The smell of an oily rag

No prizes for guessing what today's blog is about. There are tough times out there in Aotearoa (and around the world) and much belt tightening happening. So I went on an exploration in the library to see if we could help. And I found lots of things that you might find useful.

Living off the smell of an oily rag in New Zealand (and similar international titles) are, non surprisingly, all out. But if you don't want to wait for the book, there is a New Zealand website you can check out (and join if you have your own tips to share). Go to http://www.oilyrag.co.nz/.

There are plenty of other books to help you with cost-saving, self-sufficiency and job hunting in today's market. Here's a few more ideas:

The New Hard Times Handbook (Keith & Irene Smith) - a practical guide to help you do more with less

The Self Sufficiency Handbook (Alan & Gill Bridgewater) - grow your own food, chicken, goats and pigs and check out some eco friendly energy alternatives

Get Ahead (joan Baker & Annette Sampson) - get financially sorted by 30 the New Zealand Way or do a subject search for budgets or saving and investment.

Best Answers to the 201 most frequently asked interview questions (Matthew & Nanette DeLuca) or do a subject search for employment interviewing (or even just employment)

Brilliant tactics to pass aptitude tests (Susan Hodgson) - psychometric, numeracy, verbal reasoning and more

And if you are looking for some free entertainment, why not just pop into one of the Rodney Libraries and take home a book. There's nothing better.

Snippets on Monday

Snippets on Wednesday has become snippets on Monday this week as we are saving Wednesday for a fantastic announcement. So here are a selection of snippets from the book world that I have discovered on my travels around cyber-space this week. Click on the headings to go to the link for the full article.

Brits lie about books. Have you ever done this? "Two out of three Britons have lied about reading books they have not, and George Orwell's 1984 tops the literary fib list" This is according to survey carried out by the organisers of World Book Day.

World Book Day was held on the 5th of March and is the annual celebration of reading in Britain. Although it's over their website still has some interesting info on it.

There are some fantastic and very strange book titles out on our shelves at the moment as publishers and authors come up with new and interesting ways to hook the reader. So of course there has to be an award somewhere for the oddest book title each year. For details of the 2009 winner view this article Cheese wins...

Hope you are all out enjoying the sunshine. Ka kite ano

Paths to Glory

There are several things we can cover under this heading today. The title today's entry is taken from Jeffrey Archer's new book Paths of Glory which has created such a furore in New Zealand as it calls into question the achievements of one of our iconic Kiwis, Sir Edmund Hillary. There are a lot of "what if's" in this book, which is proving very popular among our patrons (expectedly). I haven't read Paths of Glory yet and there is a waiting list. You can request it using our catalogue (or ask next time you are in the library) and make up your own mind about what is, after all, a fiction novel. And while you are waiting, check out other mountaineering and Everest tales such as Everest: Summit of Achievement (Stephen Venables) or On Top of the World (Richard Sale & John Cleare). Or you can carry out a subject search on Everest or mountaineering.

Another New Zealand who has taken her own unique path to glory is former netballer and our latest cycling star Alison Shanks. After her gold medal ride at the world champs yesterday, early this morning she just failed to make it two titles when the womens team pursuit was edged by Britain and finished with a silver medal. Cycling is a growing and popular sport and recreation in New Zealand, with many different forms, so to find out more about it carry out a catalogue subject search.

And we finish of the week with the news (hopefully confirmed soon) that former Prime Minister Helen Clark's path to glory is leading her to the United Nations post (check out the Dominion Post report here). The unauthorised biography by Ian Wishart, Absolute Power is still proving popular amongst Rodney readers so you will need to put a request in if you want to read it. In the meantime for a touch of the humour and satire only Kiwis can manage, try On the conditions and possibilities of Helen Clark taking me as her young lover (Richard Meros).

Have a great weekend everyone.

Just a Little Prick

Lots of people coming into the library are feeling the effect of the change of seasons, with sniffles and head colds being the order of the day (despite the fact that we tried for a while to convince ourselves it was just hayfever).

