Dead Man's Head

Seddon Street Gang #1

by Jack Lasenby

The Seddon Street Gang are first introduced in DEAD MAN'S HEAD, a picaresque novel featuring the comical characters of Waharua and the tricks the children play on them. This is the classic trilogy of New Zealand junior fiction, following the exploits of a group of kids (the Seddon Street Gang) and their life in a rural township during the Depression. Heart-warming, funny and wise, these books have drawn fans in their thousands. 'Dead Man's Head', 'The Waterfall' and 'The Battle of Pook Island' have all been finalists in the New Zealand Children's Book Awards, and two have taken out the ultimate prize. Critics are unanimous that this is a trilogy of the highest quality..

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Jack Lasenby was an editor and writer of children's books. From 1969 to 1975, Lasenby edited the School Journal, which had previously been edited by the poets James K. Baxter, Alistair Campbell, and Louis Johnson. His work with School Journal brought him into close contact with leading authors and illustrators of children's books. Lasenby has been honored many times, receiving the Esther Glen Award for distinguished contribution to New Zealand literature for children and young adults in 1987 for Mangrove Summer. He also received the 1993 AIM Children's Book Award Honour Award in Senior Fiction for The Conjuror. In 1996, his book, The Waterfall, received the AIM Children's Book Award for Senior Fiction. Lasenby also received the New Zealand Post Children's Book Award in 1997, 1998, and 1997 for The Battle of Pook Island, Because We Were the Travelers, and Tour, respectively.. His latest books, Old Drumble and The Haystack, were, respectively, winner of and finalist for the NZ Post Junior Fiction Award.