In 1947 Jim and his sister Mavis see something unexpected in their backyard: a magnificent female huia – a bird considered extinct for many decades. Their first thought is to get a photograph to prove the species still exists. But that soon turns into a fight for survival when others seek to kill the bird for the value of her feathers.

 

Seventy years later, scientists are eager to learn the fate of that last huia. Jim, now an old man fighting cancer, has never spoken about what happened, but science needs his story to unravel the mystery of the extinct species. With the help of his grandson Logan, Jim tells his tale. However, not everyone believes him. It’s up to Logan to help his grandfather prove himself, and to continue the battle to uncover the truth – to find the remains of the last huia.

 

Available as paperback and audio version.

 

Published by Scholastic NZ

 

ISBN: 978-1-77543-176-3

 

Finalist in 2014 New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards and LIANZA Book Awards. Storylines Notable Book 2014.

 

 

Free audio version available at:                            click to access.