This week’s books include two that each conclude a story started long ago. Endgame has just been published, 20 years after Noughts & Crosses, the first in what has turned out to be a series of six books. Always is the seventh and final book that began with Once, published in 2005. What a journey for each of those authors; to be able to inhabit both of those stories for so many years.

I am always on the lookout for books for teenagers published in Te Reo Māori, they truly are like hen’s teeth, but Paulo Coelho’s international bestseller published in 1988 The Alchemist, has just been translated, Te Ruānuku, and what a great choice. Lastly, let’s journey into Space. From the author of The Martian, comes Project Hail Mary. This time the astronaut has to save the world. Expect another goodie.

Project Hail Mary / Andy Weir

“I penetrated the outer cell membrane with a nanosyringe."
"You poked it with a stick?"
"No!" I said. "Well. Yes. But it was a scientific poke with a very scientific stick.”
― Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary

Here we go – Hero astronaut must save planet earth from extinction whilst alone in spaceship, lightyears from home in deep Space. Sounds good so far. Movie like even. The science once again, is as meticulously researched as it was in The Martian in this entertaining Sci-Fi thriller. To add to the daunting mission, the hero has awoken in space, with no memory of who he is nor what his mission is. How on earth (ho ho) will he do it? Buckle up and find out.

Te Ruānuku / Paulo Coelho (The Alchemist)

The Alchemist is one of those philosophical books, like The little Prince, that teach profound ideas for living a rich life, couched in an unrelated tale. This is the story of a boy, on a journey of discovery, searching for treasure and along the way becoming transformed by realising he needs to listen to his heart, to identify his own personal life goal or story and to learn ways to attain those things. I imagine it translates beautifully in te reo Māori.

Endgame / Malorie Blackman

Twenty years on from Noughts & Crosses, this sixth book concludes the story begun with a forbidden romance set in an alternative society, between Sephy, a Cross, from the dark-skinned ruling class and Callum, a Nought, from the colourless underclass, that spans three generations. The themes are of racism, prejudice, discrimination, terrorism and political commentary with twists, turns, drama, suspense, action and MUCH love for this story powerfully told by one of Britain’s most talented writers for Young Adults. Many people rate this as one of the best series they have ever read. So I have used lots of the adjectives of those readers in the description as above. Why not start at the beginning and see for yourself.

Always / Morris Gleitzman

And now the final book in this series. Set in World War 2 Nazi occupied Poland, of Felix, a young Jewish boy, whose parents, seeing what was coming, ‘hid’ him in a Catholic Orphanage and he sets out on a mission to find them three years later, innocently believing them to be alive and unaware of what was happening in the world outside of the Orphanage. The books in between Once and Always fill in the dark story of events of the Holocaust and move to Australia where Felix is an 87-year-old man now. It is not only Felix’s story anymore but becomes a moving series that although sad and devastating in parts, always remains hopeful. The author set out to write a book about friendship in tough times. Indeed. And with this series, he cemented himself as an award-winning author, who became Australia’s Children’s Laureate from 2018-2019. This series has been read by all ages, including Adult Book Clubs. Expect to need tissues.

This series has some confronting and dark scenes that reflect the realities of the Holocaust but remains hopeful as much as they can be educational. Photo taken from website below which also contains lots of interesting resource material about the first book in this series.

https://library.trinity.wa.edu.au/Year7/English/Once

And you can access the library website here at any time to see what else is new, search for items and for links to Research and Academic databases.