Adele Broadbent's Blog, page 5

Traumaland

It all began with a sticker on a stolen phone.

Eli stole it, hoping it would give him something he’s lost. A thrill in the taking? Guilt? Remorse?

But just like the other things he’s stolen, or the dangerous things he tries, he feels nothing. No fear. No excitement, happiness, or any other emotion. He’s been in therapy for a year and his family and therapist seem pleased with his progress. But the memory of the accident that left him and his family with external and mental scars, is still lost to him.

The owner of the phone tracks him down, and retrieves it – not knowing Eli has looked into the distinctive pink-rabid-rabbit sticker on the case, and what it means. The result is a visit to an underground nightclub. Traumaland.

This is no ordinary nightclub. Sure there is music and dancing, but these clubbers are looking for more than that. They too have lost the ability to feel alive – and hope the shock factor of what they pay for brings them the thrills they’ve been missing.

Eli finally finds what he’s been looking for – and a whole lot more too. The emotions of thrill, anticipation, shock, and fear are all consuming, but the truth is even worse.

 

I cannot tell a lie – it took me quite a while to get into this thriller, but all the rave reviews and comments made me keep reading – and I am so glad I did. And that ending….!!

Luckily I also learnt it isn’t a standalone novel before beginning reading, or I probably would’ve shrieked at the end like those who found out the hard way. Bottom line is – I can’t wait for the next one.

 17 year old Elias Pugh is a likeable teen, despite stealing, lying and planning more mayhem. He’s also funny, hurting and confused. Learning the truth along with him is gripping, shocking and actually jaw dropping.

Such a twist on technology, mental health, and coercion, Traumaland is a multilayered thriller, with an underlying and unnerving layer of horror.

Will you visit Traumaland yourself to see what everyone there pays to see?

 

Author – Josh Silver

Age – 15+

 

 

 

 

(2025, One World Publications, Thriller, Club, Intrigue, Gripping, Politician, Therapy, Mental Health, Crime, Murder, Series, Betrayal, Family, Mystery, Science, Secret)

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Wandering Wild

Charlie Hart can’t believe what her bestie Ember has done. She knew Ember was entering a competition which allows the winner to spend a few days with the hottest young movie star in Hollywood – Zander Rune. But Charlie never believed she would be the one going. Charlie despises Zander. She too used to be a huge fan, until she learnt of a dangerous choice Zander made. The same choice someone else made, that killed her mother.

Zander Rune is in trouble. After achieving super actor star status as a boy, he has got the role of his life in his sights. There’s only one problem. They’re not sure whether he’s the actor they want, after his bad-boy status has all but wiped his squeaky clean image. Will he be a liability for them and their new movie? Zander and his agent will do anything to get him back on track.

 

Charlie only accepts the prize in place of Ember, because she knows how much it means to her. Zander just wants to get it over with in order to get back to the life he loves. He’s surprised that the fan girl he dreaded is actually someone who doesn’t particularly like him, and he’s not sure why.

Charlie has to admit, that Zander Rune isn’t anything like she imagined – but that one choice he made prevents her from getting to know him on their survival trek through the bush in Katoomba, Australia.

Until everything goes terribly wrong….

 

This enemies to lovers (sort of), novel is a great read. I loved the way the back story was ever so gradually revealed after little clues were dropped throughout the story. Although I had an inkling of the reasons why the characters behave as they do, the real truth was a surprise. Zander Rune is far from the stereotypical famous actor type, and is easy to like, (and swoon over), so poor Charlie with her misconceptions, anger and grief has no chance to resist her feelings. She’s no pushover though, and constantly proves it.

The survival scenes were full on, and I could feel the actor’s claustrophobia inside tunnels and their fear as they rappelled down cliffs. The author admits she took lots of liberties with the details of their adventure, but she’s right that these choices make it an even better read.

My eyes were full of tears at the end – but I won’t tell you why. You’ll have to venture into the Aussie bush with Zander and Charlie and experience the action along with them to find out.

Definitely looking for more Lynette Noni novels!  

 

Author – Lynette Noni

Age – 12+

 

 

 

(2025, Penguin NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa, Blackstone Publishing, Enemies to Lovers, Wilderness, Australian bush, Katoomba, Survival, Tramping, Hiking, Movie Star, Grief, Romance)

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Te ngahere i te pō – The forest at night

As children climb into their beds at night, so do the tūī, the pīwakawaka, and the kererū.

