Book Reviews

Book Review: The Girl with the Lost Smile

Author: Miranda Hart  Published: 2017 Genres: Children’s’ fiction, Fantasy By: Charlotte The Girl with the Lost Smile, by Miranda Hart, is a heart-warming children’s book about Chloe, a girl who goes on a journey to find her lost smile. With lots of humour and lovely illustrations, the story takes readers on a magical adventure with interesting characters. It teaches an important lesson about accepting oneself and making friends in … Continue reading Book Review: The Girl with the Lost Smile

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Book Reviews

Book Review: The Children of Men

Author: P.D. James  Published: 1992 Genres: Dystopian, Fantasy, Mystery, Post apocalyptic, Sci-Fi, Thriller By: Joel Star Rating: 4/5 stars The novel, The Children of Men was a very good read. Based in England 2021 (this was considered the future, when the book was written), it describes a world haunted by infertility. Humans are no longer able to reproduce, and as a result the population is declining and people are becoming more … Continue reading Book Review: The Children of Men

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Book Reviews

Book Review: Jane Eyre

Author: Charlotte Brontë  Published: 1847 Genres: Classics, Gothic Literature, Historical, Romance, Victorian Literature By: Lucinda Star Rating: 5/5 stars Jane Eyre is an expertly written and carefully crafted piece of work, representing themes of realism and romance. Jane was orphaned as a young child and grows up in the home of her aunt, where she is treated inhumanely, and loneliness is a constant reminder to her that she is unloved and alone. She then endures the harsh regime of Lowood Institution, a charity school, … Continue reading Book Review: Jane Eyre

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Library Displays

Māpuna Library’s Matariki Display 2023!

Māpuna Library’s latest display is to celebrate Matariki, Māori New Year. With the help of our fantastic Library team, a display was created, with specially made stars to represent the 9 stars (whetu) of the Matariki cluster with names and information on each star. Thank you to our Head Librarian for making the stars herself! We also displayed a few of the non-fiction books we … Continue reading Māpuna Library’s Matariki Display 2023!

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Library Displays

Māpuna Library’s Display: Sāmoan Language Week 2023!

Last week was Sāmoan Language Week 2023! Our display this year included some books about Sāmoa, its culture, myths and legends and language and other Pasifika cultures, and fiction titles written by Sāmoan authors. As well as displaying some Sāmoan greetings. This year’s theme was: ‘Mitamita i lau gagana, maua’a lou fa’asinomaga’ which means ‘Be proud of your language and grounded in your identity’. Manuia … Continue reading Māpuna Library’s Display: Sāmoan Language Week 2023!

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Book Reviews

Book Review: The Handmaid’s Tale

Author: Margaret Atwood  Published: 1985 Genres: Dystopia, Fantasy, Feminism, Fiction, Sci-Fi By: Ashlin The Handmaid’s Tale is an absolute must-read. This novel is set in a dystopian society known as Gilead and follows Offred’s journey, a Handmaid stripped of her rights and forced into reproductive servitude. Margaret Atwood is a genius – through her vivid storytelling, we are immersed in Offred’s harsh reality as she navigates the transition from life … Continue reading Book Review: The Handmaid’s Tale

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Library Displays

Māpuna Library’s Display: Pink Shirt Day 2023!

The most recent display in our library is in support of Pink Shirt Day 2023! Thank you to our wonderful group of student librarians who worked together to put this display up. From creating the title, and overall layout, helping to pick the books, collect them and display the books, even designing bespoke bookmarks! #PinkShirtDayNZ #SpeakUp #StandTogether #STOPBullying #KōreroMai #KōreroAtu! #MauriTū #MauriOra Celebrated annually around … Continue reading Māpuna Library’s Display: Pink Shirt Day 2023!

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Book Reviews

Book Review: The Assassin’s Blade

Author: Sarah J. Maas  Published: 2014 Genres: Fantasy, Romance, YA By: Jess Star Rating: 4.5 stars Celaena Sardothien is a name feared throughout Adarlan, many have fallen to her hand. Growing up at the Assassin’s Guild, she has been trained by the King of Assassins, Arobynn Hamel. Now as an older teen, she is duty bound, hunting down many of Arobynn enemies. When she is instructed to take a … Continue reading Book Review: The Assassin’s Blade

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Book Reviews

Book Review: The Art of Taxidermy

Author: Sharon Kernot  Published: 2019 Genres: Contemporary, Poetry, Historical fiction, YA By: Emma Star Rating: 4/5 stars The Art of Taxidermy is a book about a young girl called Lottie, who at the age of eleven fell in love with the beauty of death. Lottie collects all sorts of animals that have passed because she sees beauty within them and hopes to preserve them and save them. Her aunt … Continue reading Book Review: The Art of Taxidermy

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Book Reviews

Book Review: The Song of Achilles

Author: Madeline Miller  Published: 2011 Genres: Fantasy, Historical fiction, Mythology, Romance By: Maya The Song of Achilles, a poetically written, heart aching, and memorable story written by Madeline Miller, takes a unique perspective on the ancient Greek Trojan War, and navigates the shift from platonic to romantic relationship between Achilles and Patroclus. This book was recommended to me by a friend, who said it was one of the best books she had ever … Continue reading Book Review: The Song of Achilles

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