Margaret Mahy has left us

Photo by Bob and Nancy. Bronze bust of Margeret Mahy as part of the Twelve Local Heroes sculpture

 I am reading today's sad news that Margaret Mahy died today, at the age of 76.

Margaret wrote her first story when she was 7, and since then she has written more than 120 books and won many awards for her writing. Her books have been translated into 15 languages so they can be enjoyed by children around the world.

The Christchurch City Libraries have a brief biography of Margaret Mahy that you might like to read.

It is sad to think that there will be no new books from this amazing author, but her wonderful stories will live on for generations of children to come.

Please leave a comment, telling us your favourite book by Margaret Mahy.

NZ Book Cover War Competition - Heat 1

Last week Zac Harding ran his International Book Cover War, and the winning cover was Revived by Cat Patrick. GUESS WHAT.... someone from our school community entered and WON - can you find out who? Perhaps that family will leave us a comment here...

This week it's the turn of the NZ book covers. Can we win again?

Zac has chosen what he thinks are the top 4 NZ kids/YA book covers of 2012 and it's up to you to vote for your favourite. Anyone who votes goes into the draw for a signed copy of Rick Riordan's The Serpent's Shadow. Have your say and vote now at NZ Book Cover War Heat 1.

You'll have to be quick to vote because the winners will be announced on Monday 30 July.

Competition for Skulduggery Pleasant fans

 Zac Harding is promoting another competition, this time on the Christchurch Kids Blog where they are on the hunt for Canterbury's biggest Skulduggery Pleasant fan.

Children from throughout Canterbury can enter to win the chance to interview Derek Landy, author of Skulduggery Pleasant, when he comes to Christchurch on Friday 10 August. Both the winner and the runner-up will also win a full set of Skulduggery Pleasant New Zealand Tour Edition books. WOW!

To enter, just leave a comment on the Christchurch Kids Blog competition post, with your name and email address, telling them why you are Skulduggery Pleasant's biggest fan. The competition is open until Monday 30 July.

You can't win if you're not in - many of you are getting really good at writing blog comments now - so, give it a go!

International Book Cover War Competition - Heat 1

Zac Harding from the My Best Friends Are Books Blog (he's a Christchurch City Librarian) is running a COMPETITION to vote for the best kids and teen book covers that have been published this year.

Visit his Blog to vote in Heat 1, for your favourite international book cover, from the four he has chosen for you. and also sign up to go in the draw to win a signed hardback copy of Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian (the last book in Eoin Colfer's popular series).

You only have until Sunday 22 July to vote!

What will the most popular cover be? Who will win the book! Check back on Monday.