"Your sister has leukemia." Kupe, a ten-year-old, is devastated when he hears the grim news about Cecelia, his little sister. That was a while ago, and a bunch of doctors and their modern medicine hasn't been able to help her, so Kupe leaves Auckland. The Maori boy heads to the countryside to seek comfort and advice from Tipuna, his grandfather. Tipuna still believes in many of the old ways of the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand, and tells Kupe that Cecelia may be cured of her cancer. However, the boy must find the "Ghost Tribe", a group of ancient Maoris, who are rumored to have magical powers, which lets them live without the threat of disease or death. But nobody has seen the Ghost Tribe for over 150 years, no one except . . . Tipuna gives Kupe a beautifully carved amulet found by a hunter, who claims he witnessed people dressed in 18th century clothes and holding spears, in a remote forest that supposedly is haunted. When the warriors realize they are being spied on, they vanish before the hunter's eyes. The only evidence of the mysterious men's presence is the amulet, with a carving of a giant Moa bird, the symbol of the Ghost Tribe. Alone, armed with nothing but a flashlight, spear, and the amulet, Kupe wastes little time and ventures into the primeval forest at night in search of the Ghost Tribe. He is afraid like he has never been before. Loud screeching noises can be heard just beyond the reach of the flashlight beam, and angry glowing eyes glare at him from the dense foliage. When a hulking creature charges out of the bushes, Kupe is forced to run for his life. He falls hard and twists his leg, loses the spear, and when the flashlight breaks from the impact of hitting the ground, Kupe is plunged into total darkness. Injured, his problems keep mounting as the creature stalking him not only closes in, but also is joined by an eerie floating light. Is it the Ghost Tribe? Does the amulet hanging around his neck have supernatural powers that might help save him? Time is running out not only for Kupe, but also his ailing sister.
About the Author: D.S. Bigelow I was two months shy of getting a degree in journalism, and instead of working for a daily, weekly, or some tabloid, I knew when I got out of school I was headed to Japan. While teaching English to support my "habit" of aikido, I discerned that being an ESL educator was an endeavor I thoroughly enjoyed. I was able to impart my knowledge of the English language and American culture on to eager, hard-working students. More importantly, I realized that I was also being educated on the workings and intricacies of another civilization, one that was at the same time similar and yet very different from my own. In between teaching gerunds and infinitives, getting thrown on the dojo mat, and hanging out in sushi dive bars perfecting my chopstick skills, I began to write and illustrate-I'm not sure what triggered it, but about halfway through my pro-longed stay in the land where I traded in my bowl of cereal to eat rice and fish for breakfast, ideas just started popping into my head. I won minor recognition in a couple of picture book contests for Henry the Hippo Goes to Honduras, and Bee My Friend. Okay, so where did I get the idea for Legend of the Lost Maori? After spending twelve fantastic years in Japan, I decided to take a break from teaching and study art in Auckland. I became immersed in the unique culture, first by living with several Maoris-the indigenous people of New Zealand. I visited places like the city Rotorua where I watched warriors with facial tattoos perform a traditional Haka war dance. I also frequented the War Memorial Museum and learned a lot about ancient Maori culture. This was where I first saw a life-sized replica of a giant Moa, which was about twice the height of an ostrich! Unfortunately, these magnificent birds went extinct about 500 years ago, but their spirit still lives on. It was on a hike in the squishy mud of a primeval forest of giant ferns and several hundred-year-old Kauri trees, when I came up with the idea for Legend of the Lost Maori. I returned to the U.S. to get his master's degree in Education. I now live and work within walking distance of one of the most picturesque beaches in California. I'm a full-time ESL instructor and teacher-trainer at the University of California, San Diego School of Extended Studies. I believe that through sharing my stories and myths of other cultures children and others will better understand the people, and flora and fauna of the world.