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The Whale Rider
The Whale Rider
Author: Witi Ihimaera
Eight-year-old Kahu, a member of the Maori tribe of Whangara, New Zealand, fights to prove her love, her leadership, and her destiny. Her people claim descent from Kahutia Te Rangi, the legendary "whale rider." In every generation since Kahutia, a male heir has inherited the title of chief. But now there is no male heir, and the aging chief is d...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780152050177
ISBN-10: 0152050175
Publication Date: 5/1/2003
Pages: 152
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 4.6/5 Stars.
 5

4.6 stars, based on 5 ratings
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

CocoCee avatar reviewed The Whale Rider on + 404 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Wonderful tale of a young girl and her Maori heritage. Entwinded with ancients Maori tales of gods and men. Quick read. Endearing, and good read for all girls.
knittymama avatar reviewed The Whale Rider on + 424 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Oh wow! This was such a short book, but I loved it. I read it in one sitting. It's about a girl who adores her great-grandfather who shuns her because being the first born great-grandchild she should have been a boy. It has lots of folklore, hope, destiny, love, and comedy. Definitely one of my new all time favorites!! I have never seen the movie based on this book, but now I want to. It won awards, so if it's as good as the book, I can see why!
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reviewed The Whale Rider on + 1452 more book reviews
A beautiful story by a talented writer. It's so charming yet has some very real messages. Man over-fishes his seas and out of his greed changes the balance in nature, particularly in this case with regard to whales. Many men choose to kill those who beach themselves rather than trying to turn them back into the sea to save them.

I found Kahu an enchanting heroine who adores her grandfather, Koro. Koro was so disappointed that his first grandchild was a daughter. Only a son, he believes, can inherit the Maori legacy of communicating with whales. Of course, the story challenges this belief as Kahu proves to be an out standing young woman in every way. She leads her class scholastically and focuses on learning the Maori language. Of course, there is more but I have probably already revealed too much. Read it and enjoy it or listen to the audio. Those who have seen the movies love that as well.
jandee avatar reviewed The Whale Rider on + 14 more book reviews
While the writing in this book is somewhat lacking in description (a first or only book perhaps?), it tells an excellent story. Only because the book is staged in New Zealand, a country I know nothing about, I found I wanted more description. It's a short book, but long on story!


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