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Rathkeale College

10,326 pages read and 6,835 team points

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    Ruth

    7,888 pts
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    Shel Hancox

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Ruth

7,888 pts
(5,145 pages read)

  • The Axeman's Carnival

    By Catherine Chidgey
    4 stars

    Strange narrative perspective - keeps you thinking and wondering the whole time!

  • Tom's Midnight Garden

    By Philippa Pearce
    5 stars

    My annual summer re-read. I love the fantastical elements of time travel.

  • Slide the Corner

    By Fleur Beale
    3 stars

    Reread for my Year 9s this year - they love it!

  • Gravity Let Go

    By Trent Dalton
    5 stars

    I just LOVE Trent's writing style

  • Boy

    By Roald Dahl
    3 stars

    Looking forward to using this for creative writing this year.

  • Pride and Prejudice

    By Jane Austen
    5 stars

    What made it all the better a re-read was the beautiful miniature print version with Bible-thin pages to turn - bliss!

  • The Whale Rider

    By Witi Ihimaera
    5 stars

    Must read for all NZers.

  • Katipo Joe

    By Brian Falkner
    5 stars

  • I Am Not Esther

    By Fleur Beale
    4 stars

  • 100 Diaries that Chronicled the World

    By Colin Salter
    3 stars

    Great book for me to keep on my bookshelf at school for when one of my students forgets theirs. Easily picked up and easily put down.

  • It Ends With Us

    By Colleen Hoover
    4 stars

    Just had to read the book after watching the movie! Fun read to break up my school-focused summer reading.

  • Seasonal Story Telling

    By Tanya Batt
    4 stars

    I needed to review this pukapuka for the School Review - so here is my 200 word review I wrote for that!Seasonal Storytelling is a rich and versatile resource that sits comfortably between a storybook and a teacher’s handbook. From a New Zealand classroom perspective, it is particularly valuable for Years 1–4, offering meaningful ways to explore the seasons through story, drama, and thematic learning. The book is organised around the cycle of the seasons, with short, engaging stories drawn from Aotearoa New Zealand and cultures around the world. These stories work well as read-alouds, but they also naturally invite dramatic retelling, role play, and simple classroom performances. Clear guidance supports teachers to use the stories for process drama, making it easy to adapt them into short dramatic productions or group storytelling activities. The accompanying audio content is a real strength, allowing students to listen to stories, songs, and rhythms, which supports oral language development and engagement for diverse learners. As a resource book, it provides ideas that link storytelling with movement, music, seasonal celebrations, and inquiry learning. Overall, Seasonal Storytelling is an inspiring and practical resource that supports literacy, drama, and cross-curricular learning. It encourages teachers to teach in connected, creative ways while helping students develop a deeper understanding of the seasons and the world around them.

  • Kickin' It - The Richie Mo'unga Story

    By David Riley
    4 stars

    I had to review this picture book for The School Library - so here is my 200 word review!Kickin’ It is a warm, engaging picture book that could work beautifully as a read-aloud for younger students and as an independent read for older readers who may find longer texts challenging. Told in clear, accessible language and brought to life through Ant Sang’s dynamic illustrations, the book draws children straight into Richie Mo’unga’s journey. From a teacher’s perspective, this story offers much more than rugby. It shares a personal narrative of grit, determination, perseverance, and self-belief, showing students that success comes through hard work and resilience rather than instant talent. Richie’s pathway to becoming an All Black is presented in a way that is inspiring without being overwhelming. The book also weaves in a gentle introduction to All Black history, making it particularly engaging for New Zealand students and relevant across the curriculum. Whether used to spark discussion about goal-setting, role models, or overcoming challenges, Kickin’ It is a motivating and inclusive text that many learners will connect with. Overall, this is a highly accessible and uplifting story that celebrates both personal growth and a much-loved part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s sporting culture.

  • He'll Be Ok - 20th Anniversary Edition

    By Celia Lashlie
    5 stars

    I've been meaning to read this book since I started teaching at a Secondary Boys' College. I ended up needing to have my sticky notes and highlighter next to me so I could remember all the amazing tips and tricks! Can't wait to teach some gorgeous boys this year (apart from perhaps the monosyllabic Year 10s...)

  • One Hundred Years of Betty

    By Debra Oswald
    3 stars

    Lol - read this in Large Print! I needed it by the time she turned 100! Delightful and fun - real and sad.

  • Red Cliff

    By Bernard Beckett
    5 stars

    Red Cliff by Bernard Beckett is a compelling and accessible novel that I am very much looking forward to teaching with my Year 10 boys. Beckett’s debut work explores big ideas—identity, guilt, belonging, and moral responsibility—through a tightly structured narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The setting is atmospheric and isolated, mirroring the internal conflicts faced by the protagonist, and providing rich opportunities for discussion around character development and symbolism. What makes Red Cliff particularly suitable for Year 10 is its balance of pace and depth. The language is clear without being simplistic, and the ethical dilemmas invite genuine debate, encouraging students to think critically and articulate their perspectives. I am especially excited about the possibility of inviting Bernard Beckett into the classroom (he's a local teacher at Hutt Valley High School!) Hearing directly from the author about his debut novel would give the boys invaluable insight into the writing process and help demystify what it means to be a writer.

  • The Bone Tiki

    By David Hair
    3 stars

    The Bone Tiki is an engaging and fast-paced New Zealand fantasy novel that I believe will be an excellent text to study with Year 10 boys. David Hair blends Māori mythology with modern Aotearoa in a way that is likely to capture their interest and spark discussions. Matiu’s journey of self-discovery, his realisation of the importance of connection to whānau, and the merging of myth and reality should resonate well with students. The novel is likely to provide learning opportunities around cultural identity, belonging, and the power of story. With its strong NZ themes, relatable characters, and vivid adventure, I hope to study The Bone Tiki with my junior English class next year. Any resources would be amazing if you have already used it! Kia ora!

  • The Book of Guilt

    By Catherine Chidgey
    5 stars

    Catherine Chidgey’s The Book of Guilt is a beautifully written and absorbing novel. Her writing is so smooth and engaging that I happily set aside my thesis one night just to keep reading. The story is compelling and keeps you thinking right to the very end. Chidgey has a real talent for creating unusual, memorable ideas, and you can’t help wondering how she comes up with them. It’s a powerful, thought-provoking read that stays with you.

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