> Skip to content

Article  •  1 February 2026

 

Editor's Rave Review: Stepping Up

Cath, our Penguin NZ Children's Publisher on what makes STEPPING UP by David Hill a very special book

  • The quality of the writing. This isn’t just a story well told, it’s a story BRILLIANTLY, COMPELLINGLY TOLD. Content that could otherwise be too confronting or painful with David Hill’s words becomes engrossing, engaging and empowering.

 

  • BUILDS EMPATHY & UNDERSTANDING - readers get a real-time journey inside the mind of a teenager whose accident takes him from able-bodied to disabled in an instant. He grapples with a range of very relatable emotions as he deals with the loss of his old identity (also his ideas about what his worth is based on), the birth of his new self, and the coming together of the two. Through all of this, Ben finds he’s still himself.

 

  • AN EYE-OPENER FOR THE ABLE-BODIED - a fantastic way for readers to see all the challenges of a world that’s designed for the able-bodied, and for people living with disability to feel seen and heard.

 

  • GRIPPING MEDICAL DRAMA ABOUT UNSUNG HEROES - Readers will be struck by the amazing professional skill and knowledge of those working in injury recovery, physio and prosthetics. The author’s depth of research really shows! Also, David has spent the last years living with chronic pain and his first-hand experience of the health system and the incredible people who staff it really shines through.

Stepping Up David Hill

When a sporty teen's leg is crushed in a mountain accident, he has to face new challenges one tiny but huge step at a time.

 

A fast-paced, powerfully told novel for middle-grade readers about limb loss, resilience and becoming excited about the future again.

Buy now

More features

See all
Article
Books to keep older kids entertained this Easter long weekend

Easter is coming up, and once the novelty of chocolate wears off, older kids still need something to sink their teeth into.

News
2024 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults Winners!

The NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults are a unique celebration of the contribution New Zealand’s children’s authors and illustrators make to building national identity and cultural heritage.

News
2023 Storylines Notable Books List

The highest quality books in five genres published between August 2022 and November 2023.

Article
Best Volcano Books for Kids

What makes a volcano erupt? How are they formed? And what stories have people told about them?

Article
Books for reluctant readers post-Percy Jackson

They've closed the final Percy Jackson book. Now what?

Article
Books to build empathy in kids

Children's books to encourage understanding, kindness and inclusion.

Article
Summer Reads for Curious Minds

The summer holidays are the perfect time to encourage kids to learn something new and explore their interests!

Article
QUIZ: What kind of mullet are you?

Take this quiz to find out what type of mullet you are, in honour of Nick Sharratt’s book, Mullets.

Activity
Detective Beans Book Club

Host your own Detective Beans themed book club!

Article
An audience with Bird of the Year

When Edin Whitehead met robin

Article
Real Readers Review: Protector of Beyond 1

In their own words, read real reviews of Protector of Beyond by Shara Curlett!

Article
Read about the inspiration behind Blunderbore!

This is Jack and the Beanstalk like you’ve never seen it before! An exciting action-packed graphic adventure story set in the world of Jack in the Beanstalk. From award-winning author Sofie Laguna and monster-illustrator extraordinaire, Marc McBride.

Looking for more articles?

See all articles