The arrival of the nurse with the flu injections for 2009 together with mornings cold enough to require a sweatshirt on my morning walks confirmed that winter is just around the corner. Personally I don't do the flu jab, not because of any deep philosophical aversion to vaccinations, but simply because it makes me feel grotty (technical term) for about a month. I know the annual flu injections help thousands of people every year.

If you want to know more about the debate on vaccinations, head to our Health books in our non-fiction section. Just a Little Prick is the title of a book by Peter & Hilary Butler which presents the anti-vaccination argument in a New Zealand setting. You could spend some time in the health section gathering information on how to help yourself withstand all those winter germs or (if you do fall victim) how to relieve the suffering. We have books here on both conventional medical drugs, as well as a wide range of alternative therapies. Health is on our non-fiction shelves from Dewey number (referred to in our catalogue as the Call number) 610 to 619.

Nothing is more upsetting than a sick child. We have plenty of books on your Baby and Toddler, including how to deal with an ill baby or infant. Look on our nonfiction shelves in the parenting section - number 649.

Book of the week

Wellsford Library regularly review books for the Local Matters monthly newspaper. Here is last month's review of The Lieutenant by Kate Grenville

"Based on recorded historical events from the diaries of a young lieutenant named William Dawes, Grenville has invented a man of science who forms a friendship with a young aboriginal girl. Her lieutenant is an inhibited, matter-of-fact man who is not at ease with his fellow man (or woman). The girl is confident, outgoing and bright. The colony and settlement of Sydney is new, the rules are tight with little leeway for interaction with the Aborigines especially with the language barrier. Grenville’s lieutenant has become fascinated by the make-up of this language and in a purely scientific manner sets out to understand it and put it into a written form. His young friend assists by having her own interest in the astronomical work he is carrying out as an excuse to stay out of camp. However, the way ahead does not run smoothly.

Although Grenville admits to stretching time and events to suit her work of fiction, there is a solid base to her story. She weaves a sense of the times in this very new settlement and the armed forces’ first interactions with the indigenous peoples. Grenville’s earlier novel The Secret River is also based in early Sydney. She has rapidly become an author whose novels I am very much enjoying not the least for them being Australian stories."


Rodney Libraries has this book in both print and talking book. Ask at your local library.

Speaking Volumes

Speaking Volumes is the Book Review programme on National Radio's Nine to Noon session. We often get people in telling us about the books they have heard on this radio show. Here is a quick update of what has been reviewed so far during March and what is coming up.

2nd Darwin's Island by Steve Jones
3rd Bone by Bone by Carol O'Connell
4th The Missing by Tim Gatreaux
5th Fire and Sword by Simon Scarrow
6th Trail of Crumbs: Hunger, Love and the search for home by Kim Sunee
7th The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl
10th Valley of Grace by Marion Halligan
11th Wars without End by Danny Keenan
12th To Do List by Mike Gayle
13th Childrens Book Reviews
16th The Great Lover by Jill Dawson
17th The Girl on the Landing by Paul Torday
18th Drood by Dan Simmons
19th First Touch of Light by Ruth Pettis
20th UFO in her eyes by Xiaolu Guo
23rd Dirty Money by Richard Stark
24th The Kindly Ones by Jonathan Littell
25th Leaving the World by Douglas Kennedy
26th Sectioned by John O'Donoghue
27th Childrens Book Reviews
30th Kill Khalid by Paul McGeough
31st The Mao Case by Qiu Xiaolong

If you can't remember the name of the book when you come into the library tell us that you heard it on the National programme and we will check it out for you. Happy reading everyone.

Geoff Moon RIP

Rodney lost a favourite son recently with the passing of Geoff Moon, OBE aged 93. Many people in Rodney will have known Geoff, especially those in Warkworth where he practiced as a veterinarian. He was recognised internationally as an outstanding naturalist and photographer and was publishing right up to the end (his last book written with his wife Lynette is due out later this year and brings his total to over 30 titles during his lifetime). Many of Geoff's books concentrated on birdlife and some of the images he has captured are astounding.

