This book has been on my shelves for a really long time. I finally took it down and finished reading it today. The story of Rachel Kalama, a seven-year-old Hawaiian girl, who contracts leprosy is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I've also had Daughter of Moloka'i for awhile and have it lined up to read shortly. ( )

Late in 19th century Hawaii, young Rachel Kalama is discovered to have a rose-colored mark on her skin and is soon taken from her family and moved to the island of Moloka'i, to the isolated and quarantined leprosy settlement of Kalaupapa. Though in many ways this seems like a death sentence and Rachel dearly misses her family, esp. her father, she eventually becomes part of a new family on Moloka'i.

I've had this book on my shelf for a long time. I'm not sure why I didn't get to it sooner, despite knowing it had a lot of great reviews. It's a very well-written novel of historical fiction, detailing a piece of history I really had virtually no knowledge of prior to reading. There is not a lot of what I'd call action in this novel, but it's hard not to get swept up in Rachel's world and in the lives of all the people around her. It's a coming-of-age novel, beginning with Rachel at 7 years old and continuing until the end of her life, with lots of bittersweet moments. Despite all that, I feel kind of bad not rating this higher, as many have. I think I went in with really high expectations, and though it was good, it didn't completely sweep me up like I'd hoped. But still an excellent story of an important time in Hawaii's history. It gives the reader a new and different perspective on the term "leprosy". ( )

Engaging, enchanting story. Learned about leprosy, the colony, human growth and challenges. I loved the descriptions of Kalaupapa and the ocean. It is a beautiful book. ( )

This was a beautiful read and one that I come back to over and over. The story has stuck with me how not many do, particularly because it is so raw and honest. ( )

I had already read Song of the Exile by Kiana Davenport so much of this was a repeat but the fictional characters stories were very well developed.
Overall a great book. ( )