Guest Post: Feana Tu‘akoi on Lest We Forget

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Today I’m joined by Feana Tu’akoi, author of the picture book, Lest We Forget.  Feana tells us about her Anzac memories and why she wrote her story.

When I was a kid, war horrified me. The terror, hardship and ruined lives – it seemed like such a stupid way to sort out our countries’ differences. I didn’t want any part of it. And I definitely didn’t want to celebrate it.

But I was a brownie and then a girl guide in small town South Canterbury. So, every year I had to march in the ANZAC parade.

I hated it – all those speeches, raving on about the brave soldiers who fought for victory. How could it be a victory when so many people died? What about the fathers, brothers and sons, on both sides, who never came back? What about the people who did come back, but were permanently damaged? I thought we should have been able to find a better way.

When my family moved to the North Island, I stopped going to the parades. But then I studied history at university. I talked to people who were involved in World War II and I realised that things weren’t as black and white as I’d thought.

Lots of people actually wanted to go to war, for lots of different reasons. They thought that they were protecting their families and helping to make the world a better place.

So my husband, Sione, and I went along to a Dawn Parade. I was shocked. Nobody talked about how glorious war was, or even that it was the right thing to do. They just talked about how important it was for us to remember, so that we could all continue to live in peace.

That was when I realised. We weren’t there to celebrate war. We were there, Lest We Forget. And that’s why I wrote this book. We need to remember the past, so we can make better decisions in the future.

I think that the next generation is smart enough to do just that. And that’s why I dedicated this book to my kids.

Feana Tu‘akoi, March 2012.

Guest Post: David Hill and Fifi Colston on The Red Poppy

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This year there are a bumper crop of books about New Zealand’s involvement in war being published to coincide with Anzac Day on April 25.  The Red Poppy is one of them that really stands out for me because of it’s well-told story by David Hill and it’s stunning illustrations by Fifi Colston.  It’s a story full of tension, but ultimately about the friendship between enemies and the loyalty and bravery of one little dog.

I asked both David and Fifi if they would be able to tell me a little about their book and what it meant to them:

David Hill

The Red Poppy is a senior picture book which tells the story of a young soldier in a terrifying battle on the Western Front in France, during World War 1. Jim McLeod and his battalion have to attack across the open ground, into the face of artillery and machine-gun fire from the German trenches. With them goes the little black messenger dog, Nipper, whose job is to carry back requests for help, to save wounded men. As they charge across the open ground, past a place where red poppies grow among the shattered trees and buildings, Jim is hit by a bullet. He falls into a deep shell-hole, at the bottom of which lies a wounded German soldier. What happens between the two men, and the part played by Nipper in trying to save them, is the rest of the story.

I’ve dedicated my part in The Red Poppy to my uncles who fought in both World Wars. Their stories of the great battles and the courage of soldiers fascinated me from when I was a kid, and finally I had the chance to honour them in a story. Mud and huge guns and fear and the red poppies that have become the symbol of Anzac Day are all in this book.

Fifi Colston

My husband’s grandfather Rothwell, wrote postcards to his fiancé Hilda, from 1914-1918. Particularly poignant were two from France; they said simply “Am O.K” and “Keep smiling!” I was in the process of scanning and blogging these cards for the family (http://wartimepostcards.blogspot.co.nz/) when Scholastic asked me if I would look at a very special story to illustrate. I had decided some time ago that the next book I illustrated had to really mean something to me on a very personal level. Illustrating a book is a labour of love and I wanted to make a body of work that would enthrall me and push me to produce as excellent work as I could. For that I’d need to relate to the story; it had to move me. Then I read David’s manuscript. Jim’s letter home never mentioning the horrors of the trenches struck an immediate chord with me; those cheerful words from a young man, disguising the reality of his situation. Rothwell did come home from France to be a husband and father, but was far from ‘o.k’; dying just a few short years later from the cruel ravages of his war experience. Illustrating this book has been a journey through his time for me. I visited war museums, studied WW1 uniform, grew red poppies, photographed mud and rubbed chalk pastel until my fingers bled. I have learned much and my artwork is a tribute to him. It’s been a real pleasure working with David, Diana and Penny at Scholastic and Penny Newman the brilliant book designer who created the vision with me.

