Where Lions Roar at Night

The Barn Chronicles #1

by Rosie Boom, Jeff Townsend (Editor)

Winner of the Australasian CALEB Book Award for Best Children's Book 2010 Where Lions Roar at Night is an engaging book for the whole family to enjoy. It tells of the fun and adventures and dramas of a modern day 'pioneering' New Zealand family - the Booms. 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... When the Boom family first moved to Whangarei, New Zealand and bought 11 acres of farm land, complete with an old barn, they never dreamed that the next two years would hold so much fun and so many memorable moments. As they began making the barn livable, putting in and tending the vegetable garden, clearing the land, they also faced the constant challenges that inevitably go hand in hand with a small block. Author Rosie Boom lived in Papua New Guinea for three years during her childhood. Life was one great adventure, full of strange animals, tilley lanterns and river fun. She credits those exhilerating years with her on-going excitement at facing a challenge and enjoying having to 'rough it'. When she first laid eyes on the ancient barn, all she could think was, 'We could live here!' In the first six months, they survived two 'one hundred year' storms. The barn creaked and shook and groaned, but outlasted the onslaught. They were exciting, nerve wracking days and nights of gale force winds, rain so loud on the tin roof that the family couldn't hear themselves shout, rescuing animals and anxiously watching to see if the barn roof would lift off. Milly, the main character in the story, is the author's strong willed, feisty 12 year old. She is full of life and action, and is passionately fond of any sort of animal. In the first year of living on the land, Milly gathered a menagerie of pets - chickens, Indian Runner ducks, a pony and a milking cow to name a few. In the gentle land of New Zealand there are no snakes, no wild animals and definately no wild lions. But on their first night in the barn as they all lay on mattresses on the loft floor, complete with mosquito nets, they were awoken by the eerie, wild sound of lions roaring. At first they doubted their ears, but soon realised they were hearing the roars from the nearby Zion Wildlife Gardens - home to a large number of big cats. A spine tingling sound in the middle of the night. The sound somehow encapsulated the exciting start to the family's new adventure and seemed to be a fitting title for Rosie Boom's book. The author's hope is that Where Lions Roar at Night will cause people to reflect on the joy and wonder of family. And that the adults who read it will re-capture some of the wonder of childhood, while the children who enjoy the book will be inspired to never lose it. Where Lions Roar at Night is published by HSM, Australia and is printed with a hard cover and green cloth spine; 228 pages and over 90 pen and ink illustrations. Our family has always loved Little House on the Prairie. We never imagined we would discover another book we would love as much, especially a New Zealand one. Where Lions Roar at Night is hugely entertaining. Emily

Genres: Childrens, Nonfiction, Christian, Memoir, Contemporary

228 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 ;)

[Omega Writers · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Braedon Schache · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Dan Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Julie Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kristina Seleshanko · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, gentle read. The highlight for me was the lovely illustrations throughout.

[Claude's Bookzone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good wholesome kiwi kids adventure as they settle in rural NZ.

[Julisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun to read aloud to the kids. Brings back lots of memories of our lives in NZ.

[Alsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all the adventures they have.

[Claire Gardiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good chapter book to read to 6-10 year olds and local!

[Lizzy B. · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

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!

[Amy mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Rachel Broadbent · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Keke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great and fun to read, apart from those dead possums. ): Anyways I loved reading it and you should too!! (;

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great book and I recommend it to children.

[Sarah Croft · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandma gave me this book as a kid, and since then it’s been my favourite comfort book!

[Kait Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, feel good story that rings with familiarity of happy childhoods

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Harriet Rayner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this when I was younger and honestly the only book I can see myself reading twice!
Definitely a great read for adventurous children.

[Jess Vargas · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming stories!

[Issy McEwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Lynelle Fluegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Set in New Zealand, my home country. Beautiful description, scenic, fabulous characters and storyline. Wonderful to read and thoroughly enjoyable story.

[Tamara Noell]

My boys and I loved so much!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Clare S-B · Rating 5 out of 5]

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".

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!