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I loved this compassionate epic tale of a young girl diagnosed with leprosy in 1891 and sentenced to live out her life on the island of Moloka'i. I thought the subject might make the novel sad, depressing, but it was absolutely the opposite. The Hawaiin history and mythology gave the story greater depth. I loved all the characters in this book; the good and the bad. This book gave me a lot of joy.
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Set in Hawaii this book begins just prior to Hawaii being annexed to the U.S. and ends after statehood. The focus of the book is the leper colony at Kalaupapa on the island of Momoka'i. Young Rachel Kalama is diagnosed with leprosy at the age of seven and is sent to the colony to live out her life. Most would have thought that she would live out the rest of her life on this island but then life does not always follow a prescribed plan. This is Rachel's story and it is one that is beautifully wov
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3.5 stars rounded up
Rachel Kalama is 7 years old living in Hawaii in the 1890's when she contracts leprosy (currently known as Hansen's disease). To prevent the spread of the disease Rachel is forceably sent to the leper colony at Kalaupapa on Molokai. The book covers the span of Rachel's life though more time is spent on her childhood than later years. The author does a good job telling the history of Hansen's disease and of the colony at Kalaupapa. What I thought the book was lacking was much ...more
Rachel Kalama is 7 years old living in Hawaii in the 1890's when she contracts leprosy (currently known as Hansen's disease). To prevent the spread of the disease Rachel is forceably sent to the leper colony at Kalaupapa on Molokai. The book covers the span of Rachel's life though more time is spent on her childhood than later years. The author does a good job telling the history of Hansen's disease and of the colony at Kalaupapa. What I thought the book was lacking was much ...more
A very eye-opening book about the quarantined leprosy settlement on the Hawaiian island of Moloka'i. An excellent story with vibrant characters. This tale mirrors actual history and is based an actual real people who lived in the settlement. It begins around the time of the last Hawaiian ruler when the U.S. makes the islands a territory through World War II and Japenese internment. I learned a lot from this book.
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It took me sooo long to get over the hump in this book—I had a hard time staying engaged and trudging through much of the middle. But I read the last 30% or so in one day and ended up really loving how sad/beautiful the story was, especially with the history woven in.
Mar 26, 2010
Anna
marked it as to-read
Feb 18, 2013
Anna
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Apr 19, 2013
Chantal
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Jul 12, 2014
Laura
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Feb 13, 2015
Stephanie
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Apr 30, 2016
Holly May
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Feb 24, 2019
Camilla Cluett
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Apr 28, 2019
Brenda
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Feb 20, 2020
Ginger
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Sep 04, 2020
Kim DeCina
marked it as to-read
