Pacific Island Literature

[Yvonne Siu-Runyan (PANA)]

Anyone want to have a discussion about Pacific Island Literature for young people?

[Katherine Nelson]

Just returned to the Midwest from a too-short stay on Oahu. I'm really not familiar enough with Pacific Island Lit. to discuss anything but would love some recommendations. I'm reworking our junior level American Lit curriculum going from chronological to thematic. Any suggestions that would work under themes such as Ambition, Freedom, Coming of Age would be greatly appreciated.

[Yvonne Siu-Runyan (PANA)]

Hi Katherine,

Wow, somebody is interested in the Asian/Pacific Island Literature. Here are some titles to get you started.

Theodore Taylor has written some amazing books. Ice Drift: Harcourt
Air Raid-Pearl Harbor: Harcourt
Battle Off Midway island: Avon
The Bomb: Harcourt / Avon

And then there are some great books by Dorinda Makanaonalani Nicholson. Here is a great link: http://pearlharborchild.com/homepage.html

Aunty Dori also has other books as well. Here's a bit about Dorinda. Link: http://www.childrenslit.com/bookingservice/nicholson-dorinda.html

Please let me know what books your students read and what their reactions are. I have tons more info re: the Hawaiian Islands, 'cause that is where I was born and bred.

There is a really super book entitled, "Healing Water, A Hawaiian Story" by Joyce Moyer Hostetter. This is definitely a book about coming of age. Actually a lot of the books I listed have to do with coming of age, freedom, ambition, and a whole lot more.

Please keep in touch. Have fun. And I am so glad you enjoyed Hawai'i. What islands did you visit? What did you do there?

[Cara Flores-Mays]

Hi Yvonne, Thank you for making contact! I hope your papa shared some memories of Guam with you. I would love to hear about them.

I am VERY interested in Pacific Island Literature. My mother and I are currently developing a portal that will serve as an archive and educational resource center for Pacific Island classrooms or for teachers teaching Pacific Island Lit. It will also serve as a tool through which Pacific Islanders will be published eZine style. Our starting focus group is my own Chamorro people of the Marianas Islands. We've made some major strides but have a long way to go towards telling our story. And our story is quite unique. We hope that this tool will give teachers ready-access to the texts that ARE currently available while encouraging emerging writers and artists to make their mark. I'm very excited about this project. After our beta-testing period is complete, this tool will be available to other Pacific Island communities for similar use!

My favorite book in this genre would still be The Whale Rider, by Witi Ihimaera. It reminded me of 'home' when I was attending school in Michigan. And then later, to see this story told on screen and so well-received by the international world, I was truly inspired.

[Yvonne Siu-Runyan (PANA)]

Fabulous project, Cara!!!! Yes, my father told me that Guam is a cool place to live. I was even offered at position at the University of Guam years and years ago. I'd take that job in a snap right now if it were available.

I loved the book Whale Rider, too.

Let's me sure to keep in touch, Cara. I would love to follow what you and your mother are doing and if I can help in any way, please ask. Let's be sure to share books.

You can always contact me off line at [e-mail].

Aloha,
Yvonne (Pana)

[Nina K. Buchanan]

Aloha - I just returned from South Korea. While there I read three good books about Korea that you might want to check out. The best of the three was the Calligrapher's Daughter by E. Kim which is about the sad history of South Korea from 1906 until WWII (I think). It was historical fiction through the lives of one family. The second was Jia by Hyejin Kim, the story of a North Korean girl who was sent from her dissident family in the mountains to the city to find her grandparents. The third is Brother One Cell by Cullen Thomas about a young American who is caught bringing drugs into South Korea.

[Yvonne Siu-Runyan (PANA)]

Thank you, Nina.

Great list of books. Have your students read any of them yet? I would love to learn of their responses.

Yvonne