Wharenui School

17,098 pages read and 7,774 team points

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14,379 pts

(12,462 pages read)

The Handbook of Language Teaching

By Michael Long & Catherine Doughty

4 stars

A comprehensive text book about second language teaching. The book considers the main positions and approaches of teaching a second language from an international perspective, rather than just a western viewpoint. The text book analyses the latest research, to provide guidance and advice on optimal methods to teach a second language. The book offers theories to support pedagogical practices, offering real advice and practical ideas for supporting ELL in your classroom, at a primary, secondary and adult level.
The Labyrinth House Murders

By Yukito Akatsuji

5 stars

The third book in this series, and another exciting read! Again a heavy body count which you did feel could be avoided but does add to the purpose of the murderer's motive. The setting is again a key 'character' in the book, with the series of secret doors and hidden passageways. There is a double or perhaps triple twist in this book, which keeps you guessing right to the very end!
The Night Circus

By Erin Morgenstern

5 stars

Highly recommend this book, it an incredible and enchanting instant classic. Having been given it as a gift with the T2, it is the perfect fantasy retreat novel. A book you cannot put down because you cannot imagine what will happen next. A perfect mix of magic, mystery, competition and love. The circus itself is so delightful, a place you can imagine going in your dreams.
Money in the Morgue

By Ngaio Marsh & Stella Duffy

4 stars

Really enjoyed this new Ngaio Marsh novel, that was started by her, but finished posthumously by Stella Duffy. The novel was written in a similar style to her original books and the presence of Inspector Roderick Alleyn helped maintain the continuity. Set during the Second World War but in remote New Zealand, the book was appealing in its depiction of rural life in Aotearoa, whilst also delivering an exciting and unexpected murder mystery!
Horatio Squeak

By Karen Foxlee

4 stars

A beautiful picture book about a little mouse, that is timid and shy, but needs to finds his inner strength when he is invited to attend a party of 3 kittens! He ends up teaching them to be kind to others, namely a little bird, standing up for himself and what he thinks is right. Through his actions he gains some new friends and shows everyone that he is brave and strong, even if he is small on the outside. A great book to look at about making friends, standing up for yourself and that appearances can be deceptive.
Second Language Learning and Language Teaching : Fifth Edition

By Vivian Cook

4 stars

This book is an essential introduction to TESOL, it discusses the basic issues of second language acquisition research. It then provides information on optimal teaching methods, related to SLA research, for grammar, writing, vocabulary and pronunciation, for second language learners, taking into account differences between individuals. This book also examines a newer area of second language learning research, multilingual approaches to language teaching.
Introduction to Instructed Second Language Acquisition

By Shawn Loewen

4 stars

Great reading for any language teacher! This book provides information about different theoretical and pedagogical perspectives that comprise instructed second language acquisition (ISLA). Essential reading to educate yourself on the different theories and pedagogies related to teaching second language learners, so you can optimise your teaching programme in your classroom.
The Mill House Murders

By Yukito Ayatsuji

5 stars

Another amazing mystery from the author who wrote the Decagon House Murders. The books are a series, connected by an amateur detective and, interestingly, the houses, both built by the architect who liked to incorporate secret passageways and rooms into his house designs, and who has committed murder-suicide in the first book. This book tests the skills of the detective, Shimada Kiyoshi, once again, in a seemingly impossible murder mystery. As with the last book there are two different stories throughout the book, one about the past murders from a year ago, and then the events of the present where history appears to repeat itself. And with a final twist, the stories come together with Shimada finding the solution to all of the murders!
The Deck

By Fiona Farrell

3 stars

A New Zealand book inspired by Covid and the lockdown and also referencing back to the 14th Century plague in Italy, when The Decameron was written. I really enjoyed the introduction and the discussion about the plague in Italy and the recognition of history repeating itself, in similar but different circumstances. I loved the idea of the story being based upon this historical novel, with people retreating from the 'real world' and sitting around the fire at night telling stories. The echoes and reminders of the lockdown was also very poignant. However, I felt the stories slightly let down the book, whilst the stories became more engaging as the book progressed, and I enjoyed the small snippets of people's lives, it was unbelievable that some of the stories were being told to all parties for the first time and this made the book less believable. It was also quite confusing as to whether there was a pandemic or not in the book, as they return to their 'normal' lives at the end of the book, after only 6 days, despite hints that it was an 'end of the world' type plague. Overall, amazing ideas but some flaws in the storyline.
Funny Kid Belly Flop

