Patu

Description

In this powerful novel for teenagers, 16-year-old Jahnine is having to fend for herself amidst a series of family misfortunes. Her mother is in hospital battling cancer and her brother has gone without a trace. Family legend has it that a patu taken during the Land Wars by her great-great-grandfather has left a curse on them. Determined to return the patu and lift the curse, Jahnine turns to a strange Maori boy, Andy, and follows him away from Auckland to try and put things right. Nothing turns out the way she imagines in this powerful, realistic novel from Tim Tipene.

Reviews

This is a powerful story with strong themes about the alienation of Maori city youth from their whanau [family] and culture.

Author description

Tim Tipene is the award-winning author of children's picture books and junior novels including Kura Toa: Warrior School, Bullies and Warriors and Taming the Taniwha. A youth and self-defence counsellor, he leads the Warrior Kids programme (outlined in his recent manual, Warrior Kids: Warrior Training for Children). Tim lives with his family in Sunnyvale, Auckland.