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KINO and the KING: A Journey in Time
Jen Angeli, author
Kino Kahele was hoping for a mobile device but instead receives a shimmery rock as a present – given to her by her grandmother. She tells Kino the stone is filled with mana, the lifeblood of the islands. It had been passed down for generations specifically for Kino on her twelfth birthday – to help her find her destiny.
To keep her rock from bullies, Kino hides in the grass hut at Honolulu's Bishop Museum and drops her special stone into a conch shell. With a flash of bright light, she is transported to 1825, just five years after the missionaries arrived in Hawaii.
She meets an eleven-year-old boy, weeks before he is crowned Kamehameha III. Together, they go on an adventure filled journey around Oahu, braving encounters with sharks, wild boars, menehunes, and more, while gathering the four items a kahuna said she needed to fulfill her destiny and return home.
KINO and the KING is a novel filled with Hawaiian history, customs, language, and lore. Based on real people, places, and events, both historical and current, the story educates as it entertains.
Quarter Finalist
Plot/Idea: 9 out of 10
Originality: 9 out of 10
Prose: 9 out of 10
Character/Execution: 9 out of 10
Overall: 9.00 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot: The novel is well plotted, compelling, moves along at a good clip, and will engage readers from start to finish.
Prose: The prose is another strength of this book. The writing is smooth, enjoyable to read, and appropriate for young readers.
Originality: This is an original and fascinating tale that is sure to entertain. The setting is well rendered and describes a place that many young readers will have never visited.
Character Development: The two main characters, Kino and Kalani, are very well rendered and relatable.
Date Submitted: September 06, 2017