Collins Modern New Zealand Classics 3. With a younger readership, of 9-12, this much-loved classic retells the traumatic events surrounding the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera, from the viewpoint of two young schoolgirls. Lillian lives with her widowed mother at Te Wairoa, the village which acts as a centre for tourists who flock to see the famous eighth wonder of the world - the pink and white terraces. When Mattie, an English girl of her own age arrives with her parents, Lillian finally has an opportunity to join a tour party led by her friend, the famous Guide Sophia. But these are worrying times - the old tohunga has been prophesying doom and disaster, and when they travel across Lake Rotomahana, a mysterious canoe appears out of the mists - a waka wairua, or ghost canoe, and all who live in the shadow of Mt Tarawera are about to have their lives changed forever.

An exciting tale of New Zealand's recent history, Elsie Locke's timeless classic has now been reissued for a new audience.

 

This book is part of a book series called Collins Modern Classics .

This book has been graded for interest at 12+ years.

There are 224 pages in this book. This book was published 2010 by HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd .

Elsie Locke was born in 1912, in Hamilton she passed away in 2001. She has been described as a peace campaigner, environmentalist, novelist, historian, community worker and national treasure. Elsie was also a feminist and socialist who campaigned against nuclear weapons and wrote more than 20 books, including a number of historical novels for children and several social histories of NZ.