Botany Downs Secondary College

81,058 pages read and 8,126 team points

Team members

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78,378 pts

(50,673 pages read)

Salt

By Maurice Gee

3 stars

Fantasy adventure. Hari is looking for his captive dad. He can secretly communicate with animals. He meets beautiful Pearl, escaping an arranged marriage. Well written and would appeal to children.
Lucky Thing

By Tom Baragwanath

4 stars

Crime thriller set in Masterton.
Under the Mountain

By Maurice Gee

3 stars

A nice children's fiction. 11 year old twins, Theo and Rachel, were given a strange power when they went missing as toddlers. Mr Jones saved them then and his assistance is needed again.
Bloody Minded

By Susie Ferguson

4 stars

Susie's story. A war correspondent. Radio host. Endometriosis survivor. Lover of Aotearoa.
A Rose for the Anzac Boys

By Jackie French

4 stars

A great extended text to tie in with teaching war poetry. Set around the Western Front, and based on true facts, the novel describes the futility and brutality of war.
Juno of Taris

By Fleur Beale

3 stars

YA fantasy. Juno lives on an island with a group of people saved from destructing humans. Then she finds out things were not as they appeared, and the wall of lies she had been brought up on, starts crashing.
Girl, Woman, Other

By Bernardine Evaristo

3 stars

A Booker Prize winner, the characters revolve around Amma. A bit disjointed it took me a while to get through the book.
Three Sisters

By Heather Morris

4 stars

Sisters, Cibi, Magda and Livia are separated during the Holocaust but reunited at Auschwitz. The true sad story of the girls' struggles to stay alive and return home to safety.
The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

By Stieg Larsson

4 stars

At nearly a thousand pages, this was a long haul! But it was a real page turner. Action packed and fast paced. Following on from The Girl who Played with Fire, Lisbeth is seriously injured recovering in a hospital. Two doors from her is her father, who she tried to kill and who has wanted her dead. Lisbeth knows she's on her own. Can she trust her lawyer, Gianini? Or journalist, Blomkvist? Then her father is murdered.
The B-Team

By Melodie Campbell

3 stars

Quick read. Ok
The Secret of White Stone Gate

By Julia Nobel

4 stars

Fast-paced with lots of surprising twists and humor.
Say Goodbye

By Lisa Gardner

4 stars

A pedophile with a fetish for pet taratulas. A little boy kidnapped to satiate his desires. Young girls going missing. FBI agent Kimberly Quincy has her work cut out but time's running out!
Evolving

By Judy Bailey

3 stars

Lots of tips on aging positively. Ok if you're close to retirement.
End Times

By Rebecca Priestley

2 stars

Well written, but some parts felt like the plot wasn't going anywhere.
The Last Secret of the Secret Annex

By Joop van Wijk-Voskuijl and Jeroen De Bruyn

4 stars

Joop is the son of Elisabeth Voskuijl, better known as Bep, who was just as instrumental at hiding the Frank family as Miep Gies. With pictures, interviews and anecdotes, the betrayal of the Frank family is revisited with a focus on Bep's sister, Nelly's role in the deception.
Charlie Tangaroa and the Creature from the Sea

By T. K. Roxborogh

4 stars

Siblings, Robbie and Charlie, find a strange woman on the beach while completing service activities for the Sea Cadets. Who is she and why does she appear attracted to Charlie? Set around the East Coast, this book would appeal to reluctant intermediate school readers.
The Store

By James Patterson and Richard DiLallo

2 stars

Not very impressed with this book from a fantastic writer. Slow paced, more science fiction than his usual crime thriller.
Because All Fades

By Freddie Gillies

4 stars

A lovely friendship between Andy and Jay. Or is it love?
Spring Fever

By Emma Davies

3 stars

Romance with shades of suspense. Ok.
The Secret Sister

By Jan Baynham

3 stars

Set during World War 2. Sara, a young widow, marries an Italian artist who is also a POW. A quarter century later, upon his death, she discovers Carlo already had a wife and daughter.
The Silent Bones

