Sunken Forest

by Des Hunt

Des Hunt craftily weaves enviro-science issues into his stories, and they are always fresh, full of adventure and stimulating for the reader. In Sunken Forest, family issues mean Matt is faced with the challenges of moving to a new school and attending camp, where he is confronted by a number of physical, emotional and moral dilemmas. You can feel the tension building. Themes of friendship, bullying and fitting in make this a vital and rather exciting read.

Genres: Childrens, Adventure

269 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2016

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

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Des Hunt never disappoints. Weaving New Zealand history, ecology and a real understanding of kids into another great yarn.

[T.K. Roxborogh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Des Hunt's Sunken Forest reminded me why I love reading - I'd forgotten as life has become crazy busy over the past 18 months. It gripped me from the start - I laughed a bit; cried some; held my breath many a time. So exciting and so well written. A million times better than Hatchet which I also loved. Highly recommend as a class set for intermediate/junior secondary students as well as a great novel to read out loud to your class. Buy this as a gift for your young friends. Other people and the blurb can tell you what the story is about. It just want to say how much I enjoyed the story.

[Francesca Pashby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting, well paced read with a great contemporary NZ feel. Matt is an engaging main character who grows as a person during the course of the story. Bullying is touched upon, self-reflection occurs, and there's a fantastic extra character in the form of Elsa, an ancient eel.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended for children 9-14. There is a strong overarching story but also some great topics for further investigation and discussion ranging from natural history to friendship to the morality of justice vs. revenge.

[Bookrapt (Est. 1983) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another excellent tale by this talented author. Des Hunt links his love of the environment, his knowledge of science, and his finely tuned awareness of young people with his obvious writing skills. False accusations, plenty of action, tough adults, manipulative unkind boys, a massive eel, a revenge-seeking girl, a landslide … there is plenty here to keep the young reader turning the pages.

Twelve-year-old Matt has shifted to Gisborne (Gizzy) to live with his Nana. His father is in prison and his mother struggles to cope with the family and its limited finances.

As often happens, his first friends at his new school are not the nicest of boys and his life soon slips from bad to worse. Shifted into a new class for a tough outdoor education camp at Lake Waikaremoana with ex Territorials running the activities, Matt is able to show his skills and develop new interests.

While his reputation as a thief travels with him, he nevertheless makes new friends, learns the difference between revenge and justic e, and shows his true courage and selflessness – in his friendship with and concern for Elsa, and in his dramatic rescue of Cam, the bully.

There are yet more twists and turns in the plot of this novel. Dialogue and character development occur naturally, along with descriptions of the environment and some scientific explanations of natural phenomena.

Des Hunt handles the development of friendships, including boy-girl friendships of this age group very well, making this a book that will be enjoyed by both boys and girls. Recommended for readers 10-13 years.

Reviewed by Chris Wright (Bookrapt)

[Chris Meehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Des Hunt is a fantastic New Zealand author who manages to weave some history and local knowledge into his novels and in many cases some te reo Maori which adds to the kiwi flavour. This is a great read about a boy and some of his struggles.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book. bullying, being labelled and judged, being true to yourself and what is important to you, connection to nature.

[Desna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for those who love the outdoors and the New Zealand bush. THrow in a few issues, bullying, problem kids, and this is ideal for middle grade up. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I shows that one random act of kindness can take you on an adventure.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read in the end :)

[Houlahan houlahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

very engaging text. races along...lived the nz setting.highly recommended...

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing adventure with a touch of mystery and a wonderful sense of place. Set initially in an urban setting, Matt is falsely accused of a theft. Disgraced, he is sent on a camp with a strict teacher and a couple of bullies. He develops a bond with a giant eel and forms a few other friendships. The story comes to a head with a natural disaster. Hunt weaves together many stories within the novel, including a lost Swiss watch and an ill conceived plot to get justice.

I loved the descriptions and education about Lake Waikaremoana. I may never be up for the great walk, but I definitely want to go there one day, and like Loch Ness, I won’t be able to help but keep an eye out for Elsa.

Perfect for year 5/6 up. Another exciting NZ story from Des Hunt.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adventure, near disaster, false accusations, bullying, overcoming adversity this book had it all. An excellent read aloud novel for upper primary aged students. Highly recommended

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on NZ locations, history and legend. Fiction weaved with reality leads to great debates in class about fact vs fiction.

[Fred C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing storytelling, this YA novel hit the spot

[Isa Rive · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sent away to live with his grandmother after troubles at home, Matt struggles to settle in. In a reversal of karma, one good deed leads to a false accusation and Matt’s past is uncovered. His punishment turns out to be military style boot camp on the shores of Lake Waikaremoana. Isolated in the thick bush, it’s not only the adults wanting to make his life miserable. Targeted by bullies, it’s only an amazing encounter with an ancient giant eel which gives him distraction from the hardships. Slowly he builds alliances with fellow victims and together they plan for revenge. Gripping reading! Highly recommended ages 9-12yrs.

[Miss Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Revenge or justice? Do you want to make someone suffer or do you want things to be put right?" As a teenager, Matt takes a little longer to realise his true desires guiding his actions concerning an unfortunate incident and the following circumstances he finds himself in. I wonder how often adults get things wrong!
This story deals with the theme 'do right and fear nothing', 'don't believe everything you hear/read' and 'every good turn deserves another'.