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
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
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!
One of our displays in May in our library was in support of Pink Shirt Day! Thank you to our wonderful student librarian team, who created heart banners, helped to pick the books and display the books! A popular addition this year were the ‘Give a Free Compliment’ posters where students could give friends a complient in English or te reo Māori. #PinkShirtDayNZ #May15 #SpeakUp … Continue reading Māpuna Library’s: Pink Shirt Day Display 2026!
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
Author: Susan Dennard Published: 2022 Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, YA By: Katie Star Rating: 3.7/5 stars Did you like this book? The Luminaries is the first novel in a compelling fantasy trilogy. It follows Winnie Wednesday and her pursuit of becoming a nightmare hunter, having to face three trials during the month of her sixteenth birthday. Although, after her family was outcasted from the Wednesday clan years ago … Continue reading Book Review: The Luminaries
Author: E. Lockhart Published: 2014 Genres: Mystery, Psychological Thriller, YA By: Cassia Star Rating: 4/5 The Sinclair family is perfect. They have money, good looks, passion and a private island. But what happens when a group of four friends, the Liars, make a mistake which leads to a heart-breaking accident? I would tell you, but I’m just going to lie. Personally, I liked this book. It was different from my usual genre of books, but … Continue reading Book Review: We Were Liars
Author: Aloha Higa Published: 2023 Genres: Animals, Humor, Manga, YA By: Huxley If you are looking for a new book series to read, one I would recommend is the Polar Bear Cafe, by Aloha Higa.Polar Bear Cafe is a fictional manga about a group of friends going about their comedic life. If you have not read manga yet, it is read in the traditional Japanese order of left … Continue reading Book Review: Polar Bear Cafe
Author: Lily Braun-Arnold Published: 2025 Genres: Dystopia, LGBT+, Romance, YA By: Jess Star Rating: 4/5 stars It has happened. The world has ended. Ripped apart by storms and acid rain, Liz has nothing left, except for her bookstore. For a year she has lived here, trading books and passing mail, never venturing outside of the bookstore’s safety. She wasn’t always alone, but old friends left for survival, for new possibilities, for a … Continue reading Book Review: The Last Bookstore on Earth
Our last display of the term is up and looking fantastic! Quite poetic even, you could say! This display was inspired in part to celebrate World Poetry Day in mid-March. The idea was simple – make a poem out of book spines, well done to all the student librarians and staff who contributed and let their creativity fly! #SpinePoetry #TryItOut! Thank you to our wonderful … Continue reading Māpuna Library’s: Spine Poetry 2026!
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