By Val McDermid

3 stars

Two cold cases. A landslide on a motorway reveals a long buried murder victim. Another cold case turns out to be a murder. Then a crash victim also appears to have been deliberately killed. How are the cases related?
Scented

By Laurence Fearnley

3 stars

Seeking self-identity through scent, a recently made redudant university lecturer retraces her roots.
Acedia

By Colette Rhodes

3 stars

Fantasy romance. Ok.
The Less Dead

By Denise Mina

4 stars

Dr Margo goes looking for her birth mother only to find that she had been murdered soon after she was born. Who was the murderer and where's her father?
Full Circle

By Jenny-May Clarkson

4 stars

A well-written story of this ex-Silver Ferns' journey. Didn't know she was in the New Zealand Police.
Where the Birds Don't Fly

By David Farrell

4 stars

The author's account of migrating and settling in Auckland two decades ago. References to racism and challenges faced would resonate with migrants, especially those from South Africa who settled around the North Shore.
Sisters under the Rising Sun

By Heather Morris

4 stars

A re-imagination of the true experiences of a group of Australian nurses taken as prisoners of war by the Japanese, in Indonesia, during World War II. Also captive were civilians, including a talented pianist, Norah Chambers, who used music to encourage, unite and uplift the spirits of the prisoners.
Grieving a Suicide

By Albert Hsu

5 stars

If I could rate this book any higher I would. Highly recommended for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide. Not at all heavy or dark. The author's father took his life soon after suffering from a stroke. Written through a very Christian lens, the book explores the aftermath on loved ones and avenues towards healing. Lots of advice, personal anecdotes and biblical references.
The Songbirds of Florence

By Olivia Spooner

4 stars

Revolving around World War II and based on real life events, I enjoyed this book.
Broken is Beautiful

By Jane Shearer

3 stars

Julia enjoyed fixing broken things till a natural disaster took away this desire. Can relationships be fixed as easily?
Gilded mess

By Colette Rhodes

2 stars

A cheeky take on Goldilocks. Ria gives up everything to move in with her boyfriend - including her flat and her job. That very night she discovers he's been cheating on her. She stumbles out into the cold and breaks into a beautiful mansion.
Stalking Geraldine

By Ray Wood

3 stars

A valuable, vintage Land Rover, named Geraldine, goes missing while being driven around Africa. So does the female driver. Both need to be found quickly and time is running out.
Lying Under Water

By Wendy Wilson

3 stars

Sargeant Hardy and his heavily pregnant wife are trapped at home while a deluge envelopes their farm. Unfortunately, their companions are a range of shady characters. Then one of them is found murdered. Everyone is a suspect!
Pure Blood

By Melissa Pearl

3 stars

Fast paced, quick read. Gemma, a time spirit, is keeping her relationship with Harrison a secret from both their parents. Then they discover his mum is also a time spirit. At the same time, her controlling parents have a hidden agenda.
Love As a Stranger

By Owen Marshall

4 stars

Robert, a retired dentist is in Auckland for cancer treatment. He is accompanied by his wife Sarah. Hartley, a widower, falls in love with Sarah and an affair is soon underway. But Sarah must make a choice and either way, things are not going to end well.
Take Flight

By J. L. Pawley

3 stars

Beautifully written and action packed YA fantasy. A group of teenagers grow wings and realise they can fly. Unfortunately they are not safe. The group, 'The Flight ' find a haven on an isolated mountain, until they are tracked. Kestrel needs to find her love, Hawk, and has only Condor for support.
The Vintner's Luck

By Elizabeth Knox

3 stars

The unlikely relationship between a French peasant and a fallen angel who meet annually. Each chapter deals with a visit.
The Bramble and the Rose

By Tom Bouman

4 stars

A headless, half-eaten body is found in the woods. Can policeman, Henry, track down the bear before someone else loses their life? Or is the culprit a human? Good read.
Double Helix