 

New Zealand at war: New books from Ken Catran

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Ken Catran is one of New Zealand’s most prolific authors for children and young adults.  He’s an incredibly flexible writer because he writes for different age groups and in different genres.  One of my favourite books by Ken Catran is the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards 2011 finalist, Smiling Jack.  A lot of Ken’s books deal with war and the way that it affects those both at war and at home.

Ken has recently had two new books published which focus on New Zealand’s role in war. These two new books focus on two wars that most New Zealanders know very little about, the second Boer War (1899-1902) and the Malayan Emergency (1948-60).

When the Empire Calls – published by Scholastic New Zealand

It is 1899 and the Boer War has just begun in Africa. The Boer War is the first overseas conflict that New Zealand as a nation is involved in. Young men and women are eager to sign up to help the British Empire. Patriotism sweeps through New Zealand, even reaching small farming communities like Huia.

James McDonald is a teenage boy who lives on a farm in Huia with his parents and brothers and sisters. When his two older brothers sign up James is left to help his father run the farm. Left behind by his brothers and two sisters who are training to be nurses James has to assume extra responsibility and also grow up quickly. The reality of war is illustrated vividly by James’ brother Edward in his letters home and James begins to worry that he may never see his brothers alive again.

“Croaky Fred” who owns Fred’s Grocery Emporium is a person who believes that war is neither glorious nor justified. He challenges James to question his assumptions and ideas about the war. Fred’s outspoken views are considered unpatriotic by many townsfolk, who are unaware that Fred is himself a war hero who knows only too well the horrors of war. Unfortunately for James and his family, Fred’s concerns and dire predictions don’t turn out to be unfounded.

Earth Dragon, Fire Hare – published by HarperCollins New Zealand

New Zealand’s forgotten war, fought in the deep green jungles of Malaya. In 1948, Britain and her allies are pitted against Communist terrorists in a struggle for freedom. On opposing sides are Peter Hayes, a young Kiwi soldier, and Ng, a dedicated guerrilla. They are enemies but, as the bitter conflict deepens, both will ask questions. Who fights for freedom? Who is the oppressor?

And then a chance horoscope links them … to meet in battle. Destiny also decrees that Peter and Ng will become unlikely comrades. But in this treacherous and bloody war, nothing is as it seems – not even trust. The path to honour and the search for peace promise to be hard-fought and come at the highest cost. EARTH DRAGON, FIRE HARE is the ultimate tale of war.

Enter my Anzac books giveaway to win a copy of When Empire Calls and Earth Dragon, Fire Hare.

Fear by Michael Grant

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Michael Grant is one of my favourite authors because you never quite know what to expect when you start his latest book.    I know for sure that it’s going to be violent, probably disturbing and like no other young adult book around, but I never know what he’s going to throw at me.  Fear is the fifth book in his brilliant Gone series and there were times while reading it that I thought ‘where did that come from?’ or ‘what the hell is going on?’  Some authors may be running out of steam by the fifth book in a series (especially one as full-on as this one) but Michael Grant is still surprising me and making the situation even worse for the kids of the FAYZ.

Night is falling in the FAYZ. Permanently.  The barrier that surrounds the town of Perdido Beach is turning black, blotting out the sun and plunging its inhabitants into perpetual gloom.

And as the shadows deepen, the Darkness stirs.  From its lair beneath the earth, the gaiaphage reaches out for what it needs most – a human body into which it can be reborn…

Michael Grant drops you right back into the FAYZ in Fear and if you’d forgotten how bad things were he quickly reminds you.  Each of the camps are coping in their own ways and things have been relatively trouble-free for a while.  That is until certain characters make a reappearance and a darkness starts creeping up the side of the dome.  As in other books in the series, characters who seemed minor come into their own, especially Penny who totally loses it (her sanity that is).  The storylines of the gaiaphage and Little Pete get even weirder and in some parts I had no idea what was going on.  Michael Grant has an incredibly dark and twisted mind and he keeps coming up with new ways to creep his readers out and inflict torture on the kids of the FAYZ.  Because this book is called Fear Michael makes his characters face their fears, often using Penny as the tool for this.  One of my favourite things about this book was seeing what was going on outside the dome.  I’ve always wondered how the people outside were dealing with the dome and how the families were coping.  We do get a few questions answered about the FAYZ but hopefully the final book, Light, will tie up the loose ends.  It’s hard to believe that, in a year, we’ll be saying goodbye to Sam, Astrid, Edilio, Quinn and all the other kids of the FAYZ.

