Books by Anna Kenna
Viola Vincent Reporting
A story about the power of one and about having the courage to chase the truth whatever the consequences.
Caitlin's life is shattered when her mother is seriously injured in a freak accident. She struggles to find her bearings in a world that has totally changed. Her mother, once her rock, has tuned out. Her grandfather is angry and doesn't want to know when Caitlin tries to tell him Mum's bike was dodgy.
In the end, it's the ghost of her famous great aunt, a pioneering journalist, who eventually steers Caitlin's destiny and gives her the courage to take a stand.
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Bo
"He was known as Bojangles, the 'King of the Track'. the toast of the punters, the cream of the pack."
Bo is a greyhound, one of the fastest on the track. But when his racing life is cut short by an injury, he must adjust to the quiet life. Not only does he have to leave the dog track, he also needs to adapt to his new owners and to being simply a domestic pet.
This delightful book sensitively handles the plight of poor Bo and the larger issue of having to adjust to new circumstances.
"The story of Bo is told in rhyme, with some delightful vocabulary. I love the ending, and the last two lines are perfectly in tune with each other."
Rosemary Tisdale, Auckland
"It's got real bounce and verve in the rhyme, and the pitch and rhythm are pretty much perfect."
John McIntyre, on Radio New Zealand
A Close Call
When Harry borrows his dad's mobile phone, the result is a disastrous sequence of events involving Harry, his dad and Harry's pet rat. This is one title in a guided reading series of 96 chapter books for children aged 7-11.
After school, Harry's dad was there waiting for him. "Ooh, Harry Carry, your dad looks like he's going to murder you," gloated Mike Millar. "I'm off. I can't stand the sight of blood."
Harry's dad was hoping to get an important contract – but Harry had his dad's mobile phone, and his dad had Harry's pet rat...
Knightly News
It all started when Dad sent me his old video camera. It was summer vacation, and he thought it would give me something to do, with Mom working and all. I was stoked. I'd always wanted to be a cameraman. Mom wasn't so happy – which is kind of weird since she's a TV reporter herself.
Scott's career as a TV cameraman starts off OK – his Knightly News bulletin is a hit with his apartment neighbours. But when he drops a microphone on the mayor's head and then fluffs his assignemt to film the ballet, things aren't looking so good.
A Fright at the Orcas
The title is not a misprint. This story, told in verse, follows the celebrity animal stars to the annual Orcas Awards.
Anna Kenna provides some cheerful wordplay as the animals parade up the red carpet. A mole in a stole... a duck in a tux... and a newt in a suit that cost ninety bucks.
There is also some cheerful lampooning of Oscar acceptance speeches.
While younger readers may not spot all the Oscar and Academy Award jokes, they will enjoy the cheerful wordplay and lively action
Magpie Magazine
"A world class script. A rollicking good read."
John McIntyre, on Radio New Zealand
The Sweet Stink of Success
Jordan and Ryan are totally stoked with their ground-breaking discovery. It's a crazy concoction of ingredients that no one would believe. If only it didn't smell so bad! And why is Jordan's mum's prize pooch Lapska acting so strange all of a sudden?
Encouraging members of the first fifteen rugby team to test it was trouble. But their biggest trouble was with Mum when Lapska began to show some very strange behaviours each time she came near their groundbreaking research.
Written in the third person, this novel engages the reader in an entertaining though improbable adventure involving a science experiment for the Science Fair.
Badlands
A meteorite has collided with Earth. Krystal and a small group of other survivors are living in a subway station. Their food supply is running low, and tempers are frayed.
When Krystal is caught giving away some food, her life goes from bad to worse.
"As a television reporter, I've worked on many stories about bad things happening in the world. One thing I've learned is that it's not what happens to people but how they react that makes a difference.
"That's what this story is about."
Anna Kenna
Brother Trouble
Lauren has trouble with her brother, Justin. He's a big bully. With a little help, she teaches Justin a lesson and has some fun too!
Most of Anna Kenna's ideas for books come from her own life and from spying on her children! Anna has three brothers who used to give her trouble when she was a kid. She hopes they'll read Brother Trouble.