By Dr Eileen Merriman

4 stars

Huntington's disease runs in Dr. Jake's family. When he starts a relationship with a fellow doctor, this becomes a bone of contention. A beautifully written novel. If you enjoyed The Silence of Snow by this author, do read this book.
The House Within

By Dame Fiona Kidman

3 stars

Bethany's relationships over 25 years are explored. A bit too intense for me.
The Water's Dead

By Catherine Lea

4 stars

Huia is found dead and the child she was babysitting is missing. A good suspense thriller.
The Laughterhouse

By Paul Cleave

4 stars

Crime thriller. Enjoyed the suspense.
If That's What it Takes

By Les Allen

3 stars

Legal drama. Ok.
The Call

By Gavin Strawhan

4 stars

An abused partner of a gang member strikes an unlikely friendship with a police woman, Honey. She becomes an informant until Honey is nearly killed.
Everything Changes

By Stephanie Johnson

4 stars

Starting a new life by buying a rundown motel. What could go wrong? Funny!
Have you forgotten yet?

By A. N. Arthur

4 stars

Following on from the First World War and the Depression, families of young men are left to assist their recovery. A sad read.
Tiny Pieces of Us

By Nicky Pellegrino

4 stars

Jamie can't wait to get home and share the good news with his mum. He's won a scholarship! A single parent, she has worked hard to give him a good life, very tragically snatched by a speeding motorist. Years later, one of the people who received Jamie's organs decides to track down the other recipients.
Chasing the Stars

By Malorie Blackman

2 stars

YA romance/science fiction. Thought I could use it as a recommendation for an extended text reading log. But definitely not. Plot is hard to understand, ending quite predictable.
Winter time

By Laurence Fearnley

3 stars

Roland returns from Sydney following the suspicious death of his younger brother. There's a lot for him to sort out but being in the South Island village he grew up in, helps him confront issues he had run away from.
Age of Vice

By Deepti Kapoor

3 stars

Starts off well. Good description of characters and setting in rural India. But this could very well have been the plot of a Bollywood film. The ending of the book wasn't as spectacular as the writing style.
This Charming Man

By Marian Keyes

3 stars

Four women heavily invested in the forthcoming marriage of a very charming man. His current girlfriend, ex-girlfriend, a journalist and his fiance. How are they linked? A very long read.
The Time Traveller's Wife

By Audrey Niffenegger

4 stars

Finally got around to reading this book. A unique love story that surpasses the restrictions of time.
Kitty

By Deborah Challinor

3 stars

Historical romance set in the Bay of Islands just before the Treaty was signed. Passable.
The Last Fallen Star

By Graci Kim

3 stars

YA fiction about Korean healing witches. A bit too long to sustain interest.
The girl in the mirror

By Rose Carlyle

4 stars

Twin sisters. One has it all, the other simply not. On a sailing trip, the golden one goes missing and her sister assumes her identity. Can she pull it off?
The Silent One

By Joy Cowley

4 stars

Young, mute Jonasi strikes an unlikely friendship with a turtle. Nice story about inclusion and accepting differences. Suitable for Intermediate level.
On Kapiti Coast

By Wendy Wilson

3 stars

It's the middle of World War II. The US has set up a marine base in NZ. But there seems to be something fishy surrounding the activities in one of the camps. Kate, a reporter, is tasked with finding out more.
Last Seen

By J. T. Ellison

4 stars

Psychological thriller. Things are not working out for Halley, both at work and at home. Things are also not what they seem. She had been told as a child that her mother had died in an accident. Now she learns that's not true.
Swimming at night

By Lucy Clarke

3 stars

A girl is found dead in Bali. Her sister retraces her sibling's last few months alive. What was Mia running from?
The Lazy Boys

By Carl Shuker

3 stars

Set in the South Island, Richey is in his first year of uni, experiencing the freedom and joys of independent living till things spiral out of control. References to drug, sex and alcohol abuse.
The Candidate's Daughter

By Catherine Lea

4 stars

Crime thriller. A kidnapping gone wrong. A mother recovering from post natal depression must get her physically disabled daughter back.
Little Disasters

