Kristiana Kahakauwila
Kristiana Kahakauwila is an award-winning writer of kanaka maoli (Native Hawaiian), Norwegian, and German descent. An associate professor at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, she teaches creative writing both there and at the Institute of American Indian Arts. In her free time, she enjoys running, surfing, and spending time with her ‘ohana. Clairboyance is her first book for young readers.
Kids Books (1)
Synopsis:
Perfect for fans of Debbi Michiko Florence and Lisa Greenwald, Clairboyance’s heartfelt and sweet coming of age story with a touch of magic follows Clara as her life is turned upside down when she discovers that she has boy-specific ESP abilities.
After accidentally wishing on a family heirloom to hear what boys are thinking, Clara wakes up the next day able to do just that. Every idea, every worry, every generous or petty thought crossing their minds—somehow, they now form a chorus of voices in hers.
But why couldn’t her newfound powers have arrived sooner? Then, maybe, she could have stopped her ex–best friend Leo from betraying her and ditching her for the more popular kids. At least her dad is open to the idea of moving her off O‘ahu and out to Arizona to be with him.
If Clara can use what she hears to solve her problems, then her powers might just be able to make up for lost time—but instead, she ends up making a bigger mess of everything. While scrambling to fix her mistakes, Clara must question old friendships, enter into new ones, and try to figure out what makes a home, and if she is willing to leave hers behind.
Reviews
"Kahakauwila crafts a love letter to Hawaiian culture, identity, and landscape and captures the uncertainty and confusion of navigating middle school, fashioning a heartfelt debut that emits positivity, optimism, and warm vibes." — Publishers Weekly
"A beautiful celebration of Hawai‘i, including family, community, history, and the land." — Kirkus Reviews
"Readers are reminded of the importance of family, history, and culture in the context of an entertaining tween narrative. A welcome addition to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) literature for young people." — Horn Book Magazine
"Kahakauwila’s superpower is to create a coming-of-age story full of compassion and insight.” — John David Anderson, author of Posted
Educator Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 12.
Additional Information
288 pages | 5.50" x 8.25" | Hardcover
Our logo reflects the greater Nation we live within—Turtle Island (North America)—and the strength
and core of the Pacific Northwest Coast peoples—the Cedar Tree, known as the Tree of Life. We are
here to support the building of strong nations and help share Indigenous voices.
