Woodford House

96,035 pages read and 4,517 team points

Team members

LisaS

6,378 pts

(5,810 pages read)

The Space Between

By Lauren Keenan

5 stars

A fantastic historical work of New Zealand fiction set in Taranaki just before the land wars in the early 1800s. There are two female protagonists, and the narration swaps between them. This is a stunning story of how, although we may be on different sides of a story, we can both be going through very similar issues. Having lived in Tarankai in my earlier years, I also relished the chance to get to know more about an era of history in a place to which I have a personal connection. We need more of these kinds of novels to help us understand the forces that drive our society today.
The Treaty of Waitangi - Te Tiriti O Waitangi

By Ross Calman (2025)

5 stars

An excellent summary of the story of the Treaty of Waitangi, with clear and relevant supporting images and graphics. This is a must-read for every New Zealander. It is accessible, well-researched, and told in a clear and thoughtful way.
When the Fireflies Dance

By Aisha Hassan

4 stars

This is a powerful story about family bonds, and the lengths a person can go to to save their family from harm. What is even more powerful is that it is based on a true story. It is unimaginable that the form of human slavery described in this book is still happening today - but it is. This book gives you an insight into the darker parts of our world, and a true appreciation for the lives we live in our country.
Imaginary Friend

By Stephen Chbosky

1 stars

An intriguing blurb got me into this book, but I just couldn't stay with it. I only read 16% of the way through - the echos of Stephen King in the writing were just too much for me, as I'm not a horror fan.
The Other Valley

By Scott Alexander Howard

5 stars

A dystopian - but a great twist on one. This society consists of villages that are separated by 20-year time intervals. The concept seems simple at first, but you are slowly introduced to some of the evils that must be present for this whole concept to work. Captivating, and you are left with so many questions.
The Cows

By Dawn O'Porter

3 stars

A good balanced read, but a little too detailed in places. Nice to see all dimensions of feminism being covered - feminism as in a female has the power to do whatever is right for her, regardless of what the norms of society say. A few plot shocks along the way to keep you going.
Soldier

By John A Lee

4 stars

A friend lent me this book a couple of years ago, but I have only just gotten around to reading it. Wow! I understand why, while it was written in 1918, it wasn't published until 1976. This is a brutal account of life in the trenches in WW1, and also of life when on leave during WW1! As a former NZ MP who was expelled from the labour party, this certainly explained a lot about the author, John Lee.
All The Crooked Saints

By Maggie Stiefvater

3 stars

It took me a while to get into this book - it's quite a strange concept. The premise is that there is a family who can perform miracles that help you improve yourself - but the miracle they perform actually makes things worse for you, as it only highlights what you need to change. It is then up to you to perform the second miracle, by learning to deal with your ailment, and thus becoming healed. Improved by the end, but everything ended up happily ever after, which was not really like life at all.
The Dragon Republic

By RF Kuang

5 stars

This is the sequel to The Poppy Wars, and it is even better. We still have this wonderful mix of history and fantasy, but the characters and situations are dynamic and I keep changing who I want to win. Plots within plots, within plots. I'm off to get the third one ...
The Growth Mindset and Executive Functioning Workbooks for Teens

By Emily Carter

4 stars

This book appeared on one of those, "recommended for you" book feeds. I grabbed it as it promised to show teenagers ways to organise their brains, own their day, and give the research-backed techniques to build resilience and overcome life's challenges. While it will take the next year to see if these techniques actually did work, they look engaging and feel right. The book also came with some digital freebies!
10-Minute Life Lessons for Kids

By Jamie Miller

4 stars

A book full of quick activities which help teach many valuable principles, such as honesty, trust, and coping with adversity (the opening line to this section was, "Life sometimes gives you the test before you've had a chance to study the lesson.") There are many activities in this book which I will adapt for use in Dean's Time activities this year with the Intermediate cohort. Most are based on Geothe's principle that if you treat a man as he is, he will remain as he is. However, if you treat him as he could be, he will become what he can and should be. Food for thought!
Frindle

By Andrew Clements

4 stars

Great short chapter book, excellent for a read aloud at the start of the year.
Design Innovative Robots with LEGO SPIKE Prime

By Aaron Maurer

4 stars

Some great new designs to create with our LEGO SPIKE robots - but also some great ideas for tasks to use them for. Once again, the example code is all in block code, but that just gives the teacher some good work to do!
Classroom Activities for the Busy Teacher: Spike Prime

By Damien Kee

3 stars

Great concepts to use in robotics. Example code only in block form, not the text code we use, but the concepts wonderful.
The Grace Year

By Kim Liggett

5 stars

A fascinating look at how gender can be weaponised, and how everyone will accept this. This book also brings hope that women can stand together to change this situation, even if it takes generations.
The Names

By Florence Knapp

4 stars

A brilliant concept - that the name you are given can shape the choices you make in life. Great concept, with three stories being told at once, one for each possible name for a child. The book also explores how humans interact, as the changes in one character feed through to the changes for others.
The Poppy War

By R.F. Kuang

4 stars

Historical fiction that reads like a fantasy. Well worth it. Talks to right vs wrong, but doesn't end the way you think it might.
Klara and the Sun

By Kazuo Ishiguro

4 stars

AI from the AI perspective. Makes you think.
The Book of Doors

By Gareth Brown

4 stars

Great time-travel read that really gets you thinking.

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Woodford House

96,035 pages read and 4,517 team points

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