Adele Broadbent's Blog, page 7

The Wild and Windy Stars of Matariki – Ururangi and Waipunarangi

With no shops, cafes or other things people stop in towns for, Te Mata Hāpuku isn’t very exciting.

One thing tourists do stop for is the possibility of finding agate among the stones on the beach. But for Sam and Te Rerehua, Te Mata Hāpuku (some people call it Birdlings Flat) is so much more than that.

It is the home of their much treasured and loved Grandma and Poua. It’s also a place of adventures, like looking for lizards during the day whilst being chased by Ururangi’s winds. It is eeling at night when Waipunarangi hasn’t unleashed a torrent of rain.

One clear night, Grandma and Poua lead their tamariki down to the lake near their home, all the while warning them about the patupaiarehe (fairy folk) and the tricks they might pull.

The children know about these tricksters from past visits, but Sam is soon fascinated by the strange fires along the beach in the dark. Suddenly he is in terrible danger!

With the power of karakia, courageous grandparents and the help of Ururangi and Waipunarangi; Sam may have a chance…..

 

The 4th in this picture book series from these kiwi creatives shares more tales of the Matariki Stars. From relaxed gecko hunting to exciting eeling and the sudden roar of waves ready to swallow them, Sam and Te Rerehua are portrayed in rich colours and movement on the page.

Emotions run riot as once again, this family must outwit the cunning patupaiarehe.

 

Author – Miriama Kamo

Illustrator – Zac Waipara

Picture Book

Publisher – Scholastic NZ

 

 

 

(2025, Scholastic NZ, Series, Matariki, Family, Whanau, Grandparents, Tricksters, Deceiving, Eeling, Ururangi, Waipunarangi, Wind, Rain, Birdlings Flat, New Zealand, NZ, Aotearoa

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Resist – A Story of D-Day

For three long years Samira Zidane and her mother have belonged to the French Resistance in Northern France.

The German Empire took control four years before, ruling with an iron fist. But now there is news that an Allied invasion is coming, to drive the Germans out of France once and for all.

Samira would be excited about it as the night has come for it all to happen. If only her mother hadn’t been caught and be in the hands of German soldiers.

Trying in vain to get someone to help her save her mother fails time and time again. Her fellow French and even the first Allied soldiers will not come to her aid, and desperate, Samira finally realises she is on her own.

Only she can save her mother now, against soldiers with rifles and machine guns, with a knife in her pocket that she is too frightened to use, and a stray dog at her side.

Whilst the Allied Forces hit the beaches of Normandy, the French hope against hope that they will finally be saved from the terror of German occupation.

 

Resist is a novella in Alan Gratz’s War series of books, portrayed through the eyes of a young French spy on the night of the Allied Forces Normandy landings.

Readers learn of tricks and diversions the Allied Forces used as they storm the beaches in Northern France, and what it was like from a French girl’s point of view, all as she worries for her mother’s life.

This book may be short, but it still packs a Gratz punch, as readers learn about another side of the Second World War. With action aplenty, Resist – A Story of D-Day shows parachuting soldiers coming from above, tanks thundering down roads and gunfire and explosions sounding all around.

Teamed with Alan Gratz’s novel Allies, this duo of books shows a snapshot of both sides of D-Day, 6 June 1944. 

 

 

Author – Alan Gratz

Age – 10+

 

 

 

 

(2025, Scholastic, War, Courage, Family, Action, Historical, Series, WWII, Second World War, D-Day, Allied Forces Invasion, Normandy, France, Beach Landings, Allies, Novella)

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Is My Worry Worth Worrying About?

The narrator of this picture book admits something on the 1st page. He’s a worrier.

He even worries about his worrying because he knows his worries are not normal. There is worrying about the 1st day of school, or large animals, or noises. These worries are common. But his worries are far more frequent and long-standing worries. His worries hurt his tummy and fill his head with loud, buzzing bees.

People around him say, “Don’t worry about it.”

Or, “Wait until you’re an adult.”

But no matter what he does, he can’t stop worrying.

Worrying about stuff happening in his home and family is just making things worse. But he knows he’s loved by those around him, and has friends that like him too.

He begins to write all those names down, alongside his worries. Gradually, he discovers that he does have some control over his worries, and soon he feels more and more like his old, energetic pre-worry self.

 

With tips for parents and caregivers at the rear of the book, a place for young readers to write their worries down and a likeable, relatable narrator sharing his journey directly to the reader, this picture book is a great resource for all involved.

Many children are worriers like this young narrator, but with his help, they too can learn ways to dismantle their worries and get back to their pre-worry happy selves.

Beautifully illustrated in soft but full colours by Sarah Trolle.

Author Becky Overeem is passionate about mental health and education, and runs her own business developing teaching and mental health resources.

