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Three Scoops
Three moments in time and three writing genre: historic fiction / fantasy fiction / futuristic fiction from one of New Zealand’s favourite writers of fiction.
Historical: Coming Home
The story of Harry and his loyal horse Blaze as New Zealand rushes to support the British during the time of the war between them and the South African Dutch citizens, known as the Boer War. On the eve of departure Blaze panics and escapes. Harry has to leave alone but throughout his experiences, the voyage around the world and the horror of war, he yearns for his steed and prays he is okay. Meanwhile Blaze is facing his own dangers as he struggles to return to the family farm.
Fantasy: I Wish
Trent Karam is bored and depressed. He and his mum have moved to a new town and he must start at a new school. All he wants is to be something more than ordinary – to stand out. Enter a magical book-elf hidden in a mysterious box of books the movers appear to have left in error. Trent is stuck with reading the books because the movers have not delivered his computer – but then he finds they actually contain stories that can help him and the book-elf can grant wishes.
Future: Strange Meeting
Sophie’s father is involved in the Neptune space mission launch site. Sophie is proud of her dad and the work he is involved in but fellow student Pita, says his Koru is warning that the work they’re doing isn’t honest – it is dangerous. Who can she believe? Meanwhile, way out in space, a large meteor is waiting – being pulled by the gravity of Saturn and Jupiter along with the influence of our sun. It waits like a snooker ball awaiting the cue. Which way will it go?
Historical: Coming Home
The story of Harry and his loyal horse Blaze as New Zealand rushes to support the British during the time of the war between them and the South African Dutch citizens, known as the Boer War. On the eve of departure Blaze panics and escapes. Harry has to leave alone but throughout his experiences, the voyage around the world and the horror of war, he yearns for his steed and prays he is okay. Meanwhile Blaze is facing his own dangers as he struggles to return to the family farm.
Fantasy: I Wish
Trent Karam is bored and depressed. He and his mum have moved to a new town and he must start at a new school. All he wants is to be something more than ordinary – to stand out. Enter a magical book-elf hidden in a mysterious box of books the movers appear to have left in error. Trent is stuck with reading the books because the movers have not delivered his computer – but then he finds they actually contain stories that can help him and the book-elf can grant wishes.
Future: Strange Meeting
Sophie’s father is involved in the Neptune space mission launch site. Sophie is proud of her dad and the work he is involved in but fellow student Pita, says his Koru is warning that the work they’re doing isn’t honest – it is dangerous. Who can she believe? Meanwhile, way out in space, a large meteor is waiting – being pulled by the gravity of Saturn and Jupiter along with the influence of our sun. It waits like a snooker ball awaiting the cue. Which way will it go?
310 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2021
4 people want to read
About the author
David Hill
52 books46 followersDavid Hill (born 1942) is a New Zealand author, especially well known for his young adult fiction. His young fiction books See Ya, Simon (1992) and Right Where It Hurts (2001) have been shortlisted for numerous awards. He is also a prolific journalist, writing many articles for The New Zealand Herald.
He cites Maurice Gee as his favourite author, and Joy Cowley and Margaret Mahy as his favourite children's authors.
Hill attended Victoria University in Wellington, graduating MA Hons in 1964. Hill currently lives in New Plymouth.
He cites Maurice Gee as his favourite author, and Joy Cowley and Margaret Mahy as his favourite children's authors.
Hill attended Victoria University in Wellington, graduating MA Hons in 1964. Hill currently lives in New Plymouth.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 17, 2021
Three different story flavours!
Historical – Coming Home
Harry Barton and his horse Blaze are the best of mates. They do everything together on the family farm. Checking fences, finding lost sheep or shooting pigs. An even bigger adventure is calling. Harry has enlisted to fight in the Boer War in South Africa and he’s taking sure-footed, courageous Blaze with him.
The unthinkable happens and they are separated, both wondering where the other can be?
Told in both Harry and Blaze’s viewpoint, this story will tug at your heartstrings. Bullets are flying, they are far from home, and missing their best mate. Will they ever see each other again?
Fantastical – I Wish
Trent isn’t looking forward to going to his new school. Moving into his new home with his mum hasn’t been much fun either. His computer hasn’t turned up from the movers and a random box of books has been mixed up with their stuff.
With nothing else to do, he begins to look through the books. This is when he meets Gene, a small, green, mohawked and very rude creature inside one of the books. He is a book elf, and has been imprisoned inside this one book because of his bad behaviour. SLOB (Scary Lords to Book Elves), are his bosses, and the only way out is to be polite, helpful and good.
Even Trent can see this is a big ask, but he quickly makes a deal with Gene. If he helps him look cool at his new school, he’ll be pleasing his bosses at the same time. What could go wrong?
This is a clever, funny story of wishes, fitting in and finding out who you are and what you’re good at. Is Gene the Book Elf actually helping or not? See if you can match up the Book Titles mentioned with David Hill’s own novels?
Sci Fi – Strange Meeting
Long ago, Dinosaurs ruled the Earth – until a meteor slammed into it. Now, humans rule the Earth and space exploration has been important for many years.
Sophie, nick-named Rocket Girl by her class, loves anything to do with space. Both her parents work at the local Mahoe Launch Site where the Neptune 3 Rocket is being prepared for its orbit around the sun. Excitement is high, as the launch is in 10 days time. At least, most of her class are excited.
Pita scowls at Sophie’s mission updates and she finally asks him why. His koro believes rockets are bad for the Earth and we should care for it better. Strange things begin happening at the base, and even stranger at Pita’s house.
