Just released in time for fall reading and holiday gifting, One Boy, No Water (Jolly Fish Press, 2012) is the first book in the “Niuhi Shark Saga” by Lehua Parker. It centers around a boy named Zader and his hanai (adopted) family. Uncle Kahana found Zader when he was just a new born baby, near a sacred rock on a special section of beach and even though he was raised like an ordinary member of the family, Zader is nothing but extraordinary.
Water causes Zader’s skin to bubble and break out, so he has to be careful to not get wet. He carries an umbrella everywhere and can’t play or swim like his brother or his friends. This uncommon “allergy” to water is a focus for school bullies who often pick fights with Zader and his brother Jay, threatening their chances at getting into a better school next year. Then a shark encounter stops Jay from surfing despite his natural talent for the sport and an upcoming competition. On top of all this, Zader keeps having mysterious dreams about a girl he meets at the sacred rock where he was found as a baby. But it’s his big heart and concern for his family above himself, as well as his uncanny artistic ability, that proves an asset in rising above bullying and gaining confidence in himself.
This first book spends a great deal of time introducing you to the main characters and developing little subplots. When we finally do learn a little bit about the main conflict arc at the end, it feels a bit rushed. One Boy, No Water is really the beginning of Zader’s coming of age and hopefully in the second book we’ll learn a little more about Zader’s niuhi shark family.
This is an advanced middle grade novel, not quite YA, but still enjoyable for all ages 10 and up. Zader’s struggle with school and bullies is something most kids can relate to. His alienation from his peers and even sometimes his family—simultaneously feeling like he doesn’t fit in but wanting to embrace his individuality—are all easy to identify with as well. Overall, One Boy, No Water is a colorful island tale and a modern take on various aspects of Hawaiian legend. There are a few places where the use of pidgin feels forced. Parker’s eagerness to include local sayings is obvious and for the most part is done very well.
Lehua Parker has written a lovely book for an age group often ignored. Middle grade books are some of the hardest to write and there are so few of them that include Hawaii(an )perspectives. I’m eagerly looking forward to reading the next installment!
Nice cover.
Lehua Parker’s first novel, One Boy, No Water is
magical. It takes you right into the
heart of being a child growing up in Hawaii.
As I read this book, I could smell the ocean, hear the waves breaking on
the reef, taste the shave ice, and feel the breeze that carried the rain. The story of Zader is riveting and keeps you
reading and turning the pages faster and faster. The cadence of the words that Lehua has written
brings the rhythm of Pidgin English to life.
Her ability to write the words in such a way that the pattern becomes
your way of reading is amazing. This
book is written with a deep and complete knowledge of everything related to
growing up in Hawaii. The story is written
with clarity and leads you from one point to the next with growing interest in
each event that brings Zader closer to discovering who he is. The interaction between the kids at the close
of Summer Fun is a reminder of life in Hawaii that only someone who has lived
through it would be able to re-create. As the number of pages left to read in
the book began to dwindle, I found myself not wanting the story to end. I am eagerly waiting for the second book in this series. One Boy, No Water is written for middle grade and they will really enjoy reading
it. However, it is also written with
many levels of understanding in the story and interactions between the
characters that adults will appreciate; they will find this book interesting
and entertaining.