Moloka'i

Title: Moloka’i
Author: Alan Brennert
Pages: 400

NON-SPOILER INFO:
In the 1890’s at the age of seven, Rachel Kalama is diagnosed with leprosy and forced to leave her family and friends behind for the island of Molokai, Hawaii.

SPOILER INFO:
The year is 1891 and Rachel Kalama is a seven year old Hawaiian girl who lives with her father Henry, a sailor; her mother Dorothy, her two brothers Ben and Kimo, and her sister Sarah. At the tender age of seven, Rachel is diagnosed with leprosy and forced to leave her family behind for the island of Molokai. Upon arrival at Molokai, Rachel finds a new family including Haleola, a native healer who becomes her adopted auntie; Sister Mary Catherine, one of the nuns charged with caring for the children of the island; Leilani, Rachel’s best friend, who is hiding a secret from the world; and Kenji, a Japanese boy who will eventually become Rachel’s husband. As Rachel finds herself loving a new family and creating a life despite the disease, Alan Brennert inserts historical moments including, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and the overthrowing of Queen Liliuokalani, the invention of airplanes and movies, and the introduction of electricity to the island. All the while, Rachel lives her life to the fullest, including her first kiss, her first dance, her first drink of alcohol, her first friend, her surfing, her job, her marriage, and her eventual daughter. But sadly Rachel is forced to give her daughter Ruth up for adoption so that she does not come into contact with the disease. And so Rachel lives 50 years of Moloaki, until the day sulfa drugs release her from Molokai and she is free to search the world, not only for her daughter Ruth, but for her former Kalama family. In the end Rachel learns that home is where your heart is and family is not always defined by blood.

MY VERDICT:
3 ½ stars out of 5.
Beautifully sad and wonderful.