(by Robert Muchamore)

The master of teen series writing has done it again and this time with no spies or car chasestyle action. Rock War is perfectly pitched at the rock music-loving teen who dreams of starting a band. We follow three would-be musicians, each from very different backgrounds and schools. Each has very different challenges to overcome to achieve their aim, but they are bound together by their common love — music — and it will be interesting to follow the series to see how the “war” pans out. There are teen issues — sex, drugs (and rock ’n’ roll) to cope with, along with socio-economic and class issues.

Friendships and family relationships also feature strongly in the teens’ journey to rock stardom. While Rock War is nothing like the Cherub or Henderson Boys series in subject matter, Muchamore’s style is still gripping, for a page-turning, fast-paced read. This is the first of a promised series of four — part two due next year.

(by Shane Koyczan)

Some books are published as movie tie-ins. This slim hardback, has a much more unusual source. Shane Koyczan’s anti-bullying poem was put to music by his band, Short Story Long, and released on their Remembrance Year album in 2011. Attracting a snowball of attention, an animated version of the poem was released on YouTube in February 2013 with the work of 86 animators from around the world. Before long it went viral, and now the book version is available, beautifully illustrated by 30 artists from Canada, Germany, Peru, Japan and New Zealand’s Gary Venn.

Addressed on the cover to “the bullied and beautiful”, the poem surely resonates for most people, from child to adult. Truly thought-provoking, it will be a powerful read and re-read for any teen who may feel vulnerable and show them not only are they not alone, it is important not to lose their way. Not only can you read the book, you can hear it read online — a powerful message.

(by Carl Hiaasen)

The back cover blurb promises teenage rebellion, a mysterious, ragged stranger, guns and ’gators. In other words, action and suspense. Hiaasen’s plot is quickly engaging. When 14-year-old Malley leaves early for boarding school, her cousin Richard doubts the story, suspecting the rebellious girl has run away again, this time with a guy she met online. He becomes increasingly concerned for her safety when he starts receiving texts and calls from her — he can read between the lines of her assurances that all is well.

While her parents go to the police, Richard takes matters into his own hands and joins forces with Skink, an rough-living, eccentric, 72-yearold former governor of Florida who is officially dead. Skink quickly learns the online boyfriend is not who he seems. It is a great adventure too. Richard’s adventure with Skink turns into an amazing roadtrip with a blend of thriller and teen fiction. An unusual page-turner.

(by Rick Riordan)

Since 2005, Percy has starred in five of his own adventures and had many other outings in the Heroes of Olympus series by the prolific Rick Riordan. All this means that most of his original fans may have “grown up” too much to want to read more, so a new generation has a lot to catch up on. In this volume, Percy gives readers an introduction to the world of Greek gods. Percy is a fairly self-important and sarcastic guy (as befits a demigod) so his tone may not appeal to some, but he gives an intriguing run-down of the most important gods, complete with personal anecdotes, starting with how the world was created and not stinting on the gory and villainous sides of deity.

The final chapter is a short story, The Son Of Sobek, detailing Percy’s first encounter with Carter Kane, one of the teen protagonists from Riordan’s Egyptian series. Looks like an exciting new adventure is in the pipeline.

(by Michelle Knudsen)

You can pretty much tell this book by its cover. Cyn Rothchild is an average teen with an unrequited crush on Ryan Halsey, to whom she is too shy to speak. Her best friend Annie teases her about this — until she is literally spellbound by the new school librarian, John Gabriel. Cyn soon suspects there is more to Annie’s infatuation. People around the school are acting weirdly and teachers start disappearing.

Cyn discovers the librarian is a demon, and luckily she is immune to his powers. She manages to overcome her awkwardness with Ryan and together they fight the black magic, which becomes more dangerous and widespread than they first suspect. A humorous and gripping read.

(by Lily Herne)

As a reviewer it is sometimes your fate to happen upon a book series part-way along its journey. This is the case with The Army Of The Lost, the latest in the Deadlands trilogy from the mother-daughter collaboration calling themselves Lily Herne. And wow: this story of zombie fighting in a near-future South Africa is such a persuasively real, exciting and intelligently crafted mix of character and action that I can’t wait to read the follow-up.

