Amorangi and his little sister Millie are walking to school with their mum when she tells them it’s a special day. Amorangi doesn’t think so with maths waiting for him at school. Mum explains what she means, telling them it is Grandma Amiria’s birthday. Grandma used to live with them before she passed away, and they all miss her terribly, especially Mum. A wish suddenly changes their day from going to school and dreading maths to a fantastical time travel adventure.

Mum has vanished, leaving her pounamu lying on the ground. What are they going to do? They find a message from Mum and know that they are the only ones who can save her. With a few frightening tries at finding her, then advice from a strange old lady who seemed to know they were coming, they set off back in time to find Mum.

On the way they see strange phones, cars, and clothing, and meet their ancestors. They also find out about the area they live in and how it developed. There are even giant screeching eagles, exploding mountains and gunshots fired.

There is one ancestor determined to join them, but this upsets the rhythm of time travel, making their quest even harder.

Further and further back they travel, learning about the hardships of living, the battles fought for land and the injustices of Parihaka. They also learn about their namesakes and ancestors through the years, remoulding how they see themselves. Some quick thinking back in the past changes their family’s lives forever.

Amorangi and Millie’s Trip Through Time is a New Zealand time travel adventure, without being too complicated or involving science explanations or conundrums. Each trip further back gives a glimpse into New Zealand life at the time, from present day to a land blanketed by forest full of native birds. Important Historical events of Taranaki are visited including an eruption, a war and the peaceful protest of Parihaka threatened.

The story happens over the period of a day. Tension builds as the day passes, as the characters know they will be trapped back in time if they don’t get home before dark. This would be a perfect read for younger time travel fans and those interested in New Zealand’s past.

The Historical Note in the rear of the book gives a closer look to these times in history.

Author – Lauren Keenan

Age – 8+

Read a sample here

Teacher’s Notes here

(2022, Action, Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Growing up, Historical, Love, Racism, Huia Publishers, Time Travel, Siblings, Wishes, Grandmother, Ancestors, Parihaka, Musket Wars, Courage, Giant Eagle, Hokioi, Pouakai, Haast Eagle, Taranaki, Eruption, New Plymouth, NZ, New Zealand History)