A compelling mystery with environmental themes, Natalya Newman

Red Edge
Des Hunt
Scholastic
Pub. 2020

July 05, 2021

Twelve-year-old Cassi Whelan and her dad have just moved into a house on the edge of the Red Zone in Christchurch, an area that had been left to be reclaimed by nature after two deadly earthquakes struck nine years before. The Red Zone is abandoned and appears to be a ghost town, and was the part of Christchurch that would never be built on again – so they said.

There are no people, no cars, no man-made noise; nothing.

Fortunately, this suits Cassi perfectly. Every day, she runs through the deserted streets and meets nobody as she pushes her body as much as she can without breaking. Read more

July, 2021 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers: Des Hunt, Hunt

An exciting mystery with a strong connection to animals, Toby Gee

Search for a Kiwi Killer
Des Hunt
Torea Press
Pub. 2018

18 May, 2021

Search for a Kiwi Killer by Des Hunt is a very interesting book about a young boy, Tom, who has to find out who is killing the native kiwi in Waitangi Forest. When disaster strikes, Tom has to find his way through a raging storm, while also tracking down the killer.

In a small town called Kerikeri, the flightless kiwi live on farms and in pine forests. That’s the reason the law says that all dogs must be on a lead. Someone is ignoring that law, and many dead kiwi sightings start to occur. Read more

May, 2021 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers: Des Hunt, Hunt