Northern Lights Book Awards
Girl of the Southern Sea
Winner of the Pre-Teen Cultural Category
Author: Michelle Kadarusman
Pajama Press
Living in the slums of Jakarta, Indonesia is never easy.
However, when Nia’s mother passes away during childbirth, things are about to take a turn for the worse.
Now It is up to Nia to cook, clean, and raise her baby brother. A difficult task for a child, made all the more challenging since Bapak (father) drinks away what little money they have.
Still, Nia is optimistic: she excels in school and dreams of becoming an accomplished writer.
Unfortunately, when Nia’s completes the eighth grade, she is no longer able to attend classes because the government school is only free until the end of middle school. Now she must work in the outdoor market helping Bapak make fried banana fritters.
Then, one day on her way to pay the rent she survives a horrible bus accident. Oskar, a sly man, witnesses Nia flying out of the wreckage and landing unharmed. He claims it is a miracle. Walking her back to the market he tells anyone who will listen that Nia is good-luck magic. Soon a queue is lining up to buy the fritters because they want some of her magic, but not before Oskar whispers to Nia to charge double the normal price.
After a series of ill-fated events, Bapak is nowhere to be found, leaving Nia and her brother to fend for themselves.
Though Nia must face hardships (a crowd of angry people almost set her on fire when they decide the “magic” is a hoax) the last straw comes when she finds out her father has promised her hand in marriage to Oskar.
Determined for a better life, Nia sets out to find her Bapak to make him undo this life-binding promise. More than that, she puts into motion a plan to propel herself out of poverty.
Girl of the Southern Sea is a poignant story of hope and courage which handles Nia’s struggles with grace and dignity.
You can view the full list of Northern Lights Book Award winners here http://northerndawnawards.com/2019-northern-lights-book-awards-winners/
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