The Frozen River
ARIEL LAWHON
Winter 1789 in Hallowell, Maine: The river is frozen and snow blankets the land. Martha Ballard, a midwife returning home after attending a birth, is called in to examine a body found in the river ice. But when she realises the body is that of a man accused of raping her close friend, something Martha had helped to make public, things become much more complicated. The fact she sees signs of violence on the dead man serves to further cloud matters.
As Martha continues with her duties as a midwife, she is drawn into the investigations of the rape and apparent murder. The arrival in town of a young Harvard Medical School graduate also adds difficulties to her practice of midwifery.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon is a fascinating look at life in 18th-century America. Starting with events taken from the diaries of Martha Ballard, we are given a glimpse of the life of a woman both ordinary – a wife and mother; and extraordinary – a literate and independent medical professional. The Frozen River is both historical true-crime mystery and a timely reflection on the role of medicine and law in women’s public and private lives.
Awatea’s Secret
Fraser Smith
This is the third in a series featuring Awatea and his whānau. Set sometime post-WW2, there is no chance that cell phones or tech can interfere with Awa and his brother, Tai, as they have proper, wild and dangerous adventures.
Awatea lives in town, but his adventures happen when he goes to stay with Nan and Pop somewhere in Hawke’s Bay; Pop picks Awa and Tai up in Waipukurau and their bach is out at Mangokuri.
In the first two books, Awa has befriended a parrot called Carrot; braved a haunted house, magpie attacks and poachers; and made a fortune from ambergris. In this instalment, he finds something that will help him crack the mystery of what happened to old Mr Carroll, who went missing decades ago.
These kids are not wrapped in cotton wool; they get injured, make tree houses, collect pāua from rock pools, get attacked by magpies and find slightly drunk uncles snoozing under hedgerows. Wonderful adventures for readers of about 8 years and up.
Huia. RRP $25.00
Hatch and Match
Ruth Paul
In this joyful picture book, clucky hens of all hues and patterns are woken by a bossy cockerel and hop from their tree to find their eggs. It’s up to the reader to help them, matching each hen to her egg.
There is drama along the way – among the chooky chaos stalks a rat! But don’t fret, the hens see him off. As we navigate the story there are wonderful new words to introduce to young readers – where are the chequered and camouflaged eggs?
The colour palette is pastel and appealing, the pages busy with things to look at and find. In a moment of calm, the hens find places in which to nest but, in a wonderful burst of onomatopoeic C-R-A-C-K, the chicks hatch and the chaos resumes. Little readers will love finding each mama hen’s baby.
Walker Books. RRP $27.99
