What is The Apology about?
A Year 9 student (NZ) named Jeremy moves with his family to his grandparents farm during the Covid 19 Lockdown in 2020.
He learns some NZ history while he’s there, particularly the time of the Dawn Raids in the 1970’s, where police raided Pacifica family homes without cause, terrifying the residents. His grandmother was in one of those homes.
Jeremy is soon a special part of the NZ Government’s apology in 2021.
Plot summary of The Apology (No Spoilers)
Jeremy and his family move to his grandparent’s farm near Invercargill, when Aotearoa New Zealand goes into compulsory Covid 19 Lockdown.
He must learn to do school online, keep in touch with his friends on Zoom, and help his grandparents with jobs around the farm. They also have family fun with cooking, campfires and other activities to keep occupied.
During these activities, Jeremy learns about his grandmother (Granfia) during her childhood and teenage years. He learns about Bastion Point protests, the Springbok Tour and the Dawn Raids.
This is all helpful in a school project he is working on while the lockdown levels go up and down. He is especially interested in the Dawn Raids and the Polynesian Panthers who helped the families affected. The upcoming 50th Anniversary is also a focal point for Jeremy and he soon becomes a part of it himself.
Review
This sequel to the riveting and award winning novel Dawn Raid is a brilliant follow-on. Full of New Zealand day-to-day life during the Covid 19 Lockdowns, New Zealand history, and packed with humour – The Apology is a entirely relatable middle-grade novel for all Kiwi kids.
The diary format makes it so readable, for even reluctant readers, and it’s also very informative in an informal and compelling way. The author and her grandson are authors of this novel, bringing it even closer to the intended readership.
Another must for Aotearoa New Zealand bookshelves at home and school – right next to a copy of Dawn Raid.
Book Style
162 pages / Diary entries from Wed 11/3/2020 – Fri 29/11/2024 / An important recipe / A historical note with photographs from the apology event
FAQ’s
What age is it for?
9+
Where & When is it set?
Invercargill, New Zealand / March 2020 – November 2024
What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?
Third person / Past tense
What genre is The Apology?
Middle Grade Historical novel in diary format
Themes
History / Racism / Family / Humour / Growing Up
Is it part of a series?
Yes – It is the 2nd book in a duology
- Dawn Raid (2018)
- The Apology (2026)
Author
Pauline (Vaeluaga) Smith with Brooklyn Taylor
Publisher
Scholastic NZ
(2026, Scholastic NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand, Invercargill, Dawn Raids, Polynesian Panthers, Family, Grandparents, Government, Brandy Snaps, Historical Events, History, 1970’s, Covid 19, Lockdown, Humour, Growing up, Conflict, Courage, Friendship, Real Life, School, Series)