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The Whale Rider
  
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The Whale Rider (Paperback)

by Witi Ihimaera (Author) "The Valde's Peninsula, Patagonia. Te Whiti Te Ra. the nursery, the cetacean crib ..." (more)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)

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Product Description

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8–Witi Ihimaera blends New Zealand's Maori legends with a modern girl's struggle to have her special gifts recognized in this novel (Harcourt, 2003). Though Kahu is the first child born in her generation and she is well loved by her extended family, she seeks the approval of Koro, the stern man who is not only her great grandfather but also her clan's chief. Family lore is filled with stories of Koro's ancestor who rode a giant whale to bring his people to New Zealand. Their village continues to have a special relationship with the sea and its creatures. When a pod of whales is stranded on a nearby beach, everyone in the community works to save them. Many animals are lost and only one desperately weak whale is turned toward the sea when Kahu climbs onto his back. Both the whale and the girl feel their ancient connection, and when Kahu rides off, her great grandfather finally sees that she is the next leader for her clan. Though the eight-year-old girl is feared lost, her whale companion has left her where she can be found and reunited with her family. Narrator Jay Laga'aia handles the book's poetic rhythm and its Maori words and phrases with an easy tempo and honest emotion. Occasionally the sound quality seems too quiet, but it reflects the novel's introspective sections. Though the Maori language may be a challenge for some listeners, the universal theme of a child looking for acceptance makes this a good additional purchase for middle school and public libraries.  It's worth noting that Whale Rider was made into an award-winning film a few years ago.–Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From AudioFile

The book behind the award-winning movie opens with the tale of the original whale rider, immersing the listener in the sweep of Maori culture at the heart of this remarkable story. The new young whale rider takes her rightful name, Kahu. The girl-child's story is told by her uncle Rawiri: her breaking of the male chain of descendants, her rejection by her great-grandfather, her role in saving her people, and her extraordinary ride on the old bull whale. New Zealander Jay Laga'aia effortlessly navigates the Maori names, facilitating the listener's entrance into another culture. His pacing is confident, and his inflections, though sometimes a bit comical for the women, allow for easy differentiation among characters. Laga'aia's narration acts as a guide as the story's characters move from traditional beliefs to new awareness. The audio is instrumental in proving that even with such a wonderful movie, the book is better. S.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews

22 Reviews
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4.0 out of 5 stars (22 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, magical, ..., July 14 2004
This review is from: The Whale Rider (Paperback)
I didn't know about the incredible Maori author Witi Ihimaera until I saw the movie. After seeing it, I had to read the book. Don't expect it to be just like the movie, but I highly recommend both the book and the movie. The basic question is can a girl be a Maori leader? I really enjoyed learning more about Maori traditions and beliefs as well as the wisdom of the elder characters. For example, I thought the custom of burying the birth cord was fascinating.

The book had additional levels of folklore and mythology. I don't want to get into details as not to spoil the story, but I have a few general comments. I especially found the mother wise in naming the child and the play or power play between man and woman is a recurring theme. Karen Woodworth-Roman

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5.0 out of 5 stars One "Whale" of a Novel, May 6 2004
By Michael S. Waren "schoeder" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Whale Rider (Paperback)
Author Witi Ihimaera has written a wonderfully delightful novel about a young girl's (Kahu)quest for her grandfather's love. A grandfather so deep into tradition he refuses to acknowledge her love and the new traditions of change. He passionately looks for the new whale rider, which will lead the village and his people. Often missing that the leader is right under his own house in female form. The story is told through her uncle, Rawiri ( which is a slightly different interpretation than what is in the excellent film version of this work). This is novel for all ages to read and appreciate regardless. I was pleasantly surprise at the amount of depth here in the novel and the wonderfully imaginative way the story unfolds. I can't remember when I last heard whales talk to each other, or when I laughed so hard at the all too familiar antics and love between grandmother, Nanny Flowers and grandfather, Koro Apirana which left me pleasantly nodding my head. For all of us who have ever dreamed that they were destined for more in life this is a must read.
"Hui e, haunmi e, taiki e" Let it be done!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Eight-year-old Kahu craves her great-grandfather's love, Feb 9 2004
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Whale Rider (Hardcover)
Eight-year-old Kahu craves her great-grandfather's love and attention, but he is focused on his duties as chief of the Maori in New Zealand and has little time for her. She stands to be the heir of her kingdom, as there is no male to take over, and struggles to honor herself in the face of her tribe and grandfather despite her sex in this moving story of achievement.
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 		 Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Magical
"Whale Rider" is best known as the hit indie movie, winner of the Audience Award in the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. Read more
Published on Jan 27 2004 by E. A Solinas

3.0 out of 5 stars I found this slightly confussing...
This book has a great beginning, full of description that will take your breath away, but tends to die off as you get farther into it. I also found the story quite dull. Read more
Published on Jan 2 2004 by bubbles21791

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful, educational and inspiring story
Not only was this book well written, it was educational and inspiring. I learned quite a bit about Maori culture from this novel. Read more
Published on Dec 3 2003 by Benjamin

5.0 out of 5 stars The Maori and Whales
First, go watch the movie first, it's theme is the relationship of the old chief and his granddaughter, how she struggles to earn his love as he fights time to find the new young... Read more
Published on Nov 6 2003 by R. M. Williams

4.0 out of 5 stars To touch magic
Told by her uncle Rawiri, "The Whale Rider" tells the story of Kahu, a young girl in New Zealand struggling to find her place in her family and community. Read more
Published on Sep 24 2003 by blissengine

1.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointing--don't buy it!
If you're expecting something much better than the movie (as books usually are)--forget it! The person that decided that this book would make a good movie must have had an... Read more
Published on Sep 24 2003 by Michael Chang

2.0 out of 5 stars Good story, bad writing
I read this book expecting it to be wonderful because of all the wonderful reviews the movie had gotten and how good the book looked. However, I was very disappointed. Read more
Published on Sep 14 2003 by catie

5.0 out of 5 stars a modern legend
It feels a little silly to review a work of high literature, but I think I have a few helpful things to say about Witi Ihimaera's The Whale Rider. Read more
Published on Aug 29 2003 by Nom de Guerre

5.0 out of 5 stars The Whale Rider
This is a beautiful work that fills one with the chills of destiny. I decided to read the book after seeing the movie, and though the movie was very good, the book gives a... Read more
Published on Aug 9 2003 by Kathy Smoot

4.0 out of 5 stars The modern fairy tale
Went to see this movie in town last night and i was waiting for it since my kiwi friend from Auckland mentionned it. Read more
Published on Aug 6 2003 by leprechaunee

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