HOTAKA

BLURB

A powerful and moving story about one boy caught up in the Japanese earthquake and tsunami of 2011.

When the tsunami strikes the Japanese seaside town of Omori-wan, the effects are utterly devastating. Three years later, much of what happened on that day is still a mystery. As Hotaka sets about convincing local performers to appear at the town's upcoming Memorial Concert, he finds himself increasingly haunted by memories of best friend, Takeshi, who perished without trace in the tsunami. Then his friend Sakura becomes involved in an anti-seawall movement, and all too quickly the protest gets serious. As the town and its people struggle to rebuild their lives, can Hotaka piece together what happened that day - and let go of the past?

AWARDS

• CBCA 2018 Book of the Year, Younger Readers – Notable Book

• Honourable Mention Freeman Book Awards for South East Asian Literature - Young Adult 2017 US

• Winner Australian Educational Publishing Awards 2019

SAMPLE

From chapter 1

‘Prepare to die!’

The young demon-wizard readied himself for combat. His skin flared blood-red and his luminous hair lashed in the air like lightning, as ogres, beasts, ghosts and ghouls hovered menacingly around him. With deadly talons and spiky horns, he kept his foes at bay, waiting for the right moment to attack.

‘You don’t frighten me!’ He snarled. ‘I, mighty Oniwaka, will tear you all to shreds and scatter your scraps to the winds. Your end is nigh, cowardly denizens of the deep!’

Oniwaka gave a howl that echoed right through the puppet theatre and set its school age audience cheering. 

‘Oniwaka! Oniwaka!’ they yelled

In the front row, Hotaka Yamato was on the edge of his seat. He turned to his best friend, grinning up at him. Takeshi was standing already, cheering and shaking his fist at the evil creatures on the screen that made a backdrop to the stage. With a tug from his friend, Hotaka leapt to his feet as well. 

‘Destroy them, Oniwaka,’ he yelled. ‘Destroy the evil ones!’

The bunraku puppet was bigger than most of the young people in the audience, and very life-like. It even seemed to hear Hotaka, for it leaned over the edge of the stage towards him, shaking a claw-like fist as well and howling the battle cry louder than ever. 

The audience loved it. Everyone always loved the shows at the Puppet Palace. They were magical.

The theatre was packed that afternoon on March 11th for a special school matinee, and the air bubbled with excitement as Oniwaka worked himself up for battle. 

‘Prepare to die!’ he screamed, and leapt at his foes.

But then suddenly everyone stopped - audience, puppets, performers, musicians. They stopped because of a sound that moved up through their feet and sent a shudder of dread around the theatre. Could it be?

The answer came in a long, foreboding groan from somewhere deep within the guts of the Earth. It surged upwards - screeching, grinding, gouging - erupting in a mighty jolt that made the whole theatre lurch like a doll’s house kicked by a giant. 

‘Ji Shin!’ The cry ricocheted through the room. ‘Earthquake!’