Whale Rider

Whale Rider
Author: Witi Ihimaera
Harcourt Paperback May 2003
ISBN: 0-15-205016-7

Author Information: Witi Ihimaera was born February 7th, 1944 in New Zealand. She attended an all girl's school in Gisborne. She is of Maori decent.

Plot Summary: The story is set in New Zealand and tells the story of a Maori girl named, Pai. Her father was the heir to the leadership of the tribe, but when Pai's mother passed away in childbirth and her brother died as well, her father left New Zealand and she remained with her grandparents.

Pai was raised by her grandmother, Flowers, and feels a close connection to the tribe and its "Whale Rider" tradition. Pai constantly seeks the acceptance of her grandfather, but all he sees is the loss of the rightful heir, because Pai is a girl.

Because the tradition is that the new Whale Rider will be a male, Pai never stands a chance in her grandfather's eyes. Her grandmother, Flowers sees her potential. When Pai's father returns, Koro, the grandfather expects he will take his expected role in the tribe. Unfortunately Pai's father feels disconnected and returns to the United States and asks Pai to accompany him. She feels she belongs with the tribe and that her grandfather needs her.

After his son's departure, Koro calls for all of the first born sons to come and learn the Whale Riding tradition in hopes of finding the rightful successor; this search is in vain.

Finally a whale beaches itself on the shore and the tribe desperately tries to save it. Koro feels this is an apocalyptic sign of bad things to come, but in the end, Pai proves she is the natural Whale Rider!

Critical Evaluation: Pai is a younger girl; she is twelve, but this book as well as the film are brilliant representations of Maori culture, folklore, and gender expectations. Pai's diligence and hardwork as well as her internal strength are positive expressions of powerful female even at her young age. The role Pai plays in saving the tribe also challenges gender performity as she is the hero as a female and jumps into a role traditionally played by a male in previous generations. The Maori culture is beautifully represented in this book, and the tradition of the Whale Rider is chance to express a positive representation of Maori culture to teens not aware of this culture.

Annotation: Pai is a girl struggling with her identity as a Maori female and her yearning to receive her grandfather's respect. He feels she is a disappointment because she is a female. The text portrays Maori traditions and gender expectations and Pai's personal journey to prove to her grandfather she to can be the Whale Rider.

Genre: Folklore/ Fantasy, Drama, family

Age Level Interest: grades 7th and up

Curriculum ties: Folklore, Oceania Culture/Maori Traditions,

Challenges: None

Reasons for Selection:
I have read the book and seen the film and feel both are great expressions of the Maori Culture as well as positive feminine roles. Granny Flowers is a strong inuitive woman, and her faith in Pai is empowering. When Pai confounds her grandfather's expectations, it is vindicating for females reading the book. The story is both emotional and uplifting as Pai struggles with the reductive feminine expectations her grandfather has for her, and then emerges as the hero.