The Secret of Spirits Bay by Stephen Barker

The Secret of Spirits Bay
by Stephen Barker

Two boys called Tom travel from England to New Zealand, but about 130 years apart. The first, Tom One, works his way as a cabin boy on an immigrant ship. Tom Two’s family moves here in present times.
   The past and present stories are told in different chapters.
   Those about Tom Two are easily followed by children from early teens, or perhaps younger. The others tell the first Tom’s story and they are more difficult to read, because of the present tense.
   The story mainly concentrates on the second Tom in the present day. As a new student at school in a very small community he is largely alone till he makes friends with a girl called Ana and an old man called Mata who looks after the local marae. Tom is a keen runner who likes to train along the beach, and this is where he spots a mystery runner – another boy. Is he real, or isn’t he?
   The truth is revealed after some dramatic events during which Tom comes into the possession of a powerful object from the past.
   The story ends well there, but you know there is more to be told, and to find out what happens after this, you have to read the next story about Tom, told in the sequel The Riddle of the Stones.
   I want to know what happens so I will have no trouble reading this next one.

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Review by C.R.
C.R. is an intermediate school student

The Secret of Spirits Bay
ISBN paperback - 9780473229450
eBook – 9780473229467
Publisher: Scripta
Available: via Amazon, Wheelers NZ, other online retailers, some local bookshops.
Or from SCRIPTA LTD DIRECTLY – via www.stephenbarker.co.nz 
or email Stephen at spiritsbay1882@windowslive.com