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camiclarkbooks's review
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Great story that shows children what life was like on the Oahu following the Pearl Harbour attack on 7 December 1941.
The titular character, Nanea, is the youngest in her family and struggles with being perceived as the baby of the family. This one’s appear to be largely one sided, as her family didn’t appear to really baby her. It has been a while since I was 9, so my perception of Nanea’s reality is probably skewed.
The titular character, Nanea, is the youngest in her family and struggles with being perceived as the baby of the family. This one’s appear to be largely one sided, as her family didn’t appear to really baby her. It has been a while since I was 9, so my perception of Nanea’s reality is probably skewed.
threeara's review
3.75
I don't love the longer beforever format and I wish this story was written by a Native Hawaiian, but I got attached to the characters nonetheless.
thewordwitch's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
This is my first foray into the Beforever line, and in comparison to the other AG series I have read, this longer book format feels lacking. I don't get the chance to witness Nanea grow over a longer period of time of have the opportunity to meet the characters and get to know them. For all of the plot tangents and storylines thrown into this book, the pacing feels slow. Also, I feel like a lot of the Hawaiian culture was left out, and instead we get a very safe view of the events going on in Hawaii. The racial conflict is minimal, and it all just feels lacking to me.
piburnjones's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The great AG marathon continues. Again, reading for the first time as an adult, inspired by the American Girls podcast.
Nanea's series starts as a chipper, sunshiney island story, introducing the reader to her family and their Hawai'ian traditions. Nanea has two wonderful best friends and her biggest problem is that she thinks her family still treats her like a little kid. It's fun, and the reader sort of floats on, observing a hula lesson and a school day and making leis.
But of course the reason Nanea's year is 1941 is on the horizon. On the morning of December 7, we find Nanea up early making a surprise breakfast for her family (to show them all how grown up she is), and she sees the planes overhead. Everything starts to change quickly: her father is working long days at the shipyard, her brother is helping deliver blood, her friend's father is taken into custody because he's Japanese, and there's no sign of her dog for days after the attack. Curfews and blackouts are instituted. It could have all gotten a bit grim at this point, but Nanea is resilient, and her good spirits buoy her, and the book.
Nanea's series starts as a chipper, sunshiney island story, introducing the reader to her family and their Hawai'ian traditions. Nanea has two wonderful best friends and her biggest problem is that she thinks her family still treats her like a little kid. It's fun, and the reader sort of floats on, observing a hula lesson and a school day and making leis.
But of course the reason Nanea's year is 1941 is on the horizon. On the morning of December 7, we find Nanea up early making a surprise breakfast for her family (to show them all how grown up she is), and she sees the planes overhead. Everything starts to change quickly: her father is working long days at the shipyard, her brother is helping deliver blood, her friend's father is taken into custody because he's Japanese, and there's no sign of her dog for days after the attack. Curfews and blackouts are instituted. It could have all gotten a bit grim at this point, but Nanea is resilient, and her good spirits buoy her, and the book.
dearandromeda's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
patel2mx's review
4.0
Fun book to read to my kids. They can't wait to hear the next one in the series.
lostinmylibrary's review
4.0
I knew that this was going to get pretty dark. I mean, it's literally about Pearl Harbor. But I did not expect it to go from really-preachy-and-kind-of-boring to SUPER-dark-and-still-a-little-preachy so fast. (The preachiness really wasn't that bad, it was all about how important it is to help when you can.) I'm really looking forward to reading more of Nanea's adventures!
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