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The Sparrow
An exciting new novel from the author of Alex.
In September 1840, two ships arrive on the shores of the Waitematā Harbour to establish Auckland, the new capital of New Zealand. Among the settlers on board the Platina is young Harry, travelling alone and determined to return to family in England. But the more immediate challenge is finding food and shelter — and hiding the truth about Harry’s real identity and what was left behind in Van Diemen’s Land.
In September 1840, two ships arrive on the shores of the Waitematā Harbour to establish Auckland, the new capital of New Zealand. Among the settlers on board the Platina is young Harry, travelling alone and determined to return to family in England. But the more immediate challenge is finding food and shelter — and hiding the truth about Harry’s real identity and what was left behind in Van Diemen’s Land.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2023
7 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Tessa Duder
56 books37 followersTessa Duder trained as a journalist, and spent fifteen years rearing four daughters before she turned to writing fiction in her late thirties. Her books include the four Alex novels, Jellybean and Night Race to Kawau, as well as ten titles of non-fiction for both adults and young people. She's also an editor, short story writer, playwright and actor. Born in Auckland in 1940, she's lived most of her life there, except for periods spent in England, Pakistan and Malaysia.
Tessa Duder lives in Auckland, New Zealand, where she writes full time.
Tessa Duder lives in Auckland, New Zealand, where she writes full time.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 9, 2023
Auckland is a challenging place to be for 14 year old Harry… and Harriet. This revealing page turning read of the early days of NZ’s largest city and the people who made the journey to start a new life has explores themes of survival, class, colonisation, injustice, place and a desire for a home. Experience England, life on board the ships, Tasmanian penal colonies and the three bays that represented the beginning of a city
It was also fascinating to read this story when I regularly drive the three bays of the stories setting on my way to work every day. Place and our ability to relate to it adds something extra to the reading experience.
It was also fascinating to read this story when I regularly drive the three bays of the stories setting on my way to work every day. Place and our ability to relate to it adds something extra to the reading experience.
January 6, 2024
I enjoyed the descriptions of what life was like for some of the first European settlers in Auckland. Nice easy, quick read of teen-targeted fiction.
May 23, 2023
Dubbed Sparrow by her loving parents, 10 year old Harriet has a good life. The year is 1836, and her father is the best saddle-maker for miles, her mother a good cook, wife and mother. To Harriet, only her older brother Jesse spoils things, and he is about to change everything.
A simple walk to market for cooking apples becomes Harriet’s last taste of freedom before she is charged with theft, tried, and found guilty. Her sentence for stealing an apple is seven years. She cannot believe it and neither can her parents. But soon she is in the Newgate Prison – hell on earth.
The youngest among the thieves, liars, prostitutes, and worse in the women’s section of the prison, Harriet must sleep on the hard ground with a piece of sacking below her and another piece for a blanket. The air is foul with curses, screams and howls and a fetid stench. A used grey shift is the only clothing allowed, and the food minimal. Bodies are found daily, both women or their babies, and fights are common. This is just the beginning for Harriet. Part of her sentence is transport on a convict ship to Van Diemen’s land (Tasmania) 12,000 miles from home – and another prison.
Harry has worked hard on the deck of the Platina all the way to New Zealand. A new colony is being set up there and there are many sights to behold. The fine building materials for a grand house for a government official. The natives in their long canoes, powerfully moving as one across to meet the newcomers. Tents are to be put up and families are moving in. This is to be the capital named Auckland, and land sales are to begin. But where does Harry fit in?
Swapping from one persona to the other, a young girl travels across vast distances to a new life forced upon her. She does all she can to survive until she can go all the way home again.
This would have to be my favourite of Tess Duder Young Adult novels yet. Meticulously detailed and gripping, The Sparrow is a historical tale that spans 12,000 miles, genders, the rich and poor, people of good character and bad, over 4 years and three countries.
The reader will see the very beginnings of Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, once deemed the capital of a new colony in the years of 1839-1840. Harriet is a brave character, doing all she can to survive terrible hardships forced upon her in spite. She has a strong sense of what’s right over pompous superstition and prejudice and stands her ground. Unfortunately this will be her downfall more than once.