By Matt Stanton

3 stars

Another funny book for junior to middle school readers - quite amusing from the perspective of a teacher as the Funny Kid - Max - is a source of constant annoyance to his teacher Miss Sweet - or is it Sour?!
Thames and Tide Club- Squid Invasion

By Katya Balen

3 stars

Second book in the series about mudlarking on the Thames, this time the characters museum is invaded by squids seeking to take over the world! Reminiscent of Penguins of Madagascar - another fun tale for junior school students.
My Grandfather the Master Detective

By Masateru Konishi

5 stars

Absolutely loved this book! Combines my favourite elements - Japanese setting, short mystery stories, all cleverly solved from the narrator's grandfather's armchair. The grandfather is suffering from a type of dementia which results in hallucinations, ironically this seems to give him the ability to 'see' what is happening as he solves the different conundrums that his granddaughter brings to him. Lots of short little mysteries with a bigger mystery that runs throughout the story, the granddaughter also connects the stories as the narrator and there are lots of 'classic detective' references. The book ends with just one unsolved 'romantic' problem...you can make your own choice!
The Last Death of the Year

By Sophie Hannah

5 stars

An excellent new Poirot novel by Sophie Hannah. It had strong flavours of some of Christie's work, being set on a Greek Island, with a variety of strange characters, all with their own background stories. Set on New Year's Eve, it is a great book to read at this time of year and had the usual series of twists required. Would have liked there to be perhaps links to more of the character's pasts in the solution, and perhaps for Poirot to solve an unrelated case mentioned in the story.
October October

By Katya Balen

4 stars

This is a really lovely, simple and enjoyable book, about the contrast between living in nature compared to a city. Whilst the book predominantly advanced the positives of living a remote life in the wild, it did acknowledge that there are benefits of both types of life, and joy and adventure can be found everywhere. The author is clearly a fan of mudlarking, as this is another of her books that incorporates the theme into her stories. Would highly recommend for middle-school - would be a great class novel.
Funny Kid Catastrophe

By Matt Stanton

3 stars

This is one of my daughter's favourite series and it is definitely one of the funnier books in this series. In this book he tries to get rid of his new pet cat that his parents have bought him - with lots of amusing results as the cat is more than a match for him and his quirky pet duck!!
The Decagon House Murders

By Yukito Ayatsuji

5 stars

An amazing Christmas present!! Very exciting to discover a combination of detective stories and Japanese fiction which is so reminiscent of Agatha Christie herself!! The book has two parallel stories and offers lots of different perspectives to help you solve the crime - however, in true Christie style there is a significant twist! The story is based around characters in a Murder Mystery Club with nicknames based on the 'golden age' detective writers. A complete classic - with a high body count - highly recommend!
Little House

By Katya Balen

3 stars

A lovely little story - a Barrington Stoke book for children with dyslexia. The story is about a girl left to stay with her Grandfather whilst her mother goes to help refugees. Whilst her mum is helping refugees rebuild their lives, Juno help make a little house for a dolls family she finds in the attic.
Best Wishes from the Full Moon Coffee Shop

By Mai Mochizuki

4 stars

Another of my favourite type of Japanese book! Slightly whimsical, quirky and a little bit magical. This one, like many others, also features cats! Here we revisit some of the characters from the first book, but we meet them from a different person's perspective. Another beautiful book about realising what you truly wish for in life, and with a little bit of magical help from some celestial cats, how you can use this knowledge to help you achieve inner happiness.
More very cranky bear stories

By Nick Bland

3 stars

This book includes The Very Itchy Bear, The Very Brave Bear and The Very Clever Bear. Again, highly recommend reading to junior primary school children as they will really enjoy the books, and there are lots of interesting aspects for discussion.
The Very Cranky Bear Stories