By Sarah Vaughan

4 stars

A little baby is brought into hospital with mysterious head injuries. Neither parent can provide clear details. The attending doctor is a good family friend but has to, very reluctantly, involve the authorities. Good plot, good flow, convincing characters. I hadn't guessed who the culprit would be.
The Possession

By Paul Cleave

4 stars

Another gem from this crime writer. Psychological thriller. I couldn't stop reading and then couldn't sleep!
One Perfect Dance

By Jude Knight

3 stars

Historical romance, ok.
Cemetery Lake

By Paul Cleave

5 stars

From one of my favorite crime fiction writers, I would highly recommend to readers keen on this genre. An ex-cop loses his child in an accident. He turns to private detective work. Things spice up when the lake in the cemetery starts revealing it's secrets. A coffin containing the body of a different occupant! Spooky.
Assigned to murder

By Trish McCormack

4 stars

Another crime thriller from this author, set in the South Island. Once again two mysteries across two generations intertwined.
When this war is over

By Elaine Blick

4 stars

Romance set just before the second world War. Which suitor should Rhoda, a nurse, choose and what's the impact?
Potiki

By Patricia Grace

4 stars

A good read about land ownership and community. Some parts were quite sad to read through. The author has a fantastic way with words. Toko's gift of being able to see into the future, appears so plausible.
The Shining

By Stephen King

4 stars

Horror fiction. Nail biting till the end.
Magnolia Parks

By Jessa Hastings

2 stars

Romance but quite twisted. Struggled to get through the novel.
First Names only

By Elaine Blick

4 stars

A high school student aspiring to study at Auckland University finds herself pregnant. It's the 1950s and she's sent to a home to have the baby. Can she save her son from his forthcoming adoption? Can she still pursue further studies?
Gangland

By Jared Savage

4 stars

Having read Gangster's Paradise by the same author, the contents of this book did not shock me. However, the cases researched and discussed, reveal the underbelly of New Zealand and the not so innocent dealings in the Sky City. Would recommend.
State Ward

By Alan Duff

4 stars

A great quick-read, though quite intense, from the author of Once Were Warriors.
Sins of the Father

By Fleur Beale

4 stars

Non-Fiction about the founder of Gloriavale. One of Neville's sons attempts to break away with his family. What's the price?
The Bone Tree

By Airana Ngarewa

3 stars

Rather raw and quite sad at times, though dotted with humor. Two orphaned siblings left to fend for themselves, trying their best to avoid poverty, isolation and CYFS.
Girl of the mountains

By Trish McCormack

5 stars

Two sisters attempt to trace the whereabouts of their missing mum. How is her disappearance linked to a young mountain guide, who went missing in the Southern Alps in the 1950s? Would recommend!
The last time we spoke

By Fiona Sussman

4 stars

Another gem from this ex-medical professional. A violent crime destroys a family. Carla tries to get over the loss of her son, the damage to her property, her husband's mental decline and, most importantly, her own self worth. Perhaps acceptance and forgiveness, and using her teaching skills to help the illiterate perpetrator might assist her healing? But does she have a hidden agenda?
The Doctor’s Wife

By Fiona Sussman

5 stars

This book takes you through a range of emotions. Set in Auckland, was the doctor’s wife really murdered? Or was she too upset by her friend's sickness and subsequent death?
Moonlight Sonata

By Eileen Merriman

4 stars

A classic Kiwi summer holiday leads to exposed family secrets, and subsequent tragedy.
Voices of the Angi

By Phyllis Mullinder

4 stars

Written by an ex-colleague's mum, who was also a teacher, the novel provides a vivid description of life in the Hawkes Bay for early settlers. Two young women cope differently with the harsh conditions in the country.
The night she fell

By Eileen Merriman

5 stars

Fantastic book, highly recommended.
The Silence of Snow

By Eileen Merriman

5 stars

Reread this book by my favorite NZ writer, Eileen Merriman, a doctor at North Shore hospital. Deals with addiction and self harm.
Brotherless Night

