Atama is worried about his dad going away to Vietnam. Dad is a radio operator in the NZ Army, and Atama’s Koro was also a soldier.

Koro didn’t come home from WWII, and Atama doesn’t want to lose his dad too. When Dad leaves, he asks ten year old Atama to look after his mum and little sister and entrusts him with one of Koro’s medals – awarded for bravery.

Atama finds he needs some of his own courage, not only in saying goodbye, but for making friends in their new neighbourhood. After a few false starts, this goes well – except for one boy called Jace.

Jace likes to think himself the leader of Atama’s new group of friends, but Atama doesn’t like the way he does things. Koro’s medal helps him find the courage he needs to stand up to Jace, and most importantly to save a new friend from a dare gone wrong.

Suddenly, even with Koro’s medal around his neck, Atama is sure Dad isn’t coming home. Can Atama stay brave until his family learns the truth?

Winner of the 2023 Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award, Koro’s Star is a quick but entertaining read, giving readers aged 9 and over, a snapshot of life on a NZ military base in 1967.

Told in third person from ten year old Atama’s perspective as he deals with a new home, his dad leaving for soldiering duties, and dealing with a bully.

A slightly spooky element increases the tension of the story into a page turning conclusion.

Author – Claire Aramakutu

Age – 9+

(2024, Scholastic NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa, Friendship, Dares, Club, Courage, Tunnels, NZ Military Base, Army Base, 1967, Vietnam, Medals, Grandfather, Koro, Responsibility, Little Sister, Younger Sibling, Bullying, Bullies, Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award 2023)