Here, Cape Town’s Mall Rats have been captured and taken to Jozi, where they become part of the Army of the Left’s plans for freeing the town’s inhabitants of the ruling elite and destroying the undead. The seamless storytelling is a page-turning pleasure. Even if you’re not into the zombie genre I can’t recommend this too highly.

(by E. Lockhart)

Iced tea, tennis courts and golden summers spent on a private family island with her privileged and beautiful Wasp-ish clan, Cadence Sinclair seems to lead a charmed life. But this summer, everything is different. She returns from an overseas trip suffering from crippling migraines and with a memory of waking naked and confused on the island’s beach. And no one seems to want to talk about what has happened.

As Cadence edges closer to the truth there’s a growing sense of foreboding, yet nothing really prepares you for the truth. This moreish, tantalising and gorgeously written treat will be a great summer holiday read.

(by Fleur Beale)

In a long-awaited and equally compelling sequel to her fantastic I Am Not Esther, Beale continues the story of the Pilgrim family, focusing this time on twins Rebecca and Rachael, who move with their family to a closed community in the South Island.

Obedient and respectful of the religious Rule binding them, the sisters nevertheless have small contacts with the outside world causing them to consider, though not to question, the life they are leading. And despite some incidents that suggest life in the community is not the Eden it claims to be, they prepare for what seems their inevitable future. However, although Rachael’s path follows the traditional one of marriage to a young man of the community, the elders appear to have something else in store for Rebecca.

(by Ed Sheeran and Philip Butah)

For fans of the musician, and those interested in art, this rather garish (on the outside) green volume will provide endless inspiration. Wise words from the world famous singer are accompanied by his artist mate Butah’s pictures of him in different media, from watercolour to ballpoint pen.

The pair met when Butah entered an art competition Sheeran’s parents were curating and, he says, he’s been painting and drawing him ever since. At the back there’s more on the artist and a gallery of non- Sheeran heroes he has drawn. A true collaboration of talents.

(by Laura Dekker)

You may have forgotten the controversy over the teen who sailed solo around the world, but Laura Dekker’s story — the journal of the voyage on which she became the youngest world circumnavigator — should definitely be revisited.

From her battles with the Dutch authorities, to the triumph of finally setting sail, to the end of her amazing journey, Laura takes you with her all the way — whether it’s hunkering down against the elements in her cramped cabin, battling divebombing flying fish, giant cockroaches and messy birds; frustrated by a lack of wind or at one with her yacht and the sea. In a world where the word is bandied about too much, her story really is inspirational.

(by Simon Mayle)

Sub-titled “How Harry Riddles made a MEGA-amazing zombie movie”, this is jam-packed full of 10-year-old fun. Essentially it is a diary-style tale of Harry Riddles, largely with email messages to and from the 10-year-old, chat room conversations and the odd “real letter”. Through his communications we learn Harry is worried about his family — his dad lost his job and Harry worries he may have to move schools (to say nothing of lose his Xbox). One of Harry’s correspondants, his cousin Charley in California, helps him deal with bullies and teaches him to ask for help when he needs it.

However, Harry’s idea of asking the Queen, film director Sam Mendes and One Direction’s Harry Styles are perhaps misguided. The issues Harry faces, such as the internet, bullying, siblings, parents and lack of money, are recognisable for the target reader. An easy read that can be taken in sections — always helpful for the less enthusiastic reader.

(by Lucy and Stephen Hawking)

The fourth instalment of George’s adventures with his neighbour, Annie, and super-computer Cosmos, this comes too late for most of the kids who were entranced by George’s debut in the 2007 novel, George’s Secret Key To The Universe, and its sequels in 2009 and 2011. However, teamed with these, The Unbreakable Code would make an excellent Christmas set of novels for the young reader (or listener) curious about the universe.

As well as the intriguing story of how the friends confront the catastrophe that seems to be engulfing the world’s computer and financial systems, the book has sections of fact from eminent scientists. The grand finale is a section by Stephen Hawking about life in the universe, well aimed at the target age group of 9-up.

(by A.F. Harrold)

This hardback, beautifully illustrated by Emily Gravett, is a real outing for the imagination. The narrator is a boy named Rudger, who first comes into being in the wardrobe of a girl called Amanda. They have wonderful adventures until the sinister Mr Bunting and his imaginary friend, an evil girl, appear and seem determined to chase them down and swallow them whole. Amanda is injured in a carpark and sent to hospital.