By Nick Bland

3 stars

Three stories in one! The Very Cranky Bear, The Very Hungry Bear and The Very Noisy Bear. Nick Bland has written some really great picture books for kids, whilst I did not initially like this specific series, I recently read this book as part of an intervention and was impressed by how engaged the children were with the story and how it was simple but actually incorporated lots of different story elements in a clear way but with enough ideas to make the children have to think about what the characters are feeling and thinking. Looking forward to reading these books again to my students for more rich comprehension.
When we went Wild

By Isabella Tree

4 stars

A fantastic story about rewilding and the positive effects it has on the environment. It is very topical, talking about sustainability and returning to a more natural, less chemically reliant way of farming. The book is made from sustainable paper which I thought was fantastic! A great picture book leading the way for a return to a more simple way of life to help our struggling environment.
The Thames and Tide Club

By Katya Balen

3 stars

A nice middle grade level story about mudlarking which has become quite a popular activity in the UK along the banks of the Thames. The book is part of a series and is well-written and engaging, with an amusing Undercity of London with the Cutty Shark, and Codvent Garden, as well as a secret club being operated from a museum.
Return to the Dallergut Dream Department Store

By Miye Lee

4 stars

This is the sequel to the first novel and expands on the lives of those working in the Dallergut Dream Department Store. Here we explore more of the 'Dream' world and also gain more understanding of the two realms, the dreamworld and the real world and how they interact. The ideas in this book are fantasy based and quite quirky but the book still reads like an insight into the 'normal' life of Penny, a worker in the store. Also some interesting insights into the important role of sleep as part of your well-being. Unfortunately this is the last in the series which was sad as I would be happy to continue reading about Penny and the Dream Department Store!
Meesha Makes Friends

By Tom Percival

4 stars

Perfect starting school book, which can help students to make friends and give them hope and reassurance that it is okay to be different. Fantastic for neurodiverse learners and for encouraging all the students that anyone can be a great friend.
Tilda Tries Again: A Big Bright Feelings Book

By Tom Percival

4 stars

Really love this book in the series because it is my daughter's name and this book very much relates to her struggle with dyslexia. It has a powerful message about not giving up even when things are hard and that even though it will still sometimes seem like everything is upside down, you can turn things around again if you keep trying. A great book for those who struggle with learning.
The Book with No Pictures

By B J Novak

4 stars

This is an amazing picture book that is not a picture book! Whilst there are so many beautiful picture books, I think this is such a clever concept, to make a fun and engaging picture book that relies solely on words, showing children the power of language and that we do not always have to have pictures to make something funny and appealing. Definitely a book children will ask for again and you will enjoy reading together!
The Eights

By Joanna Miller

4 stars

A fantastic first novel from a former teacher! The story is set in Oxford and makes connections to lots of places and landmarks. I enjoy stories with historical references and this story beautifully blended real stories and facts with the imagined lives of the 4 women. All of the women were likeable and you were interested in their stories and wanted to know what happens to them next. Some interesting twists in the story and you felt you could have read about the characters for much longer! If you like The Dictionary of Lost Words, there are lots of similarities and even a reference to the dictionary in the book.
Aroha's Way

By Rebekah Lipp

4 stars

This is the first of the many books that help teach mindfulness in the classroom. These are amazing class resources, as they combine a story with practical ideas to support any struggling tamariki with their emotions. Also beautiful New Zealand illustrations and pictures for them to relate to.
Let It Go

By Rebekah Lipp

3 stars

A book for middle-senior primary students, as it involves labelling your emotions and then looking for ways to manage and release these emotions. Another book with beautiful New Zealand illustrations, all the books also have fantastic supporting resources for teachers or parents.
Aroha Knows

By Rebekah Lipp

4 stars

This is a lovely book about connecting to nature and things you can do to help the environment, which in turn will help you to regulate your emotions. Beautiful illustrations which show the New Zealand landscape, a lovely book to read to connect to Aotearoa.
Aroha's Choice

By Rebekah Lipp

3 stars

Would recommend this book for slightly older students, as involves making choices to change your pathways. Definitely a more complex concept but very powerful for middle-senior primary students.
Finding My Calm

