Book Review: Five Survive

Author:  Holly Jackson  Published:  2022 Genres: Mystery, Thriller, YA By: Maya Star Rating: 5/5 stars Five Survive by Holly Jackson is a young adult, suspenseful thriller, incorporating mystery throughout its plot. The plot manages to stir up fear and excitement while continuing to provide a well-written book. Being 400 pages, Five Survive, in my opinion, has a slow start, with chapters of backstory and buildup to the main events, but the pace speeds up, keeping its readers indulged in the story until the final … Continue reading Book Review: Five Survive

Book Review: The Hiding Place

Author/s:  Corrie ten Boom with John and Elizabeth Sherrill  Published: 1971 Genres: Autobiography, Historical, Memoir, Non-fiction By: Lucinda Star Rating: 4/5 stars A true story of sacrifice, love and heroism, The Hiding Place displays all these themes through characters as the novel progresses, perfectly representing the harsh realities of World War II. Set in Holland as the Nazi madness swept across Europe, a quiet watch-makers family lay in … Continue reading Book Review: The Hiding Place

Māpuna Library’s Te Wiki o te reo Māori Week Display 2023!

Last week in Aotearoa New Zealand we celebrated Te wiki o te reo Māori! We celebrated the week with several events throughout the school and our display was a combination of our non-fiction titles about Māori culture, learning the language and some of our books in te reo on display. Some of the titles included: Hare Pota me te Whatu Manapou (Harry Potter and the … Continue reading Māpuna Library’s Te Wiki o te reo Māori Week Display 2023!

Book Review: Tender is the Flesh

Author:  Agustina Bazterrica  Published: 2017 Genres: Dystopia, Horror, Fiction, Science-fiction, Thriller By: Maya Star Rating: 4/5 stars Tender is the Flesh is a novel that can be summarized in one word. Disturbing. Which is seemingly what author, Agustina Bazterrica, intended. The book is set in a dystopian society where a virus has contaminated animal meat making it fatal for consumption. As a result, corrupt governments institute cannibalism as … Continue reading Book Review: Tender is the Flesh

Book Review: Always The Almost

Author:  Edward Underhill  Published: 2023 Genres: Drama, LGBT+, Queer, Romance, Transgender, YA By: Phoenix Star Rating: 5/5 stars Always the Almost is a book by Edward Underhill, A queer trans man (he/him). He wrote about Miles and his story; as he wrote this story, he used his own experiences but also gave Miles a story and experiences of his own. This Book is aimed at 12–18-year-olds, but anybody … Continue reading Book Review: Always The Almost

Māpuna Library’s Tongan Language Week Display 2023!

Our most recent display, last week was Tongan Language Week, we displayed a combination of our non-fiction titles about Tonga, its culture and language and other Pasifika cultures. As well as displaying some greetings and key library-related phrases in Tongan language. Loto-poto’ — Understanding ‘Loto-‘ofa’ — Kind-heartedness ‘Poto’iloto’ — Wisdom ‘Loto-hounga’ — Gratefulness ‘Loto-faka’apa’apa’ — Respectfulness Library – laipelí ‘o e Books – ngaahi tohí Continue reading Māpuna Library’s Tongan Language Week Display 2023!

Māpuna Library’s: Book Bingo (it’s back) 2023!

The most recent display in our library was another Bingo inspired display: Guess The Book Title! To celebrate School Libraries Week Aotearoa! This has been one of our most popular displays this term. With 24 images to guess on our ‘bingo board’, we had a lot of engagement from our students, which was great! #BookBingo We had help from our team of student librarians who … Continue reading Māpuna Library’s: Book Bingo (it’s back) 2023!

Book Review: Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian

Author: Rick Riordan  Published: 2009 Genres: Fantasy, Greek Mythology, Romance, YA By: Sophie Star Rating: 5/5 stars Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian is the fifth and final book in the core series of the Percy Jackson universe. These were expertly written by Rick Riordan or as fans call him, Uncle Rick! This is a series that brings Greek Mythology into modern day society, and it still … Continue reading Book Review: Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian

Māpuna Library’s Display: Cook Islands Language Week 2023!

Last week was Cook Islands Language Week 2023! Our display this year included some books surrounding culture, myths and legends and language and other Pasifika cultures. As well as displaying some Cook Island greetings.  ‘Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani – Cook Islands Language Week is ‘Ātuitui’ia au ki te au peu o tōku kāinga Ipukarea, which means, “connect me to the traditions & … Continue reading Māpuna Library’s Display: Cook Islands Language Week 2023!