More of wot I have read…

I have bought a few of the 'Young Adult' range of books so that I can get a better idea of what is currently being published at the moment.

Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera.

I guess most people will know this story from the film, but the book approaches the topic from a very different angle. The author spends more time on the spiritual and mystical nature of the story than the narrative, and details the significance of the imagery as it relates to the Maori culture. It is an interesting and moving read but it is not what you might expect if you only know of this author through the silver screen.


‘Eight-year-old Kahu craves her great-grandfather’s love and attention. But he’s focused on his duties as chief of the Ngati Konohi in Whangara, on the East Coast – a tribe that claims descent from the legendary ‘whale rider’. In every generation since the wale rider, a male has inherited the title of chief. But now there is no male heir – there’s only Kahu. She should be next in line for the title, but her great-grandfather is blinded by tradition and sees no use for a girl. Kahu will not be ignored. And in her struggle she has a unique ally: the whale reedier himself, from whom she has inherited the ability to communicate with whales.’

Fat kid rules the world by KL Going.

This book is one of a breed of new edgier teen books and touches on subjects of suicide, sex, drugs and rock and roll.


‘What would you say to a homeless punk who just saved your life?

When Curt (skinny punk, guitar genius) stops Troy (hugely overweight social leper) from committing suicide, it’s the start of a very unlikely friendship. Troy’s family think Curt is just a junkie loser, but Troy knows there’s more to him.

Besides, life’s looking up now Curt’s arrived – with a new image and a new nickname (Big T) the fat kid finally has potential. And when Curt recruits Troy as the drummer in his punk band, it seems like Troy might be cool for the first time ever. There’s just one problem – he doesn’t know how to play the drums. But when Curt’s around, anything seems possible.’


Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve.

This is more of the old school rip-roaring adventure stories, though even here the author touches on some more adult themes. I like the 'future-Victoriana' setting that is presented in this, the first in a trilogy city-eat-city stories.


‘London is on the move again. The city has been lying low, skulking in the hills to avoid the bigger, faster, hungrier cities loose in the Great Hunting Ground. The great town moves off after its quarry as events within the walls begin to take a sinister turn…’


Postcards from no man’s land by Aidan Chambers.

This is a story of a young man’s journey to find out more about his dead grandfather with whom he shares his name, but in turn he finds out something important about himself. Again this ‘young adult’ book touches on sensitive and adult themes. I read this book to see how the author combined the dual stories of Jacob and his grandfather in two parallel narratives. It has given me some more ideas.


‘Jacob Todd, abroad on his own for the first time, arrives in Amsterdam for the commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem where his grandfather fought 50 years before. There, Geertrui Wessling, now an old lady terminally ill, tells an extraordinary story of love and betrayal which links Jacob with her own Dutch family in a way he never suspected and which leads him to question his place in the world.’


I have also been wading through a little New Zealand history. I found the early period more interesting, and now I am having trouble in finishing it.

History of New Zealand by Michael King