Whale Rider, The

The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera Harcourt, Inc., 2003, 152 pp., $17.00 Corning of Age ISBN-.0-15-205016-7

From the day she was bom, little Kahu was overlooked by most because she was a girl. Her grandfather, the chief of the village, was too blinded by tradition to see the power his little granddaughter possessed.

The author takes us to a little village in New Zealand where history and tradition work together in keeping the tribe's strength. The story is told from the perspective of Kahu's teenaged uncle, who watches her unfold into the role that destiny has reserved for her. Kahu is a vibrant, young girl destined to be the chief of her people. However, due to the fact that she was born a girl, she is challenged to prove herself and regain the strength of her land. She is gifted with the ability to speak to whales, allies to her people for many generations.

In addition to the description of this New Zealand village, the somewhat mythical stories of ancestry, as well as Kahu's ability to speak to sea dwellers, will capture young readers right away. Her innocence and determination carry the reader all the way to the very end. First published in 1987 in New Zealand.

Publishers who wish to submit a book for possible review, send a copy of the book to:

Lori Goodson

409 Chery Circle

Manhattan, KS 66503

To submit a review for possible publication or to become a reviewer, contact Lori Goodson at lagoodson@cox.net

Shannon Lederer

Phoenix, AZ

Copyright Assembly on Literature for Adolescents -- National Council of Teachers of English Winter 2004
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