Pauline Vaeluaga Smith

I don't usually read children's books, so I am a little unsure of how to review/rate it. It's told as the diary of a 13 year old New Zealand girl in 1976. I thought pretty good, and I learned a lot about New Zealand, painlessly. For example, I learned that there was a group called the Polynesian Panthers, inspired by the Black Panthers in the US. That group was organized against Dawn Raids, which were attempts to deport Polynesian's in New Zealand, who might have overstayed their visas.

I also learned what hokey-pokey ice cream is, and that in the 1970's kids in New Zealand often had milk runs, which were like paper routes here, only with milk.

I think it could be a good book for middle school age kids who wanted to learn a bit about diversity from a global perspective.… (more)

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… (more)