But as they all settle, other animals of Aoteroa are just waking up, beginning with the ruru – the kaitiaki (guardian) of the forest. He wakes and watches from high in a tree, as birds, insects and bats emerge from their sleeping spots used during daylight hours.

 

Inspired by a guided walk through the Waitākere Ranges at night, the author experienced the moments where daylight gives in to darkness and the creatures of the night begin to stir. The beautiful illustrations by Pippa Keel Situ capture not only the creatures themselves, but the quiet atmosphere of the darkness itself.

I could imagine the sound of the kiwi rustling through the undergrowth, and the sight of silent wing beats of bats and moths. Even more New Zealand animals are shown in their night time activity, portraying the darkness coming to life as we sleep.

As in every page of this picture book, there is simple te reo in the text, which has its English translation softly moulded into the illustration. Readers can clearly identify and learn about each animal through the pages, with not only its Māori name, but with a snippet of information on each on the back page.

My favourite depiction of this change over between day and night is the sets of eyes, gleaming in the darkness. Can young readers guess which eyes belong to which of our Aotearoa animals?

 

Author – Book by Kiri Lightfoot

Illustrator – Pippa Keel Situ

Picture Book

 

 

 

(2025, Allen & Unwin NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa, Native Birds, Night time, Animals, Nocturnal, Darkness, Creatures, Native Animals)

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Pūkeko Who-keko?

A Pūkeko detective has a mystery on his hands.

“What do you call a Pūkeko with a mystery on his hands?”

“Clue-keko.”

Readers can follow Detective Pūkeko through the pages of this picture book by Toby Morris, (author and Voyager NZ Media Cartoonist of the Year 2020,21 & 2024) to discover who spilt the blue paint.

Along the way, the detective meets many suspects, all introduced with fun word-play connected to the word Pūkeko. This concept originated with a family game the author played with his sons, now bringing readers a mystery to unravel and a game all rolled into one.

At first, there are simple fun-to-read questions connected to the mystery, which then become tongue twisting and laugh out loud answers.

Pūkeko Who-keko? is a joy to read and listen to, and is surely destined to be a kiwi favourite. Can you think of more words that rhyme with  Pūkeko?

 

Author/Illustrator – Toby Morris

Picture Book

Age – 4+

 

See another Toby Morris Picture Book here

 

 

(2025, Penguin Random House New Zealand, NZ, Aotearoa, Pukeko, Native Bird, Funny, Humour, Word play, Mystery, Clues, Mystery)

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Because You Are You

A young mouse wakes full of day dreams of what he might be.

Will he be an artist? If so, would his mum still scold him for painting on the walls?

What if he were to be a baker, making grand cakes around the world?

As the day passes, and mother and son mouse explore all the possibilities in his future, mother gently encourages every dream and snippet of wonder her child imagines.

By the end of the day, a fragment of doubt sweeps into his thoughts. What if he isn’t any of those things? Just a wee farm mouse?

 

This collaboration between Mark Sommerset (author of Baa Baa Smart Sheep and many other award winning picture books), and Dïne (illustrator of even more New Zealand treasures) is a soft, sweet day in the life of a mouse and his mum.

He is full of dreams of what he will be, and she is always close by, encouraging his imagination and creativity.

The rhyming text is uncluttered and simple, and perfect to read at any time of day, not just at bedtime as a wee mouse goes to sleep.

Because You Are You will also be great for emerging readers to read aloud, not only to encourage their reading skills, but to spark their own dreams.

 

Author – Mark Sommerset

Illustrator – Dïne

Publisher – Scholastic NZ

Picture Book

Ages – 3 – 8

 

 

 

 

(2025, Scholastic NZ, Aotearoa, New Zealand, Animals, Mother and Son, Mouse, Farm, Love, Creativity, Imagination, Unconditional love)

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At Home on the Farm

Written with love from his own childhood memories on a New Zealand farm, Ned Barraud has captured a rural kiwi summer perfectly on the page.

For all who have experienced farm life for themselves, At Home on the Farm will ignite their own memories. For those who haven’t known it, this rhyming picture book will bring it alive.

From paddock to barn, to eaves and trees, At Home on the Farm introduces many inhabitants and their quirks. Some hide from the sun, or soak it up after their work is done for the day. A farm cat relishes the many mice hiding amongst the hay bales, while the cows enjoy their hay for breakfast. A smelly goat watches fat kererū, and a rat causes a ruckus in the henhouse.

