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The Barn Chronicles #1
Where Lions Roar at Night
Where Lions Roar at Night is an engaging read-aloud for the whole family. Enjoy the fun, adventures and dramas of a modern day ‘pioneering’ family as they begin home-steading in rural N.Z. Ten-year-old Milly had always dreamed of living in the country and owning all sorts of animals. So when her parents buy a piece of land and move their six children into a ninety-year-old barn, Milly can’t believe her luck. But she never imagined that living the simple life would include mucking out a filthy water tank, gathering endless supplies of firewood, clearing the land, and rescuing animals in a ‘hundred year’ storm. Nor did she expect to hear deep groanings in the night…The first book in the multi-award winning series, The Barn Chronicles, Where Lions Roar at Night won the 2010 Australasian CALEB Prize for children’s books. “Where Lions Roar at Night is a truly wonderful story that will be loved by all ages. It has everything – animals, family drama, exciting adventures, pioneering spirit, disaster, triumph, laughter and tears, and a wonderful New Zealand flavour. A must read!” Home-schooling mother, New Zealand“A simple piece of sunlit childhood. ” Emma Jelsma, Scene Magazine
231 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 18, 2012
The first of The Barn Chronicles.
There are places on earth - just a few - where the veil between this world and the 'imaginary' one of Narnia is wafer-thin. I've been to several of them and, wherever they are situated, they have one thing in common: the air glows and whispers, 'Aslan is near'.
One such enchanted locality is a green-meadowed farm on the North Island of NZ. Here the 'pioneering' Boom family move into a ninety year old barn while preparing to build their own home. On the first night there, Milly hears lions roaring. She can't believe her ears - until it's discovered that there's a zoo not far away on the other side of the green, green hill. (Appropriately, one of the elements CS Lewis identifies as necessary to a beautiful story.)
As Milly and her brothers and sisters are home-schooled, they read CS Lewis' Narnia Chronicles, the landscape itself begin to transform under their imaginative eyes and Narnia comes to life on their property.
There are places on earth - just a few - where the veil between this world and the 'imaginary' one of Narnia is wafer-thin. I've been to several of them and, wherever they are situated, they have one thing in common: the air glows and whispers, 'Aslan is near'.
One such enchanted locality is a green-meadowed farm on the North Island of NZ. Here the 'pioneering' Boom family move into a ninety year old barn while preparing to build their own home. On the first night there, Milly hears lions roaring. She can't believe her ears - until it's discovered that there's a zoo not far away on the other side of the green, green hill. (Appropriately, one of the elements CS Lewis identifies as necessary to a beautiful story.)
As Milly and her brothers and sisters are home-schooled, they read CS Lewis' Narnia Chronicles, the landscape itself begin to transform under their imaginative eyes and Narnia comes to life on their property.
February 1, 2012
A brilliant adventure to read aloud. Reading about the struggles and triumphs of the Boom family, has given our family new perspective and a better attitude. My kids now want to live like the family in the book!
Loved by both me and the kids ;)
Loved by both me and the kids ;)
February 9, 2013
A very big ‘Thank You’ to Rosie Boom for inviting readers of Where Lions Roar at Night to share her family’s simple pleasures and daily challenges as they live a pioneering life divorced from city distractions and modern conveniences.
Readers of all ages will delight in the Boom’s family values and be inspired by the children’s activities as they interact with God, each other, the environment and nature. As the story unfolds and the Booms develop a property in the North Island of New Zealand, we are invited to step into a virtual Narnia, the imaginary land made famous by CS Lewis in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The reader is treated to Narnian pleasures on every page.
Where Lions Roar at Night presents a wholesome and enchanting segment from the lives of Chris and Rosie Boom and their children. As I read, I felt myself welcomed as a guest into the cosy, converted barn that is their home and invited to take part in the spirited adventure that makes up their daily lives.
This is an utterly delightful book and I look forward eagerly to its sequel.
Readers of all ages will delight in the Boom’s family values and be inspired by the children’s activities as they interact with God, each other, the environment and nature. As the story unfolds and the Booms develop a property in the North Island of New Zealand, we are invited to step into a virtual Narnia, the imaginary land made famous by CS Lewis in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The reader is treated to Narnian pleasures on every page.
Where Lions Roar at Night presents a wholesome and enchanting segment from the lives of Chris and Rosie Boom and their children. As I read, I felt myself welcomed as a guest into the cosy, converted barn that is their home and invited to take part in the spirited adventure that makes up their daily lives.
This is an utterly delightful book and I look forward eagerly to its sequel.
July 29, 2011
This book comes from the category of a book written by a New Zealander. It is by Rosie Boom. I decided to read because my brother read it first and said it was an amazing book. I liked the book because it was not to dificult to read and it was a good one to read. It is about a family who bought some land and have adventures on 16 acres of land. there is nothing i didn't like about the book. I would recommend this book to 12 year olds and under and it is a great family read.
January 31, 2013
Wow! What a wonderful book. I never knew that a story of a family's day-to-day occurrences could make for such interesting reading. I'll definitely have to continue with the other books in the series. I feel like I know this family so well now that I must continue reading to find out what else happens with them.
March 17, 2014
I have just read this book. I recommend it as a wholesome, adventurous book that harks back to the days when children had freedom to roam and take a risk - away from the screen. It would be a great book for homeschoolers. Rosie writes with warmth and care. I look forward with anticipation to the second book in the series.
July 31, 2012
A modern day "Little House on the Prairie." A large Christian, homeschooling family begins homesteading in New Zealand. They live in a barn, live through flooding, have farm chores, and learn a bit about life. A delightful read-a-loud for the family.
