Holiday Reading 2004

New Zealand titles: Young Adults

Beckett, Bernard Malcolm and Juliet
Providing moments of farce and slapstick this novel takes on quirky but relatively credible teenagers and puts them in extraordinary situations and watches them behave strangely and hilariously.
Burnside, Deborah On a good day
Lee's only brother was killed in a car accident in which her mother, an alcoholic who can communicate with her daughter only through brain-teasing acronyms, was the driver. Lee struggles to keep up the appearances of a normal life in the hope, that one day, something will be different.
Catran, Ken Blue Blood
A sequel to the chilling thrillers, Talking to Blueand Blue Murder, Blue Blood takes up the story from the point of view of Mike's long-suffering girlfriend Sheril. Once again, in a game of mobile phones, Sheril finds herself stalked by a deadly, implacable enemy. One bent on her destruction. One who, like the old 'blue-blooded' aristocrats, is above the law.
Catran, Ken Protus rising
In the black vacuum of space, mysteries are born. Spaceship Copernicus is orbiting Jupiter and her moons. Second-in-command Declan awakes from cryo sleep into a strange and murderous puzzle. The commander is missing. And one by one, the crew vanish. Is there a killer on board - or something alien?
Catran, Ken Robert Moran, Private
Robert Moran is deeply affected by his father's experience of war. When his turn comes to fight he vows that he will react differently. However, the harsh reality of war helps him to understand his father's mentality.
Catran, Ken Seal boy
Emmett Tyler is the son of a wealthy Boston banker and merchant yearning for the great outdoors and to explore the world. He is afraid that college and then his father's firm will enclose him in the stifling codes of 'High Boston' society. He takes one last day of freedom, down by the Boston docks - dreaming of the fascinating world this sea-port touches. Unfortunately, the next day he wakes in the hold of a whaler, shanghaied abroad for a three-year voyage, and ending up in New Zealand.
Catran, Wendy The Swap
When Maree glimpsed a little Japanese girl, interned with others during World War Two, she never imagined that it would have such a profound effect on her life. Her story is interwoven with that of Sakura, the young internee.
Hill, David Coming back
Ryan is driving on a restricted licence when he knocks over Tara. Tara ends up in hospital suffering from a head injury, while Ryan must come to terms with his fears and concerns. Keen to make amends Ryan becomes involved with Tara's physiotherapy and gets to know her friends.
Lay, Graeme The pearl of One Foot Island
Adam's parents have sent him away from Aitutaki to attend uni in Melbourne. But the real reason behind their decision is their disapproval of Adam's and Tuaine's growing relationship. Worried that her letters to Adam are unanswered, and still fighting to defend her reputation after her disastrous term in Auckland, Tuaine struggles to concentrate on her looming exams. Then she suffers a devastating blow from within her own family. Final in the trilogy that began with Leaving One Foot Islandand continued with Return to One Foot Island.
McNaughton, Iona One-way ticket
Meg was born and raised in Canada but after her mother's death, her New Zealand father longs to return home. This year her grandparents in New Zealand have sent one-way tickets and the move is definitely on.
Orman, Lorraine Cross tides
The story of Bel's stay with her relations while her parents sort out their dissolving marriage: a stay in which she uncovers a strong connection to the history of a coastal area in the Marlborough Sounds.
Orwin, Joanna Out of Tune
Jasmine is out to shock. Electric clothes, electric hair, wired behaviour: anything to get approval from the cool kids at school and to force her parents to take notice. Maggie's story begins well over a hundred years earlier in the Shetland Islands from where she, together with members of her small community, take ship to another island on the other side of the world - Stewart Island.
Owen, Julia Straight walking
Lissy is certain things would be very different if she could leave her flaky mother and live with her perfect Dad.
Tipene, Tim Kura Toa: warrior school
"Haki felt the road under his head. He wasn't sure if he had survived the car crash, he wasn't even sure if he cared. As he lay there, wondering whether he was dead or alive, an old man poked his head into the upturned car and, instead of helping the wounded Haki, snatched the pounamu that encircled Haki's neck. The pounamu was the last gift his grandmother had given to Haki before she died and Haki wanted it back." Haki's search brings him into conflict with his family, his friends and his school. He finds that he must confront his fears and find a way to answer the challenge to serve his people, serve his land, fight a taniwha and ultimately become a warrior.
Todd, Penelope Dark
In this sequel to WatermarkZillah returns to the West Coast expecting to meet up with Joss and Hep.