 

Author – Becky Overeem

Illustrator – Sarah Trolle

Age – 6+

Non-Fiction

 

 

 

 

(2025, Mary Egan Publishing, Aotearoa, NZ, New Zealand, Worries, Worrying, Non-Fiction)

 

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The Incredible Insects of Aotearoa

Aotearoa is a land of around 20,000 species of insect. And most of them can only be found right here!

Our insects live from the tip of the North Island to the bottom of the South, and this full colour book travels through homes and backyards, forest, caves, mountains and waterways, introducing many of our incredible creatures.

From over 100 different species of weta, (one of which is the heaviest insect in the world), to beautiful moths, insects as long as your forearm, a “Mad Hatterpillar”, and the famous maggot with a glowing bum, we meet our kiwi critters!

Readers learn the parts of an insect, the different families they belong to and where they live. We meet many experts who share their favourite insect and a little bit about the work they do.

With every piece of interesting information are full colour close up photos of insect’s behavior, homes and markings. Look hard though, some insect camouflage is second to none!

The authors have included as many Māori names where possible and the significance of insects in Māori lore. Many Māori place names around Aotearoa are also connected to insects.

In the rear of the book is a section helping with unfamiliar words throughout the book – What Does That Word Mean? and the following index can guide you straight to your favourite insect or maybe one you’re not so fond of, but would like to know more.

 

A must for book shelves across Aotearoa New Zealand.

 

Authors – Simon Pollard / Phil Sirvid

Age – 8 – 88

Non-Fiction

 

Check out another book by these authors here (Why is that Spider Dancing? – The Amazing Arachnids of Aotearoa)

 

 

 

(2025, Te Papa Press, Aotearoa, New Zealand, NZ, Insects, Bugs, Critters, Fascinating Facts, Non-Fiction)

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AFTER

Jen and her father have been travelling together ever since he found her as an abandoned baby. To Jen, he might not be her real father but he has always cared for her as if he was.

In a world of empty and eerie cities after an apocalypse of man vs machine, Jen and her father are in constant survival mode. Gangs of armed men and women will stop at nothing to gain food and weapons, so Jen and ‘Father’ try to steer clear of them as much as possible.

When they discover a compound of people who are growing their own food and working together, Jen is keen to stay with them. But they haven’t shared the whole truth with these kind strangers, knowing what the outcome will be.

But this compound has its own dark secrets, and its reveal explains so much of their shared and devastating past.

 

Middle-grade dystopian at its best, AFTER is a compelling read. It’s easy to even imagine it as a movie. The relationships between man and machine are both terrible and wonderful and as each truth behind them are revealed, the story becomes even more gripping.

I loved this novel even more than Stitch , also by Pádraig Kenny.

The publisher description of ‘The Last of Us meets Wall-E‘ is spot on.

 

Author – Pádraig Kenny

Illustrator – Steve McCarthy

Age – 9+

 

 

 

 

(2025, Walker Books, Dystopian, Post-Apocalypse, Relationships, Man vs Machine, Survival, Community, Lies, Betrayal, Father & Daughter, Courage, Power, Technology, Secrets, Family)

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Blood Moon Bride

Reyha lives in a small village with her ailing mother. She has been taught to hunt by her father, so can keep them fed, but now her father is dead, everything fall on her shoulders.

She worries for her mother’s health, but soon there are bigger fears to face. At only 15, she has only 1 more year before becoming a Blood Moon Bride. At least they thought she had another year at home.

When the leader of their lands changes the law of marriage to 15 summers, Rehya is ordered to obey.

Unlike other girls her age, she has been taught the old ways before Governor Kyra came to power. She learned of magical folk called Alkemmi and Nature being a bigger part of their lives, which are now ruled by orders and war.

Being taught to think and understand the world around her since small, Reyha rebels. The retribution is swift and terrifying, but along Reyha’s  ‘retraining’ she discovers more about the skills she has been taught to hide since small. Her courage allows others to discover their true selves which sparks a revolution.

 

Captured by the very first page, Blood Moon Bride is an enthralling read. Main character Reyha is one to cheer for as she rails against her new husband, the constraints of her life, and ultimately a controlling leader.

For hers is a world of magic, where magic is outlawed. Any sign brings swift retribution and a public death. Reyha’s courage and defiance not only reveals her own magic, but also from those around her.

Blood Moon Bride is a tale of bravery in the face of a powerful foe, loyalty to friends and family, and discovering the truth behind an entire ruling regime.

Loved it! 

 

Author – Demet Divaroren

Age – 13+

 

 

(2025, Allen & Unwin, Courage, Bravery, Historical, Resistance, Community, Magic, Fantasy, Medieval, Rules, Independent Thinking, Forced Marriage, Murder, Betrayal, Lies, Nature, Action)

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The Girl and the Ghost

Josephine Eloise Thomas (Jet) and her family have moved to France to renovate an old chateau and look for any information they can find about Jet’s mum. Jet doesn’t remember her, but her dad and step-mum are keen to help her discover more in the small French town her mum grew up in.

