This was a quick and really engaging story set on a New Zealand farm. It is a simply written story with relatable characters. I did think our main character, Phil, was written slightly younger than a 15 year old but it fitted in well with how vulnerable he felt with his father unwell and the unsettling experience of finding his feet in a new environment. It contains some strong themes relating to families dealing with difficult situations, and it also briefly touches on the issue of how farming impacts the environment. The last 1/4 was pretty gripping. I thoroughly recommend getting a few copies for your NZ intermediate and high school libraries as it is a good piece of NZ fiction with a male protagonist (like hen's teeth these days!). ( )