By Rebekah Lipp

4 stars

This is a perfect book for starting school - talks about the emotions of a child on his first day of school. The book offers up another strategy for students to use to self-regulate, five-four-three-two-one rhyme. Also hopefully empowers children with the knowledge that they can change their mindset and have a positive outcome.
Let it Flow

By Rebekah Lipp

4 stars

This book, which complements the story books about emotional regulation, has some fantastic practical ideas for use in the classroom. Looking forward to trialing some of these ideas next year!
Ravi's Roar

By Tom Percival

4 stars

This is part of a set of beautiful picture books with amazing illustrations about how to manage different emotions. This story about anger is very relevant for many children, the fact that he turns into a tiger makes a serious topic more light hearted but the message is still powerful.
Milo's Monster

By Tom Percival

4 stars

This is part of a set of beautiful picture books with amazing illustrations about how to manage different emotions. Really enjoyed this one about an actual green monster that appears and tries to ruin Milo's friendships - showing that you need to be strong sometimes and not let jealousy get the better of you.
Finn's Little Fibs

By Tom Percival

4 stars

This is part of a set of beautiful picture books with amazing illustrations about how to manage different emotions. Finn learns that it is best to tell the truth even if it is a little scary.
Perfectly Norman

By Tom Percival

4 stars

This is part of a set of beautiful picture books with amazing illustrations about how to manage different emotions. Here a boy grows wings and has to learn to accept being different - a great message for those children who feel like they are different and alone - at the end he finds he is not the only one with wings!
Bea's Bad Day

By Tom Percival

4 stars

This is part of a set of beautiful picture books with amazing illustrations about how to manage different emotions. In this book Bea is having a bad day but manages to get through it with the support of her family.
Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief

By Benjamin Stevenson

4 stars

A slight twist on the 'normal' detective fiction, as Ernest (the narrator) likes to talk to the reader, inviting you to solve the crime alongside him. He offers up all the clues he receives himself and then has the 'big reveal' - you have to see if you can get there first! The storyline is fairly convoluted but fun with lots of twists and turns, with everyone having committed a crime of some sort - however the question is - have they committed the murder?
The Lonely Little Tree

By Moya Kirby

4 stars

A beautiful picture book about a Christmas tree in New Zealand that becomes a friend to all our native birds. A great story to read that is a Christmas message but without being overly Christmassy for those who do not celebrate Christmas. Also a lovely story about our native birds and looking after our environment.
In the Time of Five Pumpkins

By Alexander McCall Smith

4 stars

This is book 26 in the series and it is like having a catch up with old friends when reading this book! The book is well written and there are always interesting observations of life, mixed with comments from Mme Makutsi's shoes! I would recommend reading this book if you enjoy mystery novels without the trauma of dead bodies and if you enjoy learning about life in Botswana.
At the Same Moment, Around the World

By Clotilde Perrin

4 stars

She writes the most beautiful illustrated picture books. This one is all about people at the exact same time doing different things in different places. A fantastic book to enjoy about time zones and journeying around the world.
The Girl at the Front of the Class

By Onjali Q. Raúf

4 stars

An amazing picture book to help students understand how it might feel to be a refugee in a foreign country. This book tells what is a very sad story in a way that makes it accessible rather than overwhelming, helping children to see how they can show kindness and help others.
Paper Chase

By Julia Donaldson

4 stars

A very clever book, with Donaldson's usual rhyming style but with a more mature storyline. Love books where things link back together to enhance the story and this is a great example. Also another great way to raise children's awareness of looking after our planet calmly but effectively.
The Night Gardener

By The Fan Brothers

4 stars

Another stunning picture book where the illustrations tell as much of a story as the words. About how something unexpected can change many peoples' lives for the better. Also how nature can impact on our well-being.
Rain before Rainbows

By Smriti Halls

4 stars

This is a beautiful picture book with some lovely ideas which make you think of the state between sleeping and waking - what ideas might we think of and what places may we go? Also what things do we need to create other things?
The Book of Beginnings

By Sally Page

3 stars

Some great parts to this book- especially about the ideas around the cemetery and how the ghosts of the past may choose to spend time together. Liked how the stationery shop was the centre of her new life and introduced her to lots of new people and friends. However, the ending was a bit too contrived which I think distracted from some of the book's better ideas.
The Last Garden

