Australia and New Zealand, A True Book  •  Elaine Landau CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2000 •  PAPER  • 48 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) An overview of the nature, citizens and history of Australia and New Zealand for children 6-8. With its large color photographs and focus on kid-friendly topics (such as marsupials), this book is an engaging introduction to the region. (AUS121, $6.95)
The Boy Who Returned from the Sea  •  Clay Morgan LITERATURE •  2007 •  HARD COVER • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) The action-packed sequel to The Boy Who Spoke Dog (NZL92). Jack returns to the island of the dogs and runs afoul of the pirate Blackburn Jukes. (NZL91, $16.99)
The Fire-Raiser  •  Maurice Gee LITERATURE •  2007 •  PAPER  • 172 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) In this gripping tale set in New Zealand in 1915, Kitty Wix and her friends try to stop the arsonist who is terrifying their small town. Ages 9-11. (NZL100, $6.95)
The House of the People  •  Ron Bacon LITERATURE •  1989 •  HARD COVER  • 36 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) This picture book features the "Oldest Tohunga", a staple character in Ron Bacon's books for kids. Tohungas are Maori shamans, and here the Oldest Tohunga oversees the construction of a marvelous meeting house for his village. For beginning readers. (NZL47, $11.99)
The Moas  •  Katie Beck NATURAL HISTORY •  1999 •  PAPER  • 28 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) In this parable, winningly illustrated with pencil drawings by the author, young Moki must learn to fly in order to escape the Maori hunters. Unfortunately, Moki is a Moa bird, a giant (now-extinct) flightless bird of New Zealand, so escape is not so easy. Katie Beck's book has been acclaimed by educators and conservationists alike. It's suitable for ages 9 to 12. (NZL50, $15.95)
New Zealand, Enchantment of the World  •  Donna Walsh Shepherd CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2000 •  HARD COVER  • 144 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A volume in the "Enchantment of the World" series by Children's Press, this illustrated, factual survey of New Zealand is intended primarily for a library audience, but it's equally useful (if a bit pricey) as a primer for young travelers ages 9-12. The accessible text introduces Kiwi nature and wildlife, daily life, history, food, economy and more. (NZL94, $37.00)
Stowaway  •  Karen Hesse LITERATURE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 320 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) For this novel, renowned children's author Karen Hesse imagines the voyages of Captain Cook (including landings in Australia and New Zealand), from the point of view of a young stowaway named Nicholas. Ages 9-14. (OCE81, $6.99)