An empowering celebration of identity, acceptance and Hawaiian culture based on the true story of a young girl in Hawai?i who dreams of leading the boys-only hula troupe at her school.

Ho'onani feels in-between. She doesn't see herself as wahine (girl) OR kane (boy). She's happy to be in the middle. But not everyone sees it that way.

When Ho'onani finds out that there will be a school performance of a traditional kane hula chant, she wants to be part of it. But can a girl really lead the all-male troupe? Ho'onani has to try . . .

Based on a true story, Ho'onani: Hula Warrior is a celebration of Hawaiian culture and an empowering story of a girl who learns to lead and learns to accept who she really is--and in doing so, gains the respect of all those around her.

Ho'onani's story first appeared in the documentary A Place in the Middle by filmmakers Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson. - (Random House, Inc.)

HEATHER GALE is a former orthotist and author originally from New Zealand. Heather loves stories of all kinds, but she especially loves those that feature real people like Ho'onani. She fell in love with the art of storytelling during long car rides, making up stories to go with the scenes flashing by. Heather has two sons and now lives in Toronto with her husband and their two dogs.

MIKA SONG grew up in Manila, Philippines, and Honolulu, Hawaii, before moving to New York to study at Pratt Institute. She studied animation and worked as an animator before getting into children's books. In 2015, she received the Portfolio Award at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Winter Conference in NYC. An author and illustrator, Mika loves stories about sweetly funny outsiders, and recently illustrated the book Harry and Clare's Amazing Staycation and wrote and illustrated Picnic with Oliver. Mika lives in Brooklyn with her husband and daughter. - (Random House, Inc.)

Booklist Reviews

In ancient Hawaiian culture, mahu are people who have both masculine and feminine characteristics—they are "in the middle." Based on a true story, Gale's picture book tells of a contemporary mahu child, Ho'onani. With the support of her teacher and parents, Ho'onani auditions for a role in a school performance of the hula chant—a role traditionally reserved for males. Only her sister objects, planting a seed of doubt in Ho'onani's heart, but she continues on undeterred and tries out for the part, eventually proving herself strong and steady enough to be the group's leader. Ho'onani is simultaneously confident and nervous, but after some initial skepticism, the boys in her group embrace her as their leader. Bolstered by the support of her family, teacher, and friends, her performance is triumphant. Gale captures Ho'onani's feelings with clarity, and Song's crisp watercolor-and-charcoal illustrations are a lovely complement. A short documentary and curricular materials can be found at http://aplaceinthemiddle.org/. Grades 1-3. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.

Horn Book Guide Reviews

When Ho'onani, who doesn't "see herself as a wahine, 'girl'...or kane, 'boy,'" auditions to participate in the traditionally all-male hula chant, she not only wins a spot--she's named the group's leader. This story is inspired by a documentary about the ancient Hawaiian concept of a third gender "embracing both feminine and masculine traits." The illustrations' sun-bleached colors and minimal backgrounds focus on Ho'onani's self-assured presence and on the powerful chant's performance. Copyright 2020 Horn Book Guide Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews

In this picture book based on a true story, a nonbinary youth finds her place as a hula warrior. Hoʻonani Kamai doesn't identify with either wahine (girl) or kāne (boy); "she prefer[s] just Hoʻonani." (Feminine pronouns refer to Hoʻonani throughout.) One day, her teacher Kumu Hina announces auditions for a traditional hula chant the high school kāne will perform. With Kumu Hina's encouragement, Hoʻonani auditions despite the shock of the kāne. After passing the test, she practices "until Hawai'i's history [becomes] a part of her." Practice pays off, as her chant's strength and power gain her true acceptance as their leader. Kumu Hina warns that people may get upset that a wahine is leading, but Hoʻonani faces the performance with courage. Through every challenge and doubt, Hoʻonani "[holds] her place. Strong, sure, and steady." Her strength and bravery lead her to find her place as a hula warrior. Based on the documentary A Place in the Middle, this story brings to light the Hawaiian tradition of valuing those who are māhū, or nonbinary. Teacher and activist K umu Hina creates a place of safety and acceptance, encouraging her students to treat others with respect. Hoʻonani's courage to be true to herself and her place in the middle is empowering. Hawaiian words are intermixed, and Song's illustrations are full of emotion and determination. Hoʻonani deserves a place on any shelf. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-9) Copyright Kirkus 2019 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly Reviews

Ho‘onani, a Hawaiian schoolchild, identifies not as wahine (girl), or ka¯ne (boy), but just as herself (she uses she/her pronouns). Her parents are proud of her strength and independence: "She does what she wants!" her father says. But her sister Kana rolls her eyes when Ho‘onani auditions for the traditional hula chant performance given by the high school ka¯ne, and says "How embarrassing!" when she's accepted. After working hard to internalize "the sway and song of story," Ho‘onani is chosen as the group's chant leader: "When Ho‘onani saw complete awe and true acceptance, she held her place. Strong,/ sure,/ and steady." Ho‘onani confronts the possibility that the audience will resist a wahine leader, but in a triumphant conclusion, they acknowledge her gifts—and so does her sister. Boldly outlined watercolor and ink artwork by Song (A Friend for Henry) conveys visual information with strength that suggests Ho‘onani's own. And Gale grounds the child's experience, based on a true story, in Hawaiian traditions, modeling showing "every person the same unconditional acceptance and respect." Ages 4–8. (Oct.)

School Library Journal Reviews

PreS-Gr 2—Readers are introduced to Hawaiian culture and nonbinary identities in this picture book based on the documentary A Place in the Middle. Though the author uses she/her pronouns throughout the book, Ho'onani doesn't think of herself as a girl or boy—she's just Ho'onani, and her refusal to conform frustrates her older sister Kana. When plans to perform a traditional hula chant are announced at Ho'onani's school, she decides to audition, even though historically only boys performed the chant. Not only is she selected to be a part of the chant, she's given the role of leader—with the support of the boys who will perform with her. Though Kana is initially unsupportive, her appearance at the final performance wraps things up with a happy ending. Song's illustrations are boldly drawn, with thick lines and angular features. VERDICT An affirming story of a gender identity little represented in children's literature. This book is an excellent purchase for libraries looking to expand their LGBTQ+ offerings.—Katherine Barr, Cameron Village Regional Library, Raleigh, NC