The world has changed. Oceans have risen, high waves gobbling up land. The sun is merciless, and storms form quickly. More than a decade has passed since Cyclone Summer – a time when vicious storms overcame the walls rich coast dwellers had built against the rising sea. Others had moved inland but the wealthy fought for their seaside multi story buildings. Now they are left flooded and empty, to be picked over by anyone on salvage missions.

Neoma lives with her family in a small settlement in the Ockery Islands, having left most of technology far behind a generation before. They live a simple life, with a diet of fish, eggs and what they can grow. Neoma is a bright adventurous tween, loving to fish, explore and salvage, and hang out with her best friend Jag (Jaguar).

One day tall strangers arrive, sailing into their bay and walking through their village as if they own it. Despite the villager’s protests, the strangers chop down their trees, dig holes and then build a strange structure – all on a nearby hill. They are people from the Valley of the Sun and as suddenly as they arrived, they sail away again, leaving the villagers mystified.

A trip to nearby islands to learn more reveals nothing. But a terrible discovery on the way home soon puts their entire village in danger. When the Valley of the Sun people return, looking for missing loved ones and discovering vandalism to their structure, Neoma’s friend Jag is taken in payment. Feeling responsible, Neoma knows she must get him back.

Neoma’s rescue mission encounters a cranky crocodile, a hungry, determined shark, a ruthless pirate and her slave. Again and again Neoma’s courage is tested, as the Valley of the Sun is revealed, and the damning mystery of the missing strangers becomes clearer.

Neoma is a feisty brave character, proud to be a doer, not a watcher. She tells her story in English changed slightly through a time of climate change and upheaval. The oceans have risen, wiping out coastal cities but leaving buildings to salvage.

Neoma’s village on a small island uses sparse but clean technology of solar power. A diet of fish, eggs and vegetables accompanies their ‘gentle’ life. When tall strangers arrive, chop down trees and build a strange structure, all the while ignoring the islander’s pleas for an explanation, life suddenly changes for Neoma and her kin.

Her curiosity both condemns and saves them, and her courage and loyalty to her best friend drives an exciting story of rescue, battling crocodiles, sharks and a ruthless pirate. The third novel from this multi-award winning NZ author, Across the Risen Sea follows her theme of climate change as in How to Bee and The Dog Runner. It’s a heart-stopping adventure, with a mystery, bravery and friendship all rolled in to one.

Author – Bren McDibble

Age – 8+

Find Teacher’s Notes here

(Climate Change, Ocean Sea, Village, Mystery, Pirates, Future, Survival, Fishing, Rescue, Courage, Bravery, Award winning author, NZ, New Zealand author, Island)