A review by ingingenous
The Pōrangi Boy by Shilo Kino

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Ka rawe!! One of the best books I’ve read so far! I hope the author keeps writing because we need more books like this especially for our rangatahi to read! It covers Niko, a young Māori boy from a rural Māori community in the north while he grieves his koro’s death and protests a prison being built on his whenua. 

It’s a good mixture of funny and serious, taking on issues like poverty, incarceration, Māori politics and colonisation in a light hearted way. The dialogue is so natural, mixing te reo Māori and English like many of us do! 

I highly recommend this book everyone!