By V. V. Ganeshananthan

4 stars

Recommended by a colleague, the book provides insights of life in Sri Lanka during the 80s both under the LTTE and the Indian peacekeeping force.
Exit. 45

By Ben Sanders

3 stars

Crime thriller. Ok.
Tangi

By Witi Ihimaera

4 stars

An interesting take on returning to one's roots and family relationships.
The Titanic secret

By Clive Cussler and Jack Du Brul

3 stars

A mystery surrounding a rare mineral linked to the Titanic.
Ghosts of Parihaka

By David Hair

2 stars

YA fiction, fantasy.
Hell West of the Pecos

By V. J. Rose

3 stars

Western adventure tale. Ok.
Bonds of Beauty and Love

By Mikayla Everitt

2 stars

Dark fantasy/romance. Didn't enjoy it much.
Come to kill

By Wendy Wilson

3 stars

Can Sargeant Frank keep his family safe from contracted killers bent on wiping them out? A mystery thriller set here in New Zealand.
The engagement party

By Darby Kane

4 stars

Mystery at its best. At an exclusive party, a corpse is found in the boot of a car. The guests are haunted by the death of a college mate more than a decade ago.
Those people next door

By Kia Abdullah

4 stars

Set in Blenheim, a migrant family stands up to their racist neighbors.
All day at the movies

By Fiona Kidman

4 stars

A glimpse into New Zealand's history told through the fictional story of a widow and her descendants settling here for a better life.
Under a riviera moon

By Helen McGinn

3 stars

Romance set in Paris. Heartbroken Maggie learns about her grandmother's love interest in the swinging sixties and is inspired to give love another chance.
Murder island

By James Patterson and Brian Sitts

4 stars

Suspense thriller. Fast paced. An idyllic island turns out to bring anything but peace and solitude to the professor and his partner.
You're so vine

By Catherine Robertson

3 stars

Romance, starts off one-sided but love blossoms along the way.
The favorites

By Rosemary hennigan

4 stars

The book starts off well but the plot loses interest along the way. Jessie enrols at university in a bid to take down the lecturer she feels is responsible for her sister's death.
The Berlin sisters

By Soraya Lane

4 stars

The Muller family are loyal Nazi supporters. Till the daughters realize they have been brainwashed and decide to work underground for the resistance. Will they be successful?
Snowy and the seven doves

By Jude Knight

3 stars

Romance. Quick read.
The Murder Inn

By James Patterson and Candice Fox

4 stars

Suspense thriller.
Shipwreck at the bottom of the world

By Jennifer Armstrong

3 stars

Historical recount of Ernest Shackleton's maiden voyage to Antarctica and the sinking of his ship, the Endurance.
No Plan B

By Lee Child and Andrew Child

4 stars

A Jack Reacher thriller. Good read.
Better left dead

By Catherine Lea

4 stars

Crime thriller set in Northland.
She Lies Hidden

By C. M. Stephenson

4 stars

The remains of Detective Thomasine's teenage sister, who went missing ages ago, are found. Turns out some other girls went missing too. Psychological thriller. Enjoyed it!
Unfortunately yours

By Tessa Bailey

3 stars

Romantic comedy. A marriage of convenience set in the Napa valley vineyards. Ok
The Bone Code

By Kathy Reichs

4 stars

Written by the producer of the TV series, Bones, this novel did not disappoint. Forensic anthropologist, Tempe, struggles to identify the remains of two highly decomposed bodies.
The Royal Daughter

By Soraya Lane

4 stars

A romance set on a Greek island. Upon the closing down of a home for unmarried mums, Ella inherits a dated photo of a mum and baby. Who are these people and where are they now?
Coffin Island

By Kate Ellis

4 stars

Good read, good plot but a bit long winded. A storm erodes part of an ancient church graveyard leading to the discovery of recently buried corpse.
Trifecta

By Ian Wedde

3 stars

The story is told through the lives of three siblings, one favored more than the others. Passable.
Lady in the Lake

