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“Billy galloped Tui neck and neck alongside the squadron of horses, the noise of a hundred horses’ hooves thundering in his ears … All along the lineup of horses, the other troopers were doing the same, leaping, crouching and firing. The noise was deafening … machine-gun fire cracked overhead and shells thudded into the ground.” Billy may have been fresh off the farm, but he was a good rider and an even better shot. When the world went to war in 1914, Kiwis rushed to enlist. For Billy and his best mate, Jack, joining the Mounted Rifles Regiment held the promise of adventure –– little did they know that half the battle would lie in keeping their horses alive aboard the troopship as they journeyed halfway around the world.
Exciting new adventure from an author who is going from strength to strength. Finn had seen those eyes before. they were golden yellow, like the colour of the moon hanging low in the sky. And they were full of pain. When Finn comes across a car accident, little does he realise his life is about to change forever. the huge, injured animal he discovers is no dog - but a wolf, escaped from the circus. Finn is bewitched. Instinctively, he knows he must save the wolf, Lupa, and prevent her return to the cruel circus. Where to hide the wolf, and how to feed her, are just the beginning of Finn's problems. For the sinister circus clown, Cackles, is hot on their trail and will stop at nothing to get Lupa back. But Cackles doesn't even like wolves, so why is he so determined to get her? In a race against time to save Lupa, Finn gets help from unlikely quarters. But will it be enough? Age: 9 - 12
The true story of the courageous and loyal horses of World War One. The jet-black mare galloped wildly across the scorching white sands, the guns and shells exploding around her with a deafening roar. Her master spurred her on, his legs tightly gripping her heaving sides. With foam-flecked lips and ears laid flat, she thundered on through the flying bullets and choking dust . . . Every ANZAC Day we celebrate the brave soldiers who fought and died in World War One, but the story of the loyal horses who carried our troops in the desert war has remained untold until now. This is their story - and the story of Bess, one of only four horses to return to New Zealand. Bess and her companions overcame their fear, standing by their masters in the battlefield, in harsh desert conditions. Brave Bess and the ANZAC Horses tells the tale of these valiant horses and the essential part they played in the war. Susan Brocker lives with her husband and many pets, including horses, on a small farm near Tauranga. This is her third novel for New Zealand children, following Restless Spirit and the bestselling Saving Sam.
The collie dog slipped silently through the starlit night. She could smell sheep in the valley, hundreds of them. She knew what she had to do, and she had to do it quickly and quietly. This is the tale of New Zealands most notorious sheep-stealer and his loyal working dog. More than 160 years ago, James Mackenzie and his black-and-white collie, Friday, secretly herded 1,000 stolen sheep through rugged, unmapped mountain passes. A statue of the pair stands today in the heart of Mackenzie Country in the South Island.
A boy and a dog in danger - can they both be saved? Ben's mother is dead, his father in jail, and his older brother is heading off the rails at a million kilometres an hour. the social worker is fast running out of options, when the boys' aunt and uncle reluctantly agree to take them in. Just as well: they were the last on her list. Ben's uncle has bought a guard dog from a man at the pub, but she's useless - afraid of loud voices and frightened of her own shadow - and he's decided to have her put down. Ben and the unwanted dog recognize each other for what they are - damaged goods - and find some comfort and companionship together, which slowly grows into love and trust. that love will be needed when Ben's brother gets into seriously bad trouble, and Ben's trust in his dog is put to the ultimate test. For boys and girls alike, aged 12 - 14.
This story is based on the true experiences of a remarkable horse called Bess, one of 10,000 NZ horses sent overseas to battle in World War One. Tragically, at the end of the war the horses could not return to New Zealand due to quarantine laws and a shortage of ships. Luckily for Bess, her master battled to have her returned home. She was quarantined with three other horses in England before being shipped back to New Zealand where she continued a pleasant pastoral life after her confronting wartime experiences.
'Did you run across that queer sort of legend about a wild goose? It was all up and down the beaches. You know how those things spring up. Some of the men I brought back were talking about it. It was supposed to have appeared at intervals the last days between Dunkirk and La Panne. If you saw it, you were eventually saved. That sort of thing.' 'Hmm, a wild goose. I saw a tame one. Dashed strange experience. Tragic in a way, too. And lucky for us. Tell you about it ...' The Snow Goose is a beautiful tale of a hunchbacked artist, a girl, a wounded bird and a courageous act at Dunkirk. Also included in this volume is The Small Miracle, a contemporary fable inspired by St Francis of Assisi. Both tales are endearing classics of the storyteller's art.
Set against the sweeping landscape of the North Island's volcanic plateau and Desert Road, RESTLESS SPIRIT tells the story of a wild white Kaimanawa stallion who cannot be tamed and the two young troubled teens who come to love him. A moving and exciting adventure story for 9-12 year olds, set against the sweeping landscape of the North Island's volcanic plateau and Desert Road, REStLESS SPIRIttells the story of a wild white Kaimanawa stallion who cannot be tamed and the two young troubled teens who come to love him. Lara is new in town and resents it - Kahu is a talented carver, outwardly cocky and confident but riddled with doubts and fears. Hunters slaughter the young stallion's family an...
"Featherston, New Zealand, in the Second World War is a tough and bleak place for fourteen-year-old Bella. Her father is away fighting overseas, while his family fight to save their farm from ruin and keep his dreams alive. Bella, her mother, and older sister have to cope with a herd of dairy cows, an unscrupulous neighbour who covets the farm, and a crazy, bad-tempered racehorse called Gipsy. Bella is terrified of the horse and doesn't know where to turn. When help is offered from an unlikely source, will she have the courage to accept it, or will Gipsy destroy her father's dreams?"--Author's website.
"Nannie is feeling sad. She has been looking after Nicholas for two weeks and is leaving to go home. Nicholas who is going back to preschool, comes up with a plan to make Nannie feel happy again"--Back cover.