I had never heard of this New Zealand author or the book until it was banned about a month ago. I was then curious to read it and managed to download a copy onto my kindle but only because I have a UK account as they were even stopping downloads if you were in NZ. It is a brilliant book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Yesterday I received a parcel from the US and the parcel contained two copies of the book. I have no idea who sent me the books as the parcel was addressed to my real name but I wish to thank them for the books.
After reading the book I just can't understand why the book was banned. The book subject is about a young boy caught between two different worlds who is subjected to bullying from other teenagers and also from his teachers. Yes there are swear words and a couple of sex scenes but they not the main theme of the book.

Posted to another bookcrosser. Enjoy the book and I am sure that you will find it an interesting read.

A banned book, how exciting, will read to see what the fuss is about and then off to Fee19

A most satisfying read. Cannot understand what all the fuss is about.
Will pass onto the next reader asap

Enjoy this forbidden fruit!

Received from Edwardstreet by post ages ago and just got round to reading it in the Christmas holidays. Thanks, Anne!
A great New Zealand story. OK, not a children's book but I would have thought appropriate for its teen audience. It speaks their language and has relevant themes - race, bullying, big city/countryside, drugs, semi-legal activities, sex, death, etc.

Taken to the Wellington Bookcrossing Meetup at One Red Dog on 2 March 2017.

Picked up at last nights meetup from Fee19 - will read and bookcross

I enjoyed this book as a coming of age novel about a boy from a remote town on the East Coast who wins a scholarship to a boarding school in Auckland. I didn't like the violence and the older boys picking on the younger and weaker ones in this book but never having attending a boys boarding school it may be an accurate depiction of what happens.

The author Ted Dawe writes in a very simple yet elegant way about some tough teenage topics eg sex, bullying, peer pressure, drugs, smoking, sickness and death and bought his main characters to life through his writing. Read it - I'd be interested to find out what others thought.

Released at the monthly Bookcrossing meetup. Read and enjoy whoever picked it up