Holiday Reading 1998 A selection of children's and young adult books

New Zealand titles: a selection

  • Allen, Pamela Mr McGee and the biting flee A not entirely successful story enlivened by a sprightly refrain and action packed illustrations. (P)
  • Beaglehole, Helen Because he's my brother (YA)
  • Beale, Fleur Further back than zero Hardhitting novel about the effects of alcohol. (YA)
  • Bishop, Gavin Maui and the goddess of fire (IN)
  • Cartwright, Pauline Kopuwai the water swallower The story of the dog-headed monster who enslaves Kaiamio until she successfully contrives her escape and returns with her people for revenge. (IN NTM)
  • Cartwright, Pauline Pouakai the man-eater A story about Pouakai, the giant bird. (IN NTM)
  • Cato, Heather Dark horses Winner of the Tom Fitzgibbon Memorial Award. (YA)
  • Catran, Ken Running dogs Virtual reality becomes too real. (YA)
  • Cowley, Joy Big moon tortilla Wise grandmother gives Marta sound advice. (P)
  • Cowley, Joy Singing down the rain (P)
  • Cowley, Joy The video shop sparrow Illustrated by Gavin Bishop. (P)
  • Cowley, Joy The wild west gang Michael stays with his cousins whose family lifestyle is vastly different from his own. (YF)
  • Dodd, Lynley Slinky Malinki catflaps (P)
  • Edwards, Dennis Killer moves Sports story, one in a series called Sport Max. (OF)
  • Ell, Sarah Fired up Sailing story, also in the Sport Max series. (OF)
  • Gordon, Gaelyn The life-sized inflatable whale A disappointing finale to an illustrious career, this tall-tale will nevertheless find its fans. (P)
  • Gee, Maurice Orchard Street Two childhood friends recall their memories of events in Orchard Street at the time of the 1951 Waterfront Strike. (OF)
  • Hessell, Jenny Grandma McGarvey takes a dive Another installment in the series. (P)
  • Hill, David Comes naturally Conservation theme. Jake joins the school's Green Group to help save the swamp. (OF)
  • Hill, David Give it hoops Another in the Sport Max series with well realised characters. (OF)
  • Joseph, Vivienne Raindancer (OF)
  • Kerr, Bob Strange tales from the mall Short interlinked stories all with a supernatural twist. (YA)
  • Mahy, Margaret The horribly haunted school "Surprises were lurking in the heart of everything …" (YF)
  • Maybury, Ged Horse apples Randy and Piho come up with an innovative way to earn money. (F)
  • Meadows, Graham Cats One title in the Animals are not like us series aimed at the very young. (IN)
  • Morris, Sandra Discovering New Zealand birds New edition of a title first published in 1994. (IN)
  • Noonan, Diana The know, sow & grow kids' books of plants An accessible introduction to plants, winner of the New Zealand Post Non-Fiction Award. (IN)
  • Plant, Tim The helicopter pilot (IN)
  • Puffin treasury of New Zealand children's stories Excerpts, full texts and short stories. (YF)
  • Quinn, Pat Go Horatio! Sequel to Too chicken. (OF)
  • Roxborogh, Tania Kelly Grit (YA)
  • Roxborogh, Tania Kelly Runaway Jeremy, aged around 13, runs away from his latest foster home to find his distantly remembered father whose name he's seen in a newspaper cutting. (OF)
  • Schwass, Margot The dairy farm (IN)
  • Tarlton, John The day Pearl ran through town Pearl the dog runs through town causing havoc, but for a good reason. (P)
  • Turner, Gwenda A day out with Dad A ferry ride across Cook Strait. (P)
  • Turner, Gwenda The pony club This book's appealing front cover featuring horses and a young rider, as well as the offer of a free pony poster inside, is sure to attract readers. (P)

(P) Picture Books

(YF) Fiction for younger children

(OF) Fiction for older children

(YA) Young Adult

(NTM) Ngā Taonga Māori

(IN) Information Book