You will be able to view his books in the Rodney Libraries catalogue by doing an Author Search for Moon, Geoff.

(photo credit Wikipedia)

Earth Hour - your light switch is your vote

On Saturday 28 March at 8.30pm Rodney residents and businesses will have the chance to join more than 50 million other people around the globe to show that they can have an impact on climate change by switching their lights off.

Earth Hour 2009 promises to be one of the biggest environmental mass movements ever. In 2008, 50 million people switched off their lights as part of the event. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome ’s Colosseum, and the Sydney Opera House were plunged into darkness.

In 2008, 63% of residents in Christchurch city took part in Earth Hour and a 13% energy reduction was achieved during the hour. In 2009, Earth Hour is coming to Rodney. Rodney District Council will be participating by switching off the lights at all Council offices and libraries.

You can be a part of this event too by switching your lights off between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on March 28. You might want to do something memorable like having a candlelight dinner or going for a walk to look at the stars. Or even telling ghost stories by torchlight!

In the longer term you can reduce your energy consumption by an average of 10% by switching off appliances on standby such as mobile phone chargers, TVs or computer monitors. That one small change can make a real difference to your power bill.

Toyota New Zealand is also offering people who sign up to be part of Earth Hour the opportunity to win a Toyota Prius hybrid. All you need to do to enter is say what Earth Hour means to you.

Switch off on Saturday 28 March at 8:30pm and vote Earth!

NZ Painting for the Young and Curious

This week I gave one books which is a Finalist in this year's NZ Post Book Awards to our resident librarian/artist Lisa to have a look at and give me some ideas on whether it is worthy of it's place on the list.

Her one word description of Back & Beyond: New Zealand Painting for the Young & Curious by Gregory O'Brien was "Fantastic". When I asked for more details this is what she said:

"A fantastic introduction to all types of NZ art, especially good for those who are new to looking at art. Gregory O'Brien, senior curator at Wellington's City Gallery, guides the reader through 200 years of NZ art helping them to look at it in a new way, and making lots of interesting connections. It's fiilled with inside information about the artists and paintings and written in a easy chatty style. It's clearly aimed at kids and teenagers but will give people of all ages an insight into our artistic heritage, making them realise that art isn't just something for people with special knowledge but is there for everyone to enjoy."

It's sounds like something lots of people may enjoy picking up, and a prime example that although some books are targetted at a children's market, there is something in them of interest for a far wider audience. I had a leaf through it's pages before returning it to our display. I liked the way the author described art as "a balancing act involving what the eye sees, what the mind thinks and what the heart feels... As well as being a big adventure, a work of art can be a way of storing knowledge, ideas and images" and the explanations of artwork are easy to understand. It is also an extremely well produced book which will probably be seen again later in the year in the production awards.

Have a look for Back & Beyond and other titles from the Finalists List for the NZ Post Book Awards at your local library.

A New Book Club

Here's something for all you book lovers out west to put in your diary. Kumeu Library wants to start up a new book club just for you.

So if you have always wanted to join a book club and didn't know where to go, come along to our inaugural meeting to discuss the formation of the Kumeu Library Book Club. We'll talk about dates, times and the sort of format you want the group to take. Bring along a favourite book to share with everyone.

The first meeting is Thursday 26 March, 7 pm, Kumeu Library AND Refreshments will be served. If you want any more details call in at the Kumeu Library and have a chat to the librarians.

Snippets from the Book World

From time to time there is a headline about libraries or books from around the World that catches my eye (occupational hazard for a librarian). Here are a few from recent days. To view the full article click on the heading.

