Local literature is always on our radar, but this month is extra special as we welcome new and debut young reader books from three phenomenal Pasifika authors! We are so fortunate to stock Kealani Netane’s empowering picture book Tala Learns to Siva, Kristiana Kahakauwila’s first young adult novel Clairboyance and Malia Maunakea’s highly anticipated follow-up to her celebrated debut, Lei and the Invisible Island.
With the Children’s Literature Hawai‘i 2024 Conference on the horizon and summer just around the corner, Da Shop: Books + Curiosities is proud to celebrate these exciting new voices in children’s, middle-grade and young adult literature, all of whom are making vital contributions to Hawai‘i’s rich and diverse literary landscape.
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Photo: Courtesy of Da Shop: Books + Curiosities
by Kealani Netane
Written by Native Hawaiian-Samoan author Kealani Netane, Tala Learns to Siva is a beautiful and empowering story centering the cherished Samoan dance, taualuga. Netane brings more than 20 years of Polynesian dance experience to her first children’s book, which celebrates the inner strength and heart that’s demanded of the dance. Netane’s gorgeous and inspiring prose is coupled with the wonderful illustrations by New York Times bestselling illustrator Dung Ho to create an unforgettable book celebrating family, history, community and Samoan identity.
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Photo: Courtesy of Da Shop: Books + Curiosities
by Malia Maunakea
Lei and the Invisible Island is the exciting follow-up to Malia Maunakea’s middle-grade debut Lei and the Fire Goddess, which lit up the middle-grade reader scene upon its 2023 publication. Maunakea continues Lei’s incredible saga with best friend and ancestral guardian Kaipo missing his ‘aumakua pendant, which threatens his physical and emotional disintegration. Lei and Kaipo set out on a journey of retrieval that expands into an unforgettable adventure of friendship, family, culture and forgiveness. Fans of the first installment will not be disappointed!
Photo: Courtesy of Da Shop: Books + Curiosities
by Kristiana Kahakauwila
We’re so excited for Clairboyance, the YA debut by Kanaka Maoli author Kristiana Kahakauwila. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, Clairboyance follows O‘ahu teen Clara who, after wishing on a family heirloom to hear what boys are thinking, wakes up to learn her wish has come true. These boy-specific ESP abilities, however, aren’t all they’re cracked up to be, and Clara must confront old and new friendships, issues of home and belonging and questions about her future while wrestling with her new capabilities. A heartfelt coming of age story from a master local writer.
Da Shop: Books + Curiosities, 3565 Harding Ave., open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (808) 421-9460, dashophnl.com, @dashophnl
