $23.00 PB artful illustrations are as joyous and assured as the story they capture. The unwavering love and encouragement of the child’s Nan illuminates a A historical tale set during WW1 in small-town New Zealand, where Beatrice, age strong and convincing message about being yourself and having the 14, must leave school to become a telegram girl. Beaty demonstrates the strength courage to do things in your own way. of the everyday hero — as a worker, reader, friend, teacher and nurse. Readers will be drawn in by the attention to detail of time and place, and by the compassion and determination of the main character. The skilful writing balances plot and character at a perfect pace for intermediate readers. Things in the Sea are Touching Me, By Linda Jane Keegan, illustrated by Minky Stapleton Whetū Toa and the Magician, By Steph Matuku, Published by Scholastic New Zealand, $18.99 PB illustrated by Katharine Hall A deceptively simple warm family story about swimming in the sea, which Published by Huia Publishers, $25.00 PB interweaves themes of natural science, courage, love and rainbow families When Whetu¯’s mother becomes the manager of a magician’s home and farm, with a delightfully light-handed approach. The child calls to her ma every time the bold and imaginative Whetu¯ takes on the care of a strange miscellany of something touches her as she swims. Ma helps educate and reassure her about animals, including the magician’s assistant, Errant the rabbit, whose disastrous the wildlife in the ocean. The design and rhythm of the text are surprisingly spells have produced a carnivorous lamb. Resourcefulness and persuasion win complex, while also vibrant and child focused. the day, with the essential ingredients of magic and cunning thrown in. A delightfully off-beat tale for young readers or to read aloud. Who Stole the Rainbow? Written and illustrated by Vasanti Unka Published by Puffin, Penguin Random House, $19.99 PB Inspector Beagle is called in to solve the mystery of the missing rainbow. Fluorescent, modern illustrations interact perfectly with a quirky, witty storyline. Fold-out pages, engaging fonts and design details make this a book that children DETECTIVES, DOGGOS, will be drawn to — and the rainbow explanation will have them learning without JUNIOR FICTION even realising it. Thoroughly original, whimsical and entertaining. WRIGHT FAMILY FOUNDATION TELEGRAMS, MAPMAKERS ESTHER GLEN AWARD AND MAGICIANS COURAGE, CLIMATE CHANGE, AWESOME ART, EPIC WOMEN, FANTASY, TIME TRAVEL AND MYTHS, CREEPY CRAWLIES YOUNG ADULT NATURAL ATTRACTION NON-FICTION AND HIDDEN HOMES FICTION AWARD ELSIE LOCKE AWARD Art-tastic, By Sarah Pepperle Published by Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, $29.99 HB Ash Arising, By Mandy Hager The meanings and methods behind iconic works in the Christchurch Art Published by Penguin, Penguin Random House, $19.99 PB Gallery collection are uncovered, using dazzling design features that are Fearless Ash Carter is hiding from corrupt political forces, unable to trust instantly engaging. This book shows how art can touch us at every level, from those in authority. Rather than running away from trouble, he heads straight cultural to emotional, and it’s all done with a madly ‘art-rageous’ sense of to the heart of danger to get his message out to the world. Ash’s courage humour. A highly interactive book which connects young people with art and and compassion remind us that we must do all that we can to uphold encourages readers to try out the art techniques. integrity and honour for others. This heart-stopping political thriller bursts out of the gate at break-neck speed and doesn’t stop until the final page. Go Girl: A Storybook of Epic NZ Women, By Barbara Else Published by Puffin, Penguin Random House, $45.00 HB Children of the Furnace, By Brin Murray This book’s beautifully illustrated, inspiring stories about successful New Zealand Published by CP Books, The Copy Press, $26.00 PB women cover a diverse range of skills, sports, arts, cultures, and activism, and Wil is captured by the Revelayshun and press-ganged into a community of there are exploits here to excite all children, regardless of gender. The bite-sized young people who must undo the havoc wreaked upon the earth by ‘Heaters’. biographies are engaging and skilfully highlight the determination these women Resilience and wit are needed to fight against injustice and cruelty in a world showed in their struggle to achieve a goal or to stay true to themselves. The that is an imagining of where climate change could lead. This is an exciting portraits by top New Zealand illustrators are equally dynamic. story with a complex, sustained narrative voice and a rhythm of language that is original, and offers magic and poetry. Ko Mauao te Maunga: Legend of Mauao, By Debbie McCauley, Invisibly Breathing, By Eileen Merriman illustrated by Debbie Tipuna, Translated by Tamati Waaka Published by Penguin, Penguin Random House, $19.99 PB Published by Mauao Publishing, $35.95 HB Felix and Hunter come from different backgrounds but that doesn’t get in A story of a sacred mountain, revealing the powerful connections between Ma¯ori the way of their natural attraction. They just need to deal to the myriad myth, landscape and history. This is a legend of heartbreak and compassion, obstacles which mar their blossoming relationship. The two narrative voices with bold illustrations that express the personality of the landforms. Bilingual are distinct and sympathetic; their thoughts and interactions realistic and text and an in-depth appendix add further layers to the mythology, making this engaging.