It’s all an exciting adventure, and during the few weeks left before she begins her new school, Jet is kept busy helping her family, getting to know the area around them, and jotting down ideas for her stories. All the while she is emailing and messaging her best friend from forever, who now lives in Singapore. She loves sharing all her excitement about her new home, but keeps one secret to herself.

Jet has discovered, talked to, argued with and worried about… a ghost. To make things even more complicated, she has also met the most gorgeous boy she’s ever seen, which makes the ghost jealous!

She’s dying to share it all, but who would believe her? Things go from intriguing to infuriating to positively dangerous, when she ventures next door to an abandoned chateau. First it is with her ghost friend, and then with the gorgeous French boy. But it is once too often, and suddenly both their lives are in danger!

 

Such a captivating story! A run down chateau. A ghost hidden deep in a wardrobe. A gorgeous boy from the local bakery, and something not quite right happening right next door. The Girl and the Ghost has just the right amount of everything to kick off a brand new series for readers of 9+

There is a mystery, a secret to keep, emails back & forth from a close friend and possible disasters within their new home. A first crush gives just the right amount of stomach swirls, and then terrible danger all but swallows up the main characters.

I’m definitely keen to grab the next in the series.

 

Author – Jacqueline Harvey

Age – 10+

 

Read an Extract here 

Find Teacher’s Notes here

 

 

 

 

(2025, Penguin Books Australia, Adventure, Animals, Crime, Family, Friendship, Ghost, Growing up, Mystery, Secret, Series, France, Chateau, Rebuild, Renovations, Refurbishment, Dog, Marie Antionette, Royal, Art, First Crush, Young Romance)

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The Surface Trials

It’s the year of 2654. This year is no different, and any who wish to join the prestigious Starquest Academy must enter a competition of survival over 3 days and nights.

After being left on a partially explored planet, contestants must use their skills in squads of five, sharing ideas, answers and collaborating to unravel clues to get them to their pick up point in three days time. They have met as they prepared for the travel to the competition, but don’t know who their squad members will be.

It is said, the heir to the Dynasties who own and runs their world is a contestant, but a disguise is sure to be in play. Speculation is rife before the competition, and the rules are the same as the previous decades of races. Work together, get as many of your squad to the finish line and stay alive.

But all the hopeful candidates know there is much more to it than that. Every move and every word is being watched and weighed and analysed. The more you impress the viewers, the more backing you get, which then increases your chances more.  The stakes are high, but no higher than for Amethyst Antares.

Ammy is from a planet fully controlled by the ruling Dynasty. Her planet and its occupants are the most mistrusted humans in their galaxy. After all, it was them who started an age old war, many years before. It’s believed by all that their control is the only way to keep the remaining planets safe.

Mistrusted by all, but determined as all of them put together, Ammy knows everything there is to know about The Surface Trials, and she will use all her skills and knowledge to get a place in the Starquest Academy.

She didn’t expect plants that want to eat you, wasps the size of small cars and a betrayal that seems too big to overcome. Hearing and seeing things that her squad doesn’t, isn’t helping either….

 

Think Hunger Games but without kids killing off kids to survive. In The Surface Trials, you must work together. This is harder than you think as a squad of five only has limited supplies, including food and first aid. The less in your team, the more food, but the more in your team that reach the finish line before sunset on the third day of survival on a strange planet, the more kudos comes your way.

It is a fine balance, all whilst being watched and listed to the entire time. This is good in some ways, but can go horribly wrong when underestimating the planet you are trying to survive on.

I found The Surface Trials instantly gripping, quickly feeling empathy for main character Ammy, and all the while wondering which of her team mates was the heir to their entire world.

The alien setting was intriguing and well written right up to the last page. The countdown ups the tension as they wonder whether they will make it after all that happens along the way!

Excellent middle grade Sci Fi fiction with Mystery, Friendship, and pulse-pounding pages. 

 

Author – HM Waugh

Age – 10+

 

 

 

(2025, Allen & Unwin, Action, Adventure, Courage, Sci Fi, Dystopian, Future, Horror, Prejudice, Secret, Planet, Giant Wasps, Squads, Mission, Countdown, Loyalty, Quick thinking, Puzzles, Cooperation, Judged, Fear, Hunger Games, Unknown, Betrayal, Belief, Abandoned, Alien Flora and Fauna, Race, 100 Contestants, Survival)

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The Surface Trials – 29 April 25

It’s the year of 2654. This year is no different, and any who wish to join the prestigious Starquest Academy must enter a competition of survival over 3 days and nights.

