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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
inspiring
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
Good book. Important topic. The MC reads much younger than she is supposed to be, but other than that, it's definitely worth reading.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
This was really good. I've heard plenty about the Black Panthers over the years, mostly negative, it was nice to hear about their efforts from another point of view. All of the uniquely New Zealand things were really interesting to learn about through a story, but it was reassuring yet sad at times to see how many things are the same everywhere.
The narrator was clear and engaging. She really captured the character and story.
This was really good. I've heard plenty about the Black Panthers over the years, mostly negative, it was nice to hear about their efforts from another point of view. All of the uniquely New Zealand things were really interesting to learn about through a story, but it was reassuring yet sad at times to see how many things are the same everywhere.
The narrator was clear and engaging. She really captured the character and story.
Written in diary form. Explores the "dawn raids" that were happening on "overstayers" that targeted POC in New Zealand in the late 1970's.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Dawn Raid is set in New Zealand in 1976, the time of the notorious dawn raids when police raided the homes of Pasifika people in the early hours of the morning looking for anyone who had overstayed the terms of their visa. Apart from the callousness of the timing and disproportionate amount of force used the policy was inherently racist. Overstayers were blamed for New Zealand’s economic woes at the time, yet dawn raids and other crackdowns were targeted solely at Pasifika peoples who made up only a very small percentage of the overstayers. The central character in this story, Sofia, is just a few years older than I was in 1976 which meant this book is packed full of nostalgia- songs, dubious fashions, tv programmes, foods, news stories - which made it a fun trip down memory lane. I also loved seeing Sofia grow in confidence and using her experience of being caught up in an unjustified raid to really develop her voice. This book is targeted towards children and is obviously designed to educate as well as entertain. Several sections were information dumps that felt superimposed on the narrative flow. Another criticism, one which is acknowledged in the author’s note, is the extent to which Sofia and some of her siblings questioned and challenges their parents. This would be really atypical in the Samoan culture, especially at the time. Still an enjoyable and worthwhile read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
I consider myself a well-educated NZ teen, and I thought I vaguely knew most of the 'important' events in the last few decades. Yet this book covers an event I never knew about. So I'm very glad I read it, and it cements my approval of David Lange and hatred of Muldoon - I mean I knew he was bad, but that ad! Ugh.
It's very interesting to cover the Polynesian Panthers in detail and remind us that not all gangs are bikie gangs.
Anyhow this is a great addition to the My New Zealand Story books and I recommend it to all Kiwis. (Makes me feel old though that there are My Storys about events that my parents lived through!) (although, now there's one on the Christchurch earthquakes - with a protagonist the same age as I was!)
It's very interesting to cover the Polynesian Panthers in detail and remind us that not all gangs are bikie gangs.
Anyhow this is a great addition to the My New Zealand Story books and I recommend it to all Kiwis. (Makes me feel old though that there are My Storys about events that my parents lived through!) (although, now there's one on the Christchurch earthquakes - with a protagonist the same age as I was!)
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Well-executed middle grade fiction about an important, and shameful part of New Zealand History. I’m so glad that our publishers support stories like this for our young people.