In The Wild

I love it when readers shoot photos of my books in the wild. Here's the Kiwi Critters hanging out in the shop at Tiritiri Matangi, recently spotted by Sally.

Review of Just Keep Going by Alan Dingley

“Just Keep Going is a story about new beginnings, new family and friends, with a touch of environmental mystery thrown in.” A heart-warming review by none other than New Zealand’s Reading Ambassador Alan Dingley.

review in Mapgies, an australian print-only magazine talking about books for children

Super thrilled to received this amazing review. Here’s an extract from the summary at the end:

"Donna Blaber delivers vivid landscapes that do New Zealand's coastlines justice and keeps the story moving along with enough attention spread between the characters, so that the reader stays involved and engaged in the story, rooting for our heroine. This novel will definitely appeal to 8-12-year-old readers. And it has me seeking out the two previous titles in the trilogy!" Alan Dingley, Magpies, Talking About Books for Children.

Off to the Beach!

Aw, the joy! My heart sings. What incredible page turning skills! Thanks to Steve for sending this through. You've made my day!

Find out more about the Kiwi Critters’ story, Off to the Beach

Iconic Whale Bay is the setting for the Just series of novels for 9-12 year olds

The Tutukaka coast is the setting for all three books in the Just series and anyone who has visited experiences the pure wonder of this coastline.

Whale bay on the tutukaka coast WHERE BOOK CHARACTER JESSIE WAS THE FIRST TO FIND AN INTRIGUING OBSIDIAN COBBLE BELONGING TO HINE, A GIRL FROM THE MOA HUNTER DAYS

The rocky coves, the sandy bays, deep-reaching estuaries with golden sand bars and boats tugging on their moorings as the tide does its thing; the surf, the lullaby of the sea rocking you to sleep every night. There’s even a lighthouse. The coast is a total paradise for kids and there’s a vast array of sea birds, North Island brown kiwi, visits from kaka from the offshore islands, and the idyllic Poor Knights Marine Reserve renowned for its wealth of sea creatures. Orca and bottlenose dolphins are regular visitors, and dare I say it, imagination engaged, the mermaids. And did I mention that a bell sounds at Ngunguru School when dolphins are sighted in the estuary? So it made total sense, to me at least, that Just Keep Going would feature a dolphin. With more books in the series on the way, the Tutukaka coast provides an ongoing source of inspiration, and a splendid setting for all kinds of magic to happen.

There are currently three books in the series. They are stand alone titles and can be read in any order.

Just End It reviewed by Katarina Stretton for Hooked on Books

Hooked on Books is an incredible website for youth where young readers are able to submit reviews of books they’ve recently read.

Reviewer Katarina Stretton says, “The author writes to entertain, and she explores bullying and how you can deal with it, especially with your friends and family by your side.”

I really enjoyed reading Katarina’s review. The full review is available here read more.

Just End It reviewed by Jessica Dowling for Hooked on Books

“Just End It is about a girl called Jessie, who gets bullied by her own best friend. She blames it on a mysterious rock she found at Whale Bay. Then her ex-best friend starts cyberbullying her, and everything goes downhill.

I really loved how the author Donna Blaber put a little bit of fantasy in the story. There’s just enough so you get a clear image of what is going on. She also teaches the readers a lot about Māori mythology and traditions.

I think the author’s aim was to tell people how bad bullying is and how to deal with it. I think a lot of teenagers will relate to the story.

I really like how Jessie dealt with the bullying and found a way to get over it. It gives you confidence in your own friendships.”

Hooked on Books is an incredible website for youth where young readers are able to submit reviews of books they’ve recently read, with the chance to get published. It’s part of the work of READ NZ Te Pou Muramura who also provide a great Writers in Schools programme.

I really enjoyed reading Jessica’s review. For the whole review read more.

Just End It reviewed by Amelia Bayliss for Hooked on Books

“Donna Blaber has written this story very well and has paid attention to detail. I found she will go into depth about something and has quite a cool way of writing about it. I would definitely recommend this book.” Amelia Bayliss

A lovely review written by 12 year old Amelia Bayliss for Hooked on Books. Read more.

Just End It reviewed by Isabelle Woods for Hooked on Books

“Blaber is an excellent author. I would definitely recommend this book to any adventure or mystery book lover. This is by far the best book I’ve ever read, and I’ve read a lot of books – and I mean a lot.” Isabelle Woods.

https://hookedonbooks.org.nz/an-interesting-and-mysterious-read-isabelle-woods/

“This is an amazing book. Once I finished a chapter, I just wanted to keep reading because I wanted to know what was next. I was just intrigued to find out whether Jessie becomes friends with Hayley again and even if she becomes friends with Alexia as well. It’s such a good read, I hardly got bored. I’ve read it so many times and I don’t ever think I’ll ever get sick of it. All the chapter headings are all intriguing; you can predict what might happen next.” Isabelle Woods

Isabelle wrote this tremendous review for Hooked on Books, an incredible website for youth where young people submit reviews of books they’ve recently read. It’s part of the positive work performed by READ NZ Te Pou Muramura.