British Library mislays 9,000 books "More than 9,000 books are missing from the British Library, including Renaissance treatises on theology and alchemy, a medieval text on astronomy, first editions of 19th- and 20th-century novels, and a luxury edition of Mein Kampf produced in 1939 to celebrate Hitler's 50th birthday. The library believes almost all have not been stolen but rather mislaid among its 650km of shelves and 150m items – although some have not been seen in well over half a century. "
(source UK Gazette)

British Library brings voices of great authors back to life
(source 3 News)

Losing Fresh Food Virginity and other stories with a Kiwi flavour from the Stuff.co.nz Books page.

Author tours to our part of the world in the next couple of weeks include:
MARCH 19–22 Novelist and poet Sophie Hannah will be touring NZ promoting her new psychological thriller The Other Half Lives. For more information visit www.hachette.co.nz.
MARCH 23–27 Katia Loisel-Furey & Paul Morris Segal, authors of How to get the Woman you want & How to get the Man you want will be in New Zealand to promote their book ­– the essential guide to flirting, dating, sex and love. It will bust open old wives tales and myths, revealing the truth about what men and women really think and want. Contact Random House NZ for details.
MARCH 24–27 John Grogan, author of Marley & Me, the blockbuster movie, will be in New Zealand to promote his memoir The Longest Trip Home. John will speak at public events in Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch. For more details go to www.hachette.co.nz.

A Touch of Green

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY.

Rodney Libraries are full of books by Irish Authors and about Ireland. We cover everything from fiction, fantasy and folklore, through to history, geography and travelogues. There's music and DVD's so have a hunt around our catalogue and see what you can find, simply by doing a Subject Search for Ireland and choosing from all the different options.

Or try one of these.

Some of us probably remember the Classic Irish authors from school or university. Names like James Joyce, W B Yeats, and Samuel Beckett. Tastes change, so even if you didn't like them back then, they may still be worth a revisit today.

Some contemporary Irish authors are extremely well known and many have won prestigious international awards. Think Maeve Binchy, Marian Keyes, Anne Enright, Colm Toibin and Patrick McCabe.

If you want to explore the history of one of Ireland's great cities, you could do worse than picking up Edward Ruthefurd's Dublin saga. And if you are thinking of travelling over to the Emerald Isle, we have a wide range of Guidebooks to choose from.

A collection of fantasy tales based on the history, culture, legends, and lore of Ireland can be found in Emerald Magic. Or pick up a copy of Irish Folk Tales.

Of course it's not only the literature and non-fiction that we have on Ireland. The Irish are also known for the musicality so to get yourself right in the mood pick up some U2, the Corrs or some CD's of Irish music.

And finally an Irish proverb that fits in well with us here in the library - Questioning is the door of knowledge.

Have a good day everyone.

Library Cats

I have just finished a lovely book called Dewey: the small-town library cat who touched the world. Written by Vicki Myron, head librarian of Spencer Public Library in Iowa, USA, the blurb reads "How much impact can an animal have?" The answer is reasonably obvious to the animal lovers amongst us - animals can have a huge influence and touch many lives. This book tells how Dewey Readmore Books won the hearts of library patrons, the town and ultimately had fans around the world.

Dewey's story covers the fall and rise of a mid-western town in America's breadbin as well as giving an insight into library and small town life. However it is ultimately a story about a cat and the nineteen years of his life where we can smile at his wisdom, giggle at his antics and games, shrug when we read of his antipathy towards the vet and shed a tear when he gives up the fight (which I did as I rumbled home from Wellington on the Overlander, somewhere around the King Country and trying not to make it too obvious to the other passengers that there was a blubbering librarian on board).

Pet New Zealand Magazine (held in several of the Rodney Libraries) interviewed Vicki Myron, the author of the book in their Dec 08-Feb09 edition. And stay tuned as their are rumours of Dewey making it onto the big screen with Meryl Streep cast as Vicki.

More Vampire Literature

Get ready (or should that be reading) for the next round of Vamp Lit as the TV series "True Blood" hits our screens on Wednesday night on Prime TV. New Zealand's Anna Pacquin recently won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the lead character in this series and with the "Twilight" books and movie having ignited this genre into a frenzy, there is sure to be quite an audience on Wednesday night.

