KPE 215: "Fern of Maru Bay"

"Fern of Maru Bay" by Lindy Kelly
The KPE podcasters have brought you all kinds of unusual stories written for kids by New Zealand authors and Sela and Paulitia from Room 18 have found another one!
This book is about a girl who has had a pretty alternative upbringing; she was home-schooled for a start, she lives on an island, her parents are arrested for breaking the law and she can talk to animals. Quite a strange mixture! Have a listen and tell us what you think - especially if you have read this book yourself!
Oh, and don't forget that if you click on either of the girls' names you will be directed to their own blogs and you will be able to read some of their other thoughts from this year...

KPE 214: "Bit Scream"

"Bit Scream" by Richard Gunther
Tyler and Jacob from Room 18 tell us about a book with a most unusual title and a pretty unusual plot. The main character, Michael loves it when his father drives fast in his car. One wintery night when they are driving home, with the headlights lighting up the snaking, twisting road, they take the corners at dangerous speed. The car whistles like a bullet towards a sharp bend .... suddenly Michael knows they're not going to make it.
"Dad! Dad! Stop!"
Michael wakes up in hospital, at the beginning of an unfolding nightmare. Why does his voice seem distant, his body unreal? Why do the nurses all look the same? Why has the old scar disappeared from his hand?
Gradually things begin to be explained and Micheal learns what is real and what is not in this 'Virtual Reality'. Have a listen and tell them what you think....

KPE Episode 213: "Charlie the Cheeky Kea"

"Charlie the Cheeky Kea" by Jack Lasenby

Hossanah and Tina present their first podcast for KPE. They are Year 5 students from Room 14 and they have been reading a cool picture book about one of New Zealand's native birds, Charlie the Kea. From what they tell us, not only will you hear a really good story, but you will also find out a lot about New Zealand. Tell the girls what you think of their podcast and if you have ever seen a Kea, let us know where you saw it.

KPE Episode 212: "Knitwits"

Knitwits by William Taylor
Tanielu and Paulitia have recorded a podcast about a book they read at the end of last year when they were in Year 5 with Ms Squires. They never quite got their podcast organised in all the end of year excitement, so Mrs Lagitupu (their teacher this year) suggested they take another look at Knitwits and publish their podcast now.
So you are about to enjoy a very polished podcast by two talented presenters.
This is what happens in the story:

" On the worst day of 9-year-old Chas Kenny's life, his cat dies, he is kicked off the hockey team, and his mother announces that she is pregnant. Although he is unhappy about being a brother, Chas doesn't like it when Alice Pepper, his next-door neighbor and best friend, says bad things about the baby. In response, Chas skites that he is so excited he intends to knit a jersey for the baby! Sneaky Alice bets him $5. a day for life against her skull collection that he will not be able to make such a gift in time. As events happen during the following months, Chas grows really excited about the new arrival while he struggles to win his bet and prove to Alice that he is not a 'knitwit.' "

Tanielu and Paulitia tell us about the story and talk about achieving your goals, which is the theme of this story. Their advice for us is not to take any notice of people who try to put you off achieving your goals because they don't have faith in you.