# middlegrade lgbtq anxiety readaloud nzcya juniorfiction problemsolving teamwork tereo picturebook graphicnovel mythology reallife kindness family identity electricity graphic nzbook atua vampires junior intermediate primary fittingin versenovel empowerment friendship poetry superheroes supervillains earlychapter earthscience picturebookbio photography activism naturalist insect nonfiction reomāori fantasy

The Golden Hour by . Manuel has PTSD after witnessing a school shooting, is very broken, takes photos as therapy, becomes part of a tightknit group of slightly odd friends raising animals. A meaty, feel-good amazing book.

3 8
2022-09-23

I loved books like this growing up and they still appeal. A World Full of Nature Stories: 50 Folktales and Legends by Angela McAllister, illus . Both classics and stories new to me, most only a couple of pages long so great for

0 1
2022-08-25

finalist The Uprising: The Mapmakers in Cruxcia by Eirlys Hunter, illus.Kirsten Slade, sequel to The Mapmakers’ Race Another exciting adventure for the Santander children who need their skills & to succeed.

3 6
2022-08-10

finalist Ki te Moe Aotearoa (The Great Kiwi Bedtime Book), by Donovan Bixley, translator Darryn Joseph . A fun rhyming crafted with care and entertaining illustrations, for little ones to enjoy before bed.

0 1
2022-08-01

A new group of young heroes, descendants of ancient gods, have banded together ready to take on the Seven Deadly Sins now unleashed onto the world. Great to learn more about & teamwork through Vol 4 of The Mythics: Global Chaos.

4 8
2022-07-06

Noise is a slim by Kathleen Raymundo with a big message. Introvert Cathryn finds the world way too noisy but an interaction with a chatty boy on the bus makes her realise she doesn’t have to be unkind and tries to make things right.

0 1
2022-05-25

In ' Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, a young girl notices her eyes are different to her friends' but like her mother's & amah's. Warm, sensitive story about & Vibrant illustrations by Dung Ho, rich with natural imagery.

1 0
2022-05-04

Told through the te ao Māori lens, comes The Story of Waihiko - the atua/god of by Ariki Creative. Presented in an attractive it traces Waihiko’s whakapapa and how she is harnessed today for all to use.

0 3
2022-04-27

Talking vegetables, witches and feels like a strange mix but Garlic & the Vampire by is cute and a good fun story of how the smallest can be the bravest and appearances can be deceiving. for and readers.

1 1
2022-04-07

Stargazing by Jen Wang colour by , is a feel-good, warm, cozy, culturally diverse about 2 kids who don’t really fit in. About being a little bit different & being friends. Lovely clean illustrations.

2 5
2022-02-23

Starfish by is an absolute stunner. It's Ellie's story. Sick of being shamed for her weight, she's taking action & sorting out the haters & this includes her mum! A about & a great big bunch of heart. Loved it.

3 10
2022-02-14

The words that children once used to name the natural world began to vanish, fading away like water on a stone. In The Lost Words: A Spell Book by & those words are conjured through exquisite & imagery.

1 3
2022-02-09

If you’re a fan of the Mega Man TV series you might want to check out this Mega Man Fully Charged. Well-drawn graphics capture the energy of fast-paced action in an exciting, engaging way. audience.

1 2
2022-01-28

Albert Hopper, Science Hero: Worming to the Centre of the Earth by is an entertaining book about And what happens when you tell a lad NOT to push the Anything Can Happen Button? Anything!! Fun characters, biggish words.

1 1
2021-12-15

In Jacon Riis's Camera, Gary Kelley’s gorgeous artwork and ’s moving text tell the story of photographer Jacob Riis whose moving B&W images showed the truth of tenement life in 19th century New York.

3 4
2021-11-03

Small Wonders by Matthew Clark Smith tells the story of Jean-Henri Fabre, the ground-breaking who brought his passion for the world to the everyday people. Beautifully illustrated this is a treasure to read time and again

2 2
2021-10-29

Budding engineers and architects will enjoy Building Blunders by Amie Jane Leavitt, one of the Fantastic Fails series. It is about the buildings that are bending, sinking, collapsing, and swaying, even those that are blinding! Cool, a bit shocking, a great read.

1 3
2021-10-14

In Pīpī Kiwi nā Helen Taylor, curious Kiwi Iti asks Kiwi Nui lots of questions about the world. The book’s engaging illustrations, clean design, and the clever translation nā Hēni Jacob, make it appealing and accessible to young readers.

1 2
2021-09-16

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky and unleashes mayhem in this thrilling new superhero series. Based on the African pantheon it has fast-paced action with great characters, by Kwame Mbalia for primary-aged fans of Rick Riordan.

0 0
2021-09-10

I’m Fabulous Crab! Nicki Greenberg smashes it with glitter and glamour in this celebration of all things gorgeous. Crab refuses to be drab, and his discovery of a shipwreck is like Christmas. Such fun, such joy, such pride! Perfectly rhymed for 7-9 yrs.

1 4
2021-06-30