KPE Episode 372: "Merry Christmas, Geronimo!"

"Merry Christmas, Geronimo!" by Geronimo Stilton is reviewed by Toko and Casey from Room 21.

These two reviews from Amazon tell us some other readers ideas about this book....

Trouble follows this mouse wherever he goes. His name is Geronimo Stilton, editor of the Rodent's Gazette. Geronimo was planning a wonderful Christmas dinner for his neighbors, family, and friends. He goes out to buy Christmas presents, but forgets to blow his candle out. He comes to his home and finds his house burned.
 

I was so excited about Christmas, I could squeak! My favorite nephew Benjamin was going to come over, and we were planning to trim the tree and eat lots of delicious holiday Cheesy Chews. But before you could say "cat alert," disaster struck! I slipped over my tail and ended up in the hospital. And then my mouse hole caught on fire! Holey cheese, this was turning out to be the worst Christmas ever....

KPE Episode 371: "Kura Toa: Warrior School"

This podcast by two Room 17 boys, Waata and Darius , reviews "Kura Toa: Warrior School" by Tim Tipene.


In this book, a high school student named Haki must learn what it takes to become a warrior.  


After a mysterious old man who seems to know a lot about him steals a precious jade stone from him, Haki’s search for his belongings brings him into conflict with his family, his friends, and his school. Throughout the search, he must confront his fears, find a way to answer the challenge to serve his people and his land, and fight the taniwha, a dangerous mythical predator that lives in deep rivers and dark caves.

KPE Ep 370: "The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes: Reach for the Stars"

Rita and Vivienne from Room 17 bring us "The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes: Reach for the Stars" by Anne Mazer.  

My performance in Peter Pan will be a "thing of beauty." It will be a "joy forever," because my family will never stop talking about it. Neither will Ms. Bunder. The tryouts are in only two weeks. I must prepare myself in every way. Once I get my part, I will rehearse without cease! But first I must decide which part I want. Captain Hook? Peter Pan? Wendy? Or any of the other roles?

You are about to be wonderfully entertained because after you have listened to their podcast you must check out the website for this book.  You will have hours of fun!  Let us know how you got on in the comments below.

KPE Ep 369 : "Goosebumps- Zapped in Space"

Gabriel and Waata from Room 17 bring us the 23rd Goosebumps book "Zapped in Space", by R.L. Stine.  You will enjoy their lively dialogue and the animations interspersed throughout the podcast.



It's a space jam-med with aliens!
Strap yourself into the console! You've just entered Madame Zapp's new Virtual Reality arcade. But once you take on these virtual worlds, forget about scoring. You'll be too busy trying to stay alive!
If you're a real space cadet, check out "Adrift Off Vega" where you end up in space, fighting super-smart - and super-deadly - Arcturian aliens. Or maybe you'd like to try an Arctic adventure in "Abominable Snow Woman." But remember to pack your parka - or you could end up a human popsicle...
The choice is yours in this scary GOOSEBUMPS adventure that's packed with over 20 super-spooky endings!

KPE Ep 368: "Nasty Stinky Sneakers"

Darius and Waata from Room 17 review
 "Nasty Stinky Sneakers" by Eve Bunting.


You will enjoy their banter and their fun graphics!



Colin has spent weeks perfecting his sneaker odor for the Stinkiest Sneakers in the World contest. If he wins, he'll get three brand-new pairs of Slam Dunkers sneakers: one for himself, one for his little sister, Amy, and one for his best pal, Webster.
But now, after weeks of working toward stinky perfection -- not washing his feet, wearing no socks, jogging to get his feet juicy, and even sleeping with his sneakers on -- the nasty, stinky sneakers are missing!

KPE 367: "The Diary of Charlotte McKenzie"

Chante interviews Brooklyn about "The Diary of Charlotte McKenzie" by Kerry Greenwood.

As the horrors of the First World War are drawing to a close, a danger has arisen that will kill more people around the world than the Great War itself - an influenza pandemic.

Charlotte McKenzie, assisting the doctor next door, finds herself experiencing at close hand the effects of this devastating disease - and when it finally attacks her own family, how can Charlotte cope?

You will enjoy hearing about this fascinating novel, and you will find out some surprising things about our two podcasters as well.


What do you want to do when you grow up?

KPE 366: "What do you want for Dinner?"

Ahsin and Onosa'i from Room 17 publish this podcast for KPE.  They have chosen to review one of the stories in a School Journal.  You will learn all kinds of interesting things about New Zealand and how kiwis live as you listen to this.  Maybe you could share some of your own experiences in the comments!

KPE 365: " Friend in Paradise"

Crusader and Kingston review "A Friend in Paradise by Des Hunt.  This book  was a finalist in the 2003 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards.




When 12-year-old Robbie's father dies of cancer he starts to spin out of control, taking out his anger on his mother and sisters. At her wits' end, his mother arranges for him to spend the holidays with his Uncle Jim, on a farm near Opotiki where his father grew up. He decides the holiday might not be a dead loss after all when he visits a secret valley his father used to call Paradise, where he unexpectedly finds a new friend. But danger also lurks in Paradise, danger that entangles him in an awesome adventure that will take him all the way to the fiery volcano of White Island. Robbie must use his knowledge, wit, computer savvy and all his courage to save his new friend..and his own life.

Make sure you check out their cool animation in this podcast too.  Tell them what you think.

KPE Episode 364: "No Half Measures"

"No Half Measures" by Dunedin author Judy Knox this is the story of a camping holiday in the wilds of South Westland that goes horribly wrong. 

Litia has been reading this book and is interviewed by Shoal.  You will enjoy this podcast and the fabulous animation Litia has included as part of the images accompanying the podcast.

Mitch is on a tramping trip with his bossy twin sister and their uncle when his uncle is badly injured, his sister twists her ankle, and Mitch realises it is up to him to go for help.

He heads into the wilderness, hoping to meet someone, but he finds himself in the middle of a ring of desperate criminals with no apparent way out.

Mitch is a strong character, and makes a nicely plotted development from laziness and uncertainty to tenaciousness and courage by book's end.

KPE Episode 363: "Maximum Boy"

Max "Maximum Boy" Silver is a 11 year old hero. He lives on the north side of Chicago next to Lake Michigan. He lives with his mum, his dad and his teenage sister, Tiffany. He has braces, glasses, and superpowers: he can lift freight trains, fly faster than a space shuttle, and burp the alphabet. He has an adult friend named Porter "Tortoise Man" Torrington, who has a power called the Tortoise Ray.

Max has a few weaknesses. Milk products and sweet potatoes give him a bad upset stomach. Ragweed makes him sneeze his head off. Seeing and hearing maths makes him weak and dizzy.

Check out what Kingston and Starford have to say about "Maximum Boy" by Dan Greenburg in this podcast - and have a look at their fabulous animation.  Don't forget to give them some feedback....