Cashmere High Library

08/04/2024

The library is holding a cupcake coloring competition this week only! The prize is an exclusive batch of Ms Hill's iconic and extremely delicious chocolate cupcakes!

Come pick up a cupcake sheet from the library and colour it in however you choose! Please make sure your entry is in BEFORE Friday Lunchtime, or else it will not be considered.

03/08/2023

My wonderful CHS Y9 Readers' Cup Team have won Regionals, and we are on our way to Auckland next month to compete in Nationals!

As airfares are super expensive (and the transfers to and from the venue) so we are throwing ourselves, heart and soul, into fundraising.

We have whole cakes for sale (order via me!), a bake sale and sausage sizzle at school, a pizza night, and a homemade crafts stall at the South Library.

However, if you CAN'T make it to one of our great fundraising events, please consider donating here to help us on our way. Every dollar helps just a little bit!

The Cashmere High Year 9 Readers' Cup Team are trying to get to Auckland to win nationals. Help us fundraise by donating today!

14/01/2022

Finally finished the YA 'Simon Snow' series by Rainbow Rowell. I had read 'Carry On' (book 1) so long ago that I had to re-read it in anticipation of completing the series - so good!!!! Brilliant tribute(ish) to the Harry Potter franchise with a lot more sass and introspection.

(I put off finishing the series as I wasn't sure I was emotionally robust enough for it ... thankfully it turned out I was. ❤)

Love, love, loved it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Will suit Y10 upwards, with a Senior content warning on the last book.

Ms. Hill 😁

28/08/2021

CW: r**e, murder, torture, death, childbirth, emotional distress.

4.5 stars.

I finally understand the epic Shortland Street line "you're not in Guatemala now, Dr. Ropata!" Ignorance is not bliss ... I had no comprehension of the genocide happening in Guatemala in the 80s (being so very young then - cough) and this book brings it home with a punch. A slower start lulled me into thinking it was going to be ok and that this book was intended for a younger audience ... but in the back of my mind I knew that as it was based on a true story, it was likely to get worse. Oh, boy, did it get worse!

Colonisation, genocide, land 'ownership', anti-communism are all themes that have seen universal application, and here they're all rolled into one.

I'm a bit shattered.

16/11/2019

This novel is set in America and is about a 13 year-old young man called San Lee. San's father has acted in such a way as to force San and his mother to move to a new area and start again, with not a lot of $$ or resources. A new area means a new school and San has an opportunity to invent himself as he chooses ... and he 'chooses' to become a (fake) Zen master.

It's a fairly simple story filled with self-exploration and first love, but also includes some great and, at times, thought provoking wisdom from different religious stands.

Overall an enjoyable and easy read. ⭐⭐⭐.75

14/11/2019

https://www.instagram.com/p/B423e-ggd6m/?igshid=1c936nnopepzm

14/11/2019

'Les Miserables set in space'. Hmmm. It's quite hard to describe this book in any other way except to say it is genuinely what is says on the packet. The names are changed, and I suspect the story aligns more with Victor Hugo's book than with the creators of the musical, but mostly everything else is pretty much Les Mis set in space with holograms, droids and no singing. A point to note is that it is LOOOOOOOOONG. I have read the audiobook and it is nigh on EIGHTEEN HOURS. And 2 minutes ago, I discovered it is BOOK ONE! ...
*lets out long breath* ... Much as I'd like to know what happens (yes, I know they all die!), I'm not sure I'm up for another marathon quite yet.
Surprising ⭐⭐⭐⭐. For something that is set in space, that is a pretty high rating for me! Ms. Hill 🤔

06/08/2019

An ember in the ashes by Sabaa Tahir. Amazing and detailed story about a orphaned slave girl and a deadly soldier and how their fates intertwine. First of a trilogy. All books at CHS 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Review by Evie 😀

06/08/2019

Ask the passengers, by A.S King, is a beautiful coming out story surrounding identity, family relationships, friendships, rumors, and the secrets we hide. 🌟🌟🌟🌟.
Reviewed by Evie 😀

06/08/2019

Black Wings Beating by Alex London—super good book, we talked about it in book club a few weeks ago. It’s the first in a series although it holds up well enough on its own. Fair warning, it features lots of birds so if that’s not your thing (ahem... Ms Hill) you might not find it as exciting.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•
•
•
•
•
review by liz

06/08/2019

Not for the faint-hearted, this gritty tale is for those who like to read about real situations. And it doesn't get more real than gang life in poor inner-city America. Our protagonist is strong but the violence is overwhelming. Fabulous and gripping book. 5 stars.