By Rachel Ip

5 stars

This is a beautiful picture book about war, but told in a way that is not distressing for children. Focusing on the importance of the garden and with beautiful illustrations that also convey messages in the story.
The Watervale Ladies' Writing and Firefighting Society

By Mette Menzies

2 stars

Really liked reading about an Australian small town and references to other places in Australia. Some nice parts about rebuilding your life when things have not gone according to plan, but the book was far too cliched.
DallerGut Dream Department Store : the dream you ordered is sold out

By Mi-Ye Yi

4 stars

This was a very enjoyable escapist novel, interestingly read as a 'normal' insight into a person's daily life but contrastingly the story is set in a world where not only can you buy dreams but animals, leprechauns and Santa Claus are all real, talking characters. I was not sure if it would work but it did!
Katabasis

By R F Kuang

5 stars

This book is about Alice making the journey to Hell with lots of references to classic literature to guide her knowledge of what to expect. It is interesting that she manages to make the novel both dark and light with a final twist at the end that gives a surprisingly happy ending for a novel about Hell!
The magician of Tiger Castle

By Louis Sachar

3 stars

This was a fantastic book with lots of adventure and some interesting moral dilemmas, with some magic thrown in!
Dinner at the Night Library

By Hika Harada

4 stars

Another perfect mix of learning about the lives of others, books and a mystery. Love the idea of a mysterious library only open at night, and especially the restaurant where food is made to match the books. I would love to work here!
The second chance convenience store

By Ho-yŏn Kim

4 stars

A fantastic Korean book, where you are immersed in the lives of people looking for a second chance in life. The book looks at the lives of several different people all linked together by the Store. You feel like you do not want the book to end as you want to know what happens next to the characters.
We'll prescribe you another cat

By Syou Ishida

4 stars

Another short but in depth look at the lives of ordinary people, looking for help and support in their lives. This has a fantasy/magical mystery background of the doctors clinic, where the staff are not who they seem and the medicine prescribed is of an unusual nature.
The mysterious case of the missing crime writer

By Ragnar Jónasson

4 stars

This is the second in a series of books, really enjoyed the first book and this one is just as good. Lots of intrigue and suspense and parallel stories running throughout the book that linked at the end. The only major downside was that the story ended on a cliffhanger - it was very frustrating not to even know when the next book is out. Also one of the parallel stories was also left unresolved. I would wait until the next book is written until you read this one!
When the Deep, Dark Bush Swallows You Whole

By Geoff Parkes

3 stars

An interesting NZ based mystery. The story builds great suspense and exposes lots of dark secrets in a small town. However, the ending felt unconvincing and was a bit of an anti-climax.
Three Dogs Two Murders and a Cat

By Rodney Strong

2 stars

An animal detective may be a stretch too far! Had classic cozy mystery characteristics but left feeling like it lacked any depth.
The Bookshop Detectives #2: Tea and Cake and Death

By Gareth and Louise Ward

4 stars

A great follow up to the first book. A great New Zealand read with lots of references to local places and events. Linking two very popular concepts, books and murder!
The passengers on the Hankyu Line

By Hiro Arikawa

5 stars

I loved this book - the concept of having snapshots of the lives of people who regularly travel on the same train. Seeing how their lives interact and change according to who they meet. You also meet the characters again with them moving from first to third person.
The healing hippo of Hinode Park

By Michiko Aoyama

4 stars

A Japanese book about the slightly unbelievable but quirky premise that a statue of a hippo in a playground could grant your wishes. The books looks at 'normal' peoples' lives and how we all have problems but we can find solutions, with perhaps a bit of magic! The stories with the book interlink so you meet characters again and see them from a different perspective.
We'll prescribe you a cat

By Syou Ishida

4 stars

I am really enjoying slightly quirky Japanese novels, often featuring cats - like this one, and a mysterious, magical backstory. Predominantly the stories are about 'ordinary' people finding contentment in their lives via slightly unorthodox methods, in this case having a prescription of a cat!

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Wharenui School

17,098 pages read and 7,774 team points

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