5 out of 5 stars

The Show No Fear and Go BZRK Michael Grant Blog Tour – Guest Post from Michael Grant

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Today I’m excited to host Michael Grant on the 4th stop of his Show No Fear and Go BZRK Blog Tour.  I’m a huge fan of Michael’s Gone series and his new series, BZRK.  He’s one of the most unique and original writers for young adults and never fails to please his army of fans.  I asked Michael if he could write about a couple of topics I was interested in; writing for the teenage guy inside him and authors and their use of social networking.  Thanks for joining me Michael.

  • Writing for the teenage guy inside you

Sometimes I’m not sure I ever was a teenager.  I never fit in.  I didn’t participate in events and activities at school, aside from debate club for one year.  I was a determined loner, actively avoiding other kids, inventing endless excuses to put off people who invited me to parties or dances.  I would sit at pep rallies and hear the “The we’re number one!” cheers and think, “Nah, we’re really not.”  I was cynical, arrogant, uninterested.  I’m sorry to say that if I was like any of my GONE characters in those days it might have been Caine.  (I’ve matured — a bit.)

I dropped out of school at age 16 and went to work full time.  I took immediately to work.  Work made far more sense to me than did my home life or school.  I liked the simplicity:  show up, work hard, get paid, go home.  All my life since then I’ve been a work-a-holic.

So when I think about the teenage Michael I just see a person who was waiting impatiently for the whole thing to be over so I could get on with the rest of my life.  In particular I wanted to be living my life, as defined by me, without adults . . . Oh.  Well then.  Hmmm.  I guess we’ve discovered the link between teenaged Michael and GONE, the book series where every single person over the age of 14 simply disappears, leaving things to be managed by teenagers.

I think adults try to keep teenagers trapped in childhood sometimes.  I think kids are often capable of more.  I was.

  • Going beyond the book: authors and social networking

I am somewhat conflicted on social media.  I’m on Twitter and on Facebook, and moderately active on both.  Am I convinced that it’s useful in terms of selling books?  No.  I think it’s useful primarily in maintaining contact with existing fans.  But I’m also conflicted about the usefulness of that.  I enjoy hearing from fans, as any author does.  But I think it can also demystify an author, showing them for what they of course are:  just regular people living not terribly grand or interesting lives.  I like hard data and I don’t think any exists on the practical effects of social media.  The jury is still out.  Of course in the meantime I’ll still be on Twitter and Facebook.

    

The fifth book in Michael Grant’s Gone series, Fear is out now, as well as the first book in his new BZRK series.  I’ve got a copy of each to give away here on My Best Friends Are Books.  Just enter your details to get in the draw.

A special thank you to the wonderful Jennifer Kean at Hardie Grant Egmont for organising the blog tour and for energy and enthusiasm!

Win Michael Grant’s Fear and BZRK

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Michael Grant is lucky enough to have two books released within a couple of months, the first book in his BZRK series and the fifth book in this Gone series, Fear.  They’re both amazing books and perfect for teenage guys.

Thanks to Hardie Grant Egmont I have a copy of both BZRK and Fear to give away.  All you have to do to get in the draw is enter your details below.  Competition closes Friday 20 April.  Open to New Zealand and Australia only.

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Win a Kyle Mewburn book pack

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Kyle Mewburn is one of my favourite New Zealand authors.  He has an incredible imagination and writes some wonderful stories, for all ages.  Kyle’s latest picture books, Seesaw Po and Melu are among my favourite books at the moment.

Thanks to the wonderful people at Scholastic New Zealand I have a Kyle Mewburn book pack to give away, which includes a copy of Seesaw Po and Melu.  To get in the draw just tell me ‘What is your favourite Kyle Mewburn book?” and  enter your details below.  Open to NZ and Australia only.  Competition closes Wednesday 18 April.

Thanks to everyone for entering.  The winner is Rosie.

Picture Book Nook: Hugless Douglas and the Big Sleep by David Melling

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I fell in love with Hugless Douglas from the moment I set eyes on this adorable bear.  He’s the bear that nobody wants to hug (apart from everyone who reads the book) and who ruins his wooly hat.  In his latest hilarious outing, Douglas has been invited to a sleepover at Rabbit’s house, but when Douglas is around, things don’t quite go as planned.