Separated from her, Rudger begins to fade — and must fight to get back to her. This is an imaginative tale, with twists and turns, humour and suspense. Perfect for anyone who has ever had such friendships.

(by David Walliams)

It’s getting to the point where it wouldn’t be Christmas without a new frolic from British author Walliams and he doesn’t disappoint with Awful Auntie. Here we meet Stella, who wakes after apparently months in a coma, bandaged head-to-toe and being “cared for” by Aunt Alberta and her beloved owl Wagner (the only thing Alberta loves — perhaps). As in his previous offerings, Walliams includes plenty of wacky lists (Gibbon the butler’s talents, for example, include serving dirty socks for afternoon tea, ironing the plants, watering the sofa and taking the rug for a walk).

Stella discovers she is in fact uninjured and that Alberta is after the deeds to Saxby Hall. Once again Walliams’ Dahl-esqueness is supported by masterful illustrations by Tony Ross. If you love silliness, this is perfect.

(by Roald Dahl)

Just in time for Christmas, this slender hardback will bring the magic of Dahl and illustrator Quentin Blake to a new generation of youngsters. There are no surprises for those in the know storywise, but the final pages include a variety of Dahl trivia about his life, his writing hut and other gems, and a glossary of “gobblefunk” created by the wordsmith. A fine gift.

(by Judith Rossell)

In this gorgeous hardback, author-illustrator Judith Rossell introduces us to an exciting new heroine. The redoubtable Stella Montgomery is an orphan, staying with her crotchety old aunts Temperance, Deliverance and Condolence in a spa hotel while they take the waters.

Though stifled by their demands for ladylike behaviour and deportment lessons, Stella retains a keen sense of adventure and when she witnesses a murder in the hotel and makes a promise to the dying victim, she becomes embroiled in an adventure that involves an evil magician, a boy with the second sight, singing cat, ghostly castles and a drowned village. Marvellous fun, with a deliciously dark edge.

(by Sandra Morris)

Getting outdoors these holidays might be made a little more interesting with the help of this attractively oldfashioned volume. It explains how to produce a journal from observing nature, whether in the garden at home or further afield: the beach, mountains, even a city street or the zoo. With exquisite drawings by Morris — as well as tips on how to produce your own — and clear, informative text, this would be ideal for a budding artist, zoologist or botanist.

(by Barbara Else)

Another delightfully visual hardback, with charming illustrations by Sam Broad, this is Else’s third story from the magical land of Fontania, following The Travelling Restaurant and The Queen And the Nobody Boy, and possibly the best. Dorrity is the only child in Owltown. During her brothers’ yearly trip to “talk to the authorities” she is left with a neighbour and discovers a bizarre book that contains a list of (rather impossible it seems) “possible endings” for herself.

When strange happenings and misfortunes begin to befall her friends and relatives, Dorrity takes it upon herself to tackle the danger, and at the same time manages to untwist her own tale.

(by Paula Green)

A very reasonably priced book from West Auckland poet Paula Green, this is jam-packed with odes aimed at younger readers, though with fairly broad appeal. The subject matter is familiar; for instance lots of different cats are peppered throughout, including the titular Letterbox Cat, who sits “on top of the letterbox as if she’s waiting for a letter from London or Luxembourg or Levin ... ” and the Dogcat, who fetches toys.

But other animals rate a mention too, including dogs, mice and snails — and there’s also tribute paid to fun things like snowboarding and rugby and treats such as popcorn and icecream. Delightfully comic illustrations by artist Myles Lawford add to the enjoyment.

(by Toon Tellegen and Mark Boutavant)

Essentially a large chapter book with pictures, the charming design of this book means it would make a delightful present for all ages, from the very young to the very old. Gently humorous, each chapter tells of different animals dealing in different ways with being angry: simple enough stories for the young reader at face value — like the lobster door-to-door salesman who tries to sell different coloured versions of anger to a reluctant mouse; and the rhinoceros and hippo who meet on a path in the forest and refuse to let each other pass — but also containing some quite pertinent moral and philosophical ideas.

But really it’s Boutavant’s gorgeous illustrations that make this a book to treasure.