Joan Bauer
This is the sequel to Rules of the road. Jenna is still selling shoes for Gladstone Shoes and struggling to deal with her alcoholic father. The story has plenty of funny moments as Jenna juggles school, home and family and her job, which includes supervising a young man who has been caught stealing and fighting against a move to cut the quality of the shoes she sells. Jenna really cares about her job and is prepared to fight for what she knows is right and I really enjoyed both books about her.
Recommended for 13+
Reviewed by Helen
Fleur Beale
Hannah has always had difficulty in being respectable. She is torn between the examples and lifestyles represented by her respectable and very English godmother, and her loving stepmother, who is Maori. A comment made by her godmother begins Hannah’s quest to find out more about her mother and each answer brings more questions.
Meanwhile, conflict between the English colonists and local Maori seems to becoming inevitable as land sales become more fraught and Hannah’s family splits apart.
Recommended for ages 15+
Reviewed by Annie
Francesca Lia Block
Echo feels like a pale echo of her beautiful, goddess-like mother. As her father's illness worsens, and Echo grows older, many tales combine to become Echo's story.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Richard Nelson Bolles and Carol Christen, with Jean M. Blomquist
What do you like to do? What interests you? What subjects are you really good at? Use this book to help guide you in your subject choices, university courses and jobs.
Brian Caswell and David Chiem
Libby loves Andy, but both of them come with history. Andy comes with a story from his father, and the untold story of his father's descent into alcoholism. Libby comes with a secret, her grandmother's secret. Wound around them is the story of Andy's mother Nguyet, and that of the farmer.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Li Cunxin
This is the autobiography of a boy, brought up in a poor village in China, who is chosen to attend Madame Mao’s Beijing Dance Academy. Knowing nothing of life outside his village, nor dance, he feels homesick and lost. From the small action of his teacher – touching the shoulder of the school’s delegate – his life changes. Given the opportunity to study in America, his world view dramatically alters, leading to his defection to America.
Recommended for 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Annie and Maria Dalton
Two 16-year-old girls tell their stories in alternating chapters. Carrie-Anne’s not sure of her place in the family and keeps clashing with her mum, so she decides to find her birth mother. Naomi’s life has always been in upheaval – getting pregnant at 16 doesn’t help.
Recommended for 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Alwyn Evans
Nessa, with her mother and siblings, has escaped from the terror of their lives in Afghanistan. Eventually they arrive in Australia, looking for a new life. But the refugees are not accepted with open arms – instead they are put into camps.
This is a heart-breaking story – based on stories told to the author by refugees in Australia.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Michael Farr and Laurence Shatkin
Do the personality test to figure out what you are, and then look through the career guides.
Rebecca Greene
Ever felt school isn't offering you the challenge you crave? Unsure what you want out of life? What job to do? Well, take a look through this book for some ideas on how to get the most out of your time. Ideas include: mentoring; job-shadowing; internships; volunteering; not to mention how to make the most out of an overseas experience.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Steven Herrick
Jack is sixteen – he’s obsessed with: love (Annabel), the ghost of his mother – and the length of his nose hair.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Lorraine Jean Hopping
Diane France is a forensic anthropologist – like Kathy Reichs, author and inspiration for the TV series Bones. This book looks into Diane’s life and her work and includes really good information about what a forensic anthropologist does.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Joanne Horniman
Mahalia told the story from Matt’s point of view – now it’s Emmy’s turn. Emmy’s chance to explain why she left her baby daughter behind and where she went.
A poignant look at postnatal depression and recovery.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
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Spencer Johnson, M.D.
Who moved my cheese? is a guide for helping people from all walks of life deal with changes in their lives – both private and professional. The whole idea is based around a story of four beings living in a maze who eat cheese – and how they cope when the cheese moves. It sounds like a corny idea, but this amazing book could help you learn more about yourself so you can succeed more in life.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Erika
Simon Kent
Find a job to avoid the 9-to-5 humdrum world! Great fun - even if you just use it to dream.
