Graeme Lay: Return to One Foot Island

By MARGIE THOMSON

This sequel to Leaving One Foot Island continues the captivating story of Tuaine who has now happily returned to the Cook Islands following her disastrous term in Auckland.

She becomes friends with Adam, an Australian boy with an intriguing Jewish family and history that links him to the wide world in a way that fascinates Tuaine.

But Adam is destined to return to Australia to go to law school, and it is clear that his parents have not factored an island girl into their beloved son's future.

At the same time as Tuaine's friendship is developing with Adam, though, it is becoming clear that someone on the island is trying to do her harm: someone has learned the terrible truth about her time in Auckland and is threatening to make her secret public.

Lay has perfectly captured the intimacy and pace of island life in this gentle telling of a meeting between two worlds, and the curiosity and admiration that can ensue from such meetings.

At the same time, he skilfully tackles the dark side of cross-cultural encounters, and writes evocatively of the alienation experienced by Tuaine in New Zealand, and as she meets Adam's ambitious parents.

A graceful story of friendship and love, acceptance and trust.

Penguin

$18.95