Each facet of the farm is explored in rhyme, whether it be bird, beast or bug. Despite all that is going on in the many spaces and pockets of the farm, the background stillness of the land captured me from the beginning – while it waits in silent semi-slumber for much needed rain.

A welcome addition to New Zealand bookshelves in city and country collections.

 

Author / Illustrator – Ned Barraud

Picture Book

 

 

 

(2025, Scholastic NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa, Farm, Animals, Rain, Drought, Native Birds, Domestic animals, Cows, Chickens, Cat, Rats, Frogs, Magpies, Rural, Country, Paddocks)

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The Terrible Trio (1) The (NOT SO) Superheroes

Zeb the Zebra, Marmalade the Penguin and Barry the Lemur are standing in line. This line of animals is very, very, very long and the three friends just happen to be right on the end of it. They are eagerly waiting to reach the front, as today is the day each and every animal is given superpowers!

As they wait, they wonder what they will get. Will it be strength, speed or invisibility? Will it be flight, x-ray vision or maybe even speaking every language? But no. When they finally reach the front of the line, after hours and hours behind a large buffalo bottom, they are disappointed. No more than Zeb. He had grand dreams while he was waiting. This was going to be his chance to make his mark on the world…..

Marmalade and Barry are pleased with their new superpowers, but Zeb is already planning what he can do with his to finally get some recognition. But can he do it without his best buddies?

 

Swapna Haddow never fails to make readers laugh out loud with her animal antics. Add Minky Stapleton’s hilarious portrayal’s of Swapna’s characters and you have a dream team of giggles aplenty.

Three animals are best friends, and as in real life, friends can be close, but very different. They have their squabbles but are there for each other when things go pear-shaped, or crocodile shaped as in The Terrible Trio: The not so Superheroes.

Looking forward to the next in this trilogy of laughs. 

 

Author – Swapna Haddow

Illustrator – Minky Stapleton

Publisher – Scholastic NZ

Age –

 

 

 

(2025, Scholastic NZ, Junior Fiction, Funny, Humour, Animals, Friendship, Series, Superheroes, Understanding, Recognition, Prison)

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A Guide To Rocks

Charlie loves hanging out with his whānau, especially his dad. But something’s changed for Charlie lately, and the first person he wants to tell is his pāpā. Pāpā’s response is not what Charlie expected, as he shushes his son. Taken inside, far from the ears of family and friends, Charlie is shown a book. It has been in their family for generations and is held together with string.

Charlie reads the title. A Gentleman’s Rule Book for Rocks. That’s exactly what Charlie’s problem feels like. A rock.

Together, they go through each rule about rocks. At first Charlie is intrigued and relieved to have some advice, but soon wonders whether the rules in the book are the best things to follow after all. In fact, the rules are making things even worse – his rock even bigger than ever.

Can they find another way?

 

With Josh Morgan’s distinctive and vibrant style we loved in Dazzlehands and The Bomb, A Guide to Rocks is an entertaining and thought provoking read. This full colour picture book is perfect for ages 5 – 10 who may feel they are carrying their own ‘rocks’ around.

The age-old kiwi way of:

She’ll be right

Don’t talk about it

Keep it to yourself

is delved into brilliantly as father and son explore old and new ways to deal with a problem. This is made even clearer on the back page in a clear, fun way.

Sacha Cotter’s fun portrayal of problems as rocks aptly shows how ‘rocks’ can quickly grow bigger if ignored or by following the old-fashioned mantras. Both father and son learn from each other in the story, realising their mental health benefits from “sharing feelings, worries, problems and more.” 

Perfect for bookshelves at home and at school, and although for young readers, the topic is applicable to all of us. 

Loved it.

 

Author – Sacha Cotter

Illustrator – Josh Morgan

Publisher – Huia Publishers

Picture Book

Age – 5-10 years

 

 

 

(2025. Huia Publishers, NZ, New Zealand, Mental Health, Worries, Problems, Sharing problems, Feelings, Family, Secret, Heavy feelings, Weight on shoulders, Father Son Relationships, Solutions)

 

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The Secret Green

Nissa can’t stop thinking about it. She may have been famous at home and school for a while, after surviving alone in the rugged bush of Fiordland (NZ), but all she really wants… is to go back.

The need to be back there with her secret friends is all consuming. Now deemed “….weird” by many of her classmates because of her constant practice with a slingshot and fascination with Fiordland, Nissa tries to hide her thoughts.

