Rimu: The Tree of Time

Rimu: The Tree of Time by Lauren Keenan is an engaging time-travel adventure that combines great storytelling with historical education. The story follows siblings Amorangi and Millie, who discover their ability to travel through time. When Amorangi realises he forgot to complete a school project on finding something old with significant meaning, the pair use their time-travel powers to jump into the past. Their mission to find a meaningful artifact goes awry, however, as their actions inadvertently alter history, causing ripples in the future.

As the story unfolds, the siblings travel to different periods in time, each time correcting their mistakes and learning valuable lessons. One significant character is Rawinia, a Māori girl living in the 1860s, who witnesses the siblings’ time-traveling adventures and feels the impact of their changes on her family. Through the characters’ perspective, readers gain insight into the challenges faced by Māori people, including racism and the conflicts between Māori and Pākehā.

Lauren skillfully introduces young readers to important aspects of New Zealand’s history, including disasters and social issues, while providing an understandable narrative. I highly recommend Rimu: The Tree of Time for children aged 9 and up, as it thoughtfully blends adventure with important historical lessons.