I Am The Great Horse by Katherine Roberts

Alexander the Great's proud warhorse tells his story.

Have you given the horse strength?
Have you clothed his neck with thunder?
Can you make him leap like a grasshopper?
The glory of his nostrils is terrible.
He paws at the valley and rejoices in his strength.
He goes to meet the armed men,
He mocks at fear and is not afraid,
Neither does he turn back from the sword.
The quiver rattles against him,
The glittering sword and the shield.
He swallows the ground with fierceness and rage,
He is trained to charge at the sound of the trumpet-
He says among the trumpets, 'Ha! Ha!'
And he smells the battle from afar,
The thunder of the captains and the shouting'
- the Bible (Book of Job, 39:19-25).

Boot Camp by Todd Strasser

"You don't get out by giving them what you think they want. You don't get out until you are what they want".

This is a scary story based on fact. In the US there are an estimated 1-200 boot camps - military-style schools where parents can send their children if they think they are going off the rails and need some army-type discipline. Often they operate like a private prison system. You have no rights. Abuse is easy. This is Garrett's story.

Flesh and Bones by Alan Durant

An historical novel which switches between present time and the sixteenth century. Liam's dad is one of those scientists who can take a skull and build a face from just the bones. Liam finds himself strangely drawn to one of these skulls and is pulled into events at a monastery 500 years ago. He keeps hearing the message "Foul deeds. Murder. The Black Art" Who was the young monk and why did he die? Uncovering the young monk's story forces Liam and his father to confront the recent death of Liam's mother.

Deadly Prospect by Fleur Beale

Lincoln MacKenzie doesn't expect to get into motorbikes, but when his uncle takes him for a ride, he's hooked. He's never done anything so exciting in his life. Trouble comes quickly though. His father is seriously injured in an accident and while his parents are away, Linc's 13 year old brother gets involved in a local gang. Linc is caught between wanting to ride, putting up with his nagging grandmother, thinking is father might die, and trying to keep his brother away from his mates. The story culminates when Linc must face the gang and ride for his life. Really exciting, easily read and especially great if you want to know all about bikes.

My Life of Crime by Fleur Beale

Anthony Lassiter is a mummy's boy. His mum does everything for him - takes his side in arguments, makes his bed, takes him to school, fusses over him all the time - all he has to do is whinge and sulk and she rushes in to help. All that changes though when his step sister calls him 'the most useless bit of dribble to inhabit this earth' and starts him thinking. This story is about how Anthony becomes Ant, how he deals with the bullies who've been making his life a misery, how he earns money and friends and, eventually how he is nearly killed by paua poachers at Red Rocks Wellington. I really enjoyed this - it's funny, easy to read and something is always happening.

Goal! by Robert Rigby

The book of the movie. Sandiago from Los Angeles is offered a dream trip to England to trial with a top Premiership soccer club. Will he be good enough to make the team? The book is an easy-read and includes photos from the film.

The Way of the Warrior by Andrew Matthews

This is an easily read, fast-paced, exciting book - if you don't mind decapitation. Six people die before page 23! To avenge the deaths of his parents, Jimmu has been trained to infiltrate the castle of Lord Ankan and assassinate him. But Lord Ankan is not what he has expected and Jimmu comes to doubt his purpose. Complicating him further is his attraction to Lord Ankan's daughter, the beautiful Lady Takeko. Set in 16th century Japan when warlord fought warlord.