August 5, 2018
A nice, gentle read. The highlight for me was the lovely illustrations throughout.
October 24, 2022
Good wholesome kiwi kids adventure as they settle in rural NZ.
December 15, 2020
Great fun to read aloud to the kids. Brings back lots of memories of our lives in NZ.
June 13, 2011
I love all the adventures they have.
February 13, 2012
Good chapter book to read to 6-10 year olds and local!
October 19, 2026
Summary: When the Boom family moves to a barn in New Zealand and name their farm Narnia, adventures are sure to follow!
Notes: Great for fans of the Little House books, The Ross Family Adventures, and In Wildcat Hollow. It's based of the adventures of the real Boom family, who really did live in an old barn in New Zealand. From lions roaring in the animal sanctuary to a torrential storm, from a very large rope swing to a brain-damaged chicken, escapades abound. It would make a gread read-aloud, as each chapter is its own story.
Age of Main Character: eleven
Violence: Someone almost cuts off his fingers on accident, someone else had both legs broken when her horse falls onto her, several other minor injuries.
Romance: Just with the mom and dad. (They're married, of course!)
Scary Themes: The afore-said violence, and the crazy storms.
Genre: Children's/Realistic Fiction
For more reviews of clean books, visit https://lizzyandcrown.wixsite.com/books!
Notes: Great for fans of the Little House books, The Ross Family Adventures, and In Wildcat Hollow. It's based of the adventures of the real Boom family, who really did live in an old barn in New Zealand. From lions roaring in the animal sanctuary to a torrential storm, from a very large rope swing to a brain-damaged chicken, escapades abound. It would make a gread read-aloud, as each chapter is its own story.
Age of Main Character: eleven
Violence: Someone almost cuts off his fingers on accident, someone else had both legs broken when her horse falls onto her, several other minor injuries.
Romance: Just with the mom and dad. (They're married, of course!)
Scary Themes: The afore-said violence, and the crazy storms.
Genre: Children's/Realistic Fiction
For more reviews of clean books, visit https://lizzyandcrown.wixsite.com/books!
February 4, 2022
A delightful read for a child or as a read-aloud together. I read this with my 7 y/o who just loved it. There boom has vibes of a modern-day, New Zealand-based Laura Ingalls wilder. Kiwi kids can identify with the family and with Adventurous Millie, and all the fun events and mishaps the family experiences in their barn.
August 11, 2022
These books are filled with fun family adventure, stories of the great outdoors, and a fascinating look into New Zealand flora, fauna, and cuisine. I found myself looking up pictures of birds and even recipes I wasn’t familiar with. Leaves you wanting more! The mom’s ability to describe her children’s emotions was also precious to me. Highly recommend for middle school age and older.
August 12, 2023
My 9 year son said "I like this story. Its a comforting story. If I break my arm again, you can read me this story and Winnie the Pooh!" That about sums it up. We LOVED reading this story. A delightful adventurous family that felt real and did hard things together.
April 25, 2018
This book is great and fun to read, apart from those dead possums. ): Anyways I loved reading it and you should too!! (;
August 6, 2018
It was a great book and I recommend it to children.
August 30, 2021
My grandma gave me this book as a kid, and since then it’s been my favourite comfort book!
January 11, 2022
A sweet, feel good story that rings with familiarity of happy childhoods
July 23, 2022
We all LOVED this book; the kids said in unison as I shut it, “What a great book!” It was delightful to read these stories and sense the hospitality of the Boom family life.
December 23, 2022
Read this when I was younger and honestly the only book I can see myself reading twice!
Definitely a great read for adventurous children.
Definitely a great read for adventurous children.
April 23, 2023
Fabulous book!! Little House on the Prairie meets Little Britches vibes. And we loved the audiobook narrated by the author herself with her authentic New Zealand accent.
January 29, 2025
Charming stories!
March 21, 2025
Amazing, i mean yes it is probably a book for 10 year olds but i loved it. its probably one of my favoutite books and i have a lot of those
September 20, 2025
Loved this book. Set in New Zealand, my home country. Beautiful description, scenic, fabulous characters and storyline. Wonderful to read and thoroughly enjoyable story.
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October 7, 2026My boys and I loved so much!
February 7, 2015
I read this because one of my students brought it into school. It is very much in the vein of 'Little House on the Prairie' but in the modern day, in New Zealand. A family of eight buy some land, and move into the barn to live while they build their house. The children are homeschooled and pretty much roam free on the farm having great adventures and some nasty accidents. (Not surprisingly there is a Where Lions Roar at Night first aid kit).
It was a very pleasant read and if my own children were younger, I think I would read it to them - as it would make a great read-aloud. There are three others in the series, which I may try to get hold of. It could be a good book for a literature circle at school.
It was a very pleasant read and if my own children were younger, I think I would read it to them - as it would make a great read-aloud. There are three others in the series, which I may try to get hold of. It could be a good book for a literature circle at school.
February 11, 2015
Our family read this book as a read aloud, though a lot of the time is turned out being a laugh aloud. This book shows a bit what it is like to live in a large family, with all the accidents, everyday events and times when you can do nothing but laugh. Our family could relate very well. It is almost like a modern day "Little House on the Prairie" except it is a "Large Barn in New Zealand".
September 30, 2014
I dont read many books like this series but this was amazing.The New Zealand touch of life to the adventures are great and I can read these books over and over again.... they have earned their place on my bedside table!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews