Series:
Lei and the Legends (Book 1)
Curses aren't real.
At least, that's what twelve-year-old, part-Hawaiian Anna
Leilani Kamaʻehu thinks when she listens to her grandmother's folktales about
sacred flowers and family guardians. Anna's friends back home in Colorado don't
believe in legends, either. They're more interested in science and sports --
real, tangible things that stand in total contrast to Anna's family's
embarrassing stories.
So when Anna goes back to Hawaiʻi to visit her Tūtū, she
has no interest in becoming the heir to her family's history; she's set on
having a touristy, fun vacation. But when Anna accidentally insults Pele the
fire goddess by destroying her lehua blossom, a giant hawk swoops in and
kidnaps her best friend, and she quickly learns just how real these moʻolelo
are. In order to save her friends and family, Anna must now battle mythical
creatures, team up with demigods and talking bats, and evade the traps Pele hurls
her way.
For if Anna hopes to undo the curse, she will have to dig
deep into her Hawaiian roots and learn to embrace all of who she is.
I read this book at the recommendation of my daughter, a
children's librarian, and I am so glad I did. Though I don't have a drop of
Hawaiian blood, I was born in Honolulu and given a Hawaiian middle name.
Hawaiian history and culture have always been part of my life. This book
explores the land, history, and culture of the Islands in a fun way.
Anna/Lei is a twelve-year-old girl with a Hawaiian dad
and a haole (white) mother. They moved off the island of Hawaii to Colorado
several years earlier, but Anna visits her Tūtū (grandmother) every summer. She
listens to the stories and legends of their family, which Anna rolls her eyes
at. At home, she is into sports and science. On the rare occasions she mentions
anything related to Hawaii, her classmates laugh. On her upcoming trip, Tūtū
expects Anna to devote her time to learning more about the family history, but
Anna would rather do touristy activities.
Anna is in a grouchy mood when she arrives on the island.
The only bright spot is seeing her friend Kaipo. But even Kaipo isn't overly
sympathetic to her frustration. In a fit of anger, Anna does the unthinkable -
picks a flower sacred to the Fire Goddess, Pele. The earth trembles, a fissure
of lava opens, and a giant hawk swoops down and carries Kaipo off. Anna
realizes that maybe the old stories aren't just stories, and it is up to her to
rescue her friend from Pele.
Anna is caught between her two worlds and is comfortable
in neither of them. Now she must call upon her memories of the stories her Tūtū
taught her and find a way to appease the goddess. Along the way, she picks up
helpers - Ilikei, the snarky shapeshifting talking bat, and Makani, the wind.
Ilikei is like a friend who can be very nice, but who also can be an annoying
know-it-all. She pushes, teases, and challenges Anna all along the way, forcing
her to confront the reality of her heritage. Makani is the helpful breeze that
assists Anna in unusual ways.
I loved watching Anna experience her heritage up close
and personal. At each step, it opens her eyes to its impact on her life. I was
glued to the pages as she passed each quest, learning important lessons each
time. The intensity built with each chapter, leading to the final showdown with
Pele. I loved seeing Anna seamlessly blend her two worlds, utilizing skills
from both to complete her quest. The showdown with Pele was a nail-biter with a
twist I didn't expect.
In addition to the fun and adventure of this book, it
also addresses Anna's struggles to blend her very different heritages into an
identity that feels right to her. I enjoyed watching her embrace her Hawaiian
side, including using her Hawaiian name with her new friends. There are also
references to friendship issues back in Colorado that I hope will be addressed
more in the next book.
The author's love for her island home is evident
throughout the book. The descriptions of everything from the flowers and
animals to the power of the volcano and the stories of the gods and goddesses
made me feel as though I was there.
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