KPE Episode 453: The Talking Stick

Serena and Mateo are both year 7 students in room 22, and have recently read The Talking Stick by Dot Meharry.

A boy named Hohepa has a dream in which he is in the marae (meeting house) with his family waiting for the talking stick to be passed on to him, so he can tell his stories but it happens to be that there isn't one.
In an effort to keep in touch with his roots, Hohepa decides to make a talking stick for his family.

Take a Listen to this awesome podcast

KPE Episode 452: Cows In Action - The Moo-My's Curse

Tana has recently done a podcast with classmate, Tevita who has been reading Cows In Action, The Moo - My's Curse by Steve Cole.

Cows In Action is a series of books that follow star agents who happen to be cows. They must travel to several places in order to stop the bad guys! 
In this series Professor McMoo, Bo Vine and Pat must find out about the Moo - My's curse by going back in time and stop the evil bulls from messing up the Earth's history.
This is a great adventurous book and will have you wanting more.

KPE Episode 451: "Beyond the River"

Brooklyn and Rita have been reading "Beyond the River" by Joy Cowley. 

This book is a collection of 12 short stories for young people. All are set in the South Pacific, some with very familiar locations in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Most use fantasy to create modern fairy tales about our surroundings and Brooklyn focuses on one of them.

KPE Episode 450: Billie B Brown, The Little Lie

Cheyanne and Taeshell are both year 6 students in room 17, and  have come together to do a review on a book called Billie B Brown The Little Lie, written by Sally Rippen

Billie has just broken her arm, playing hunters and the arrow had accidentally landed on the roof, as she climbed up to retrieve the arrow, she fell and broke her arm.
But just to make the story more interesting Billie adds in a few crocodiles. As her little white lie isn't so little anymore, her friends aren't sure what to believe...



                              Check out this awesome podcast!

KPE Episode 449: Just Jack

Marvin and Melvin are both year 7 students in room 20, and have recently joined forces to create a podcast about a book Melvin has been reading called Just Jack by New Zealand author Adele Broadbent. 
This book was a 2012 NZ Posts Children's book awards FINALIST!

Wee Jack Baines is a 14 year old boy who lives on their family farm in Ormondville  under the shadow of his older brother Robert who excels in everything he does, but one thing he is good at is his gift with horses. Jack is very small for his age, and with his gift with horses his Uncle arranges a jockey apprenticeship in Hastings.

This was wee Jack's chance to prove himself to his family, especially his brother and rid of his nickname that he hates 'Wee Jack' and just be Jack.

 Jack quickly realises that its much harder than he anticipated and comes to terms that he is more like a stable boy and his chances of a jockey apprenticeship are slipping away from his grasp.  But with some help Jack soon finds a new position in Napier and is back on his way to becoming a winning jockey.

Until the ground begins to shake beneath him...

KPE Episode 448: The ANZAC Button

Faa'ao is a year 6 from room 17, who has recently interviewed one of her classmates Ane about The ANZAC Button by Judy Raymond.


" A long time ago, the button had been important. 
It was sewn carefully onto a khaki jacket 
and polished until it shone. 
Its shiny surface reflected the soldier's pride 
as he marched on parade"

Ella's grandfather was too a veteran of war and had once worn the khaki jacket and ANZAC button in battle. It in fact saved his life as a piece of shell hit him, but luckily hit the button first and bounced off. If it weren't for the button Ella realises she would not have been here today.

In memory of her Great Grandfather Ella wore his button on the parade once again.



April the 25th, marks the date when New Zealand and Australian troops landed in Gallipoli during the first World War, it was a very significant battle in both New Zealand and Australia. Every year on the 25th April we remember these soldiers who fought for our country and Dawn parades are held all over the country in honor if them.

                                 Take a listen to this fabulous podcast 

KPE Episode 447: Sid and the Slimeballs

Jonathan and Timoteo are both year 6 students in room 17. Jonathan has shared with Timoteo the details about Sid and the Slimeballs by Phil Cummings 

Sid was the school nerd who always got  teased at school, One day a girl named Jane approached Sid and handed him a radio and headphones, while he was minding his own business a boy took the radio and headphones off him.
But Sid's luck was about to change... the manager of the rockband Slimeballs which happens to be everyones favourite band discovered Sid and wanted him to perform at school.
After his performance the rest was history!




