Author(s): Susan Paris & Kate De Goldi (Editors)

Fiction Age 9-12 | Hot Picks - Children and YA

A TREASURE CHEST BRIMMING WITH DELIGHTS

A unique, entertaining miscellany of all-new material for 9–13-year-olds in one beautifully presented package. Alongside familiar names (Paul Beavis, Giselle Clarkson, Ant Sang, Gavin Bishop, Kimberly Andrews, Tim Denee, Johanna Knox, Dylan Horrocks, Josh Morgan), you’ll find welcome surprises: a new song from Troy Kingi, gothic fiction by Airini Beautrais, a te reo Māori crossword from Ben Brown, an adaptation of Maurice Gee’s The Champion presented in comic format, and work from emerging talents J. Wiremu Kane and Austin Milne.

The editors have stayed faithful to their original intent: to reach an audience that’s curious, discerning, and up for anything ... with commissioned content that reflects the diversity of experience across Aotearoa New Zealand to reach as many kinds of readers as possible.

Annual 3 is playful and smart and packed with content – a book for the whole family. Where else would you find a poem about not kissing in church, a pattern for a knitted brain, a kākāpō in a kimono for colouring, an essay about Harry Potter, and a comic about head lice? Not to mention the board game Camp Kūkū and “The Traditional Big Spread of Aotearoa NZ” (remember the Biscuits and Slices craziness?).

“Annual is pick-your-own, and all of it is wonderful ... “
– Catherine Woulfe, New Zealand Listener

“The sort of book that will be passed on through the generations.”
– Angela Oliver, Booksellers New Zealand

“Children who love to read will find plenty to occupy them but those who are more reluctant are also catered for ... ”
– Penny Guy, Bookrapt