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Book Review of Moloka'i (Moloka'i, Bk 1)

Moloka'i (Moloka'i, Bk 1)
SierraK avatar reviewed on + 194 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


This amazing story caught me up in the first few pages. We meet seven-year old Rachel Kalama, youngest child in her Honolulu family. When she is discovered to have a small leprous sore on her leg, Rachel is snatched from the bosom of her family and sent first to be "cured" in the Kahili hospital in Honolulu. After a year in Kahili, she is then sent to the Kalaupapa leper colony on Molokai. The story of Rachel and her new family on Molokai is beautiful, inspirational and very uplifting.

Character development is very strong in this story. The figure of Sister Catherine Voorhies was perhaps my favorite of the whole story, as she deals with her own personal demons as well as her own doubts of "Why does God give children leprosy?" This story is so wonderful as Rachel and her new-found 'ohana' (family) rise above their disease and find dignity and love in their isolated home.

One of the most moving and enjoyable books I've read in a very long time.