The Long Holiday: Barry Mitcalfe

Set in New Zealand's far north, it is the story of Michael, a motherless 'bait boy' who is happiest when netting flounder, swimming with a friendly seal or messing about in boats. No-one seems very rich, yet no one starves, with summers that last almost all year, fruit for the picking and fish for the catching. When Michael runs away he finds unexpected friends, from Maori sea weed pickers to the captain and the cook of a coastal scow. Billed as having a simple yet unexpected ending.