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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
What a fantastic book -- from the depictions of a large, loving half-Samoan half Pakeha family, to the authentic voice of a 13 year old girl growing up in the mid-1970s. I found it absolutely enthralling. A great introduction to Civil Rights, especially Pasifika Civil Rights and the Polynesian Panthers. American kids might find this story a bit confusing because it is so compellingly set in its place (New Zealand) and time -- between everyday slang terms and the far more common use of Maori and Samoan words, but anyone who's spent time there will find it deeply authentic. This was a part of history I did not know anything about, and it's fascinating to track how differently things have developed in NZ, vs the US as time has gone by.
It's a also a great read about being 13, starting to think about the wider world and beginning to work towards personal independence. Sofia is a lively and engaging main character, and her little brothers' mischief is hilarious and her older siblings' interest in civil rights and change is inspiring.
Semi-autobiographical, great illustrations, good read alike for One Crazy Summer.
Advanced Reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.
Read it again as an audio book -- wow, great narration! I continue to think that this is a really fantastic book, no matter what format you experience it in.
Advanced Listening Copy provided by Libro.fm
It's a also a great read about being 13, starting to think about the wider world and beginning to work towards personal independence. Sofia is a lively and engaging main character, and her little brothers' mischief is hilarious and her older siblings' interest in civil rights and change is inspiring.
Semi-autobiographical, great illustrations, good read alike for One Crazy Summer.
Advanced Reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.
Read it again as an audio book -- wow, great narration! I continue to think that this is a really fantastic book, no matter what format you experience it in.
Advanced Listening Copy provided by Libro.fm
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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:
No
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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:
Complicated
informative
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:
Yes
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
I know literally nothing about New Zealand history, so even though this was a fictional story, it was a very educational read for me. As the title suggests, the books touches on Dawn Raids and injustices against Pacific Islanders by the government.
➵ Dawn Raids were raids conducted by the police in the homes and workplaces of overstayers throughout New Zealand usually at dawn.
➵ “Overstayers” are people that have extended their stay past their visa expiration date.
➵ There is a group called the Polynesian Panthers, inspired by the Black Panthers in America, who encourage immigrant and Indigenous families across NZ to stand up for their rights.
"Imagine this: You're having an amazing family holiday, one where everyone is there and all 18 of you 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..."
The story is told through Sofia's diary entries, with illustrations throughout. Sofia is 13, working her first job on a milk route, trying to save up money for gogo boots, all while learning how to stand up and fight against injustices, and finding her voice.
Sofia was a very relatable character. She was grappling with anxiety about speaking in front of class and she was bullied because of her heritage. Her journal entries were fun to read, spelling errors and all. I definitely wasn’t worried about riots and protests at that age, but that’s privilege.
She got a ViewMaster for her 13th birthday! Who else has one of these?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Police brutality
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
conversational, relatable, informational! i don't think i've ever read a book from new zealand before.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
funny
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:
No