Younger readers - Books By George

■ REVIEW: Night Vision
Excellent NZ fiction for teens

Award-winning Mosgiel-based author, Ella West, was born in Invercargill and studied at the University of Otago. In her new thriller for younger readers, 14-year-old Viola has a genetic condition whereby the sun is dangerous, Xeroderma Pigmentosum. Viola’s “living”, therefore, is done at night. She lives on a farm inland from Ashburton and goes for walks […]

■ REVIEW: Night Vision
Excellent NZ fiction for teens Read Post »

■ REVIEW: The Royal Ranger
Excellent final book for Ranger’s Apprentice series

Younger readers

Horace and Cassandra don’t know what to do with their daughter because she is so troublesome, sneaking into the forest at night to catch game. It is 15 years since the last book and in this story Will takes Maddy on as his apprentice. When a fellow Ranger is found dead, Will and Maddy are

■ REVIEW: The Royal Ranger
Excellent final book for Ranger’s Apprentice series Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Last Stand of the Dead Men
Classic tale of evil versus worse

Younger readers

Last Stand of the Dead Men is the latest in the Skullduggery Pleasant series. Skullduggery is a living skeleton who is part of a shadowy world of magic hidden amongst us ordinary humans. His blend of magic and fighting skills have served him well in helping to keep this hidden society safe, especially his home

■ REVIEW: Last Stand of the Dead Men
Classic tale of evil versus worse Read Post »

■ REVIEW: We Were Liars
Compelling and edgy

Younger readers

E Lockhart’s novel We Were Liars has been making waves on the book blogosphere for some time and has been recommended to listeners of all the book podcasts I listen to. It promised to be original and thrilling which is always exciting to lay your hands on. I couldn’t wait to read it. We Were

■ REVIEW: We Were Liars
Compelling and edgy Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Phantom of Terawhiti
Solid read for young Kiwis

NZ books, Younger readers

I was excited to read the latest Des Hunt offering and was not disappointed. Set on the southwest coast near Wellington, it’s an adventure to do with a shipwreck, the strange animal that survives to come to shore, and those who wish to hunt it down for various reasons. Zac is living with his father

■ REVIEW: Phantom of Terawhiti
Solid read for young Kiwis Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Big Nate Flips Out
10 out of 10 for Nate

Younger readers

Big Nate Flips Out is a great book. It is about a boy called Nate who has a falling out with his friend Francis. Francis never gets in detention. The lady who does it doesn’t even know his name! Nate is a messy person and when he can’t find a school camera he’s done for!

■ REVIEW: Big Nate Flips Out
10 out of 10 for Nate Read Post »

■ REVIEWS: All I Want | Baa Baa Smart Sheep | Two Little Bugs | Poo Bum | Grumble Bee
Christmas treats for the littlies

Younger readers

It will probably come as no surprise to learn that way back in the mists of time, when I was a young’un, I was a bit of a bookworm. I had an extensive collection of hard-cover Little Golden Books (including the classic Poky Little Puppy) that filled my own bookshelf and took over most of

■ REVIEWS: All I Want | Baa Baa Smart Sheep | Two Little Bugs | Poo Bum | Grumble Bee
Christmas treats for the littlies Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Josephine off the Rails
Otago tale brings local star to the fore

Younger readers

Dunedin-based children’s author Diane Miller has used the Josephine, the 21-tonne steam locomotive that has been on display at the Otago Settlers Museum for years, as the inspiration for this story. Josephine gets to realise a long-held fantasy, and escapes her museum display. She Heads off down the tracks in the hops of helping a

■ REVIEW: Josephine off the Rails
Otago tale brings local star to the fore Read Post »

■ REVIEWS: Hang in there Bozo | Take Your Last Breath
Ruby Redfort: heroine extraordinaire

Younger readers

Ruby Redfort is the heroine of a series of books by Lauren Child: a secret agent, detective, thirteen-year-old kid. And now a survival expert. Subtitled “The Ruby Redfort Emergency Survival Guide for Some Tricky Predicaments”, this book is packed with helpful hints and tips to deal with all manner of, well, tricky predicaments. There’s everything

■ REVIEWS: Hang in there Bozo | Take Your Last Breath
Ruby Redfort: heroine extraordinaire Read Post »

■ REVIEW: Gangsta Granny
Fun tale of a geriatric delinquent

Humour, Younger readers

It’s refreshing to find a book aimed at younger readers that doesn’t focus on either girls and horses or teens and vampires. Little Britain star David Walliams has followed up on his earlier successful children’s books with this latest offering, Gangsta Granny. This hilarious story of old age features plenty of adventure and the lesson

■ REVIEW: Gangsta Granny
Fun tale of a geriatric delinquent Read Post »