Sometimes the toughest kids are hiding the biggest secrets, and the greatest lessons come from the most unexpected places.

Twelve-year-old Tami lives a busy, loud, and loving life with his twin sister Mahanga, his older cousin Gary, and his hardworking Aunty Whina. Between playing video games, dodging dishwashing chores, and joking around with his whanau, Tami's biggest problem is usually avoiding Peter, the intimidating school bully.

Now, Tami has a choice to make. Should he keep his head down and stick with his own mates, or risk everything to offer friendship to the one kid who has always made his life miserable?

Tami and the Kumara is a heartwarming, contemporary middle-grade story about empathy, whanau, and looking past the surface. Through Tami's eyes, readers will discover the beautiful truth behind the proverb of time-honoured wisdom and learn what happens when you decide to look closer.