An Unexpected Heroby L P HansenWhat could be worse, Matt Turner wonders, than having to leave your parents, friends and the buzz of big city life for a remote rural school that's so small it only has two classrooms, and two teachers who are married to each other? The twelve-year old soon finds out that worse things can happen. A school project plunges him into his worst nightmare - he has to make a speech in public. Matt decides to speak about New Zealand's First World War pacifist, Archibald Baxter. But is that a good idea in a district where almost every family has lost someone to war?Comprehensive Teachers' Resource Kit available which covers Levels 3 and 4 of The New Zealand Curriculum. Free download from www.createbooks.co.nz - also available to parents.CompetitionWin free copies of this book, one for yourself and one for your school library as well as a visit to your school by the author.Entry details available from www.createbooks.co.nzWinner announced on 15 May 2015 - International Conscientious Objector DayDAVID HILL: author of 'My Brother's War', winner of both the Junior Fiction and the Children's Choice Junior Fiction: NZ Post Awards, 2013. 'Linda Hansen's novel, An Unexpected Hero, is a mischievous, affectionate story of a very likeable, very credible young boy, who startles everyone, including himself, by what he proves himself able to do. There's tension, trouble and triumph, all authentically rendered. Young readers will know people just like Matt, will recognise his world and his problems, and will delight in the success of this genuinely unlikely hero.' RUTH PAUL: author/illustrator of The King's Bubbles, winner of the NZ Post Children's Choice picture book award, 2008.'Linda Hansen cleverly exposes a hidden tale of wartime New Zealand within a gripping contemporary story. Great reading!'
