One of my ever-expanding collection of schoolboy adventures, this novel was published just in time for Hawaii's introduction as a new state in 1959. Aside from being a cute story and a small glimpse into pre-colonial Hawaiian culture (with nothing made in the way of value judgements against the native Hawaiians, interestingly), the book has a short glossary of Hawaiian words and terms at the end of the story. While, of course, not a comprehensive history of the island, it is a good introduction for children, and an entertaining story written well enough to grab even a reluctant reader. In summation: give this to kids, and they'll find Mitchner's "Hawaii" on their own. ( )

A Weekly Reader Book