Based on the true story of the Pook family in the early 1920s living in a remote area of the Kaipara Harbour. Describes the family life of Tom and his younger sister who are left in charge and must complete all the daily tasks as well as take care of their younger siblings. Relays the harshness of that time when children were made to be adults before their time and the parents had to toil wherever they could to support a growing family. The storyline provides the reader with lots to think about and make comparisons of those and these times. Rata ( )

Tom is a young fourteen year old growing up on the Kaipara Harbour with his six brothers and sisters, his mum, Kohi and his fisherman Dad, Ted a hard and sometimes cruel man who has high standards for behaviour and responsibility. This is a fascinating glimpse of New Zealand in the 1920's of a family rich in life experiences rather than money. Although this is a fictional story, it was initially based on a true account of Tom Pook in another book that the author had read. Then she began to imagination what Tom's life might have been like and wrote about what she thought. Then, uncannily, on the very day she finished writing the book she met up with Tom Pook's son who supplied her with photos and documents. As a consequence, Elizabeth Hegarty's reworked her book to bring it much more in line with reality. This is a wonderful first book from this author and well deserves the Tom Fitzgibbon award it was given. I think this book would be great for nine years and older and even adults would enjoy it. ( )