I want That One! Pre-teens and teens drop that i-stuff now!

We all love i-stuff, but nothing beats a good old book (right?)

Red Rocks by Rachael King - a good New Zealand book

I just love my little occasional Random house packages. You never know what you're going to get!

Recently I received a book 'Red Rocks' by Rachael King for review. I sat down and read it and was thoroughly convinced that New Zealand's next generation of readers are well served. Red Rocks reminds me of other eerie books by another famous New Zealand author Maurice Gee. These types of books seem to blend the familiar with the unknown - which is something we all crave for really. We all know the saying, 'familiarity breeds contempt'.

Red Rocks revolves around an adventurous character called Jake, who one day walking along a Wellington beach stumbles upon an old intact seal skin - and the story branches out from there. It is really quite clever, as I still to this day (as an adult) will walk along a wild beach and think about finding weird and wonderful things on the sand. One day three years ago I found an intact puffer fish - but that's another story!

King has written a beautiful but eerie story, that my six year old Only Child will enjoy one day when she can read. I think the book is written for 10 years of age and onward.

The terrible thing that happened to Barnaby Brocket!

The Terrible Thing That Happened To Barnaby Brocket by John Boyne

And then, I get this little gem of a book - which I absolutely love. It is a whimsical story written by Irish author John Boyne, and follows the character of Barnaby Brocket and his abnormal behavior.

You see, Barnaby has very conservative parents, they don't like too much attention on their children or themselves. And they don't like loud noises too. Or anyone who doesn't think or act like them for that matter.... I'm sure we all know parents like this at school or in the neighborhood.

The story sees Barnaby go on a great global adventure with many twists and turns. Random House describes the story as having many "Dahl-esque characters" - so you know it's good! Again, it is aimed at children who can read - so about 10 years old and onward.

One more thing, the book features brilliant comic illustrations by Oliver Jeffers, and they make for a brilliant artistic interlude whilst reading the fine print.

The book is a great reminder to not take oneself so seriously. And for that reason alone, we should all have a peek inside!

On those days when you hated school, did you ever wish for this?

Thanks for the copies Random House!