Lei and the Fire Goddess

(Hardback)

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Description

From debut author Malia Maunakea comes a sweeping fantasy about a part-Hawaiian girl who must save her best friend and her island from an angry fire goddess. Curses aren't real. At least, that's what twelve-year-old, part-Hawaiian Anna Leilani Kama_x02BB_ehu 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 Hawai_x02BB_i to visit her T_x016B_t_x016B_, 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 mo_x02BB_olelo 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.

Reviews

"This exciting, fast-paced adventure is full of humor and action. Hawaiian cultural elements are seamlessly woven into the story, giving just enough context for those unfamiliar with them without taking away from the narrative.An exhilarating, adventure-filled celebration of Hawaiian culture."Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Anna feels too Hawaiian to fit in at school, but too haole, or white, to feel at home in Hawaiia struggle that aptly center themes of identity and connection inMaunakeasenergetic, adventuresome debut."Publishers Weekly

"The author sensitively portrays the way her half-white protagonist wrestles with her identity . . .an exciting adventure in an uncommon, perceptively drawn setting."Booklist

Author Bio

Malia Maunakea (she/her/hers) is a part-Hawaiian writer who grew up in the rainforest on the Big Island before moving to a valley on O_x02BB_ahu in seventh grade. She relocated to the continent for college, and when she isn't writing can be found roaming the Colorado Rocky Mountains with her husband, their two children, and a rescue mutt named Peggy. You can find Malia online at maliamaunakea.com and @MaliaMaunakea on Twitter.