Lei and the Fire Goddess
Lei and the Fire Goddess by Malia Maunakea is a captivating tale set against the backdrop of Hawaiian culture, published by Penguin on April 23, 2024. This 304-page book follows twelve-year-old Anna Leilani Kamaʻehu, who initially dismisses her grandmother’s folktales about sacred flowers and family guardians as mere stories. However, her perspective shifts dramatically when a vacation in Hawaiʻi takes an unexpected turn after she inadvertently insults Pele, the fire goddess, leading to a series of fantastical events.
Readers will find Anna navigating a world filled with mythical creatures and demigods as she embarks on a quest to rescue her best friend, who has been kidnapped. The narrative explores themes of family and identity, encouraging Anna to embrace her Hawaiian heritage while confronting the challenges posed by Pele. This edition offers a rich blend of fantasy and multicultural elements, making it a unique addition to juvenile fiction.
Official synopsis Publisher
Malia Maunakea’s thrilling Hawaiian debut—now in paperback!
Curses aren’t real.
At least, that’s what twelve-year-old, part-Hawaiian Anna Leilani Kamaʻehu thinks when she listens to her grandmother’s folktales about sacred flowers and family guardians. Anna’s friends back home in Colorado don’t believe in legends, either. They’re more interested in science and sports—real, tangible things that stand in total contrast to Anna’s family’s embarrassing stories.
So when Anna goes back to Hawaiʻi to visit her Tūtū, she has no interest in becoming the heir to her family’s history; she’s set on having a touristy, fun vacation. But when Anna accidentally insults Pele the fire goddess by destroying her lehua blossom, a giant hawk swoops in and kidnaps her best friend, and she quickly learns just how real these moʻolelo are. In order to save her friends and family, Anna must now battle mythical creatures, team up with demigods and talking bats, and evade the traps Pele hurls her way.
For if Anna hopes to undo the curse, she will have to dig deep into her Hawaiian roots and learn to embrace all of who she is.
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