By Laura Lippman

4 stars

Crime thriller. A greatly decomposed body is found in a lake. Is the body that of a long missing mum?
The Colour of our Country: the Lucky Years

By John Sargeant

3 stars

Set after the second world war. Passable.
Embrace the chicken

By Mahtab Narsimhan

4 stars

A great story about a migrant family. Set in Canada, it revolves around children's conflicts and settling in a new country. Suitable for intermediate students.
Shifting Colours

By Fiona Sussman

4 stars

A novel about finding one's roots. A South African child is adopted out to a family in the UK. But she decides she doesn't really belong there.
Missing white woman

By Kellye Garrett

4 stars

A missing woman is found dead. But has someone assumed her identity or did she fake her own murder?
Tales of World War II

By Dr Hattie Hearn

3 stars

True short stories. Ok.
Hannah & Huia

By Charlotte Lobb

5 stars

Set in a mental health unit, two mothers, two generations apart, share the loss of their infant sons. A fantastic read.
The Fortunes of Jaded Women

By Carolyn Huynh

4 stars

The females in a Vietnamese family appear to be cursed in love. Can the current generation change their fate?
Murder over Gold

By Rose Pascoe

4 stars

Grace is on her honeymoon with her detective husband, when they get a chance to solve a cold case. Set in Clyde, in the South Island, just after the gold rush.
They Thought I was Dead

By Peter James

5 stars

A happily married woman suddenly disappears. Has her mysterious double life caught up with her? Enjoyed the suspense.
The Daughter's Promise

By Rose Pascoe

3 stars

Romance set against the aftermath of the French revolution. Quite a quick read.
Poor people with money

By Dominic Hoey

3 stars

A novel set in the depths of poverty in New Zealand.
Chasing the Dead

By Tim Weaver

4 stars

A grieving mum sees her son a year after she buried him. Is she chasing a ghost? Good read with suspense till the last chapter.
The No. 1 Lawyer

By James Patterson

4 stars

Crime thriller.
Out of bounds

By Beverly Naidoo

4 stars

A collection of short stories set in South Africa during different decades of apartheid
April Fool's Day

By Bryce Courtenay

5 stars

Compelling novel. The sad yet positive story of the author's son's short life. A necessary blood transfusion left him HIV positive at a time when knowledge of Aids was limited.
Further under the Duvet

By Marian Keyes

4 stars

Funny, but relatable light read.
Straight Up

By Ruby Tui

4 stars

Ever since I came across an extract of this autobiography in a CAA exam paper, I've been wanting to read this book. Did not disappoint.
Only two seats left!

By John Anderson

4 stars

The semi autobiography of the founder of Contiki. The ups and downs of running a business, especially one based on travel and adventure.
River Song

By Di Morrissey

3 stars

An Australian novel. Good story line, but a too long winded.
The Best New Zealand Fiction Volume 3

By Fiona Kidman

4 stars

A collection of short stories. My favorite was 'Julia' by Tina Shaw.
Careless people

By Sarah Wynn-Williams

3 stars

True story. Ok
Leave the world behind

By Rumaan Alam

2 stars

Passable
Light of the World

By James Lee Burke

4 stars

Alafair, a writer, interviews an evil murderer in prison, against the wishes of her father, a detective. The prisoner is killed in an accident, but years later it appears someone is out to get her.
The Adventures of Rusty

By Ruskin Bond

4 stars

From an author who grew up in the same town I once lived in, a delightful collection of adventures of Rusty, who makes his way to London to become a writer.
Deception

By Lesley Pearse

4 stars

Beautifully written novel. Janet is neglected and abused as a little girl, and develops different personas as defence mechanisms. It is only upon her death at seventy-five, that her daughters find out that their mother wasn't the person they knew.
The Taming of the Queen

By Philippa Gregory

4 stars

Historical fiction based on the life of Henry VIII's sixth and final wife, Kathryn Parr.
Nothing To Lose