TRUE BLOOD the TV series is based on a set of books by Charlaine Harris called The Sookie Stackhouse book series (or sometimes The Southern Vampire Mysteries).

The books in order of publication are:
Book 1 Dead until Dark
Book 2 Living Dead in Dallas
Book 3 Club Dead
Book 4 Dead to the World
Book 5 Dead as a Doornail
Book 6 Definitely Dead
Book 7 All Together Dead
Book 8 From Dead to Worse

Charlaine Harris is also the author of the Harper Connelly series as well as other titles in our Rodney catalogue. I haven't managed to get my hands on one of her books yet to road test it, but it certainly sounds like something that will be popular.

What's on this weekend?

After my dismal effort at predicting the weather last weekend I'll only say that I hope it doesn't stop you from doing what you want to over the next couple of days. I will be relaxing with a couple of the New Zealand Post Children's book awards Teen finalists. (I've already read The tomorrow code by Brian Falkner which I recommend. It's filled with local landmarks which brings a sense of immediacy to the story.)

So, what's on?

The highlight surely has to be the Youth Day Out on Saturday at the Hibiscus Coast Youth Centre, 214 Hibiscus Coast Highway as blogged on Wednesday. Skate comps, music and dance workshops, DJs with a BBQ and movie to finish.

The Auckland Festival New Zealand Post Family Weekend is on at the Aotea Square in Auckland this weekend. A fun-filled two days of events for kids and their adults, many of which will be free. Wolves, puppets, a giant unfolding truck and tall tales...

Of course the Kumeu Show is on too. It's apparently the largest show in the Southern hemisphere with all the fun of a traditional A&P show. It's chock full of things to see and do, from animals to wood chopping to vegetables to trade stands. (My personal favourite is the sentence that cheerily reads "Food Galore!!") Look out for Tina from Kumeu Library on the scarecrow stand.

On Sunday Dairy Flat hosts the fifth annual Hibiscus Coast Hospice Country Home & Garden Tour. Ten magnificant homes plus one beautiful garden are on the agenda.

Have a lovely weekend.

Youth Day Out 14 March @ Hibiscus Coast Youth Centre

One awesome day is ahead. Make sure you check out this HUGE Youth day put on by YMCA Raise Up and Represent at the Hibiscus Coast Youth Centre. It's all FREE!

The Underground Skate team will be at the park doing their thing too. There's a mini skate comp for non sponsored skaters which will be run and judged by the Us team. Loads of prizes up for grabs with under 14 and under 18 divisions. You can register on the day.

Kicks off midday with:

Skate comps, bball, volleyball, open dance floor, live graff art display, DJ CXL plus more...

Music and Dance workshops 2-4pm

Later in the day, BBQ and performances by:

Nameless Dance Crew

Soul N Coutoure and Shine Forum

Lady Sheeq

DJ CXL

Wrapping up with an outdoor movie @ 8:30pm

All FREE! At the Hibiscus Coast Youth Centre, 214 Hibiscus Coast Highway.

Delivered to you by the Rodney District Council, Underground Skate, 89.9 Times FM, YMCA.

Live from Te Papa

Kia ora from the bottom of the North Island where I have just spent four hours wandering around Te Papa and haven't even touched the surface. This place is absolutely stunning and that's just the bits I have seen. But I am thinking of you all which is why I thought I would touch base.

So far I have shown my age checking out the audio show in the village store, done a tour of the Te Papa marae and checked out the giant squid. They are having a few problems with the squid at present and are having to change over the solution that he is being preserved in. But rather than shut the exhibit away to do that, they have just put a barrier around and you can still view both the squid and how the museum works. That's the kind of place this is.

I'd love to be able to upload some of my photos so far, but it's not that sort of computer so you will have to wait until I get back. On my travels so far I have been to the West Coast, where I found it was almost possible to eat too much whitebait, met some great children's librarians plus authors Joy Cowley, James Roy and our very own Rodney storyteller Stu Duval at the South Island Children's Librarians Conference and then had a couple of days off in Christchurch at the New Zealand Dressage Champs (just supporting).

