The Tooth

by Des Hunt

The fossilized dinosaur lay undisturbed for millions of years . . . until the boy found it and the trouble began . . . tim thomas is searching for dinosaur fossils in the hills above Pounamu, his grandparent's sheep station. His mum drowned when he was four, leaving tim with only a vague memory of her - and of a large tooth embedded in rock. But time is against him as he races to find the exact spot where the tooth lies, before the river gully is dammed and the rising waters cover the site.He also has to deal with Sam Mason, the school bully, and when tim's horse is stolen his attempts to get her back bring him up against a gang of horse thieves. And then when it starts to rain, the waters begin to rise, and tim is in trouble. Deep trouble.Des Hunt specializes in exciting action-packed adventures set in the natural landscapes of New Zealand. this is his sixth novel since A Friend in Paradise, a 2003 finalist in the NZ Post Children's Book Awards, and follows the success of the Moa Cave, 2007 finalist Frog Whistle Mine, Where Cuckoos Call and Shadows in the Ice. Des lives on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Genres: Adventure, Mystery

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 12, 2008

About the author

Des Hunt was a science and technology teacher for many years, interspersed with periods of curriculum development both in New Zealand and overseas. During this time he had several textbooks published to support the New Zealand curriculum. In recent years he has looked at other ways of interesting youngsters in science, creating computer games and writing non-fiction and fiction with scientific themes.

After living in Auckland for much of his life he moved with his wife, Lynne, to Matarangi on New Zealand’s Coromandel Peninsula. He retired from the classroom in 2007 to concentrate on writing fiction for children. He continues his aims of fostering young peoples’ natural interest in the science of their surroundings by visiting schools and libraries where he runs workshops and presentations.

Reviews

[Maxine Goon · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my favourite book

[Coral Smith]

Another great adventure story by Des Hunt - he weaves his tales expertly to keep you o the edge of your seat the whole time - what lengths would you go to if you found an ancient dinosaur fossil? What would you do to prove what you saw?

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for kids. Themes of family and friendship. Covers some NZ topics of interest including fossil discovery and Joan Wiffen, and Kaimanawa horses.

[Adil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the only book on the shelf that looked interesting to me and that's why i decided to read this book. It also had a very catchy front cover that also made me want to read this book.

This book fits under the category,"Your own choice." This was the only category that i was saving to the last because i could choose any genre and read about it. This category rocks.

There is not much intersting dialogue in the book because it is just like normal day talk so i really dont have a favourite quote. The quotes were like; 'Oh look over there!' I think that quotes are not important if the story line is good and keeps you hooked in but this novel had neither of them so it was diappointing but i was still generous with giving it 4 stars.

Something new i learned from this book was that always trust your instincts and not just what you see. This is good in some situations if u dont know what to do.

Timothy Thomas was interesting in the book becuase everything in the book is about what his past was. His memory is not so much vivid considering he cant remember what happened. Overall i would give this book 4 out 5.

Review by Adil Imran

[Katrina Mairs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book. Very mystical. Great Twist!

[Courtney Chappell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed this book. I had no idea where it was going to go in the beginning, but it was quite interesting.

[Caitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book because it is about mystery.

[Abagael Sarah]

ok a little all over the place