After being left on a partially explored planet, contestants must use their skills in squads of five, sharing ideas, answers and collaborating to unravel clues to get them to their pick up point in three days time. They have met as they prepared for the travel to the competition, but don’t know who their squad members will be.

It is said, the heir to the Dynasties who own and runs their world is a contestant, but a disguise is sure to be in play. Speculation is rife before the competition, and the rules are the same as the previous decades of races. Work together, get as many of your squad to the finish line and stay alive.

But all the hopeful candidates know there is much more to it than that. Every move and every word is being watched and weighed and analysed. The more you impress the viewers, the more backing you get, which then increases your chances more.  The stakes are high, but no higher than for Amethyst Antares.

Ammy is from a planet fully controlled by the ruling Dynasty. Her planet and its occupants are the most mistrusted humans in their galaxy. After all, it was them who started an age old war, many years before. It’s believed by all that their control is the only way to keep the remaining planets safe.

Mistrusted by all, but determined as all of them put together, Ammy knows everything there is to know about The Surface Trials, and she will use all her skills and knowledge to get a place in the Starquest Academy.

She didn’t expect plants that want to eat you, wasps the size of small cars and a betrayal that seems too big to overcome. Hearing and seeing things that her squad doesn’t, isn’t helping either….

 

Think Hunger Games but without kids killing off kids to survive. In The Surface Trials, you must work together. This is harder than you think as a squad of five only has limited supplies, including food and first aid. The less in your team, the more food, but the more in your team that reach the finish line before sunset on the third day of survival on a strange planet, the more kudos comes your way.

It is a fine balance, all whilst being watched and listed to the entire time. This is good in some ways, but can go horribly wrong when underestimating the planet you are trying to survive on.

I found The Surface Trials instantly gripping, quickly feeling empathy for main character Ammy, and all the while wondering which of her team mates was the heir to their entire world.

The alien setting was intriguing and well written right up to the last page. The countdown ups the tension as they wonder whether they will make it after all that happens along the way!

Excellent middle grade Sci Fi fiction with Mystery, Friendship, and pulse-pounding pages. 

 

Author – HM Waugh

Age – 10+

 

 

 

(2025, Allen & Unwin, Action, Adventure, Courage, Sci Fi, Dystopian, Future, Horror, Prejudice, Secret, Planet, Giant Wasps, Squads, Mission, Countdown, Loyalty, Quick thinking, Puzzles, Cooperation, Judged, Fear, Hunger Games, Unknown, Betrayal, Belief, Abandoned, Alien Flora and Fauna, Race, 100 Contestants, Survival)

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Kimi the Kekeno’s Big Adventure

Kimi is excited about his coming of age journey to the Stone Circle with all the other Kekeno. But when his mum is badly injured by a local shark, he knows he must stay and look after her and his baby sister. His best friend Rata decides to stay and help.

Kimi has heard so much about the journey to the Stone Circle and the awe of meeting Hina who will grant him his dream. But Kimi is worried because he does not have a dream. He’s not even sure he will get there at all as time is passing and the other kekeno have left for the celebration.

Finally his mum is well again, and with his baby sister strong and healthy too, Kimi sets off with Rata behind the other young kekeno. Along his journey he knows he must watch out for Orcas, the local shark bully, and also human nets.

Kimi and Rata enjoy their new found freedom in the ocean, learning to catch so much food their bellies are bursting. They meet two other girl kekeno and with them have adventures on land and deep below the sea. But no matter how much they try to avoid the perils in his mother’s warnings, the young kekeno experience human nets, sharks and a giant squid along the way – building Kimi’s worries that they won’t make it to their final destination together.

 

A beautiful story of our moana (sea), and the creatures that live in and around it. The age-old saying of: It’s the journey that’s important, not the destination, is perfectly captured in this New Zealand coming of age story.

Animals, Action, Adventure and friendship are key takeaways of this story. The personalities of four young kekeno (NZ fur seals), shine off the page as they join together in an exciting ocean journey.

There are so many ways to enjoy this book making it a perfect classroom Read Aloud:

Coming of age and growing up.

Dreams and goal setting.

Friendship and kindness.

Helping others and community.

The study of the creatures in and around our moana (sea).

Deep sea fishing and trawling nets and the havoc they wreak on the ocean environment. 

And to add even more to this gorgeous NZ novel, there is a glossary of te reo (Maori language) in the rear of the book, to help with the further understanding of words used in the story – which of course add to our own te reo.

Perfect for extending readers of Age 8-9, and of course beyond.

 

Author – Shelley Burne-Field

Age – 8+

 

 

 

(2025, Allen & Unwin, Action, Adventure, Animals, Courage, Friendship, Growing up, New Zealand, Seal pups, Sea journey, Ocean, Coming of age, Family, Stingray, Hammerhead shark, Giant Squid, Helping others, Working together, Bottom Trawler Fishing, Fishing Nets, Dreams, Goal setting)

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