Makena's Shadow

Gr 8 Up—Gabriel Kane Foster's world is turning upside down faster than he can handle. After the death of his sister Makena, he and his parents suddenly move from California to Hawaii. As his mother and father retreat together to mourn, Gabriel must face his mother's unfamiliar family in a territory and language he cannot understand. Will he ever fit in? Lee deftly presents teenage angst and the feelings of being uprooted from home and dropped in a completely new environment. Her portrayal of Hawaiian culture is honest and straightforward. Readers living on Oahu or those who have visited the vibrant island will recognize place names and feel at home in the atmosphere Lee creates. Employing a realistic writing style, Lee authentically describes how many people deal with grief and change. This comedic and fast-paced coming-of-age story is engaging, and though teens not familiar with Hawaiian culture and lingo may find themselves a little disoriented at first, they will eventually feel at home in the narrative, just as the protagonist does in his new home.