The River Runs by David Hill

David Hill is one of New Zealand's great children's authors and he has done it again with this novel about two boys growing up in Taranaki in 1967.

Chris and his older cousin Roger don't like each other much, and the bigger and stronger Roger bullies the smarter Chris. As the story progresses the boys grudgingly begin to relate to each other until a crisis and emergency force the boys to unite for the common good.

The novel flows easily and David Hill’s mastery of language keeps the story going in an interesting way. Many snippets of life in 1967 come up especially popular television programmes and books children were reading at the time. As a child of the 60's I could relate to this story very well and I hope David Hill writes this sort of novel again.

A very readable book suitable for children from years 5/6 through to junior high school.

Reviewed by Bob

Published by Mallinson Rendel 2008