Dawn Raid

Name: Dawn Raid
Brand: Dreamscape Media
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)
Author: Pauline Vaeluaga Smith
ISBN: 9781666536386

Author: Pauline Vaeluaga Smith

Narrator: Tameka Sowman Vahatau

Unabridged: 3 hr 30 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Dreamscape Media

Published: 03/18/2021

Categories: Children's Fiction, Historical Stories, Children's Social Themes, Regional Stories

Synopsis

Sofia is like most twelve-year-old girls in New Zealand. How is she going to earn enough money for those boots? WHY does she have to give that speech at school? Who is she going to be friends with this year? It comes as a surprise to Sofia and her family when her big brother, Lenny, starts talking about protests, overstayers, and injustices against Pacific Islanders by the government. Inspired by the Black Panthers in America, a group has formed called the Polynesian Panthers, who encourage immigrant and Indigenous families across New Zealand to stand up for their rights. Soon the whole family becomes involved in the movement. Told through Sofia's diary entries, Dawn Raid is the story of one ordinary girl living in extraordinary times, learning how to stand up and fight.

About Pauline Vaeluaga Smith

Pauline Vaeluaga Smith is the author of Dawn Raid, for which she received Best New Author at the New Zealand Book Awards and a NZ Storylines Notable Book Award. Her writing is influenced by her experiences growing up in the 1970s, her roles as a teacher and university educator, her passion for civil rights and justice, and her deep interest in uplifting NZ Maori culture. She lives in a small seaside town at the bottom of the South Island of Aotearoa-New Zealand.

About Mat Hunkin

Mat Hunkin is an illustrator and a comics artist from New Zealand. His day job is in the film industry.

About Tameka Sowman Vahatau

Tameka Sowman Vahatau is an actress, assistant director, and audiobook narrator, known for Guns Akimbo, Mulan (2020), and Pork Pie.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Claude's

Well this is a tricky review to write so I will keep it simple. 5 stars for the subject matter of which all New Zealanders should know about. 2 Stars for the lacklustre delivery with a character who is 13 but seems more like a very young child due to the way she has been written. I'll give it 3.5 but......more

Goodreads review by Claire

Well-executed middle grade fiction about an important, and shameful part of New Zealand History. I’m so glad that our publishers support stories like this for our young people.......more

Goodreads review by Polynesianreader

Wow I absolutely loved this book! Many people think racism isn't a huge issue in NZ but it's a topic that is swept under the rug, especially pacific islanders who endured racism on a daily basis in the 1970s. I hope the book gets the recognition it needs it's a 5/5 for me 😊......more

Goodreads review by Cece

*3.5/5 full review on my YouTube channel, ProblemsOfABookNerd!......more

Quotes

Encourages empathy and understanding while spotlighting underrepresented history, and providing an example of how young people can take action. Highly recommended.