The Reading Challenge is on again!

A good book and a good pizza what could be better? The HELL Reading Challenge has begun again. All year 7 and 8 students can earn free pizza by taking part in the Reading Challenge.


Part of the New Zealand Book Awards for children and young adults, the HELL Reading Challenge is a well-established programme, now in its fifth year, which has been hugely successful in getting kids reading and enjoying the pleasures of stories — with the bonus of free pizza rewards.


The HELL Reading Challenge is free, and it is so easy! Children receive a stamp on their pizza wheel for each book they read, and once seven books have been read they can redeem their pizza wheel for a free 333 kids’ pizza at their local HELL's Pizza shop.


HELL Reading Challenge begins: 1 March 2018

HELL Reading Challenge ends: 3 December 2018



Reading for Gold

Commonwealth Games athletes are including reading in their training. Add some books to your exercise plan too.


http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12025433

Review: The Girl With All the Gifts

The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great story, not what I was expecting from reading the publishers information. A great addition to the 'end of the world' literature. The characters are sympathetic, the plot possible and the book ends on a positive note for the future of the world if not for the current human race.

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Review: When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Interesting, well told story combining friendship and mystery. Miranda starts finding hidden notes from someone who knows personal details of her family and routing - " I am coming to save your friend's life, and my own. I ask two favours..." Is the person friend or foe?


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Review: The Word Is Murder

The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed Magpie Murders Anthony Horowitz's first murder mystery novel. However in The World is Murder he has inserted himself as the narrator. Written in the first person this is part whodunit part documentary on Anthony Horowitz and I don't think it works. All the chatty information on how he writes and what projects he has worked on kill any suspense in the mystery story and make the final confrontation between the murderer and Anthony a laughable cliche. Please Anthony you write great books don't try to play the main character as well.

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid Coming to New Zealand! May 1st

Greg Kinney is coming in May!

01

MAY

2018

 

5:30pm

LOCATION

ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre 
50 Mayoral Drive 
Auckland , New Zealand 1010

ABOUT

Hurrah! Diary of A Wimpy Kid writer and illustrator Jeff Kinney brings the world of Greg & Rowley, Manny and Rodrick, to Auckland. 

One of the world’s most successful book series - with a continuing spot on The New York Times bestseller list, more than 190 million copies sold and translations in 53 languages - it’s adored by legions of fans around the world.  Come along to meet the man behind Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the creative boy who struggles to blend in with the crowd, in this special early event to kick-off Auckland Writers Festival!

TICKETS

Bookings Essential

Children & Students $12.50, Adults $20, AWF Patrons $15

WEBSITE

The Traitor and the Thief

Discovered thieving at Coxford's Corn market, fourteen-year-old Sin is recruited to train as a spy for COG. A warm bed and regular meals is a great improvement to life on the streets but Sin soon finds that everyone in his new "home" has secrets and they will kill to keep them.


A fast paced interesting story with likeable characters, I enjoyed it and suspect there may be a sequel.