And don't let anyone say anything about the weather down here. It has been glorious virtually the whole time.

Create your own Eden!

The Rodney District Council is offering free composting and worm farming workshops and advice across the Rodney district.
The workshops will teach participants how to turn kitchen waste into nutrient-rich fertiliser for productive gardens and strong, healthy plants.
If you can’t make one of the workshops, drop into one of our advice centres where experts will be on hand to answer all your composting questions.

Due to popular demand, if you would like to attend one of the hall or community centre workshops, please book in advance by contacting us on 0800 426 5169 or via email customerservice@rodney.govt.nz

Saturday 21st March 9am – 12pm advice centre, Wellsford RD1
Monday 23rd March 7pm – 9pm workshop, Wellsford Community Centre
Saturday 18th April 10am – 1pm advice centre, The Warehouse,Snells Beach
Tuesday 21st April 7pm – 9pm workshop, Mahurangi Community Centre

Tiritiri Matangi Island

I'm glad I was wrong about the weather on the weekend. After taking my niece to Circus Oz on Saturday night we went over to Tiritiri Matangi Island on Sunday. This was the first time either of us had been over so I booked us in on a guided tour. Our guide, Dee, was excellent. She showed us edible plants, pointed out particular trees and had a good eye for the birdlife. Hearing her talk about how much work had gone into making the island pest free made me realise just how lucky I am to have a bunch of squabbling tui outside my window every morning.
A highlight for me was seeing several saddleback birds as I had never seen them before. My niece particularly liked the stitchbirds. We spent several minutes watching them feeding at the special bird feeders.

The library has some books that describe the story of developing the island from farmland to bush area and then into an open sanctuary. Much of the work was done by volunteers who are now an incorporated society. The Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi Island have their own website. They work collaboratively with the Department of Conservation to keep the island in tip-top condition.

If you've never been then I encourage you to go over and have a look around. It's quite different from bush walking on the mainland.

Have you been to Tiritiri Matangi Island? What were your highlights?

What's on this weekend?

Batten down the hatches. The weather which was supposed to be clearing on Sunday is predicted to be continuing throughout the weekend. I'm going to pick up a DVD or two for the weekend. (Children's DVDs and documentary DVDs are just $2 for the week.)

The Auckland Festival has started. Te Radar is the official 'experiential' blogger sharing his views and show reviews. You don't even have to cross the Harbour Bridge this weekend. Circus Oz are performing at the Bruce Mason theatre in Takapuna.

Seaweek 2009 wraps up on Saturday with a beach adventure at Goat Island. Even if you can't make it out this weekend Goat Island is well worth visiting. It's in the Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve and is teeming with fish life.

On the other side of Rodney District, Forest and Bird are hosting a visit at Muriwai. View the Muriwai gannets and enjoy walking the Te Henga Walkway.

Be entertained by Max Cryer at Orewa Library

Max Cryer is visiting Orewa Library on Friday 3 April at 1.30pm. Be entertained as he talks about the remarkable stories behind the world's favourite songs from his new book "Love me tender."



In the book, best selling author, broadcaster and entertainer Max Cryer reveals the fascinating stories behind 40 of the world's most popular songs.

With Max's eye for curiosity, surprise and detail he brings to light the origins of classics including 'Blue Moon', 'Twinkle twinkle little star', and 'Now is the Hour'.


Phone 09 426 8249 to book your seat. $5 charge with profits going to Hospice.


Bought to you by Orewa Library, Exisle Publishing and PaperPlus Orewa.



A Rodney Libraries Literary Adventure.

