Secrets at Red Rocks

An adventure tinged with magic that transplants the Celtic myth of the selkie into the windy New Zealand landscape

While holidaying at his father’s house, Jake explores Wellington’s wild south coast, with its high cliffs, biting winds, and its fierce seals. When he stumbles upon a sealskin, hidden in a crevice at Red Rocks, he’s compelled to take it home and hide it under his bed, setting off a chain of events that threatens to destroy his family.

Can he put things right before it’s too late?

With its beautiful writing and eerie atmosphere, middle-grade readers will be thrilled and moved by this captivating story by the author of The Grimmelings.

Now a  major television series
Winner, Esther Glen Medal, LIANZA Children’s Book Awards 2013
Storylines Notable Book Award 2013
Shortlisted in the NZ Post Children’s Book Awards and the Sir Julius Vogel Youth Novel Award for Science Fiction & Fantasy 2013
Extensive teacher notes available on the  Penguin Random House website.

FOR READERS 9+

PUBLISHED BY

NZ/Aus 2025 / Penguin Random House

Originally published as Red Rocks in 2012, reissued as Secrets at Red Rocks in 2025

REVIEWS

“A sad, sweet and slightly creepy selkie tale for children. With a southern-hemisphere setting, for a change.”

Margo Lanaganauthor of Sea Hearts/The Brides of Rollrock Island

“A delightful tale of magic, friendship, and a boy finding his place in his divided family.”

Magpies

“I became entranced by this book and its characters. And it happened so subtly that I didn’t even notice… there is no maybe about it. This book works and it’s a gripping page-turning tale.”

Gillian TorcklerBooksellers NZ

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