For the full review read more.

Just Remember reviewed by Molly Molving-Lilo for Magpies Magazine

“There is something uniquely appealing about how Donna Blaber has addressed the mature themes of mental health, grief and depression to cater to a younger audience, while also making the book different, engaging and easy to read with a magical Kiwiana touch.” Molly Molving-Lilo

A wonderful review of “Just Remember” written by Molly Molving-Lilo. Magpies is an Australian magazine reviewing the latest children’s and young adult books published in Australia and New Zealand and features many articles of great interest to people involved in children’s literature – parents, librarians, teachers, students and academics.

Just Remember reviewed by Natalya Newman for Hooked on Books

“Donna Blaber’s Just Remember follows her previous book, Just End It, in a series that presents magic in everyday life, and in places that many New Zealand readers will be familiar with. This book looks into recovery from trauma, survivor’s guilt, grief, loss, and all of the complexities that arise – both mentally and physically – when a loved one passes away. Just Remember does not sugarcoat the grief that Em’s family goes through after the death of her Dad, and proves to be an eye-opening warning to drivers.

This novel puts heavy emphasis on the strong connections forged between family members and friends, and also how the faintest touch of magic can bring it all together in ways that can be unexpected. Magic in the modern world can be anything. Perhaps it’s getting home to see your pet waiting for you, or even finding something you lost a long time ago. Experiences can forge beautiful memories and connections between people, and Blaber expertly highlights the support that can be found within those connections throughout the duration of this book.” Natalya Newman.

I really enjoyed reading Natayla Newman’s review of Just Remember for Hooked on Books, an incredible website for youth where young adult (YA) readers are able to submit reviews of books they’ve recently read.

Natalya is talented young writer and has done a stunning job. For the full review, read more.

Just Remember reviewed by Chris Reed for NZ Booklovers

“Just Remember is a beautiful story of independence, magic and reconnection. Em (Emilia - although she isn’t a fan of her full name) is still reeling from the death of her father and so, with her mum not coping with the loss, she goes to live with her Nana in Matapouri. But things aren’t what they initially seem…” Chris Reed

I was thrilled with this enticing review cleverly scribed by Chris Reed for NZ Booklovers and featuring in the recommended reads section. For the full review read more.

Visit Whale Bay where book characters come to life

Did you know that Whale Bay which features in all the books in the Just series is a real place? You can hike there from Matapouri, or park in the carpark at the top of the hill on Matapouri Road, about one kilometre past the Matapouri Store. From here the path meanders through shady stands of giant pūriri, before dropping down to the beach, where a thick tangle of pōhutukawa trees await, their octopus trunks splayed wide upon the sand. Beyond, lies the sparkling blue bay where book characters Jessie, Em and Becky, found the mystical obsidian stones bringing the magic of this special part of New Zealand alive.

Whale Bay is a place where new treasures can always be found. Many additions to my shell collection have been made here. To find the best, I follow the high tide mark, scanning for hidden treasures between swathes of seaweed, guarded by armies of bouncing sand hoppers.

But sometimes it’s worth following the waterline, keeping your eyes alert to the surging waves firing shiny shells and sea-smoothed pebbles onto the sand. This is how I stumbled upon the stone which inspired Just End It, it caught my eye, and when the wave peeled back, I scooped it up.

Treasure hunting aside, this is also a great beach to have a swim. It’s lovely and sandy as far out as you wish you go, and at each end of the bay there are rocky reefs, havens for marine life, so make sure you bring your mask and snorkel.

When you’re done, there’s plenty of shade for picnicking on soft sand beneath the old pōhutukawa trees, and there’s a DOC loo at one end of the beach should you need it.

So what are you waiting for? Come and take a look sometime, you may even find some treasure of your own.

Just End It reviewed by Sarah Matthewson for Magpies magazine

“The dialogue is authentic and the plot fast-paced, switching rapidly between daily life and supernatural, and countering toxic relationships with family warmth and genuine friendships.” Sarah Matthewson

I’m always grateful to receive fair and balanced reviews for Just End It. Magpies is an Australian magazine talking about books for children. It runs articles of interest to people involved in children’s literature – parents, librarians, teachers, students and academics in the field of children’s literature.