Charlie Tangaroa and the Creature from the Sea

The author is an award-winning writer for young adults, having been recognised at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, Storylines and LIANZA Young Adult Awards. Maori traditional stories and characters are central in this contemporary story, and mythology is melded with current-day lives and people. This adventure story has a great pace and loveable characters who infuse the story with humour, warmth, wisdom and humanity. The story highlights current environmental issues from Maori and western perspectives and the wider impacts of local decisions. The story weaves many themes, including traditional stories and knowledge, care for the environment, having courage and overcoming obstacles, family and brotherly relationships, and community.

A one-legged boy stands up against a warring family of Maori gods to save the world.On a beach clean-up, thirteen-year-old one-legged Charlie and his half-brother, Robbie, find a ponaturi - a mermaid - washed up on a beach. An ancient grudge between the Maori gods Tane and Tangaroa has flared up because a port being built in the bay is degrading the ocean and creatures are fleeing the sea. This has reignited anger between the gods, which breaks out in storms, earthquakes and huge seas. The human world and realm of the gods are thrown into chaos. The ponaturi believes Charlie is the only one who can stop the destruction because his stump is a sign that he straddles both worlds. So begins Charlie's journey to find a way to reunite the gods, realise the power in the ancient songs his grandfather taught him, and discover why he was the one for the task.