Recommended for ages 14 +
Reviewed by Annie
Steve Kluger
Joey needs a hero and he picks Charlie – the new and much-praised baseball player for the New York Giants. Joey wants more than just an autograph – he’s a kid who needs a father figure. It’s the 1940s and war is on the horizon for America. The growing conflict forms the backdrop to the growing relationship between Joey and Charlie. It’s a reasonably quick read – as it’s pretty much all told through letters.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Kirby Larson
16-year-old Hattie has inherited her uncle’s homesteading claim in Montana and travels there from Iowa with only her cat for company. This is a really absorbing account of her struggle to get her land fenced and crops planted and the problems she encounters. Not all the problems are to do with farming and weather. It is 1917 and her generous and helpful neighbour is being victimised because he is German. Hattie has to learn to think for herself as well as to survive in really harsh conditions. Read this and be thankful that you live in easier times.
Recommended for ages 13+
Reviewed by Helen
Leaving home for the first time is a rite of passage. Fifteen authors contribute their perspectives. From fear to desire - joy and hope - the mixed emotions that accompany each journey - physical and metaphysical - are conveyed in a manner that both stimulates the mind and satisfies the heart.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Cass
A collection of short stories telling it how it is in the real world. Just because the stories are fiction doesn't mean they're not real.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Maureen McCarthy
Rose has had a traumatic year, which began with her parents splitting up. Rose has had an affair with a much older man and instead of following her lifelong ambition of studying law she is working as a waitress and staying away from her family and old friends. In the course of a trip, with her mother, to visit her dying grandmother, she remembers the events of the last year and begins to come to terms with them.
There is a hopeful ending to the story and this is a great read for girls of 14+
Reviewed by Helen
Jay McGraw
Trying to figure out what you want from life and how to get there? Then this is the book for you. Jay's made his father's book Life strategies work for teens. Following his Ten Laws of Life your journey to adulthood should be easier and more fulfilling.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Anna MacKenzie
Seven students, one teacher and a tramp to remember. It started off so good, and then it changed. Would they have gone on the trip if they'd known what would happen? When a struggle against the elements turns to a struggle for life and against death, what wins?
A sharp and painful induction into adult responsibility and attitude.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Valerie Mendes
Daniel’s class has to “adopt-a-granny” – something Daniel doesn’t want to know about, so soon after his grandmother’s – and only family – death. But his chosen person, Laura, may be just what he needs, and he for her. Across the road, in his old house, a new family has moved in. There’s two children – Jade, the beautiful rainbow girl, and her little brother Finn.
Recommended for ages 12+
Reviewed by Annie
Linda Newbery
Two entwined stories - now: about Greg who befriends Faith, and together they try to discover the mystery of Graveney Hall's last heir. Then: Edmund, heir to Graveney - in love with Alex, a fellow officer in his army unit. Now, Greg struggles with his identity - how does he really feel about Jordan, classmate and friend. Faith & her faith in God challenge Grey - and he challenges her in return. Deceptively deep - like the pool in Edmund's grotto.
Lyrical and compassionate.
Recommended for ages 15+
Reviewed by Annie
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Gary Paulsen
A 16-year-old boy runs from home and has to survive in 1950s America. He joins a group of Mexicans thinning beets and. eventually, ends up working in a carnival. Gripping, this story is based upon Paulsen's experiences.
Recommended for ages 15+
Reviewed by Annie
Bali Rai
Manny's father insists that the family act as traditional Punjabi Sikhs. But Manny considers himself more English than Punjabi. His best friend's "Black-Jamaican" and Manny's into football. This doesn't fit in with his father's plan to arrange Manny's marriage when he's 17. But Manny has a way out planned.
Recommended for ages 15+
Reviewed by Annie
Margaret Wild
Gabe's got it all - all the girls fall over themselves to get his attention - but Gabe's heartless. Helen's lived her life on the sidelines, and it's only with the aid of surgery that she can show her face in public. But, somehow, they get together for one night. One night that will change their lives. Written in free verse.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
Leaving home: stories 
