Highly recommend. Beautiful story and stunning illustrations.
A hilarious picture book which would be a great read aloud. Fantastic illustrations by Raymond McGrath.
A humorous graphic novel for younger readers.
The perfect book for these troubled times. How to save the world one tiny corner at a time.
A moving story set in Afghanistan about the power of music. Stunning illustrations.
Creepy! Not at all what I was expecting … each story stranger than the last.
A gripping story full of adventure and intrigue. Loved that it was set in Ōtautahi.
I loved James’ earlier books about the Loblolly Boy, so was delighted to discover this one explaining the existence of the curious green-winged loblolly boy. It did not disappoint!
Three stories in one… a tale of passion and mystery surrounding the disappearance of David’s lover in modern Europe; the fairytale of the princess and the frog; and a story of two sisters in the 1800’s and their interactions with the Grimm brothers. A very intriguing story with lots of twists and turns.
“Words hold a terrible power. They can break a heart, or give it a reason to live. They can grant freedom - or begin a war.” This was a powerful, moving book. Love, danger, injustice and a mysterious secret combined with endearing characters made this a gripping read. I only wish I’d discovered this book sooner.
This took me back to my favourite childhood books like The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. I loved the way Anne Kaye wove traditional fairytales with Māori mythology to create magical, modern kiwi tales. Brilliant!
Beautiful poetry and gorgeous illustrations.
Such a good story. This was the second read for me and I enjoyed it even more. It would make a great class read or reading group study for upper primary/intermediate students.
Brilliant!
A gripping, dark thriller that kept me guessing right through to the final pages.
Disturbing, thrilling and unputdownable. Told from the perspectives of Vincent, Nancy and the Minister of Loneliness, The Book of Guilt is set in a chilling version of England in the late 1970s. I instantly warmed to the character of Vincent, one of the thirteen-year-old triplet orphans living in a large, secluded home run by three carers; Mother Morning, Mother Afternoon and Mother Night. Plagued by a mysterious illness, the triplets are under constant supervision and medical care, although the pills they take everyday do little to improve their health. They have little interaction with the outside world and everything they learn is from outdated encyclopaedias, The Book of Knowledge. Their dreams and nightmares are recorded every morning, as are their misdemeanors. The three mothers and Dr Roach ensure the boys adhere to the strict routine of lessons, exercise, rest and medicine, in the hopes that one day they’ll be recovered sufficiently and be sent to Margate, every child’s dream home. However, everything is not as it seems, and as the secrets of the Sycamore Scheme began to be revealed I was glued to the book, desperate to learn the fate of Vincent and his brothers.
A clever psychological thriller set in Dunedin. Kept me guessing right until the last pages!
Tragic, as the title suggests, but heartwarming, funny and wonderfully entertaining.
A gripping thriller which leaves you guessing right up until the final pages.
One of those books you keep thinking about after turning the last page. An emotional story set in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes. The fantasy element was surprising but it worked. Highly recommend for 16+.