Author: Mandy Hager Reviewers: Katarina (14) and Amelia (14)

Eighteen-year-old Grace has struggled all her life with her place in this family and in the world. Obviously of Asian descent, she has been unable to get the truth about her parentage from her mother, a woman who is struggling with her own demons, that date back to her life in Taiwan where she survived an earthquake while giving birth to Grace.

May 2024 release

Author: Jane Arthur Reviewers: Kirsteen Ure and Libby Timmins (11).

Warmth, humour, and depth in a ‘quiet, kind book about a quiet, kind kid.’ A new mother-daughter review from 11 year-old Libby and (slightly older) Kirsteen.

April 2024 release

Author: Rachael King. Reviewers: Kirsteen Ure and Libby Timmins (11).

When is a horse book not a horse book? When it’s a kelpie book, of course, of course. Kirsteen Ure and her daughter Libby (11) give an unbridled review of Rachael King’s new intermediate-age fantasy book, The Grimmelings.

February 2024 release

Queen of the Cosmos tells the true story of famed NZ scientist Beatrice Hill Tinsley. Creating a children’s book that did justice to Beatrice’s achievements but didn’t gloss over the hardships she faced was both a challenge and an honour for writer Maria Hill and illustrator Alistair Hughes. They talk to Kete about this out-of-this-world story.

Released February 2024

Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassadors Alan Dingley (current) and Ben Brown (former) on books, reading and why rangatahi do – or do not – find it enjoyable…

In 2023 a cohort of excellent, world-class authors from Aotearoa penned novels for young adults. Here is Kete’s pick of the year based on our reviewers’ insights.

Authors: Anna Coddington, Joy Cowley, Lynley Dodd, Sarina Dickson, Deano Yipadee.

It’s here all over again. Faster than Santa on a surfboard the silly season has arrived and so too have a few new festive, fun, and funny children’s picture books by authors from Aotearoa.

Author/illustrator: Ned Barraud with Andrew Stewart. Reviewer Alex Eagles.

‘For almost 50 years, ‘the Jaws effect’ has resulted in what psychologists have termed galeophobia — an irrational fear of sharks. Even though statistics show driving to the beach is far more likely to result in injury…’ Alex Eagles reviews this celebration of mangō and whai for young New Zealanders and joins the authors in encouraging others to admire these amazing animals.

October 2023 release

Author: James Russell. Reviewer: Sofia Glucina.

‘I would recommend this book to kids 9 - 13, and people who like dramatic fiction. You don’t have to particularly like history to enjoy it. I find history boring but the Children of the Rush series made me want to learn more. It was interesting, fun, dark and heartwarming.’

September 2023 release

Author: Michaela Keeble. Illustrator: Tokerau Brown. Reviewer: Dionne Christian.

Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai is philosophical, smart, wry and highly recommended.

September 2023 release

“One thing I learnt real fast is that you don’t go in there and make it look like a formal learning environment. You have to go into their space, acknowledge it is their space and get down to their level…” 

Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassadors Alan Dingley (current) and Ben Brown (former) have had more opportunity than most to talk with rangatahi about books, reading and why they do – or do not – find it enjoyable…

Cover story: Iris and Me by Philippa Werry (Ahoy! The Cuba Press, $25.00)

Author Philippa Werry on her book Iris and Me, the Kete Cover Story March winner: “I absolutely love it!”

March 2023 release

Author: Anne Kayes. Reviewer: Dionne Christian.

Tūī Street Legends is book three in Anne Kayes’ successful series about a group of young friends who live in a tightknit community where neighbours still greet each other by name and the kids are in and out of one another’s homes, forging close friendships and connections.

February 2023 release

Author: David Hill. Reviewer: Jessie Neilson.

In Below, a young adult novel by renowned storyteller David Hill, we witness two adolescents who find themselves completely out of their league, trapped in the tunnel.

February 2023 release