Great Books for Girls

Click here to be taken to the super cool Jacqueline Wilson site

 

When I was a young girl, my favourite thing to do was to read, which I am proud to say has  rubbed off onto my two boys.  I loved Judy Blume, and Jacqueline Wilsons books are a modern day equivalent.  ‘

Kiss” is aimed at 12+.  It is a story about friendship and the reality of growing up and the challenges of sexuality, first love and heartbreak.  Sylvie and Carl have been best friends since they were small, and have done everything together, Sylvie always believed they would get married but…Carl has a new special friend called Paul. 

Things in Sylvie's life are about to change.

 

Visit Lauren Childs awesome website here

Being a worrier when I was young (and not so young)  I wish I had found a friend like Clarice Bean to help me through my worries when I was a kid!   What a delightful book.

‘Always remember: its the worry you haven't even thought to worry about that should worry you the most!  That's what Ruby Redfort would say.  I have got her SURVIVAL HANDBOOK’…. says Clarice Bean. 

Clarice writes all her worries down in her notebook but one of her biggest worries is about to become reality, change.

GREAT BOOKS FOR BOYS

Click here to visit ultimate survivor - Bear Grylls

Hatchet – Gary Paulsen

The best selling classic survival story

Thirteen year old Brian Robeson is on his way to visit his father when the plane he is in crashes.  Suddenly Brian finds himself alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but a tattered jacket and a hatchet…and a dreadful secret he has kept to himself since his parents divorce.  It will take all Brians know-how and determination, and more courage than he knew possessed, to survive.

There are five books in this series, and will surely get boys hooked into reading over the holidays.

 

 

 

Just Stupid – Andy Griffiths

Visit Andy Griffiths awesome site here

What boy wouldn't love a book that starts with you having to fill out a ‘stupid test’ on the back cover?

Andy Griffiths appeals to boys humour and imagination.  It is written as though a 10 year old boy is talking himself and the scribble illustrations around the pages will make you laugh out loud!

Andy Griffiths collections of books including, ‘The day my bum went psycho’, ‘Just disgusting’ and ‘The Bad Book’ all belong on a boys bedside table and in their school backpack. 

Great reading for the holidays.

The Kiwi Kids – ABC

Great news site especially designed for kiwi kids

A great little book for kiwi kids, specifically kiwiana….G for Gumboots, P for Pohutakawa, W for Waka, J for Jandals – A cool book to have in any classroom or a kiwi kids bookshelf

 

 

 

 

In my Fathers House – A memoir of Polygamy

By Dorothy Allred Solomon

This book is a groundbreaking memoir exploring polygamy, not with outrage but with honesty and grace.  Dorothy Allred Solomon is the 28th of 48 children, descended from five generations of Mormon polygamy, Solomon evokes the intensity and dedication that bound her family ‘living the principle’.  She also traces the events that led up to her fathers assassination in 1977, that rocked Utah.  An interesting book to open our eyes to people who are often looked upon as outlaws and struggle for our understanding.

Get some Headspace – 10 minutes can make all the difference?

Click here to go to the awesome 'headspace' site

I hear you all saying, Yeah Right, busy, busy, busy!  But what if 10 minutes was all it took to make a difference, in helping us think clearer, focus more and enjoy our day & be happier!  Maybe it is worth a shot….10 minutes, hmmm definitely worth a shot,I think!

With the huge year you have had at college, a great way to clear your heads for 2012.

 

The Larnachs By Owen Marshall

Click here to visit Larnachs Castle 

The Larnach family have an interesting history, involving death, murder, love and tragedy.  This compelling novel is based on a true story.  William Larnach was a politician and self made man who built the famous ‘castle’ on Otago Peninsula.  In 1891 after the death of his first two wives, he married the much younger Constance de Bathe Brandon.  But the marriage that begun with such happiness was to end in tragedy.  The story of the growing relationship between William Larnachs third wife and son lies at the heart of Owen Marshall’s novel.

A compelling and interesting read.