By Lee Child

4 stars

A Jack Reacher thriller. Does not disappoint:)
Chelsey

By Chelsey Shannon

5 stars

Chelsey lost her mum to cancer soon after she started school. Her dad was accidently murdered just before she turned 14. This is a raw recount of Chelsey's early memories and the mechanisms she adopted to cope with the grief.
Five Strings

By Apirana Taylor

4 stars

Recommended by a colleague, I couldn't put the book down. Love story of Mack and Puti, each fighting their own demons.
to the is-land

By Janet Frame

4 stars

A vivid autobiographical recount of the author's early life.
A Perfect Life and other stories

By New House Publishers Ltd

4 stars

A Perfect Life was written by an ex-student when she was in Yr 11. The other short stories are great as well, especially, Sophie, by Merryn Patrick.
Under the Banner of Heaven

By Jon Krakauer

4 stars

Starting with the murders of Brenda Lafferty and her toddler by her brothers-in-law, a researched recount of the religious beliefs in Utah. An eye-opener into human behaviour for me.
The White Mouse

By Nancy Wake

4 stars

The true story of a young wife's bravery during the Second World War. Steeped in history and detailed descriptions.
The Keeper of Secrets

By Julie Thomas

4 stars

The novel starts off in Germany, with a musically gifted child violinist. Soon the Nazis and the Second World War arrive. The musical instruments and talents are lost. Will the following generations be able to retrieve the instruments, especially the violin?
Through My Eyes: Shaozhen

By Wai Chim

4 stars

Set in Henan, China during the drought in 2014, a schoolboy's journey into saving his family, friends and village. Highly recommended for Intermediate age students.
Archie and Friends: Endless Escapades

By Archie Comic Publications

5 stars

Light-hearted:) Who doesn't like Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead?
A Mistake

By Carl Shuker

4 stars

Fast paced, medical setting, interesting view of a female doctor's challenges in a Wellington hospital.
East

By Peri Hoskins

2 stars

Took me a long time to get through the novel, wasn't really compelling.
A Needle in the Heart

By Fiona Kidman

4 stars

Six short stories set across New Zealand. Mister Blue Satin, revolving around a court case, appealed to me the most.
Mellons Bay

By Suzanne Singleton

4 stars

Historical fiction set in East Auckland in the 19th century. Based on the experiences of the (Irish) Mellon family, the novel provides interesting glimpses of the Fencibles' lives.
Give Love a Chai

By Nanxi Wen

3 stars

Ok. Not really my cup of chai!
Love Strikes Twice

By Jill Barry

3 stars

Romance. Passable
The Journey of the Guardian Stone

By Michael Hart

4 stars

Set during the first world war, an unlikely romance between a Kiwi nurse and a Japanese soldier.
All That we Know

By Shilo Kino

4 stars
Zealandia The Dreadstones Grasp

By James Lovell

4 stars

Set in the Southern Alps, a magical fiction, suitable for pre-teens.
Yoko's Diary

By Kohji Hosokawa

5 stars

I thought this book would be the story of Yoko Ono's childhood. I was wrong. This is a fascinating read of a young girl's life, before it was cruelly snatched away by the Hiroshima bombing.
A Midsummer Night's Dream: A Graphic Novel

By William Shakespeare

4 stars

Would appeal to reluctant readers
How To Bee

By Bren MacDibble

4 stars

Easy read, will appeal to young teens.
Sherlock Holmes: Journeys By Train

By N. M. Scott

2 stars

Not really as exciting as I expected.
A Child Called It

By Dave Pelzer

3 stars

Well written and an easy to read book, but very raw and at times disturbing:(
The Widower's Lie

By J. A. Baker

4 stars

Suspense till the last page:)
The Wish

By Heather Morris

5 stars

A great read. Recommended for Reading Logs, Level 2/3 NCEA.
Mutuwhenua

By Patricia Grace

4 stars

14 - 0 - 1

Add pages read

Botany Downs Secondary College

81,058 pages read and 8,126 team points

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