                                  Take a listen to this awesome podcast!!

KPE Episode 446: The Magicians Nephew

Gloria is a year 6 from room 17 has been reading The Magicians Nephew, by the great C.S Lewis. Lisia recently interviewed Gloria to find out about this wonderful book.

Want to know how Narnia was created ??

The Magicians Nephew is in fact the prequel to The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, and tells the tale of how Narnia came to be created.

This fantastical novel will have the audience gripping in anticipation, just like it had Gloria. It is a great read for anyone who loves a mix of fantasy, adventure and mystery. 

Whilst Digory and Polly are playing they stumble across Digory's uncle Andrew who tricks Polly in to touching a yellow ring in which she vanishes, He  explains to Digory that these rings allow you to travel between two worlds and he should go after Polly.

Digory is transported to a woodland that has several pools, he finds Polly nearby. The two friends realise that this in fact is not another world, but a 'Wood between the worlds'. They soon realise that the pools are actually 'doors' that lead to a separate universe. 

What will the pair find... Take a listen to this very detailed podcast and find out what adventures they come across

KPE Episode 445: EJ12 Rocky Road

Gloria has had the pleasure of interviewing Kaycee about the novel, EJ12 Rocky Road by Susannah McFarlane. These two girls are both year 6 in room 17 who have put together a fabulous podcast that will make you want to read the book for yourself.

Emma Jacks, is special agent EJ12 an is apart of the Shine agency. She can do pretty much anything, but when it comes to performing in a school talent show with her friends she becomes all shy and timid. 

When her agency hasn't had any messages from Shadow (the 'evil agency) lately. And they know that they're planning something.

It becomes Emma's mission to find out what there up to and put a stop to it 

EJ12 is yet another fabulous book apart of the amazing Girl Hero series that many of the students love to read. Take a listen to Kaycee and Gloria's podcast on their review of this book

KPE Episode 444: Blessu

Zyrin and Timoteo are both year 6 students in room 17. Timoteo had recently finished a book called Blessu by Dick King Smith and illustrated by Adriennne Kennaway To find out more about this book Zyrin interviewed him for some insight on what happens

When someone sneezes people around them normally respond by saying 'Bless you' right ?

So when a baby elephant sneezes for the first time his family says bless you, but the baby elephant does not understand why they are saying that to him, and assumes that this must be his name.

But the baby elephants reason for why he keeps sneezing is that he has hay fever, which is a common allergy that occurs when the baby elephant is walking amongst long grass, but when the grass stops flowering the baby elephant no longer sneezes. 

Timoteo has done an excellent review on Blessu and has even given us detailed information  that you may not have known before you listen to this awesome podcast.

KPE EPISODE 443: Singing Sensation

Tyla from room 17 has recently interviewed Wyatt who had been reading this awesome novel called Singing Sensation by  Geronimo Stilton

Geronimo Stilton is the infamous mouse who has been enrolled in to a singing competition, by his old pal Strongpaws. He couldn't believe it himself that he was actually good. His song 'Welcome to new Mouse City' went straight to the top of the charts, but he soon finds out that it was all a big phony, his voice was replaced a cassette. His CD's didn't seem to be making many sales. Geronimo and his detective friend Hercule Poirat be able to find out why?


                                 Take a listen to this very entertaining podcast 

KPE Episode 442: The Sneetches

Howard from room 17 has been reading The Sneetches by the famous Dr Seuss, and recently Wyatt had interviewed him to get a little more insight on this qwirky book.

 There are two types of Sneetches ones with stars on their bellies and ones without. The Sneetches who have the stars think the are better then them, and leave them out of any kind of activities like parties. Until one day Sylvester McMonkey McBean came to town with a machine to add and remove stars. Will this change how the Sneetches see each other?

