A middle grade novel that tackles the intricacies of oppression and colonialism Polynesians experience(d) in New Zealand through the eyes of a thirteen year old girl during the 1970s. A new piece of history for many American readers yet one that is directly related to the internalized racism within our own country, Dawn Raid is an opportunity for discussion. Smith does a great job of expressing Sofia's experience. The audiobook is very accessible.

I'm not the audience for this book, so I can forgive it the obsession with fashion and go go boots. It was an interesting listen, to embed big historical issues within a mundane day to day diary and it was a good reminder that history comes along while you are living your life. Really enjoyed the insight into prejudice, heritage, and the Polynesian Panthers.

I don't know much about New Zealand's history, but I was still impacted by this tale. Granted, I did not love the way it is told, but I appreciate that it exists.

You don't have to read a lot of middle grade fiction to encounter one structured as a journal. What makes this one stand apart is it's natural tone. Most "journals" are preternaturally aware of the meaning events will have in the world at large or the deeper emotional meaning of interactions. Not this book. There are entries about racism and social unrest, of course. But there are also entries about wanting cool clothes. Or annoying little brothers. Or being embarrassed about farting at school. And the text isn't super polished. Anyone who kept a journal at age 13 knows that most of the entries take the structure "I did this and that. It was fun." And that's how this book reads. You could easily believe it was written by an actual kid. It isn't super deep but it was a fun listen and introduced me to parts of history that I knew nothing about.

My Thoughts:
I received this book from the Publishers, Levine Querido, but when I saw that this was a book from Aotearoa about a social justice group called the Polynesian Panthers, I quickly knew exactly which classroom and which language arts alumni/teacher I wanted to regift this book to so I did not open it.

Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to listen to the audiobook narrated by Tameka Sowman Vahatau. I literally took multiple car trips around our island so that I could finish this funny and informative book about the racist Dawn Raids in New Zealand as well as the work by the Polynesian Panthers who were inspired by similar social justice activities done by the Black Panthers in America. Like movies with the gems after the credits, make sure that you stay in the audiobook for the glossary. Like us, you will chuckle and "oh that's what it is" through the glossary.

The narrator is easy to listen to and the New Zealand accent never gets old. This book is written as a journal from the point of view of Sofia, and the narrator captures her innocence, as well as her growing understanding and angst. This is definitely a gift and will be an asset in our classrooms in Hawaii. E makaala - stay alert young ones.

From the Publishers:
Sofia is like most 12-year-old girls in New Zealand. How is she going to earn enough money for those boots? Why does she have to give that speech at school? Who is she going to be friends with this year?

It comes as a surprise to Sofia and her family when her big brother, Lenny, starts talking about protests, overstayers, and injustices against Pacific Islanders by the government. Inspired by the Black Panthers in America, a group has formed called the Polynesian Panthers that encourages immigrant and Indigenous families across New Zealand to stand up for their rights. Soon the whole family becomes involved in the movement.

Told through Sofia's diary entries, Dawn Raid is the story of one ordinary girl living in extraordinary times, learning how to stand up and fight.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
This was really good. I've heard plenty about the Black Panthers over the years, mostly negative, it was nice to hear about their efforts from another point of view. All of the uniquely New Zealand things were really interesting to learn about through a story, but it was reassuring yet sad at times to see how many things are the same everywhere.
The narrator was clear and engaging. She really captured the character and story.

5 stars for middle grade fiction that sheds light on bigger issues. I enjoyed the diary style of the book as you feel like you are in her head experiencing her life and emotions.

While this book was written based in New Zealand with the stories of the Dawn Raids that were taking place there I feel like this would be very relatable to students in the US as well in current times. It would be a great book to read for middle grade to read to feel relatable as well as to open the door for deeper discussions.

A middle-grade e story about racism, media manipulation, and in general the terrible pst in New Zealand's history.

This book was not for me but I feel most people would absolutely love this. It has Great characters with actual character development and very fast and interesting pacing. The writing style was good and simple BUT I did not like the format of this book. this book is told in diary excerpts and it just took me out of the story and the very important meaning.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Loved reading this book and will be checking out other books in this series

3.5 stars

Quick middle-grade read. The book is written in journal form by a 12 yr old girl named Sophia, who lives in New Zealand during the 1970's. It explores racism against the Polynesians and how hurtful stereotyping is and how the media can play into that as well. It was a solid book, I just felt like the ending was too abrupt and really needed more.

I came into this story knowing very little about the history and cultures of New Zealand, but I instantly identified with Sofia despite living half a world away and growing up in a different time. This story is full of charm, courage in the face of injustice, and the drama that is the inner monologue of a thirteen year old. I can't wait to recommend this to my young readers!

I absolutely loved this gem of a book! Special thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a complementary download of the audiobook to listen to in exchange for this review.

Prior to reading this book, I knew VERY little about New Zealand in general, let alone its racial disparities and history of discrimination against Pacific Islanders. I appreciated the parallels drawn between the Black Panthers of US history and the Polynesian Panthers of NZ. Seeing this point in history through the eyes of a 13-year-old girl coming of age finding her place in her community was both humbling and inspiring.

For children and adults alike, this literary portrait of a young mixed-race girl (of Samoan and Polynesian heritage) growing up in New Zealand in the 1970’s is a great starting point for discussions around what it means to be indigenous, and who gets to make decisions that affect our political and social climates.

I do not feel that as white woman living in America i have the knowledge or the standing to properly review a book about the indigenous peoples mentioned in this book. I did throughly enjoy the book though and plan to not only mention it but feature it at work.

Dawn Raid by Pauline Vaeluaga Smith is a wonderful middle grade book about a 13-year old girl in New Zealand in the 1970s whose world is gradually opened to the world of social activism. Dawn Raid is told in journal entries by Sofia, a young girl, who has mixed ethnicity parentage. She is a typical, insulated middle class kid until she begins to learn more about Dawn Raids and the work of the Polynesian Panthers.

Dawn Raids were immigration raids performed in the very early morning by the New Zealand government in the mid-1970s, targeting the Pacific Island population. If a person could not immediately provide correct identification, they would be arrested and detained, and eventually deported if their ID/current visa could not be located. Though Pacific Islanders made up a minority of those in the country illegally, they were specifically targeted, including Maori people--native to New Zealand. I am an American and there were so many echoes to present-day. The economy is struggling, non-European immigrants are blamed for taking jobs and targeted by the government.

When we first meet Sofia, she is an average middle-class girl. She is nervous about giving a speech at school and desperately wants a part-time job so she can buy white go-go boots. Through her older brother and new friend, she learns about the Dawn Raids and fight by Maori people to have their land returned to them. In Sofia’s diary entries, we learn about the racial profiling and stereotyping going on with a backdrop of time and place. I loved Sofia’s journey to activism, learning to identify injustice and stand up for herself. The audiobook is excellently narrated Tameka Sowman Vahatau, who has wonderful inflections. Dawn Raid is a marvelously-written story about family and justice for middle grade readers.

Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing this ARC.