Jake Whyte Pig Hunter

'Jake Whyte Pig Hunter' focuses on perceptions - how two people perceive one another’s lives. Jake is from a single parent family, with a special needs sister and no father on the scene. Money is tight, and wanting to help with the family budget, he teaches himself how to hunt.

Meanwhile Bevan, Jake’s classmate, has attentive parents and a cool sister, but envies Jake his ability at school and resents Jake’s friendship with his father, also a keen hunter. Each boy envies the other for different reasons, causing tension that is only resolved after a dramatic showdown in the bush.

This book was clearly written with reluctant male readers in mind, but I think it will really appeal to any young people who enjoy spending time in the bush. The story is full of hunting tips as part of the narrative; the best gun to use, traditional Māori methods of hunting, making snares, using dogs, the excitement of the chase and the sometimes dangerous consequences of pig hunting in particular.

Even as a non-hunter, I really enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. It would be a valuable addition to any school library and an enjoyable read aloud book for intermediate students and older.