Bugs by Whiti Hereaka such a great contempory novel for rangatahi, The Pōrangi Boy by Shilo Kino, and would also definitely want Steph Matuku's books. Falling into Rarohenga (for up to year 10), and I'd want older readers to read her totally thrilling and creepy Flight of the Fantail because it's fantastic to read.... but this kaitiaki pukapuka wants more Māori authors on my libraries shelves and more uplifting and funny books for our tamariki and rangatahi. Some of those great books listed are so heavy and our young peeps got a lot of despair already...heoi, ko taku whakaaro....
Very good point! I'm always finding myself in that dilemma when it comes to works to study at senior level. It seems that complexity so often comes with darker subject matter. I definitely want to check out Steph's mahi - young adult stuff in general is a real blind spot for me!
I agree fantastic! Love Apirana Taylor. Also by reading Māori and other NZ lit it keeps copies in print or at least a greater pool circulating, that then become second hand, passed on. We’re a small population, and this impacts on the ability to keep our literature in print. And if we can't buy then we can support our libraries and borrow.
Yeah good point about keeping stuff in print! There are a good number of works where I'm sure their presence in schools keeps them 'alive', if you will. But then I guess if you have enough students reading them, it will also spark interest among the general public?
This is fantastic, thank you! I am an English teacher too and will be sharing this list with my department, and definitely using it myself. I love all the play recommendations too - in teaching Shakespeare across a couple of classes this year I am inspired by the power of theatre to draw out the most disengaged learners.
Some of my favourite short stories for juniors are Motu by Rowley Habib and Fish Heads by Apirana Taylor, taught together with Patricia Grace’s Butterflies. Also spoken word - True Story by Jai Selkirk got a powerful response from my students this year. And His First Ball, Witi Ihimaera also works well. I am excited to teach The Pōrangi Boy for the first time soon!
Ah sounds like you have some exciting teaching coming up! 'His First Ball' is always interesting to me - clear links with the Mansfield original (which I think is great), but also a completely different text thematically.
Bugs by Whiti Hereaka such a great contempory novel for rangatahi, The Pōrangi Boy by Shilo Kino, and would also definitely want Steph Matuku's books. Falling into Rarohenga (for up to year 10), and I'd want older readers to read her totally thrilling and creepy Flight of the Fantail because it's fantastic to read.... but this kaitiaki pukapuka wants more Māori authors on my libraries shelves and more uplifting and funny books for our tamariki and rangatahi. Some of those great books listed are so heavy and our young peeps got a lot of despair already...heoi, ko taku whakaaro....
Very good point! I'm always finding myself in that dilemma when it comes to works to study at senior level. It seems that complexity so often comes with darker subject matter. I definitely want to check out Steph's mahi - young adult stuff in general is a real blind spot for me!
I agree fantastic! Love Apirana Taylor. Also by reading Māori and other NZ lit it keeps copies in print or at least a greater pool circulating, that then become second hand, passed on. We’re a small population, and this impacts on the ability to keep our literature in print. And if we can't buy then we can support our libraries and borrow.
Yeah good point about keeping stuff in print! There are a good number of works where I'm sure their presence in schools keeps them 'alive', if you will. But then I guess if you have enough students reading them, it will also spark interest among the general public?
Wish I'd had English teachers like you both
This is fantastic, thank you! I am an English teacher too and will be sharing this list with my department, and definitely using it myself. I love all the play recommendations too - in teaching Shakespeare across a couple of classes this year I am inspired by the power of theatre to draw out the most disengaged learners.
Some of my favourite short stories for juniors are Motu by Rowley Habib and Fish Heads by Apirana Taylor, taught together with Patricia Grace’s Butterflies. Also spoken word - True Story by Jai Selkirk got a powerful response from my students this year. And His First Ball, Witi Ihimaera also works well. I am excited to teach The Pōrangi Boy for the first time soon!
Ah sounds like you have some exciting teaching coming up! 'His First Ball' is always interesting to me - clear links with the Mansfield original (which I think is great), but also a completely different text thematically.