In 1805 Hunter is a young Maori slave who has the unique ability to see with his inner eye, allowing him to find game for the tribe. He is also plotting his escape and biding his time until the right opportunity reveals itself. While on a hunt for the elusive Moa bird that he sees in a vision, that opportunity arises. But he is also experiencing a new vision, seeing a flying canoe that holds three children, one, a young girl with golden hair and blue eyes. When the flying canoe crashes on the beach, Hunter finds he must stay close and risk re-capture in order to come to the aid of this “moon maiden” and her two younger brothers.

Flash forward to 2005 and Jordan and her two younger brothers are on their way home from spending some time with their aunt in Wellington. When their small charted plane crashes, she must learn how to survive and keep her brothers safe in the wilderness of Southern New Zealand. Listening and allowing an inner voice to guide her, they are able to sustain themselves and keep hope alive.

Hunter, the winner of the New Zealand Post Children’s Book of the Year 2006 is a riveting story by Joy Cowley that brings two worlds together and gives us an inspired message of how the human spirit can be connected through past generations. The author skilfully allows tension to mount in both stories as Hunter in turn becomes hunted yet cannot leave as the shadow children need his advice on food and medicine. As both a survival story and in introduction to Maori culture this book is highly readable. ( )

In 2005 Jordan and her two younger brothers survive a plane crash but are stranded in remote Fiordland on the South-West coast of New Zealand. In 1805 Hunter, a young Maori slave, is hiding in the same location after escaping his captors. He knows he needs to keep running but he also knows that the interconnecting visions he's sharing with Jordan will help her and her brothers survive. The slave is in fact Jordan's great, great, great grandfather and his life force is connected to Jordan. A brilliantly written book that allowed you to flick in and out of the two different time zones and understand the connection ( )

Thoroughly enjoyed. Recommend for senior primary level ( )