Holiday Reading 2005

New Zealand titles: Fiction for older readers

Rough, tough and had enough: Unwillingly separated from his PlayStation, Michael finds himself dragged to the back of beyond by his enthusiastic dad. Far from being bored, though, Michael has almost more excitement that he can cope with in face of ferocious winds, rugged land, treacherous rivers and a mysterious lone hunter.
Bennett, Jean Below the mountains : the diary of Amy McDonald, Milford Road, 1935-36: The diary of fourteen year-old Amy McDonald who lives in the harsh environment of the Milford Road Public Works Camp, along with her mother and seven year old brother, Bruce. Her father has been employed as workshop supervisor on the dangerous project of building the Milford Road and Homer Tunnel, cutting through the Southern Alps.
Cartwright, Pauline Night rescue: Larry and Jack are alone in wilderness country on the other side of a great river and Larry desperately needs help. There's no one to turn to. City boy Jack, who prefers to let others lead the way, is terrified. But it is up to him to set off in the night and find assistance.
Catran, Ken Black ships ablaze: In the great siege of Troy a slave boy of the hero Achilles and a slave girl of the famous Helen fight for their lives as the Trojan war rages and the black-sailed Greek ships burn in the harbour. When the treacherous wooden horse enters the city, slave girl and boy come together in this last night of blood and fire and escape.
Colston, Fifi Janie Olive : a recipe for disaster!: Janie's mother makes macaroni cheese for dinner three times in a week, so in protest Janie says she could do better. But at cooking class, Janie's cheese, corn and potato bake is an abject failure. In desperation Janie buys a frozen dinner, presenting it to the family as her own work. It's a roaring success but having set a high standard Janie is now in real trouble - Mum expects her to cook every Wednesday night from now on, and her piggy bank is empty.
Corlett, Shirley Fire in the sky : the diary of James Collier, Tarawera, 1886: In the late nineteenth century James Collier travels to the famous Pink and White Terraces in the Rotorua lakes region. Strange things begin to happen during his stay at the village of Te Wairoa, including sightings of a phantom war canoe and disturbances in the water at Lake Tarawera. Meanwhile, beneath Mt Tarawera volcanic forces gather. The year is 1886, and the name Tarawera is about to become famous throughout the land.
Corlett, Shirley Through thick and thin: Two families, linked through friendship of both the parents and sons, come in to conflict when one of the boys is accidentally killed by the other while biking.
Falkner, Brian Super freak: Joseph discovers he has the power to get inside people's mind and make them do what he wants. Now he has to decide whether he will use his ability for good or evil. Joseph has good friends pushing him in one direction but the school bully is making life tough for Joseph. Things come to head when the school is robbed and Joseph is caught in the middle.
Feehan, Brigid Stella Star: 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.
Hill, David Running hot: A group of teenagers is working in a forestry plantation to raise money for a school trip when one morning they come across two quad riders hooning through the forest. In trying to escape one of the riders has an accident, his bike explodes and fire spreads through the forest putting the teenagers in terrible danger.
Hunt, Des The moa cave: When Tyler Matthews wins a national competition for a week-long Nature South Eco Tour, he has no idea how much his life will change. After he travels to the bottom of the South Island to join the tour, he meets two other winners, Hine and Mandy - and soon finds himself caught in a maze of mystery and adventure.
Jones, V. M. Quest for the sun: Adam discovers a secret, there was not one baby prince, but two. Zephyr, Prince of the Wind, and Zenith, Prince of the Sun. Adam's search for Zenith, a twin four times his own age, takes him over the Plains of the Dead to the outer reaches of Karazan and beyond. It is among the savage nomadic gladiators of the far north that Adam at last nears the end of his quest. Here, he is trained and becomes a virtual gladiator. The quest for his lost brother is a trial by fire for Adam, testing his mettle as a prince and a man on the soil of his new kingdom.
Lasenby, Jack Mr Bluenose: More tall tales.
McNabb, Linda Runeweaver: Zaine, 12, lives on a farm just outside a small town where his mother dumped him when he was a baby. He cannot leave the farm as his 'Aunt' Tilly says he owes them a jar of silver coins for his keep and somehow that jar gets bigger every year.
McNabb, Linda The seventh son: Jaxon is the seventh son of a seventh son. He was an apprentice wizard until he made a huge blunder and was banished by Wizard Argus. A year later, travelling with Smokey, a very troublesome young dragon, he sees himself described on a wanted post offering a huge reward. Argus needs his help, and is desperately searching for him.
Mahy, Margaret Kaitangata twitch: What happens to a girl who has dangerous dreams? What if the land itself punishes those who would harm it? This is a supernatural eco-thriller for young teenagers about a girl caught up in a fight over a beautiful wild island, where different values, commercial interests and versions of the past collide.
Mahy, Margaret Maddigan's Fantasia: In a time not too far from our own, a colourful and bizarre group of travellers brave a post apocalyptic landscape — the acrobats, clowns, trapeze artists, jugglers and musicians who make up Maddigan's Fantasia.
Orman, Lorraine A long way from home : the diary of Lillian Glenmore, Warkworth, 1943: The diary of Lillian Glenmore who is sent with her sister Joyce to live with their parental grandparents on a dairy farm when their mother becomes concerned about Lillian's health and the chance that Joyce could be manpowered into a war job. Neither girl is keen to go. Then at the end of February 1943, 5,000 American troops arrive.
Sullivan, Jillian What about Bo?: What Jack wants more than anything is to train Bo as his own working dog and make his father proud of him. But now Jack's father has left and Bo's life is in danger. It is up to Jack to save the dog.
Whillis, Sharon Old scores: Luke loves rugby and is proud of the rugby posts that his family erected over eighty years ago in his small town. When busybody Mrs Harrison-Maata decides they are an eyesore and must be replaced, Luke and his family are devastated. Luke tries every means possible to save "his" posts including the school speech competition and organising a petition.