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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The Pōrangi Boy is a New Zealand Young Adult novel. It centres on Niko, a young Māori boy, his relationship with his Koro, and a fight to stop a prison being built on Māori land. I loved Niko’s voice and his growth over the course of the book - particularly the way he learnt to stand up for what he believed in, how he drew his community together and how he triumphed over the bullies - without compromising himself. This book does a great job of portraying Māori communities. The hard stuff like poverty, imprisonment and addiction isn’t glossed over but it isn’t dwelt on either. What really shines through is the love and support from extended whānau, a real sense of community where (most) everyone watches out for everyone else. It was great to read a story that’s Māori centred. Even though few claim to have seen it nobody doubts the taniwha’s existence and the need to protect it’s home the way it protects their community. It is all the justification many need to oppose the building of prison despite it’s touted benefits such as job creation. The Māori perspective of this dispute is, sadly unsurprisingly, different from media reports of similar real life events, like the one which inspired this story. A book for all older children and young teens- a mirror for Māori and a window for Pakeha - and one which adults can enjoy and learn from as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Drug use
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