New Zealand Children's Books for Homeschoolers

This blog is a project to research and document New Zealand Children's living books for homeschooling.

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Green Gold & Valley of Heavenly Gold by Eve Sutton

Kirsten Edwards

Jun 112 min read

Green Gold & Valley of Heavenly Gold by Eve Sutton

The first and last books written by Eve Sutton - adventures in early New Zealand.

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Kirsten Edwards

Apr 43 min read

Shining Rivers by Ruth Dallas

Johnie Crawford is only 14, but soon catches the "gold fever" and heads to the gold fields in this novel about the NZ gold rush in the 1860s

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Kirsten Edwards

Mar 171 min read

A Dog Called Wig by Ruth Dallas

A stray dog is adopted by a boy called Archie, but can he convince his family and the dog that it is his?

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Kirsten Edwards

Mar 12 min read

The Greenstone Axe by E. M. Ellin

The three Archer children look after their farm while their parents are away, but everything changes when they find a greenstone axe.

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The Children of Clearwater Bay by E. M. Ellin

Kirsten Edwards

Feb 132 min read

The Children of Clearwater Bay by E. M. Ellin

Six children must flee to safety and reunite with their parents in old New Zealand during the land wars.

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Kirsten Edwards

Dec 28, 20233 min read

The Boys of Puhawai by Kim

Three boys, Hemi, Peter and John spend their spring and summer months having adventures in their small seaside New Zealand town.

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Kirsten Edwards

May 14, 20234 min read

The End of the Harbour by Elsie Locke

David and his family settle in Auckland during the 1860s while the Taranaki War continues not far from his colonial town.

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The Month of the Brittle Star by Eileen L. Soper

Kirsten Edwards

Mar 28, 20232 min read

The Month of the Brittle Star by Eileen L. Soper

From the back flap: "The Month of the Brittle Star is more than just a charming story by a gifted writer. The very words 'brittle star" -...

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Kirsten Edwards

Mar 14, 20232 min read

Young Jane by Eileen Soper

A young girl from the 1860s discovers friendship and uncovers secrets on her grandfather's sheep farm.

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Sally Becomes a New Zealander by N. D. Thompson

Kirsten Edwards

Dec 15, 20223 min read

Sally Becomes a New Zealander by N. D. Thompson

A young English girl goes to live with relatives in New Zealand.

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A Fistful of Summer and other poetry books by Peggy Dunstan

Kirsten Edwards

Dec 15, 20222 min read

A Fistful of Summer and other poetry books by Peggy Dunstan

It's a wonderful book full of humour, family life, friendship antics, and history.

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Kirsten Edwards

Aug 28, 20223 min read

Druscilla by Clarice England

It tells the story of Druscilla, a little girl from the age of 8 till when she leaves school.

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Kirsten Edwards

Aug 16, 20222 min read

Scrub Fire by Anne de Roo

Suddenly the campfire burst into flames. The long dry grass fared and the fame leapt into the trees. Bush fire!

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Kirsten Edwards

May 19, 20222 min read

Moa Hunter by Eve Sutton

Kotiri was the Chief's son and naturally expected to succeed his father as leaders of the tribe...

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Kirsten Edwards

Mar 6, 20222 min read

Tuppenny Brown by Eve Sutton

The story of little Tuppenny Brown and his journey from thief to an honest worker is a great read.

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Where Lions Roar at Night: The Barn Chronicles by Rosie Boom

Kirsten Edwards

Feb 20, 20222 min read

Where Lions Roar at Night: The Barn Chronicles by Rosie Boom

From the back cover: "Ten-year-old Milly had always dreamed of living in the country and owning all sorts of animals. So when her parents...

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Kirsten Edwards

Sep 16, 20211 min read

Surgeon's Boy by Eve Sutton

It is 1840 and Jamie Fenton has accompanied his father, who has emigrated as a ship's doctor, to Sydney.

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Kirsten Edwards

May 12, 20212 min read

Skip for the Huntaway by Eve Sutton

The book is very short, only 40 pages and Katie's character can be very dramatic at times, but a wonderful story about compassion and persev

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Kirsten Edwards

Apr 7, 20215 min read

Because of Rosie by Anne de Roo

Once again I am not disappointed by another book by master storyteller Anne de Roo. Nothing is predictable or contrived and the characters h

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Kirsten Edwards

Mar 15, 20212 min read

Hidden Valley by Margaret Beames

This is a fast-moving story with many exciting incidents and interesting characters that will delight all 8 to 13-year-olds...

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