Snakes and Ladders

Short-listed for LIANZA awards 2013

Short-listed for NZ Post Book Awards 2013

Winner of Teenage Choice award.

Seventeen-year-old Finn Fletcher lives in a small coastal town in NZ with his mother. His father, Duggie, is up on manslaughter charges and his mother, and her father send Finn away to an exclusive boarding school to escape the gossip and fall-out of Duggie’s crime. Settling into boarding school isn’t easy but with the help of his new mates, Andy and Hobbsie and the attentions of the much-adored Mia, Finn begins to enjoy his new life. Someone knows his home town secrets though and is determined to expose them. Blackmail and lies…. Finn keeps trying to hide the truth. An illicit after-ball party becomes the turning point of his life. 

Publishers: https://www.scholastic.co.nz/

Coming Home to Roost

Short listed for NZ Book awards for Children and Young Adults 2018

Awarded a Storylines Notable Book Award 2018

We all know boys don’t say much — their grunts and head nods remind us they’re alive, but mostly they keep a lid on their thoughts and problems. In Coming Home to Roost, Elliot Barnard is being pursued by his ex-girlfriend, Lena. He’s already botched up everything and he can’t bear to disappoint his parents again so he dodges and denies the truth, whilst juggling the many threads of his life. It’s only after a catastrophic work accident that Elliot’s life unravels and family loyalty and honesty are tested. The trouble is, Elliot may have left it too late…. “In a world where so many books have frilly dresses on the covers or kick-arse heroines wielding huge swords, this book is a refreshing change. Halleluiah!” (Bridget Schaumann, SLANZA )

Publishers: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.co.nz/

Sticking with Pigs

Finalist in the 2018 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.

Shortlisted for 2018 NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival Award.

Awarded a 2019 Storylines Notable Book Award.

Fourteen-year-old Wolf's life has been spiralling out of control since his younger brother, Davey, became sick. Now, Davey's been diagnosed with Addison's disease and Dad has taken leave to help care for him. Wolf feels forgotten. Uncle Jeremy has been helping the family out by dropping off meat he has shot. When he offers to take Wolf on a pig-hunt Wolf sees a chance to get away from the family stress.

But this hunting trip proves to be more than he bargained for.

Publishers: https://www.onetree-house.com/

Spearo

Sometimes it seems as if Sean's new life might drown him — and not just literally.

Sean Phelps is lonely and homesick at his new school. Then he meets mad-keen spearo, Mason Leadbetter, who introduces him to the spearfishing. It's a risky and exciting world.

Sean must overcome his fear of sharks, learn to control his breathing and find the money to buy dive gear. All while reassuring his over-anxious mother that he is not in any real danger.

A new hunting adventure in the spirit of Sticking with Pigs, for all ages to enjoy while asking, 'Am i brave enough to be a spearo?'

'A captivating read from first page to last.' Pat Swanson, (NZ champion Spearo).

Publisher: https://www.onetree-house.com/

Fantastic Mr Bean

When Lachie's teacher calls for auditions for the class production of Fantastic Mr Fox, Lachie is keen to try out for the lead role of Mr Fox. However, he soon realises that being an actor involves more than just saying the lines, and that sometimes you don't have to be the lead to be the star.  

It's 50 years since Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr Fox was first published. This book is a great introduction to that wonderful story.

Publishers: https://www.onetree-house.com/

The Tomo

‘I’m too busy to babysit, so i hope you and that mongrel dog are up for the job.’

Phil and his father’s beloved heading dog, Blue, are to work on a sheep station while Phil’s dad undergoes cancer treatment. The station manager, Chopper, isn’t happy about having a teenager in his care and certainly not with a sheepdog that doesn’t understand his signals.

Things improve when Chopper’s step-daughter, Emara, arrives, but then a wayward ram and a poor decision plummets both boy and dog into danger.

Phil will need all his strength to get them out alive.

Compellingly realistic and heart-thumpingly engrossing — David Hill.