Cuz

by Liz van der Laarse

River is offered a trip on his uncle's trawler. His cousin Huia is annoying, always going on about Maoritanga. When an accident leaves them stranded on the coast of Fiordland, they must work together to save themselves.

Genres: Young Adult, Adventure, Family

Paperback

Published March 1, 2018

About the author

Liz van der Laarse is a pre and early teen fiction writer. She has taught in Far North schools as a primary, intermediate, and secondary school teacher for over 27 years. Her first book, Trouble Patch (Reed), was released in 2000, and Not Even (Reed, 2002) was placed in the Storylines Notable Book List 2003 in the Junior Fiction category. Liz van der Laarse has written articles for Wilderness Magazine and for local newspapers.

Reviews

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 4 out of 5]

River is enjoying catching up with family, even though his uncle reminds him so much of his absent father. He's also reminded how close his cousin Huia is to their Nan, who has taught her their Maori language, customs, protocols and medicine for much of her life.

Her knowledge is annoying, but he puts his grumbles aside when offered a trip on her dad's trawler. They soon enjoy each other's company and he relaxes, thinking about what it would've been like to have his own dad around through his life.

Then the unthinkable happens. Icy ocean. Remote beach. Isolation. Freezing rain, no food, shelter or communication. They are on their own.

Along with River's strength and determination, Huia's knowledge is now the only thing that could save them. Is his uncle still alive? Is anyone looking for them and if so where will they be looking?

Like Hatchet, Cuz is a story of survival, strength, courage and determination. It's also more than that - a tale of family connections through past generations, to the land and nature who will provide if you know her secrets. 

Cuz is a New Zealand story which will be enjoyed by both kiwi and international readers alike. In the back of the book is a section on the plants etc that River and Huia rely on for their lives. Cracker Kiwi fiction!

[Simone Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read - nice to read te reo used throughout and exploring tikanga and te so Māori. Good YA read.

[Wendy Bamber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cousins thrown together into this Fiordland survival situation, relying on each other’s skills and knowledge to get out alive. A great NZ alternative to Hatchet, as sold on the front cover. Would recommend for read aloud or class book for intermediates.

[Jeanna Rodgers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed all the te Reo throughout the book. Great part of NZ for the setting

[whatbooknext · Rating 4 out of 5]

River is enjoying catching up with family, even though his uncle reminds him so much of his absent father. He’s also reminded how close his cousin Huia is to their Nan, who has taught her their Maori language, customs, protocols and medicine for much of her life.

Her knowledge is annoying, but he puts his grumbles aside when offered a trip on her dad’s trawler. They soon enjoy each other’s company and he relaxes, thinking about what it would’ve been like to have his own dad around through his life.

Then the unthinkable happens. Icy ocean. Remote beach. Isolation. Freezing rain, no food, shelter or communication. They are on their own.

Along with River’s strength and determination, Huia’s knowledge is now the only thing that could save them. Is his uncle still alive? Is anyone looking for them and if so where will they be looking?

Like Hatchet, Cuz is a story of survival, strength, courage and determination. It’s also more than that – a tale of family connections through past generations, to the land and nature who will provide if you know her secrets.

Cuz is a New Zealand story which will be enjoyed by both kiwi and international readers alike. In the back of the book is a section on the plants etc that River and Huia rely on for their lives. Cracker Kiwi fiction!

[Jordan Chan]

Cuz by Liz Van Der Laarse was a book about survival which is very interesting the book was very detailed. I got really hooked into this book once you start you can not stop. Some things I learnt from this book was how to survive with nothing and how to make/weave a basket out of flax bushes. A bit in the book that made me feel a bit sad/ worried was when the river (the boy) fell down a very big hill and dislocated his shoulder he was very hurt and could not do anything for a few days they had no food or any supplies which made me think will they make it back ? River and his cousin Huia persevered through it together and learned that to get through things you have to work together and support each other and they got through it together. I got hooked into too this book because of the things I learnt and that it is also based on a true story that is based somewhere in NZ

[Iverson Carlisle]

Cuz by Iz Van Der Laarse was a book about survival. Something interesting and hooked me in to this book is that it is set in New Zealand. In my opinion this book keeps you coming back for more it also Māori in the book which I love because it is my culture. Something I learned from the book was to know your surroundings and also how to survive with nothing but your knowledge. Apart of the book River dislocated his shoulder I think that was a bit sad because he didn’t have any supplies for days. I think that at this point of the book was the climax and in my opinion it was a decent climax. Overall the book is great and I really enjoyed it.

[Linley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will be a useful addition to the NZ collection in the school library. Described as the NZ 'Hatchet' I was hoping for a little more of a page-turner, however it's interesting and great to have a Kiwi perspective on survival. Some of the parts are a little far-fetched as we are all told you should stay still when lost, and I keep thinking about the adult pair who were lost for 18 days in the Anatori River area in 2020 - they were spotted and saved by their camp fire smoke.

I will be asking selected staff to read this and verify some of the content and then hopefully they will know just the reader for the book! Suitable for ages 12+. Tumeke.

[Charly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am an English teacher. One colleague has said how much she likes this book for our students. Another colleague has expressed distaste for it, saying it's 'tokenistic'.

Neither opinion is wrong.

This story is a good adventure story, but the narrative arc contains few surprises and is more than a little clichéd. The redemption of the boy who doesn't know anything about his Māori roots, transformed by challenges into a good boy who cares all about Te Ao Māori is simplistic and expected.

But... the story is still an easy to follow adventure story that holds the attention of younger readers.

So pros and cons!

[Louis Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuz by Liz Van Der Laarse Is a book about a boy called river and his cousin huia surviving in the wilderness this is a very interesting book and is very similar to hatchet. I learnt from this book some stuff you can use to survive on new Zealand and various plats and animals. This book is also based on a true story somewhere in New Zealand.

[Lindsay]

YA book, read for teaching.
Two teens ship-wrecked off the West Coast of NZ’s South Island. Luckily one of them had been listening when their nan shared her Māori knowledge of bushcraft: which plants to eat, which ones to burn, how to catch an eel.
Lots of te reo Māori throughout (and a helpful glossary at the back).
An enjoyable read.

[Sara Neville · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very fast paced book, there is not much down time. A great story about the strength of whānau and what you can accomplish together. Hard to imagine a time line of far they travelled. Lots of Te Ao Maori and a beautiful NZ setting!

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty good! Nice, accessible māori based novel about two cousins stuck in the bush. Fast paced and keeps moving so it doesn't get too repititive (a fault I keep finding in middle fiction). Pretty basic but good for the age group - 11-14 year olds. 3.5 stars

[Aud · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for year 10 English and I felt like pulling my eyes out for how boring it was. The only interesting information I gained from this book was about different types of native NZ plants and Te-reo words.

[Aimee Findon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this. Yes, it's predictable, but it's aimed at a younger audience. I liked the ease of reading and how it relates to NZ teenagers. A story of survival and struggles with cultural identity/sense of belonging.

[Julia Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Maree Silver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved how Te Reo was used throughout the story, and as it was explained to River, so we learnt alongside him.

[Rochelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit like a kiwi version of Hatchet with Maori knowledge of the bush thrown in.
Good school library adition

[Rachel Broadbent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting exploration of Maori traditional knowledge to survive. But quite a grueling read, especially to my 9 yr old son. We were very relieved when we reached the last four chapters!!

[Miss Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sure it's a survival story, but less like 'Hatchet' than you think. It's about reconnecting, working together to your strengths, family history, and lifelong learning.

[Maiah]

i needd it to do my school work