Listen to this great podcast

KPE Episode 441: Infamous

In this episode Esrah from room 17 has recently interviewed Isara about the book Infamous by Justin D'ath, which he has been reading.

Tim lives in a tiny town called Daffodil. As Tim faces the fact that his best friend Greer might be moving because of little business, he comes up with this crazy idea to try and help Greer and her mum out.
Tim's great plan is to make Daffodil famous. And in doing so he paints his dog to look like the Tasmanian Tiger. One million dollars is offered to anyone who is able to capture the Tasmanian Tiger, that has been sighted in Tim's very own town, Daffodil.
Will Tim and Greer claim the prize ?



                                          


                                             









                                         Take a listen to this awesome podcast!

                                   

KPE Episode 440: Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Rodrick Rules

Jonita from room 17 has recently read a book called Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Rodrick Rules  by Jeff Kinney Jorja has interviewed Jonita to get a bit of insight as to what happens.

This is the second book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series

The main character Greg Heffley's diary starts with summer and the misery of being on the swim team, which was not his idea. His friend Rowley has gone on another exciting vacation that Greg doesn't want to hear about. His little brother, Manny, and his parents continue to drive him crazy.

However, Greg's older Brother, Rodrick is giving him a lot of grief because he knows about the embarrassing incident that happened to him during the summer. Greg doesn't want anyone to know about this embarrassing incident because he has just started a new school and is eager to fit in with the others. Rodrick holds this secret over Greg and uses it to blackmail his younger brother. 

Will this embarrassing secret get out?

                      Take a listen to this great podcast the girls have put together

KPE Episode 439: Blast

Frankie from room 17 has interviewed Zyrin to hear about a book he has been reading, Blast written by Dee Phillips.

 

Private Collins is a soldier, He had been out driving in one of the army convoys, with his platoon on patrolling the area.

As the platoon were driving around they were fired at by the enemy, fortunately for him there convoy wasn't hit. 

But unfortunately another convoy wasn't so lucky. And it just happened to be one of Private Collins comrades in the other vehicle that was hit.

Will Collins be able to rescue his fellow comrade?

KPE Episode 438: Loudmouth Louis

Faa'ao from room 17 has interviewed Taeshell about a book she has recently read called Loudmouth Louis by Anne Fine.

A boy named Louis has a tendency to talk A LOT! When his class has to come up with an activity to help fundraise for their new school library. Louis decides to create a silence group that only he can join and get people to sponsor him. No one believes that he will be able to stay silent, as the longest he has ever stayed silent for is 40-50 seconds max.

But Louis is determined to prove them wrong, and actually finds that he doesn't mind listening for once and that lessons are much better.

Take a listen to this great podcast!

KPE Episode 437: Dinosaur Rescue: Stego - Snottysaurus

Gloria from room 17 has recently interviewed Lisia about a book she has been reading called Stego - Snottysaurus by Kyle Mewburn, which is a apart of a great series called Dinosaur Rescue.

A CaveBoy named Arg has a very special friend named Skeet, who happens to be a dinosaur. A terrible flu has spread across Arg's village causing chaos in his tribe and a whole lot of problems. Arg discovers that the flu is very deadly to dinosaurs and unfortunately  Skeet hasn't escaped the flu, and the only way for him to get better and all the other dinsosaur's, is to retrieve the snot from Stego - Snottysaurus and get the dinosaurs to lick it.

 Skeet and Arg set out on their biggest adventure yet, that will bring them many suprises on the way!

KPE Episode 436: Paying for it

Isara from room 17 has been reading a novel called Paying it forward by Ann Turnbull, Jonathan who is also from room 17 interviewed Isara to give us a little insight on what this books about.

 Two friends Luke and the 'narrator' discover a purse underneath Luke's seat on the bus. Luke opens the purse to see if there is any evidence of whom it might belong to and finds an address inside, which leads them to an empty house, with a very hungry cat eager to be fed!

As they knock on the door there is no answer,  Luke finds a key in side the purse and let themselves in to this empty house to feed the cat. Instead they found something else...something they were not expecting!

                  
                                          Take a listen to this awesome podcast

Shoal from Room 21 has been reading "Anywhere but Here" by Ella West and her friend and classmate, Rita, interviews her about this book. This is the second book in a trilogy that began with "Thieves".

Nicky, Jake, Shelley, Paul and Tina can all “travel”, in other words if they have a point of reference they can go there instantly. They have been exploited by a group called the Project to do some good deeds but also to steal secrets from Companies etc. In Thieves they escaped from the clutches of the Project and in this book they are loose in Los Angeles enjoying freedom and each other. Sooner or later they are going to have to face the Project as they have papers and discs from the last job they did before they escaped. This provides the drama and action in the book and sets up the third book in the trilogy, Real Life.

KPE Episode 434: "Miss Fortune"

Toreka and Selena from Room 21 continue their podcasting career with another lively interview as they discuss "Miss Fortune"by Brandi Dougherty, the third book in the Poison Apple series.

Zoe’s never been superstitious, so when she and her best friend Mia have their fortunes read at a carnival, she doesn’t take it seriously. In fact, Zoe mocks the fortune-teller. But the woman gives Zoe a necklace to seal her fortune, and as soon as Zoe puts it on, unexplained things begin to happen to her. Her bike spins out of control, a fire starts in the oven when it isn’t on, and Zoe begins receiving threatening texts and emails. The necklace must be cursed! But when Zoe and Mia return to the site of the carnival, it’s gone! Can they break the curse before something terrible happens?

KPE Episode 433: Night Rescue

Jarna and Chante from room 20 have collaborated to create an aweosme review on Night Rescue by Pauline Cartwright





Larry has gone on a tramping trip with his mum and her boyfriend in New Zealand's very own backyard, in the South Island of Central Otago. Jack didn't seem to be enjoying himself as he was quite the city boy. 







Although he did liked to take photographs of beautiful flowers. One day he found a bunch of very pretty flowers that he wanted to photograph, unfortunately the flowers were on a steep hill making it difficult for Larry. As he went to capture these pretty flowers, he slipped and fell in an awkward position. 
Luckily for Larry Jack found him and was off to get help, but it wasn't all that easy for Jack.


                  This is a great podcast that I strongly recommend  

KPE Episode 432: The Secrets of Droon, Journey to the Volcano Palace

Kayde and Matthew from room 20 have done a great review of "Journey to the Volcano Palace" by Tony Abbott, which is one book of a great series called The Secrets of Droon.

Imagine having your very own teleport in the basement of your house which sends you to a magical place when ever you want. Lucky for one boy named Eric he has that.
He noticed that he was having the same dream over and over again you will be there within a week.



Funnily enough Eric has two other friends who also come across this same dream and have both visited Droon.

As the friends were teleported to this magical world, little did they know there was a specific no humans policy. 

And what would be a magical world without a distressed princess, who is in need of help from the three friends to help find her magic jewel.

Will they find the magic jewel and avoid being captured...

You will have check out this awesome podcast

KPE Episode 431: My Diary Journey to Tangiwai

Seini - Mino and Jarna from room 20 have come together to review one of New Zealand's very own true stories, "My Diary Journey to Tangiwai - The Diary of Peter Cotterill" by David Hill.

This story is based on a significant event in New Zealand of the Tangiwai disaster in 1953, through the eyes of a boys diary named Peter Cotterill from Napier.

Peter had received a diary from his great aunt as a gift for his 13th birthday. He writes about what goes on in his everyday life including his uncle who fought in World War One, his scouts and the paper run.

Peter is very much into his scouts and is preparing for a medical based scout competition that if they win, will travel up to Auckland where the major competition is held.
To get to Auckland Train was the cheapest form of transport. 

The Christmas eve train ride will become a ride Peter will never forget ...


"David Hill does a fine job of giving us some solid historical background while he tells this story"

                     Seini - Mino and Jarna have done a fine job themselves, Check it out

KPE Episode 430: The Mysterious Four - Hauntings and Heists

"The Mysterious Four" by Dan Poblocki is a nail biting series that Mubasshira and Sylvia from room 20 have done an excellent review on. Take a listen!

