Lulu in Honolulu

Lulu #2

by Elisabeth Wolf

Second in a fresh new series with a screenplay format featuring the irrepressibly lovable Lulu Harrison, a down-to-earth girl in Twinkle Town, and her diaper-wearing dog.

Lulu's plans for a family-only Hawaiian luau are crushed under her sister's Fourth of July blockbuster bash, until Lulu decides this Independence Day she's gong to stand up for herself.

Lights! Camera! ACTION!

If only real life were like the movies. Instead, the Harrison family's fabulous Hawaiian vacation has fallen apart, thanks to Lulu's parents' massive blockbuster film shoot. Their tightly-scheduled family time has been taken over by extra time on the set--and they're totally missing out on the real Hawaii. Lulu decides to teach her family the meaning of ohana, but her genius plans are seriously backfiring. (She didn't mean to unleash a rampaging pug onto her parents' movie set. Oops!) Can Lulu get her family back together, or will her exploits push them further apart?

Praise for Lulu in La La Land:
Fun, infectious humor and satisfying, light storytelling.--School Library Journal

Genres: Middle Grade

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Elisabeth Wolf is a bit Lulu. She lives in Los Angeles where she grows fruits, vegetables, and native flowers. Before that she worked in public policy and media both in California and Washington, D.C. She has two children, Philip (15) and Emmeline (13). Her inspiration for writing Lulu was based on their growing up in Los Angeles and seeing how fast childhood can zoom by. She bakes her children's birthday cakes and eats spicy Mexican food. Each year for her birthday she asks her children to give her the same present. "Turn off the lights to help save the earth." But make NO mistake: she loves a good shopping trip and pedicure. Lulu in La La Land is her first book. The second book in the series, Lulu in Honolulu will come out in Spring 2014. To slow life down, Elisabeth and her children spend time living in Cambria, California and Kennebunk, Maine. Before writing the Lulu Series, Elisabeth worked in media and government. She's a graduate of Smith College in Northampton, MA and Stanford's School of Education. She also was a Fellow with the national Coro Foundation.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm always on the lookout for things that my great nieces and nephews and my friends' children will like. I've already have someone in mind for this one. I was surprised at first by the format (yes, I missed the subtitle "A screenplay by....."), and thought it was theatre. Then I realized that it was a screenplay, and thought "Even better!" It will be something different for a young girl who loves to read.
The author does a god job (I think) of creating this authentic young voice. Lulu's inquisitive, fun, compassionate, kind, encouraging to others, and has an indomitable spirit--when her ideas fall through, disastrously so, she tries not to let it get her down. Of course, in the real world, not everyone plays well with others. Lulu doesn't let it get her down.
The only thing missing from this work is some sort of explanation as to how Lulu finally pulls off a scheme, one that saves the day. For some, all that will matter is that those who were only operating in their own self interest all of a sudden decide to pull together to make something wondrous happen.
A fun book which may inspire children to do some writing of their own.

[Manuela Avery · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a cute story and I like that the Hawaiian culture is getting shared, however I have a few complaints. 

There's an inconsistency of the use of the ʻokina (ʻ). If it's going to be used for Oʻahu, it  should also be used for Hawaiʻi at the very least.  It's also considered one of the Hawaiian alphabet, so there's actually 13 letters instead of 12; although maybe that was simplified since it's a children's book.

I've been hula dancing since a child and had the opportunity to hula in Hawaiʻi with a prestigious hula group, and I can't imagine any hula group in Hawaiʻi with as little management as the group in this book. It made me cringe reading it, especially the competition! Although, I will say, that the book has itaccurate that the hula is not just a dance, but also the culture. 

ʻIolani Palace is two stories with a basement, not four. 

I'm also a Navy wife, and it was hard to read the ending about the military happening. The sharing of classified information is a major issue and would have serious repercussions. 

Maybe I'm being too harsh since I am an adult reading a children's book, but even if the book is fiction, I'd want my kids to read culturally accurate books, especially being of Hawaiian descent and a military child.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book better than the first one. It's more exciting and educational. I learned facts about the Hawaiian culture and language. My favorite new character is Noelani. She reminds me of myself at her age. I wanted more drawings. My favorite part is the drawing of the kids in the video. I'm sad that the author didn't write any more books in this series.

[Maeghan Schads · Rating 3 out of 5]

A super cute middle grade. I didn't really like that all the dialogue was formatted to look like a movie script. Still quite good.

[Nanci Booher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have not read Lulu in Lala Land but I thought this looked like a fun read. I think the kids at school will enjoy it and it will be a fun addition. In this summer of paring down my collection, this one will be added and I am hopeful will always be check out.

[Jayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun read. I'm a teacher and I plan on putting it in my classroom library. I have a feeling that my students will be asking for more Lulu books soon! I haven't looked it up to find a lexile or grade level, but 4th grade is about perfect for this book.

I received a copy via the Goodreads First Reads program.

[Beth]

This was a great book!