Library Books > Non-Fiction > NZ Intermediate & Young Adult Non-Fiction

James Frey wakes up on a plane, with no memory of the preceding two weeks. His face is cut and his body is covered with bruises. He has no wallet and no idea of his destination. He has abused alcohol and every drug he can lay his hands on for a decade - and he is aged only twenty-three. What happens next is one of the most powerful and extreme, and honest, stories ever told. His family takes him to a rehabilitation centre. And James Frey starts his perilous journey back to the world of the drug and alcohol-free living. His lack of ... read more

Debbie is fascinated by the old sea journal her forefather wrote during his voyage on an emigrant sailing ship to New Zealand in 1842. At home, sick with glandular fever, Debbie feels transported back in time. Is it a feverish hallucination, or is her long-dead relative trying to tell her something? After a trip to Christchurch to visit relatives, Debbit boards the ferry to return home to Wellington. It is April 1968 and the ferry's name is Wahine... The third in the New Zealand My Story series chronicles the events of a 12-year-o... read more

The next book in the ongoing series tells the stories of Kiwis in the Pacific theatre: based in New Caledonia, in action on Mono and Nissan Islands, women working in communications, and a few Air force and Navy personnel. The Pacific War was different: more 'downtime', more contact with the Japanese and Americans, closer to home, a shorter war. Fifteen men have been interviewed, six served in the Army; five in the Navy and four in the Air Force. Army experiences include the garrison in Fiji, life in New Caledonia, time in Guadalcan... read more

Best and Bravest is the children's version of In the Face of the Enemy, (publishing ANZAC 2006) a history of New Zealanders and the Victoria Cross. Including all the VC winners from the First and Second World Wars, authors Glyn Harper and Colin Richardson have told the stories of the courageous men who were awarded our highest military decoration. These include the well known (Charles Upham, Moana-nui a kiwa Ngarimu, Clive Hulme, Jimmy Ward and many others), as well as those less well-remembered. All three services are represented ... read more

Jamie is in her final year of high school. She's playing the lead role in the school musical. She's features editor for the student newspaper. She's struggling with college applications. She's in a committed relationship with her boyfriend. And like so many of her friends, she's trying to work out where she fits in the world. She is also enormously, irreversibly, sometimes angrily (and occasionally delightedly) overweight. Her most immediate need is a journalism scholarship to college, so she writes an explosive and controversial... read more

When the New Zealand Rifle Brigade marched down Queen Street to board their transport ship to Egypt and the Western Front in World War I, they were led by their official mascot, a bulldog called Caesar. Trained as a Red Cross dog, Caesar rescued wounded soldiers at the Battle of the Somme.

A superb true story about the courage and loyalty of a dog and his handler in wartime. When the New Zealand Rifle Brigade marched down Queen Street to board their transport ship to the Western Front, they were led by their mascot, a bulldog named Caesar. One of those waving him farewell was four-year-old Ida, whose favourite ribbon had been tied to Caesar's collar by his handler, her Uncle Tom. Trained as a Red Cross dog, Caesar rescued wounded soldiers from the hell of no-man's-land. Uncle Tom wrote home about their adventures to ... read more

As the world's tallest mountain, Everest has held a special fascination for climbers ever since it was first discovered. Over a thousand men and women have stood triumphant on its tiny summit. But the frozen bodies that litter its dizzy slopes tell another tale of tragedy, misfortune and reckless ambition. Thrilling stories of heroism, bravery and battling the odds provide young readers with a truly compelling read.

