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August 2014

Watermark (Penelope Todd)

A short but memorable novel about the effects that choice and fate can have over a very short period of time, Watermark is set in the beautiful but isolated backdrop of the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island.

 Zillah is a "normal" teenager who is the recipient of a mysterious letter written by an unknown acquaintance.  The letter invites her to visit Roimata, ask no questions, and bring very little.  Knowing that her predictable mother would strictly forbid accepting such a strange offer, Zillah makes her plans in secret, and in so doing makes her first "choice", and starts along her fateful journey.

 Faced with all manner of strange scenarios and people, Zillah learns how to trust herself and her instincts, but also learns how sometimes it doesn't matter whether something is a choice or fate, either can still have unpredictable outcomes and consequences.  In the end, Zillah learns that it is how prepared you are for life, and how you deal with the people and situations that come your way, that is what truly counts.
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