When she finds one of her small, flying friends far from Fiordland with an urgent message, she knows she must get back to the rugged bush of The Green and find out what’s wrong.

Her parents are very wary of returning to the place that hid their daughter for a month. But along with her best friend Tama, Nissa hatches a plan.

What she finds is terrible, and she wracks her brain to find a solution. The Sparks are looking to her for help, except for one who refuses to trust any human.

Nissa will do anything to prove him wrong, but what can her and Tama do up against wealthy and powerful people, keen to destroy the Spark’s home?

Discovering there is even more to hide from mankind than she ever imagined, her mind is in overdrive to do something. But what?

As the repercussions of other humans build, the tension mounts for Nissa and Tama. Not only do they need the trust of their tiny forest friends, they need to trust each other.

Is her bond with The Green strong enough for her to help? Can she convince those around her that Fiordland is far too precious to allow free access for humankind?

 

The Secret Green is the sequel to Sonya Wilson’s award winning book, Spark Hunter.

Main character Nissa, must not only find a way back to the rugged NZ Bush that claimed her for an entire month, but also find a solution to save it.

The tension builds deliciously throughout this novel as Nissa and her friends realise what they’re up against.

The description of this real life wild NZ setting is beautifully portrayed,  taking readers deep into the bush with Nissa. This rich realism mixed deftly with fantastical fairy-like characters, effortlessly continues the immersive story of Spark Hunter.

Like Spark Hunter, The Secret Green is constructed with Before (diary entries from early NZ explorers) and Now sections of the story. Emails happening behind the scenes make the tale even richer for readers as they worry along with main character Nissa about all the problems she faces.

The Secret Green is a compelling read. I loved it as much as Spark Hunter, and it left me wondering about what wonderful things or creatures are hiding deep in Fiordland – where they’ve always been, and where they should remain.

 

Author – Sonya Wilson

Illustrator – Pippa Keel Situ

Age – 8+

 

See the 1st exciting book in the series here

 

(2025, Allen & Unwin Aotearoa, NZ, New Zealand, Fiordland, Untamed bush, Wild, Nature, Trees, Fantasy, Sequel, Series, Sparks, Tramping, Environment, Development, Social Media, Extinction, Tension, School project)

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Paw & Order – The Grilled Cheese Caper

Purrlock and Marlowe are not only best friends, they are partners in the Paw & Order Private Detective Agency.

One day while Marlowe catches up on the news, Purrlock is raiding the fridge. Unfortunately it is empty. “Aha!” exclaims Purrlock. Somebody has stolen all of the food he bought the day before. The first and only culprit that springs to his mind is his nemesis – Meowiearty.

According to Purrlock, Meowiearty is a ruthless and cunning villain, and evil genius. Only he can be responsible. Marlowe however, is the clear headed thinker on the team, and he suggests a trip to a Grilled Cheese Festival instead.

Purrlock’s desire to arrest Meowiearty is quickly forgotten as his stomach rumbles even louder on the way to a cheese feast.

But alas! All of the grilled cheese sandwiches Purrlock had set his heart (and stomach) on have been snatched right off the shelves!

The Paw & Order Detective Agency get to work after determining who could have committed such a terrible crime. First – who had a motive to steal the cheese delicacies, and were any clues left behind?

 

The first in this colourful and funny graphic novel mystery series, Paw & Order – The Grilled Cheese Caper is perfect for budding investigators. The characters are all animals, and all have their funny quirks. But the stars of the novel are definitely Purrlock & Marlowe, names taken from famous literary detectives.

The baseless rivalry between Purrlock and Meowiearty is also funny, with Marlowe trying to get Purrlock to change his view of his so-called nemesis. 

The reader is encouraged by patient and clear thinking Marlowe, to go over the clues they have discovered in their investigation to determine who the real thief is – as Purrlock still insists on Meowiearty’s involvement. The truth is revealed and with Purrlock’s hidden skills from his past, and Marlowe’s quick thinking, the case is solved.

At the end of the novel, there is a note from the author about his characters and where they came from, along with the history of detective stories. There is also a promise of more stories in this funny series!

 

Author/Illustrator – Jason Platt

Age – 6+

Graphic Novel

 

 

 

 

(2025, Papercutz, Graphic Novel, Mystery, Animals, Humour, Friendship, Crime, Series, Cat, Dog, Tiger, Giraffe, Crocodile, Football, Coach, Investigation, Follow the clues, Suspicion, Rivalry, Nemesis, Funny)

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