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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Yes
Skimmed the beginning of the book.
Love the concept, and the fact that it is set in 1970's New Zealand. However, it is a very dense read, even for 6th graders.
Love the concept, and the fact that it is set in 1970's New Zealand. However, it is a very dense read, even for 6th graders.
This book is absolutely necessary. I read AAPI all year long but it has been incredibly hard to find books to read focused on Polynesians: Maori, Tahitians, Kanaka Maoli, etc.
I had never heard of the events that had taken place in this book. We find that we are all still in the fight for basic human rights in our own silos. We should know that we are not the only ones.
I had never heard of the events that had taken place in this book. We find that we are all still in the fight for basic human rights in our own silos. We should know that we are not the only ones.
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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:
Yes
funny
inspiring
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:
N/A
A lovely story about a girl of blended cultural heritage that is accessible and engaging to all the students I have read this book with.
I loved the setting of this book: New Zealand in 1976. The story is told through 13-year old Sofia's diary entries as she shares what life is like during times of political unrest in her country and community. Sofia is growing up biracial—pālagi (White) and Samoan—and begins to learn more about the civil rights movement and her place in it. When Sofia is invited to a speech competition, she learns about her family’s involvement with the Polynesian Panthers (modeled after the Black Panthers, this would be a great tie-in to 8th grade), the protests against dawn raids, as police hunt for Pacific Islanders who have overstayed their visas, and activism to encourage Māori land and language reclamation.
I loved this book for the historical aspects but also as a child from the 80s, I loved the fashion, the music, and the pop-culture references (like when Sofia tastes McDonald’s for the first or how she puts clothes on layaway).
This is a compelling read and includes comprehensive historical notes and a glossary of New Zealand slang and Samoan and Māori words in the back matter.
I loved this book for the historical aspects but also as a child from the 80s, I loved the fashion, the music, and the pop-culture references (like when Sofia tastes McDonald’s for the first or how she puts clothes on layaway).
This is a compelling read and includes comprehensive historical notes and a glossary of New Zealand slang and Samoan and Māori words in the back matter.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
* Samoa/ New Zealand
This book is set in 1976 (before I was born) and it was interesting reading about the times then especially in another country New Zealand. MacDonald's just opens, Colour Tv is very rare and there are just a few channels and 13 yr old Sofia is obsessed with working her milk round as much as possible to buy the latest go-go boots that are in fashion and trying not to die of embarrassment at school when she does her speech.
However very important things are also going on politically. It comes as a surprise to Sofia and her family when her big brother, Lenny, talks about protests, overstayers and injustices against Pacific Islanders. And they harrowingly experience this when they are having a amazing family holiday, one where everyone is there and all 18 of are squeezed into one house. All of sudden it's 4 o'clock in the morning and there's banging and yelling and screaming. The Police are in the house pulling people out of bed.
This is written in diary form of a 13 year old girl. It follows the issues of the time focusing on the dawn raids. It is written from a young girl's perspective but explains the big issues well.
Through her spirited and heartfelt diary entries, we join Sofia as she navigates life in the 1970s and is inspired by the courageous and tireless work of the Polynesian Panthers as they encourage immigrant families across New Zealand to stand up for their rights.
A very important reflective book.
This book is set in 1976 (before I was born) and it was interesting reading about the times then especially in another country New Zealand. MacDonald's just opens, Colour Tv is very rare and there are just a few channels and 13 yr old Sofia is obsessed with working her milk round as much as possible to buy the latest go-go boots that are in fashion and trying not to die of embarrassment at school when she does her speech.
However very important things are also going on politically. It comes as a surprise to Sofia and her family when her big brother, Lenny, talks about protests, overstayers and injustices against Pacific Islanders. And they harrowingly experience this when they are having a amazing family holiday, one where everyone is there and all 18 of are squeezed into one house. All of sudden it's 4 o'clock in the morning and there's banging and yelling and screaming. The Police are in the house pulling people out of bed.
This is written in diary form of a 13 year old girl. It follows the issues of the time focusing on the dawn raids. It is written from a young girl's perspective but explains the big issues well.
Through her spirited and heartfelt diary entries, we join Sofia as she navigates life in the 1970s and is inspired by the courageous and tireless work of the Polynesian Panthers as they encourage immigrant families across New Zealand to stand up for their rights.
A very important reflective book.
informative
inspiring
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
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes