About This Book
Reach for this book when your adolescent is facing a life-altering change, a difficult medical diagnosis, or a profound sense of isolation from their peers. Set in 19th-century Hawaii, it follows twelve-year-old Liliha, who is forcibly exiled to the Kalaupapa leprosy colony after contracting the disease. It is a raw and moving exploration of what it means to lose your old life and find the strength to build a new one under the most harrowing conditions. While the historical setting is specific, the emotional core focuses on resilience, self-worth, and the discovery of unexpected family. Parents will find this a powerful tool for discussing empathy, the stigma of illness, and the courage required to survive when the world seems to have turned its back. Due to some intense descriptions of the disease and the harsh realities of the colony, it is best suited for mature middle schoolers and young teens.