Drawn from interviews with the men who were there in the darkest days of a bloody and terrible conflict, Hell or High Water includes many stirring accounts of war at sea. During WWII thousands of New Zealanders served in New Zealand, British and other Allied merchant marines. Many braved the deadly German U-Boat threat during the Battle of the Atlantic

In text that is addressed directly at young readers, food writer, Margaret Brooker shows how truly enjoyable and satisfying it can be to get kids cooking. If you're a parent you'll know the trials of introducing good, nutritious food to your children; but by involving them in the process you can give them not only a set of life skills, but also a pride in their creation (whatever it looks like at the finish) that will encourage them to broaden their diet. Moreover, it's great fun cooking with kids! The large-format, gloss-finish ha... read more

Finalist New Zealand Post Non-Fiction 2005. At Daytona International Speedway in 1991, the second placed motorcycle in the Battle of the Twins race is a surprise. It is a Britten and rumour has it that it was hand built by someone in his home workshop in a remote place called New Zealand. In this book, we discover who John Britten was, about his struggles at school, his love of drawing and making things, his early career as a design engineer, the way he persevered with what he wanted to achieve, including building the Cardinal Br... read more

This will have many more interviews with women than men. There were large numbers of WAAFs, WRENs and WAACs serving in New Zealand, as well as women in the Women's War Service Auxiliary and land girls. There will be sample interviews with men in the Army, Navy and Air Force who were stationed in New Zealand, along with some who served in the Home Guard. (N.B. Helen Clark's father was in the Home Guard and I hope to interview him.) I will also include the experiences of a conscientious objector. Here's a flavour of the book, from... read more

Dop May 2007
softcover
Auckland
This book contains 28 myths selected from different cultures that make up our cultural heritage and have helped form our cultural identity. Included are Maori, Aboriginal, Greek, Celtic, Polynesian, Viking, Indian, Chinese and Japanese myths and legends. These will have particular appeal to young adults as they have been retold by Jillian Sullivan, a well-known writer of teenage fiction.

While the fighter aces in their Hurricanes and Spitfires have had their WW2 exploits well celebrated, most of us know much less about the contribution made by thousands of New Zealanders who fought and died in what proved to be one of England's most potent weapons - Bomber Command. In this detailed history, full of facts, figures, names, anecdotes and both humorous and harrowing examples, Night After Night is a deeply moving account that is fulsome in detail and personal material provided by survivors, family members, colleagues a... read more

Orphaned Tanith is lucky to meet Crow when she arrives in the treacherous city. Crow is leader of the street kids and fights to save them all from being snatched and butchered by evil traders. But Crow hides an unnerving secret, the real reason the children follow him so blindly which is a strange and unearthly power.

In the bestselling tradition of Hitler's Daughter and Macbeth and Son, comes an Anzac-themed work of historical fiction, from award-winning author Jackie French. The story starts in 1915. Midge Macpherson is at school in England, having been sent there from New Zealand after her father�s death. Her brothers are both serving in the war; her younger borther was last heard of at the Gallipoli campaign earlier that year. Her cousins are serving in the British army. Keen to 'do their bit' for the war effort, Midge ... read more

Sanctuary explores some of New Zealand s most beautiful and interesting nature reserves. Told from the perspective of an enthusiastic naturalist, it is part natural history, part travel diary - entertaining, inspiring, and appealing.The book celebrates New Zealanders passion for, and commitment to, wildlife conservation. It is organised by location, starting at Cape Reinga and finishing on Ulva Island, focusing on the country s ten most important protected areas. All kinds of sanctuary are looked at - scientific reserves, scenic re... read more

All Greg wants to do is drive a rally car, and be a mechanic. But his parents think he is the dumb one in a family of brains and stop him driving. But then he meets the Chattertons and look out, world, this dude's about to hit the road! Winner of the Gaelyn Gordon Award for a Much-Loved Book 2007.

In 1939 when the Second World War began, Charles Upham was a high country farmer in Canterbury. By the time the war was over he was one of the most famous soldiers in the world. He had won the Victoria Cross, the highest medal for bravery in the British and Commonwealth armies â€ÃÂ... read more

This book examines the remarkable life of the man and the donkey who became iconic figures in the Gallipoli campaign, remembered by Allied and Turkish forces alike. The donkey named Duffy was found grazing in a gully by Simpson, ex-trade union campaigner and stretcher bearer. But in the hell that was Gallipoli there werenÃÂÃ... read more