Tag: Book Reviews

Book Reviews

Book Review: This Woven Kingdom

Author: Tahereh Mafi Published: 2022 Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance, YA By: Maya Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 This Woven Kingdom, is a YA ‘romantasy’ novel by Tahereh Mafi and is the first in the This Woven Kingdom series. The novel follows Alizeh, the long-lost heir of the ancient Jinn Empire, forced to hide her identity as a servant. Her life collides with Kamran, the crown Prince of Ardunia, causing the story to unravel full of twists and turns. Alizeh, dealing with isolation, … Continue reading Book Review: This Woven Kingdom

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Library Displays

Māpuna Library’s Display: Schools’ Pride Week Aotearoa 2026!

June is Pride Month globally, so we had our Pride display up for this month, also during this time in our library we celebrated Schools’ Pride Week Aotearoa! (15th – 19th June). More info here on this incredible charity: https://pride.school.nz/ #ŌtautahiPride #SPWA2026 #InsideOUT #CommunityisHome Thanks to our wonderful student librarians would helped find some of our many LGBTQ+ books for this display. Thank you to … Continue reading Māpuna Library’s Display: Schools’ Pride Week Aotearoa 2026!

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Book Reviews

Book Review: Paper Towns

Author: John Green Published: 2008 Genres: Mystery, YA By: Kayla Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Nothing ever happens like you imagine it will … but if you don’t imagine, nothing ever happens at all.”  I read this book in 2 days, which is a rare occurrence for me in the term time, but it truly succeeded in keeping me interested and I found myself wanting to be fully immersed in the story.  Paper Towns is a novel that … Continue reading Book Review: Paper Towns

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Book Reviews

Book Review: The Naturals

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes Published: 2013 Genres: Mystery, Thriller, YA By: Cassia Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5  To catch a serial killer, you have to think like one.  This book follows the story of Cassie Hobbs, a girl with a gift and a tragic story. Cassie has a natural ability to profile people, picking up who they are and what they’re like based off their actions and looks. She thinks nothing of it, until one day, the FBI approaches her … Continue reading Book Review: The Naturals

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Library Displays

Māpuna Library’s Spill The Tea Reviews 2026!

Our most recent display in the library was created to encourage my student librarians to share the books they’ve been reading in a new display: “Spill the Tea” reviews! #SpillTheTeaReviews #FindYourNextRead Thanks to our wonderful student librarians and Library Team who worked hard writing the reviews, on designing the display and finding books. Continue reading Māpuna Library’s Spill The Tea Reviews 2026!

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Book Reviews

Book Review: Jane Eyre

Author: Charlotte Brontë Published: 1840s Genres: Bildungsroman (novel about growth or morality, education etc.), Classic, Gothic, Romance By: Alexandrina Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I loved Jane Eyre. Jane Eyre is a romance novel which mixes with various other genres such as coming-of-age and gothic. It was published by the author Charlotte Bronte in the 1840s under the male pseudonym Currer Bell.   The novel describes the life of a girl … Continue reading Book Review: Jane Eyre

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Book Reviews

Book Review: Dead Poets Society

Author: N.H. Kleinbaum Published: 1988 Genres: Coming of age, Fiction, Poetry, YA By: Catherine Dead Poets Society a well-written and executed novel by N.H Kleinbaum, embarks you on a journey of friendship-brotherhood, self-discovery, bittersweet tragedy, conformity vs individualism, and romance. Todd Anderson, a timid, woke, and somewhat reserved 16-year-old boy transfers to Welton Academy. A private, disciplined, academy for boys’, where he meets his permanent dorm roommate, Neil Perry, a charismatic, passionate, and charming boy, and his friend group of somewhat rebellious and intelligent boys. Despite stark contrast to himself, they quickly become friends.  Welton Academy is infamous … Continue reading Book Review: Dead Poets Society

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Book Reviews

Book Review: Shatter Me

Author: Tahereh Mafi Published: November, 2011 Genres: Dystopia, Fantasy, Fiction, Romance, YA By: Alexandrina Tahereh Mafi’s debut novel, Shatter Me, is a bold and imaginative work of young adult dystopian fiction that explores themes of isolation, identity, and the burden of power. The novel revolves around Juliette Ferrars, a teenage girl whose touch is fatal and whose life has been controlled by the authoritarian regime known as the … Continue reading Book Review: Shatter Me

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Book Reviews

Book Review: Attenborough’s Adventures of a Young Naturalist

Author: Sir David Attenborough Published: September 17th, 2017 Genres: Autobiography, Nature, Non-fiction, Science By: Isabella Star Rating: 5/5 ☆☆☆☆☆ David Attenborough’s Adventures of a Young Naturalist shows you a world waiting for you to explore, full of mysteries and magic, it is filled with thousands of fascinating stories and facts. If you have a fascination with our natural world this is the book for you!    At the start … Continue reading Book Review: Attenborough’s Adventures of a Young Naturalist

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Book Reviews

Book Review: The Illustrated Guide to Horse Tack

Author: Susan McBane Published: David & Charles, 1992 Genres: Horse guide, Non-fiction By: Isabella Star Rating: 4/5 ☆☆☆☆ With a growing interest in horses The Illustrated Guide to Horse Tack, was absolutely fascinating to me. Written by Susan McBane, who started riding at four years old (so young!) and developed a passion for the sport. During the course of child to teenage years riding many and varied horses, she became fascinated with the science behind horses, what motivated them what … Continue reading Book Review: The Illustrated Guide to Horse Tack

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