Library News September 2026

Book Week

Book Week this year saw a fund range of literary competitions, quizzes, dressing up, and free book giveaways. Congratulations to Oranga house who took out the Inter-House Quiz for the first time in many years. The kaitiaki pukapuka were dressed up as Snow White and Maleficent for the day and we had Logan as Arthur Dent. A few Star Trek and manga characters were spotted around the school as well as a Bilbo Baggins. Congratulations to the 5 students who guessed the correct shredded book in the jar: Sherman Alexie’s wonderful novel “The Absolutely True Diary.” (Don’t worry: we managed to find a very tattered copy to use). Ngā mihi nui to everyone who participated in Book Week.

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

Week 8 was the annual celebration week for Te Reo Māori across the motu. On display in the library is a range of fresh and exciting books in te reo. This year we’ve bought a range of picture books, picture dictionaries, and phrase books to help new language learners and parents looking to immerse their tamariki in the language. Nau mai haere mai ki te Whare o Pukapuka.

Books of the Month

A Silent Voice Manga Yoshitoki Ōima

A beautiful and poignant manga series about bullying and deafness, guilt, loneliness and atonement. The story follows a boy who bullies a deaf classmate when they are kids. Years later, isolated and wracked with guilt, the boy seeks out the victim to apologise and make amends. One of the top manga issues in the library this year.

Te Onehaumako Zeb Tamihana Nicklin

This is a young adult novel in te reo Māori where we follow the story of Tawa, an inquisitive teenage boy. With a time-travelling shed located in his garden, Tawa takes a trip through time visiting ancient days, where he meets Mauwhare and his grandmother. Throughout the story, Tawa meets ancestors and paramount chiefs and soon realises there might be more to his grandmother and Mauwhare than meets the eye. A short, punchy, exciting science fiction novel for juniors and seniors alike.

After Tupac and D Foster Jacqueline Woodson

The most issued book of September and a contender for the top read of the year, Jacqueline Woodson’s “After Tupac and D Foster.” The story follows two teenage girls living in the Bronx, New York. One day a foster child shows up and they become friends. They bond over their shared love of the music of Tupac Shakur. Yet soon the girls get the news that Tupac has been shot. A beautiful and accessible short novel about friendship, change, growing up, and finding your Big Purpose in a challenging world. A student favourite.

Overdues

Please remind your kids to return any overdue books to the library.

Farewell to Cathryn Redgwell

After two years of contributing to the library at Springs Cathryn Redgwell is retiring from the role. We wish Cathryn all the best as she embarks on her next steps. Her in-depth knowledge of contemporary YA and display-making skills will be missed. Ngā mihi nui, Cathryn.

Andrew Raba
Kaitiaki Pukapuka
Library Manager