Category: young adult

Historical YA – Sleeps Standing: A Story of the Battle of Ōrākau by Witi Ihimaera with Hēmi Kelly

February 2, 2018

“Both fiction and fact, this fascinating book is a kaleidoscopic exploration of the Battle of Ōrākau. During three days in 1864, 300 Māori men, women and children fought an Imperial army and captured the imagination of the world. The battle marked the end of the Land Wars in the Waikato and resulted in vast tracts … More Historical YA – Sleeps Standing: A Story of the Battle of Ōrākau by Witi Ihimaera with Hēmi Kelly

Shapeshifters and loss in ‘Strangers’ by David Alexander Robertson 

December 4, 2017

“When Cole Harper is compelled to return to Wounded Sky First Nation, he finds his community in chaos: a series of shocking murders, a mysterious illness ravaging the residents, and reemerging questions about Cole’s role in the tragedy that drove him away 10 years ago. With the aid of an unhelpful spirit, a disfigured ghost, … More Shapeshifters and loss in ‘Strangers’ by David Alexander Robertson 

On diasporic families in ‘You Bring the Distant Near’ by Mitali Perkins

November 17, 2017

“Five girls. Three generations. One great American love story. You Bring the Distant Near explores sisterhood, first loves, friendship, and the inheritance of culture–for better or worse. Ranee, worried that her children are losing their Indian culture; Sonia, wrapped up in a forbidden biracial love affair; Tara, seeking the limelight to hide her true self; … More On diasporic families in ‘You Bring the Distant Near’ by Mitali Perkins

Dragons, grief and love in ‘The Wave’ by Hoa Pham

July 29, 2017

  ‘I remember how you were, not how you are. We were we until we became you and I.’ Midori and Âu Cô are international university students tasting freedom from family for the first time. They discover Melbourne and each other. All is well until the tsunami that swamps their world… Midori and Âu Cô … More Dragons, grief and love in ‘The Wave’ by Hoa Pham

Author Interview: Samira Ahmed – Author of Love, Hate and Other Filters

May 27, 2017

As co-hosts of the #AsianLitBingo initiative, we’re excited to share interviews with authors towards the end of May 2017. I’m grateful to Samira Ahmed for taking the time to answer questions here on the blog. Lookout for her debut YA contemporary book in early 2018 via Soho Teen (US), Hot Key Books (UK) and Allen and … More Author Interview: Samira Ahmed – Author of Love, Hate and Other Filters

Where the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah

April 1, 2017

Thirteen-year-old Hayaat is on a mission. She believes a handful of soil from her grandmother’s ancestral home in Jerusalem will save her beloved Sitti Zeynab’s life. The only problem is the impenetrable wall that divides the West Bank, as well as the check points, the curfews, the permit system and Hayaat’s best-friend Samy, who is … More Where the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah