working dogs. YA fiction | Wondering @ work

This is the second book in David Hair’s The Aotearoa series which began with The Bone Tiki. Usually I would read the first book first but as I was relying on the local library I had to content myself with beginning with this one – the first book was out on loan.

These are fantasy books in which the main character, Matiu Douglas, who through a series of event in The Bone Tiki discovers he can travel into the past and that he has powers which cause him to come into contact and some conflict with mythological and supernatural beings. As this novel opens Mat is beginning to come to terms with his new powers and is being guided by some new friends. He is a novice in this parallel world and realizes he must learn more from his mentors. It is summer and Mat travels to Gisborne to see in the New Year with his father. They are meeting his mother there and his parents are attempting a reconciliation. Mat’s mentors give him strict instructions not to enter the other world while in Poverty Bay as there are strong legends and characters that he is not ready to meet with yet. However, on the way to the city, he and and his father stop for a meal. As Mat takes a walk by the river he is drawn into the past by an old woman who begs him to help her rescue her daughter. Mat is unable to refuse and is drawn into the fight of his life. His cousin and friends all become involved as well and Mat soon discovers he is not the only one who has this ability to go into the other world of the past and mythology.

I enjoyed this story immensely even though I am not a great fan of fantasy. Mat is a believable character and I enjoyed the mix of Maori legend and modern life in New Zealand. I will have to wait until I am back in New Zealand to read the other books in the series – from the library of course.

David Hair’s website Review from Catherine of On the Nightstand blog.

This is Michael Morpurgo at his best. I really enjoyed this simple story of the dog called Shadow and the kindness shown to him by a lonely, frightened Afghan boy, Aman. The book is told by three people – Aman, Matt who is best friends with Aman and Matt’s Grandpa – a former journalist. Matt is very distressed when his best friend Aman is taken to a detention center for people who are about to be deported. He and his mother are being sent back to Afghanistan and possible death because their asylum application was not granted. Matt is not allowed to visit his friend. He persuades his Grandpa into visiting Aman and despite his misgivings Grandpa agrees. During the awkward visit Grandpa shows Aman a photo of his family, including Matt and his dog and Aman reacts so dramatically to the photo. He explains that while they were living in Afghanistan a dog of the same breed adopted him and became like his Shadow. Aman tells Grandpa the tragic story of his life in Afghanistan and how Shadow helped to save his life. The entire situation prompts Grandpa into action…

A great read aloud for grades 5 – 6 and wonderful read for upper primary and middle school.

Michael Morpurgo’s website Love reading 4 Kids UK review