It’s funny. I had wanted to read the winning book, but didn’t include it as my suggestion because I thought that club members wouldn’t vote for it. I couldn’t be more happy to be wrong & that someone else included this book in the list.
But before we get to that book, here’s an entrancing poem written about a night walk during the COVID lockdown in New Zealand & touches on the Black Lives Matter movement (assuming it’s not something else specific to New Zealand). Penned by an amazing New Zealand poet named Karlo Mila who is of Tongan, Palagi, & Samoan descent. Two Māori words are used in the poem:
Rongoā which is traditional Māori healing medicine comprised of diverse practices with an emphasis on the spiritual dimension of health
Maunga which means mountain
The poet herself speaks her poem below. Note: Some cursing is included.
If you were as moved by this poem as I was, check out Mila’s poetry collection entitled, Dream Fish Floating (Amazon | Bookshop | SecondSale used books).
BUT WHAT BOOK DID THE GROUP PICK TO READ NEXT?
Well, there was a tie for 2nd place, but the 1st place book was a clear winner:
An international bestseller & winner of the New Zealand Booksellers' Choice Award written by a multiple-award winning Maori author
Eight-year-old Kahu craves her great-grandfather's love and attention. But he is focused on his duties as chief of a Maori tribe in Whangara, on the East Coast of New Zealand—a tribe that claims descent from the legendary “whale rider.” In every generation since the whale rider, a male has inherited the title of chief. But now there is no male heir—there's only Kahu. She should be the next in line for the title, but her great-grandfather is blinded by tradition and sees no use for a girl.
Kahu will not be ignored. And in her struggle she has a unique ally: the whale rider himself, from whom she has inherited the ability to communicate with whales. Once that sacred gift is revealed, Kahu may be able to re-establish her people's ancestral connections, earn her great-grandfather's attention, and lead her tribe to a bold new future.
“A profoundly enchanting story that will hold [you] in its grip right up to its tender conclusion.” —Curled Up
(A special thank you to book club member, Suzanne Bradley for the suggestion.)