Douglas has been invited to a sleepover at Rabbit’s house so he packs his bag and makes his way through the forest.  Rabbit is happy to see everyone and invites them all inside, but however hard they push and pull, Douglas doesn’t fit.  Rabbit decides to dig a bigger hole and everyone squeezes inside for a bedtime story.  Everything is going fine until Little Sheep tickles Douglas’ nose and makes him sneeze.  Will anyone get any sleep?

Hugless Douglas and the Big Sleep is a perfect picture book that children and adults will love, whether at bedtime or any other time of the day.  David Melling is the king of picture books and I love both his wonderful words and his marvelous illustrations.  With his signature red scarf to his bumble bee pyjamas, Hugless Douglas is a cuddly, loveable character that deserves a place next to the Gruffalo, Spot, and the Very Hungry Caterpillar.  He’s full of enthusiasm and always ends up squashing a sheep or two.  However you’re feeling Hugless Douglas will cheer you up and make you laugh.  One of my favourite things in these books are the end pages featuring the sheep and rabbits.  In the other books they’ve modeled different hugs and hats, and in Hugless Douglas and the Big Sleep they model the different things you would take for a sleepover.  I hope there are many more Hugless Douglas books planned because I can’t get enough of this loveable bear.

5 out of 5 stars

 

Win Department 19: The Rising

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Thanks to HarperCollins NZ I have 5 copies of Department 19: The Rising by Will Hill to give away.  All you have to do to get in the draw for a copy is answer this question:  What is the name of the monster who is part of Department 19?  Enter your answer, your name and email address below to get in the draw.

This competition has now closed.  Thanks to those who entered.

Department 19: The Rising by Will Hill

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Will Hill’s Department 19 was one of my favourite books of 2011 so I’ve been eagerly awaiting the sequel.  Until Department 19 came along I’d been put off vampires because most of the vampire books around seemed to be about vampires that sparkled and spent their time scowling at girls or were stuck in a love triangle.  Department 19 blew me away because Will’s vampire were vicious and would do anything to get the blood they needed to survive.  Department 19: The Rising amps up the violence, the blood and guts, and the action.

“91 DAYS TILL ZERO HOUR.

THAT’S 91 DAYS TO RUN.

91 DAYS TO HIDE.

OR 91 DAYS TO PRAY FOR DEPARTMENT 19 TO SAVE YOU…

After the terrifying attack on Lindisfarne at the end of the first book, Jamie, Larissa and Kate are recovering at Department 19 headquarters, waiting for news of Dracula’s stolen ashes.

They won’t be waiting for long.

Vampire forces are gathering. Old enemies are getting too close. And Dracula… is rising.

The 700 brilliant pages of Department 19: The Rising are dripping with blood and vampire guts.  The Rising is even better than the first book, as Will amps up the violence, blood and guts, and the action.  One of the reasons I loved Department 19 so  much was because of the history of the organisation and their fight with vampires and Will gives us more of this in The Rising.  At the end of the first book we were left wondering if Frankenstein survived and Will explains what happened to him and tells us about Frankenstein’s history, including his links with some horrendous vampires.  Sometimes when you’re reading a book you wish that you knew what happened to a character before you meet them, so that you know why they act the way they do, and I love that Will shows us these details.  The Rising could be half the length it is without this back-story but it’s this that makes the book so brilliant.

One thing I especially liked about The Rising is that Will shows us that not all vampires are evil.  Some vampires wish nothing more than to be human again and hide away from the world as much as they can.  They still need to feed so get animal blood from a butcher or find other ways that mean they don’t have to kill humans.  There are vampires of all ages, including fathers and daughters, and some of them just want to carry on living the way they did before they were turned.

The Rising is real boys book.  Department 19 is a secret government organisation that protects the world from the supernatural (especially vampires) and they’re equipped with some great weapons, including the T-Bone, a gun that fires a stake at vampires.  There’s more blood and guts in this book than what I’ve seen in any vampire movie.  Whenever a vampire is staked in the heart it explodes like a balloon leaving the Operators covered in blood and chunks of vampire.  Will has written some of the best fight scenes I’ve ever read, with blood squirting everywhere and they left me feeling quite queasy.

Anyone who loved Department 19 should get their hands on The Rising and you should shove the Department 19 books into the hands of any teenage boy you know.  They’re perfect for readers of Anthony Horowitz, Robert Muchamore and Darren Shan.

5 out of 5 stars

NB: I know some primary schools have the first book in their libraries but I wouldn’t suggest The Rising for your library unless you really know your readers can handle it.