NZ Post Book awards finalists announced

Emerging authors and illustrators battle it out with our long-time writing heroes in the nation’s most prestigious children’s book awards this year.
Announced on Monday, the finalists in the 2009 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults include names loved by generations of Kiwis including Joy Cowley, Maurice Gee and Jack Lasenby. Alongside them are some exciting new talent in New Zealand children’s literature.
"The wide range of themes, places and times represented in this year’s selection are a fantastic snapshot of who we are as Kiwis and as a nation. There are rhyming stories that feature animals; humorous yet thought-provoking contemporary fiction; stories that look forwards as well as backwards, as far back as pre-history; science fiction, fantasy and realism. All these great books offer New Zealand children and young adults a veritable feast of challenging, stimulating and engrossing reading, as well as fresh, new ways of looking at the world" says New Zealand Post Book Awards judges’ convenor, Bill Nagelkerke.
The finalists were selected from more than 130 children’s books published in New Zealand in 2008 and submitted for the awards.
Nagelkerke, a past New Zealand Post finalist and former children’s librarian is joined on the judging panel by children’s editor and career bookseller, Jenni Keestra and children’s literature reviewer and librarian, Rosemary Tisdall. Together they will decide which author will earn the New Zealand Post Book of the Year prize and will choose winners from across the four categories. Winners will be announced on 20 May.

Picture Book
Duck's Stuck! by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Ali Teo and John O'Reilly.
Every Second Friday, by Kiri Lightfoot, illustrated by Ben Galbraith.
Piggity-Wiggity Jiggity Jig, by Diana Neild, illustrated by Philip Webb.
Roadworks, by Sally Sutton, illustrated by Sarah Nelisiwe Anderson.

Non-fiction
Back and Beyond: New Zealand Painting for the Young and Curious, by Gregory O'Brien.
The Crafting of Narnia: The Art, Creatures, and Weapons from Weta Workshop, by Paul Tobin and Daniel Falconer.
High-Tech Legs, on Everest by Mark Inglis with Sarah Ell
Juicy Writing: Inspiration and Techniques for Young Writers, by Brigid Lowry.
Piano Rock: A 1950s Childhood, by Gavin Bishop.

Junior Fiction
Chicken Feathers, by Joy Cowley, illustrated by David Elliot.
Enemy at the Gate, by Philippa Werry.
Five (and a bit) Days in the Life of Ozzie Kingsford, by Val Bird, illustrated by Rebecca Cundy.
Old Drumble, by Jack Lasenby.
Payback, by Michelle Kelly.

Young Adult Fiction
The 10 pm Question, by Kate de Goldi.
Chronicles of Stone 1, Scorched Bone, by Vincent Ford.
Gool, by Maurice Gee.
Juno of Taris, by Fleur Beale.
The Tomorrow Code, by Brian Falkner.

Scams target you: protect yourself

It's Fraud Awareness Week this week. Their aim is to show us how we can spot scams, protect ourselves from scams, and report a scam to help protect others.

Most scams originate from outside New Zealand and once money is sent overseas it is virtually impossible to recover.

There's a new website ScamWatch which is designed to provide information we need to Protect Yourself from scams so we can recognise a set-up and avoid the hook and the inevitable sting of a scam.
The SCAMwatch Alert section keeps us informed of scams that are out there circulating in the New Zealand community, so we can be aware and prepared for them.

AVOID RIP OFFS. DON’T RESPOND.
Offers that sound too good to be true trick you into giving away your heart, money, or your personal details. They never deliver what you want. Don’t be sucked in. Fight the scammers - don’t respond

All information from the Consumer Affairs Scamwatch website.

Rotary Club of Orewa Annual Book Fair

The Rotary Club of Orewa has their annual book fair from May 22-24 but the club would like people to start donating their old books now. A number of collection points are available throughout Orewa. Money raised supports local community organisations like Plunket, Orewa Sea Scouts, Hibiscus Coast Kindergarten, Police Blue Light ventures and many more.
For information contact Doug Parker ph 09 4270456.

The Rotary clubs around Rodney are great supporters of our children's programmes. Along with Lions clubs in the district they sponsor the Summer Reading Programme and Mayor Penny's Reading Challenge. Both groups work for the good of the community - thanks!