Behold! The finalists of the 2020 Book Awards for Children and Young Adults

The embargo on this year’s list has just been lifted. Here are all the books in the running for a gong. Huge caveat: we are yet to read them all. We’re working on that, snarled-up postal system permitting. So please consider these initial thoughts. We’re very chuffed to see Our Toby (Morris) in there with … Read more

Adapt or die: Pacific Laureate Lani Wendt Young is not messing around

Summer reissue: Lani Wendt Young writes powerful Pasifika women who summon earthquakes and crack whips of pure flame. In a fierce lecture presented by the New Zealand Book Council, she landed hit after hit on the all-white castle of publishing, finishing with this rallying cry for change.  First published 28 August, 2019. I read Little … Read more

Adapt or die: Pacific Laureate Lani Wendt Young is not messing around

Lani Wendt Young writes powerful Pasifika women who summon earthquakes and crack whips of pure flame. Today, in a fierce lecture presented by the New Zealand Book Council, she landed hit after hit on the all-white castle of publishing, finishing with this rallying cry for change.  I read Little House on the Prairie to my … Read more