Suddenly the entire world is in shock. A meteor even bigger than the one that wiped out the dinosaurs and triggered The Ice Age, is coming their way. They have only one chance to save the Earth.
Three Scoops has saved the best for last. Strange Meeting is a story of latest technology and a force as old as time. Tension builds quickly in this story, first between Sophie and Pita with opposite views of space exploration, then the entire planet is under threat. Scrambling to find a solution, the Launch Site becomes the focus of the whole world… with time quickly running out.
Three stories from multi award winning and much loved author David Hill. These stories are as different as Chocolate ice cream is to Vanilla, but are all entertaining and long enough to be class or home read-alouds.
Coming Home will appeal to anyone who loved the classic animal tale The Incredible Journey, and if you needed tissues for that one, you should have some handy. I Wish will make you laugh out loud, especially the ti-shirts that a book elf might wear. Strange Meeting will leave you intrigued and with a racing heart. It got me thinking – What if a meteor was hurtling towards Earth? What would you do?
Historical – Coming Home
Harry Barton and his horse Blaze are the best of mates. They do everything together on the family farm. Checking fences, finding lost sheep or shooting pigs. An even bigger adventure is calling. Harry has enlisted to fight in the Boer War in South Africa and he’s taking sure-footed, courageous Blaze with him.
The unthinkable happens and they are separated, both wondering where the other can be?
Told in both Harry and Blaze’s viewpoint, this story will tug at your heartstrings. Bullets are flying, they are far from home, and missing their best mate. Will they ever see each other again?
Fantastical – I Wish
Trent isn’t looking forward to going to his new school. Moving into his new home with his mum hasn’t been much fun either. His computer hasn’t turned up from the movers and a random box of books has been mixed up with their stuff.
With nothing else to do, he begins to look through the books. This is when he meets Gene, a small, green, mohawked and very rude creature inside one of the books. He is a book elf, and has been imprisoned inside this one book because of his bad behaviour. SLOB (Scary Lords to Book Elves), are his bosses, and the only way out is to be polite, helpful and good.
Even Trent can see this is a big ask, but he quickly makes a deal with Gene. If he helps him look cool at his new school, he’ll be pleasing his bosses at the same time. What could go wrong?
This is a clever, funny story of wishes, fitting in and finding out who you are and what you’re good at. Is Gene the Book Elf actually helping or not? See if you can match up the Book Titles mentioned with David Hill’s own novels?
Sci Fi – Strange Meeting
Long ago, Dinosaurs ruled the Earth – until a meteor slammed into it. Now, humans rule the Earth and space exploration has been important for many years.
Sophie, nick-named Rocket Girl by her class, loves anything to do with space. Both her parents work at the local Mahoe Launch Site where the Neptune 3 Rocket is being prepared for its orbit around the sun. Excitement is high, as the launch is in 10 days time. At least, most of her class are excited.
Pita scowls at Sophie’s mission updates and she finally asks him why. His koro believes rockets are bad for the Earth and we should care for it better. Strange things begin happening at the base, and even stranger at Pita’s house.
Suddenly the entire world is in shock. A meteor even bigger than the one that wiped out the dinosaurs and triggered The Ice Age, is coming their way. They have only one chance to save the Earth.
Three Scoops has saved the best for last. Strange Meeting is a story of latest technology and a force as old as time. Tension builds quickly in this story, first between Sophie and Pita with opposite views of space exploration, then the entire planet is under threat. Scrambling to find a solution, the Launch Site becomes the focus of the whole world… with time quickly running out.
Three stories from multi award winning and much loved author David Hill. These stories are as different as Chocolate ice cream is to Vanilla, but are all entertaining and long enough to be class or home read-alouds.
Coming Home will appeal to anyone who loved the classic animal tale The Incredible Journey, and if you needed tissues for that one, you should have some handy. I Wish will make you laugh out loud, especially the ti-shirts that a book elf might wear. Strange Meeting will leave you intrigued and with a racing heart. It got me thinking – What if a meteor was hurtling towards Earth? What would you do?
April 28, 2022
At first i was like no way this is boring, but then the 2nd and 3rd stories amazed me
April 5, 2022
Definitely different!
'Coming Home' is a war story about the relationship and bond between man and horse. It's not your expected loyalty story though.
'I Wish' took me a while to accept. I mean books are special but a book elf? It deals with the power of the desire to stand out by being special and therefore accepted as awesome. 'What's so special about being special?' Will the youngster learn the benefits of striving for greatness for yourself and being accepted as you are? My favourite line: 'no sorrow about tomorrow'.
'Strange Meeting' concerns an asteroid hurtling towards Earth. Two different strategies are in motion to protect Earth. Which will intersect, destroy, or divert it and save the day?
'Coming Home' is a war story about the relationship and bond between man and horse. It's not your expected loyalty story though.
'I Wish' took me a while to accept. I mean books are special but a book elf? It deals with the power of the desire to stand out by being special and therefore accepted as awesome. 'What's so special about being special?' Will the youngster learn the benefits of striving for greatness for yourself and being accepted as you are? My favourite line: 'no sorrow about tomorrow'.
'Strange Meeting' concerns an asteroid hurtling towards Earth. Two different strategies are in motion to protect Earth. Which will intersect, destroy, or divert it and save the day?
January 23, 2022
Three unconnected shorter stories, each with their own joys and moments of glory
November 27, 2023
A good intermediate read, with three stories in one it will appeal to a wide audience of juniors in our school library,
September 30, 2023
Loved the stories and the many different genres included in this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews