Adventures of Tin Tin

We have a number of Herve's Tin Tin books in the library which have been well read even before the advent of the movie. Listen to an interview with Peter Jackson and Steven Speilberg to discover why Tin Tin is still as popular as ever.

(Source: You Tube)

"I Spy' in the Library

                                              Source: www.scholastic.com           
This is a bit of fun for those who like to play this game and there are other versions to play as well.

Click on the link to begin: I Spy in the Library

Sarah Kay is a Spoken Word Poet

I had not heard of this term for a poet before, Sam hunt springs to mind as New Zealand's version. However, I have become a fan of Sarah Kay. Listen to her poem 'Hands', then I am sure you will want to hear more of her work.

Bio:

• grew up in New York City and began performing her poetry when she was only fourteen years old
• made herself at home at the Bowery Poetry Club, one of New York's most famous Spoken Word venues.
• In 2004, Sarah founded Project V.O.I.C.E. and has since taught Spoken Word Poetry in classrooms and workshops all over the world, to students of all ages.   (Source:www.project-voice.net/)

Staff Morning Tea

Last Tuesday saw the majority of staff join us for the morning tea. Appreciative comments were made about the home baking, and we enjoyed being able to share this hospitality. Congratulations to the staff members, Mr C, Ms K and Mrs B, who received awards. And Mr V who won the quiz. There may be more categories next year, and perhaps another pop quiz!

There was much interest in the choc fudge slice and a request for the recipe, featured below. Enjoy!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

For fans of The Hunger Games the film is not far away.

         

Purple Dandelion by Farida Sultana with Shila Nair

The book Purple Dandelion is the true story of Farida Sultana, an extraordinary Muslim woman and single mother, whose remarkable life began in Bangladesh when as a young girl, she found herself in conflict with her traditional family values and the Islamic culture that prevents girls and women from learning music and arts. Later her arranged marriage to a doctor at the age of 18 took her to war-torn Iran with her husband and young daughter, then to the UK, and finally to New Zealand. Her personal journey included episodes of domestic violence as she sought to find herself and her true role in the world.

Soon after her arrival in New Zealand, Farida became aware that there were many more immigrant women like her who had to overcome domestic violence and the oppressive, patriarchal societies they lived in. Their need drove her to initiate Shakti, which set up the first ethnic women’s refuge in the country. What was conceived as an essential support group for migrant and refugee women has grown into the largest ethnic community organisation in New Zealand, bringing together women and families of over 42 different ethnicities. Purple Dandelion brings to life the experiences and struggles of some of these courageous women. In recent years Farida has been working in Asian and Middle Eastern countries encouraging women to condemn violence and claim their human rights.

(Source: Foreward by Helen Clarke at http://exislepublishing.co.nz/Purple-Dandelion.html)


The following link is an interview with Farida Sultana on TVNZ Breakfast Show. Hear her amazing story.   http://bit.ly/rNpLec   (Source: TVNZ Breakfast Show)

World Statistics

                                                 Click the link below to find out more.

                                                   http://www.worldometers.info/

The Bridge by Jane Higgins

Set in the future, where a city is divided and each side is at war with the other. The demarcation line is the river, and gated bridges link the two sides.
Nik is from Cityside. A bomb explodes at his school and two of his friends are killed. The situation becomes desperate and dangerous as Nik tries to help Fyffe and her 8 year old brother Sol return to their family.When the boy gets kidnapped, Nik and Fyffe cross the bridge to Southside to get him back. In the process Nik learns more about himself than he expected.

                                                                                           Book trailer produced by TEXTPUB

It is a story of conflict, friendship, loyalty and the impact of war. And it is also Nik's search for truth.

One Good Dog by Susan Wilson

Adam March is a self-made man. He also has a past he can no longer ignore, even when he thought it was buried. His carefully calculated life falls apart because of a momentary lapse of self-control. The judge orders community service at a homeless shelter. It is not work he would have chosen.This story is also about a dog who was bred to fight, a pit-bull cross, a breed with a reputation. The dog's voice offers insight into his life and perception of events.
Circumstances force Adam and the dog together and theirs becomes an unlikely friendship. Both characters have been shaped and formed by their life experiences and both have the opportunity to reassess their values and choices. It is a story about trust, relationships and second chances. Dog lovers will especially love this one.

Trash by Andy Mulligan

Raphael, Gardo and Rat are just three boys who live in a slum and sift through trash for a living. They might have a limited education but they have the smarts to outwit the police and enlist people to help them uncover a mystery.
A mystery that begins when Raphael discovers a wallet, a key and a map. He has found something that the authorities want and that puts him and his friends in danger. The story doesn't allow you to feel sorry that these boys live in unfortunate conditions but it does create an awareness of  what life is like for them. I liked these characters because of their bravery, ingenuity, craftiness, and determination. You admire their perserverance in the face of difficult and life-threatening odds.

 Suitable for level one reading, themes of corruption, friendship, and for cultural perspective.

Lunch with the Stationmaster by Derek Hansen

Four men meet weekly for lunch to share stories. This book is the third in the Lunch series. It is Milos who insists in his turn to tell his story. It is set in Hungary during World War Two. In 1941, Josef recognises the risks of being Jewish and arranges for his sons Tibor and Milos to become Catholic. He also prepares them to survive a life on the run should they all need to flee. Intertwined in their lives is another Jewish family whose daughter, Gabriella, is the subject of the two boys' affections.
Tibor and Milos avoid the round up of Jews in their village but watch helplessly from a distance as their father, Gabriella and her family are herded onto the trains destined for the concentration camps. The story that unfolds is one of peril, courage, love, loyalty, survival, and hope