This novel is told in two timelines that connect at the end – and what a conclusion!
Many of the characters are based on real people and the major events are taken from historical records. This is not only an insight into Aotearoa New Zealand’s early days, but a riveting story too.
Age – 13+
A simple walk to market for cooking apples becomes Harriet’s last taste of freedom before she is charged with theft, tried, and found guilty. Her sentence for stealing an apple is seven years. She cannot believe it and neither can her parents. But soon she is in the Newgate Prison – hell on earth.
The youngest among the thieves, liars, prostitutes, and worse in the women’s section of the prison, Harriet must sleep on the hard ground with a piece of sacking below her and another piece for a blanket. The air is foul with curses, screams and howls and a fetid stench. A used grey shift is the only clothing allowed, and the food minimal. Bodies are found daily, both women or their babies, and fights are common. This is just the beginning for Harriet. Part of her sentence is transport on a convict ship to Van Diemen’s land (Tasmania) 12,000 miles from home – and another prison.
Harry has worked hard on the deck of the Platina all the way to New Zealand. A new colony is being set up there and there are many sights to behold. The fine building materials for a grand house for a government official. The natives in their long canoes, powerfully moving as one across to meet the newcomers. Tents are to be put up and families are moving in. This is to be the capital named Auckland, and land sales are to begin. But where does Harry fit in?
Swapping from one persona to the other, a young girl travels across vast distances to a new life forced upon her. She does all she can to survive until she can go all the way home again.
This would have to be my favourite of Tess Duder Young Adult novels yet. Meticulously detailed and gripping, The Sparrow is a historical tale that spans 12,000 miles, genders, the rich and poor, people of good character and bad, over 4 years and three countries.
The reader will see the very beginnings of Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, once deemed the capital of a new colony in the years of 1839-1840. Harriet is a brave character, doing all she can to survive terrible hardships forced upon her in spite. She has a strong sense of what’s right over pompous superstition and prejudice and stands her ground. Unfortunately this will be her downfall more than once.
This novel is told in two timelines that connect at the end – and what a conclusion!
Many of the characters are based on real people and the major events are taken from historical records. This is not only an insight into Aotearoa New Zealand’s early days, but a riveting story too.
Age – 13+
November 8, 2023
An interesting settlement story relaying the trials and tribulations of Harriet's survival. A satisfactory ending dealing with several key themes: perseverance, loss, curiosity, being frank, rich and poor, judgement, spite and mercy.
Some quotes that stayed with me:
'How can grown men with fancy titles and plumed hats be so stupid! So blind and unaware and uncaring of how ordinary people think'
'You know the opposite of loving is not hating, it’s just not caring a fig. Being indifferent.’
Some quotes that stayed with me:
'How can grown men with fancy titles and plumed hats be so stupid! So blind and unaware and uncaring of how ordinary people think'
'You know the opposite of loving is not hating, it’s just not caring a fig. Being indifferent.’
June 6, 2023
Took me a bit to get into this book but I really enjoyed it by the end. A good picture of early life in New Zealand for European settlers, especially girls from poorer families who suffered injustices due to their gender and family circumstances. A good book for New Zealand school libraries
May 2, 2024
In 1840 two ships arrive on the shores of the Waitemata Harbour to establish Auckland, the new capital of New Zealand.
Among the passengers on board the Platina is young Harry, travelling alone and determined to return to family in England.
Among the passengers on board the Platina is young Harry, travelling alone and determined to return to family in England.
May 26, 2024
It was really good. The tension was well done. I really she had drowned Jesse, he was a jerk.
December 29, 2024
3.5 stars
Read
March 5, 2025Definitely felt like YA fiction, a bit oversimplified sometimes. But an interesting historical location.
September 1, 2025
colonisation normalising book lol
September 4, 2024
I enjoyed this historical fiction novel and found it incredibly satisfying. The past/present format worked well, and I enjoyed reading about Auckland's early history.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews