The Whale Rider

        The Whale Rider

                       The Whale Rider is a story about Kahu and her family's struggle to bring back balance to their Maori tribe in Whangara. As it is a story set in New Zealand and is about a Maori tribe, a lot of the words used in the book are in the Maori language, and may be a little hard to follow along if you don't refer to the glossary of terms at the end of the novel. The Whale Rider is a journey of love and destiny. Through the story of the Maori people of New Zealand and their heritage/customs, readers will be introduced to new a  new culturally diverse group of people. The book is enjoyable and the reader will undoubtedly have tears as well as laugher through the pages of the story. This story is good for introducing readers interested in Maori legend. The Whale Rider also introduces the reader to their folk stories and beliefs about their origins, and even native language which can be translated or further studies form the glossary at the end of the novel. This book is a quick read, and highly recommended for anyone that loves reading culturally diverse tween literature such as Esperansa Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan.

By,

Honeymol Rajappan