Three friends Sylvester, Rosie and Woodrow live in the neighbourhood of Moon Hallow. When a new girl named Viola arrives in to the neighbourhood the three friends welcome her into their group only to find out she solves mysteries as a hobbie.

The group took a liking to Viola's hobbie and decided to form their own crew named the 'Mysterious Four'. Moon Hallow became a neighbourhood full of mysterious lurking around every corner waiting to be solved by the Mysterious Four.


Check out this awesome podcast these girls have created for this very intriguing book!

KPE Episode 429: Abandon Ship

Abandon Ship!: The Diary of Debbie Atherton, Wellington, 1968 by Shirley Corlett is reviewed by Vivienne and Ashleigh from Room 20.

It tells the story of the tragic sinking of the Wahine ferry in 1968 in the words of 12 year old Debbie Atherton.

It is 1968 when Debbie's grandmother gives her a copy of her forefather's old sea journal. She finds it fascinating and very different from her own diary of school life and troubles with friends. One day, sick in bed, she thinks her long-dead relative is trying to tell her something. And then she boards the ferry Wahine for a voyage to Wellington. 

We think you will enjoy this podcast and learn a lot from it.  If you want to learn more about the Wahine disaster, check out these links; Wikipedia or this TV News broadcast from the time when it happened.

KPE Episode 428: The Worst Name in Third Grade

Taeshell and Cheyanne from room 17 have come together to create a fabulous review on "The Worst Name in Third Grade" by Debbie Dadey.

One morning Mrs Holiday announces that she is leaving and moving to Texas as her husband as been offered a job there.

Unfortunately for third grader Bridget, she doesn't have the best of last names, and tends to get teased at school, but Mrs Holiday is the only one who doesn't laugh every time her name is called on the roll, and loves her for that.

When she finds out her favourite teacher is moving, Bridget is very worried that the new teacher will laugh at her name. 

What is Bridget's last name.... 

You will have to listen to this excellent podcast to find out 

whats so funny about her last name!

KPE Episode 427:The Clue At The Bottom Of The Lake

Wyatt and Calvin from room 17 together have recorded an excellent review of " The Clue At The Bottom Of The Lake" by Kristiana Gregory, which is part of a great series called "Cabin Creek Mysteries"

12 year old Jeff spots a suspicious looking boat out on the water in the middle of the night. He noticed that it was dumping a huge clump of something into the water.

Jeff's dad and uncle both warned him and his cousin not to go exploring on what was called the lost island. But curiosity got the best of them. As soon as they stepped foot on the island the boys had a weird feeling and felt that something just wasn't quite right.

And yet the boys still carried on searching for anything that could lead them closer to what they really want.





A fabulous thrilling story that is strongly recommended!
Take a listen

KPE Episode 426: Gorilla

Lisia and Jorja from room 17 joined forces to create an awesome podcast on 'Gorilla' Anthony Browne.

A girl named Hannah has a passion for Gorilla's, but longs to actually see one in real life. Unfortunately her father always seems to be too busy to take her to the zoo. On her birthday Hannah receives a present from her father, only to be let down by a stuffed Gorilla, which doesn't really compare seeing one in real life.

To Hannah's suprise her toy gorilla comes to life....Was it all a dream ?

                             Take a listen to this fabulous review by Lisia and Jorja

KPE Episode 425: It's A Girl Thing

Vivienne and Osana from Room 20 have teamed up to create a review of "It's A Girl Thing" by Sue Lawson for this latest episode of KPE.

This is a great story for girls growing up in a world where every time you turn the TV on you see competitions for aspiring singers, dancers and anyone who (thinks they've) got talent!

In this book Mickey Farrell has a dream to be the hottest singing sensation in the country. But first she has to survive the gruelling challenge of the DIVA competition. This is a singing competition, the chance for TV fame.

These girls have had some experience themselves through PEPA (Pt England Performing Arts) which they share during this podcast.

Check it out!