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Deadly Feathers
Noah Larsen lives in the big city, enjoying fast-foods, movies, and heaps of mates. That’s until his parents decide to move to Stewart Island. Looking at a map, Noah sees the island as the most desolate place on earth, stuck way down south, almost at the bottom of the world. The reality, when he gets there, is even no fast-food chains, no cinema complex, and not a single boy of his age at the tiny school. But there is a girl, who lives next Hailey North, a bossy know-it-all who has a passion for the outdoors and the island’s special wildlife.
Then Noah sees a spectacular parrot flying over the bush, a South American macaw, a bird that should never be in the New Zealand forest. Soon afterwards he starts seeing sick and dying native parrots, particularly kaka. He and Hailey put the two events together and come up with a theory, linking them to an American lone-sailor whose yacht is anchored in a nearby bay. But without physical evidence nobody believes them.
Enter Sirocco, the celebrity icon for the world’s rarest parrot – the flightless kakapo. He’s returning to the island of his ancestors to promote environmental care over the coming tourist season. Everybody is thrilled about it, except for Noah and Hailey, who fear the special parrot will die, just like the kaka. What’s more, almost all of the world’s population of kakapo live on neighbouring Codfish Island, three kilometres off the coast – just a short flying trip for any bird, healthy or diseased.
As increasingly more birds die, Hailey and Noah must battle against both time and weather to capture the macaw. All the while knowing that if they fail, they will have aided the extinction of one of the world’s truly special creatures.
Then Noah sees a spectacular parrot flying over the bush, a South American macaw, a bird that should never be in the New Zealand forest. Soon afterwards he starts seeing sick and dying native parrots, particularly kaka. He and Hailey put the two events together and come up with a theory, linking them to an American lone-sailor whose yacht is anchored in a nearby bay. But without physical evidence nobody believes them.
Enter Sirocco, the celebrity icon for the world’s rarest parrot – the flightless kakapo. He’s returning to the island of his ancestors to promote environmental care over the coming tourist season. Everybody is thrilled about it, except for Noah and Hailey, who fear the special parrot will die, just like the kaka. What’s more, almost all of the world’s population of kakapo live on neighbouring Codfish Island, three kilometres off the coast – just a short flying trip for any bird, healthy or diseased.
As increasingly more birds die, Hailey and Noah must battle against both time and weather to capture the macaw. All the while knowing that if they fail, they will have aided the extinction of one of the world’s truly special creatures.
81 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2016
About the author
Des Hunt
34 books49 followersDes 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 18, 2017
I enjoyed reading this kids book. Despite Hunt writes interesting, informative stories about life and nature in NZ. children from age 7 upwards would enjoy this.
March 16, 2017
Des Hunt always writes an intelligent and entertaining children's story relating to conservation issues in New Zealand. Would make a great read aloud to a Year 5-6 class.
September 23, 2016
This is the first book by Des Hunt I've read. Students at my school rave about his books and I can see why. The pace of the book is great at keeping the reader interested and learning more about Stewart Island and conservation was a bonus.
Not the type of book I would have been interested while at school as I was stuck in a fantasy vibe and found real life boring. A great choice for many with a lovely mystery adventure following a boy moving from the big city to a very small town.
My recommendations
Great for NZreadaloud years 5-7
Independent reading for 6+
Not the type of book I would have been interested while at school as I was stuck in a fantasy vibe and found real life boring. A great choice for many with a lovely mystery adventure following a boy moving from the big city to a very small town.
My recommendations
Great for NZreadaloud years 5-7
Independent reading for 6+
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews