The Samaon proverb ‘ua se va’a tu matagi’ whose translation forms the title of Vitale Lafaele’s autobiography,  is one that conjured up  vivid images for me.

Poetry in the classroom is a delight when it is accessible to all students. Being able to connect on some level to the material is key and ensures engagement. Language needs to be appealing, but it also needs to be understood.

Wild plants and ‘weeds’ structure this delightful autobiography-recipe book-permaculture philosophy-social commentary by poet, punk, forager, parent, activist, community builder, and even English teacher, Helen Lehndorf.

That’s what memory is like for me. It’s a comic with all the frames taken out and the pictures washing over one another. I need to draw the lines back in. -Mandy

‘What are you doing here, house?’

I’m old, says the house, and starting to disintegrate. Help me. Save me.

This is a New Zealand novel, set in modern day Christchurch. The book centres on David, a young boy who is cricket mad.