Welcome to our latest exciting and scintillating episode of Books from the Vault, to be found on Wellington City Libraries’ very own podcast channel called Kōtare: Wellington City Libraries Presents. Books from the Vault is a in which three intrepid librarian explorers take an in-depth and fascinating look at some of the treasure trove of titles to be found in our stacks.
Listen now! Books from the Vault: Episode 6
They dive deep into the vaults and unearth some wonderfully diverse books. After a brief description, they go on to talk vividly about the wider aspects of these works and, as an added bonus, discuss a range of linked and associated titles. This latest instalment is a children’s special.
In this episode, one of our CYA Specialists Mary Barnett selects Box by Penelope Todd; a young adult dystopian fantasy book set in Dunedin. Next, Zoë Miller, our Ethnic Communities Engagement Specialist, talks about Emeli Sione’s A New Dawn – a children’s book about the dawn raids of the 1970s and their effects on the community and individuals.
And finally, our Fiction Specialist Neil Johnstone talks about one of his favourite old-time books, The Children of Green Knowe by Lucy M Boston. First published in 1954, this is a classic English children’s book with elements of English folk mythology and ghosts, which is also heavily laden with historical detail. Intrigued? You can listen to the full episode here.
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Box / Todd, Penelope
“Derik is on the run. Not from the deadly epidemics on the rise in New Zealand but from the ruling government and its efforts to wipe out disease. The authorities have begun Endorsement: a nation-wide drive to implant a device in every citizen, to regulate body chemistry and control emotions. It’s a social experiment the whole world is watching. But Derik wants to think and feel, for himself. Trying to find shelter, he soon discovers he’s not the only one to have turned fugitive.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
A new dawn / Sione, Emeli
“Emeli Stone shares her Dawn Raid story to help us understand the real impact of this dark time in our history.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
The children of Green Knowe / Boston, L. M.
“It is a classic of its genre a Children’s book that is basically an English folk, ghost story that is also heavily laden with historical detail . It is really atmospheric the start is truly a fabulous bit of writing . At times it can be a bit scary and creepy but in a friendly way. An excellent gentle introduction to ghost stories.’ ( Adapted from Catalogue)
Other titles mentioned in this podcast include.
Genesis / Beckett, Bernard
“Anax is about to face her examination for the Academy, the institution which safeguards her society. The subject is close to her heart: Adam, a man whose struggle transformed the course of her country. But the examination will reveal new twists to Adam’s history. Twists that will undermine Anax’s assumptions about her country and who she is.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Thieves : a novel / West, Ella
“Nicky is one of a select few people who can will themselves away not just in mind, but in body. She has the gift of teleportation. It’s a rare, genetic ability, and a sinister, anonymous group called the Project want to use her for it. But who are they working for? Is the Project inherently good, or inherently evil? Suggested level: secondary.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
How to get a girlfriend when you’re a terrifying monster / Cardno, Marie
“Trillin is a tiny breakaway piece of consciousness from the all-devouring Endless, doomed to eventually rejoin it. But when a human witch stumbles into her world, Trillin suddenly has a new reason to figure out individuality-one shape-shifting tentacle at a time. Sian is sure important magical discoveries are just around the corner, if she can just get her portals to work reliably. Reaching the dimension of the Endless without being eaten on sight is a dream come true, and Sian is determined to explore every bit of it. For science, of course, not for the strangely adorable life-form who keeps popping up and trying to… flirt? But Trillin’s world can be a dangerous place, and keeping Sian safe might risk drawing the attention of the Endless itself… Together, can this unlikely duo escape the Endless, figure out the optimum number of appendages, and maybe even find love?” (Adapted from Catalogue)
The unlikely escape of Uriah Heep / Parry, H. G.
“For his entire life, Charley Sutherland has concealed a magical ability he can’t quite control: he can bring characters from books into the real world. His older brother, Rob – a young lawyer with a normal house, a normal fiancee, and an utterly normal life – hopes that this strange family secret will disappear with disuse, and he will be discharged from his life’s duty of protecting Charley and the real world from each other. But then, literary characters start causing trouble in their city, making threats about destroying the world… and for once, it isn’t Charley’s doing. There’s someone else who shares his powers. It’s up to Charley and a reluctant Rob to stop them, before these characters tear apart the fabric of reality.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Samoan heroes / Riley, David
“A collection of inspirational stories of achievers who have Samoan ancestry. It includes: contemporary heroes like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Troy Polamalu, Judge Ida Mālosi, Savage and Associate Professor Donna Adis; historical figures like Emma Coe, Tamasese, Salamāsina and Lauaki; legends like Sina, Tiʻitiʻi and Tigilau”–Back cover.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Dawn Raid / Smith, Pauline
“Like many 13-year-old girls, Sofias main worries are how to get some groovy go-go boots, and how not to die of embarrassment giving a speech at school! But when her older brother Lenny starts talking about marches and protests and overstayers, and how Pacific Islanders are being bullied by the police for their passports and papers, a shadow is cast over Sofias sunny teenage days. Through her heartfelt diary entries, we witness the terror of being dawn-raided and gain an insight into the courageous and tireless work of the Polynesian Panthers in the 1970s as they encourage immigrant families across New Zealand to stand up for their rights.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Mata Lulu : stories from Samoa for children / Young, Lani Wendt
“A collection of 10 fiction stories from Samoa for children. Ranging from fantasy, adventure, ‘spooky’, historical, sci fi, family slice of life, and humorous. Written in English but with some basic Samoan words and commonly used phrases throughout, always with contextual reading clues so even non-Samoan speakers can follow along.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
The moon of Gomrath / Garner, Alan
“When Colin and Susan unwittingly rouse the Old Magic from its slumber, the uncontrollable ferocity of the Wild Hunt is unleashed upon the world once more.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
The dark is rising / Cooper, Susan
“On his 11th birthday, Will Stanton discovers that he is the last of the Old Ones, destined to seek the six magical Signs of Light that will enable the Old Ones to triumph over the evil forces of the Dark. This Newbery Honor Book is the first title of Cooper’s Dark Is Rising sequence.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
