Earthquakes! Shaking New Zealand by award winning author Maria Gill @mariagillnz ‏ Everything you need to know about NZ earthquakes

Earthquakes! New Zealand

By Maria Gill

ISBN 9781869664862

New Holland Publishers

If you have ever wanted to know anything about earthquakes in New Zealand, then this new book from award-winning author Maria Gill has it all. The production is a perfect example of what a quality non-fiction book should be. It has all the features we expect with contents pages, glossary, bibliography, credits, headings and subheadings, photographs, graphs, symbols and timelines all sandwiched between a shiny, colourful, glossy cover. Maria Gill is well-known for her dedication and determination to research her subjects to provide readers with the best and most accurate information.

Maria Gill explains what earthquakes are, why they happen and the damage they can cause.  The timeline goes way back in time to some of the first earthquakes and marks many of the strongest ones that occurred. She also explains what to do in an earthquake and how to keep yourself safe which is something everyone in New Zealand needs to know. Having lived through the tragic Canterbury and Christchurch earthquakes, this book brought back many memories but it is good to see everything explained and know that while we cannot predict or stop earthquakes; we can be prepared and that is most important.

The language is easy and informative without being too formal or wordy, making it a suitable choice for everyone. The book is informative and shares links to videos on the internet for further research or explanation. There is also a friendly helper throughout the pages. Maria introduces us to  Rūaumoko the Maori god of earthquakes and volcanoes who helps explain things as readers move from page to page. A lovely addition to this quality book.

Primary schools through to secondary schools will certainly benefit from having this book in their school libraries.

 

 

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My New Zealand Story : Canterbury Quake 2010 – 2011 My debut novel is in the shops now! Yahoo

My New Zealand Story Canterbury Quake 2010-2011
By Desna Wallace
(That’s me)

I have been blogging about books, book trailers and doing reviews for quite some time now but this book is just a bit different. And that is because it is my first children’s novel and I can hardly do the review myself but the links below will take you to some reviews which are doing the rounds at the moment.
It is a very strange (but wonderful) feeling to see your own book for sale in the shops. For those reading this from New Zealand you all know that this month marks three years since the devastating earthquake here in Christchurch, which claimed 185 lives and destroyed our city centre, our historic buildings and thousands of homes. For those outside New Zealand this was one of New Zealand’s saddest, darkest and most tragic days in our country’s history. We have endured thousands of aftershocks, many of them very damaging. Many people were forced to leave Christchurch after being made homeless. Many have returned, many have not.
Living in Christchurch is not the same as it once was and it never will be the same. Thousands of people are still waiting for homes to be repaired or rebuilt. Roads all around the city are blocked off or surrounded by traffic cones as buildings come down, roads are fixed and the city is repaired. It will take years to see any real difference. But it is home. It is a city I love and a city I am proud of.

So from all this I have written a book of fiction based on the very real facts. In diary form and part of the New Zealand My Story series, I have told the story of 11 year Maddy, her family and friends and how this natural disaster has affected them all.

http://bobsbooksnz.wordpress.com/2014/02/05/canterbury-quake-by-desna-wallace/
http://barbaramurison.blogspot.co.nz/2014/02/fiction-age-10-and-up.html
http://beattiesbookblog.blogspot.co.nz/2014/01/canterbury-quake.html

Struck by Jennifer Bosworth. Coming in May. Simply a must read!

Struck
By Jennifer Bosworth
WOW!This trailer is brilliant. Movie quality at its best.
To be honest, the trailer kind of freaked me out. Big time! Living in Christchurch, New Zealand, where we have been subjected to thousands of earthquakes, where we have witnessed the deaths of almost 200 people, and the devastation of our lovely city, the earthquake scenes in this trailer truly freaked me out. Very real! Too real in fact!
Mia Price is a lightening addict. Bizarre, yes but intriguing. Cults and doomsady prophecies. So much in this book.
However, I am waiting like so many others for the book’s release in May. Hurry up May!

Creepy!

Dark inside

By Jeyn Roberts

To be honest – this trailer is on the creepy side but I do want to read it.  Who doesn’t like a good scare now and then? Mind you having lived through the devastating earthquakes here in Christchurch, New Zealand, over the last year and a bit and coping with the damage and ongoing destruction to my beautiful city, I am not sure if I want to read it right at this moment. In the story, there are huge earthquakes all over the world. It is after the earthquakes that strange things begin to happen and the story really takes place. Inner rage has been released and some people fight it but others can’t and life becomes a battle for survival. It does sound good but I will wait awhile. Do feel free to let me know what you think if you have already read this book.