Author(s): Des Hunt

NZ

Where Cuckoos Call tells the story of a migratory shining cuckoo, raised by 12 year old Ben Mansfield, a keen ornithologist who looks after endangered birds nesting in a sheltered bay on his family farm in the Coromandel Peninsula. Ben and his mum are dealing with the long term effects of his father fs debilitating illness, and when it looks as if the farm will have to sold, Ben fs life turns upside down. He must grow up fast as change threatens his family, his home, and his beloved birds, when a resort development is unveiled and marauding hoons hit the beaches on motocross bikes. But Ben finds and unexpected ally - and his decision to defy his father and raise an orphaned Shining Cuckoo takes him far across the Pacific to Vanuatu. But the same ally also lands him in serious trouble when a misguided attempt to help backfires, landing him in deep trouble. We have been having increasing success with Des through developing extensive and detailed teacher fs notes to accompany his books, which will feature once again.