Joy Cowley: Froghopper

By MARGIE THOMSON

Joy Cowley is a marvellous storyteller, but this isn't one of her best. It's a quiet little story about the Green family who buy an old boat and give up their life to sail around the Marlborough Sounds in pursuit, it turns out, of a better, closer family. There is a small drama with some harvesters of undersize paua, but mostly the story hinges on the family members and their relationships, and they're all a bit pratty to sustain any lasting interest. Ages 10 up.

HarperCollins

$12.95