Nate Yu’s Blast from the Past

About this book

Nate Yu Riley is adopted, and knows how loved he is. As he's Chinese and his mums aren’t, they have tried to connect him with his heritage, but he’s just not interested - until the day he sees the ghost. 

It happens while the class are studying aspects of World War I and seems connected to an engraved shell casing belonging to a local academic. Every time Nate touches it, he has a strange vision. An oddly dressed Chinese man, Jirou, appears and seems to need his help.  

Jirou worked for the British during WWI so why is he materialising now? Why is Nate the only one who can see him? And what will it take to allow him to rest in peace?  

Exploring questions of identity, belonging, and how history can be distorted depending on who does the telling, this is an engrossing, informative, and entertaining story of friendship and reconciliation.  

By learning some fascinating facts about the Chinese Labour Corps, who supported Britain during the Great War but have often been neglected by the history books, Nate is able to appreciate his roots, embrace his heritage, and offer a new perspective to those around him.