Cry of the Taniwha by Des Hunt

Cry of the Taniwha (Harper Collins, 2009)

This book is a runaway read. It only took me a few days to get through and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Aimed at older Primary , junior Secondary level, it is the story of Matt Logan, a boy on holidays with a metal detector. Matt discovers more than just a few gold coins when he goes detecting at Rotorua. He manages to unearth a mystery that has remained secret for over a hundred years.
   The first two chapters outline the historical crime but the rest of the narrative deals with the present including the tourists and the street gangs. Matt befriends Juzza, a youth determined to join a gang and Eve, an Aussie with a talent for research. The character of Juzza is well drawn as it's hard to determine where his loyalties lie. There is also a revered heron who takes part in the story.
   I think anyone who enjoys a mystery would like this novel. The pace is steady and the tension climbs well to the resolution. There is even a surprise ending...
   This book is probably too easy for PSSC students but it's still a great experience. It was shortlisted for the New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards.