CurriConnects Book List - Hawaii
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Hawaii
This book list immerses students in Hawaii's unique island culture, indigenous traditions, and breathtaking natural environment through titles organized into three reading/age levels. Each book includes a description and reading level to support differentiated instruction, with Lexile scores provided for most selections to help guide precise text-to-reader matching. From the volcanic landscapes of the Big Island to the rich heritage of Native Hawaiian storytelling, every title offers students a meaningful window into the spirit and history of the Aloha State.
Preschool and Picture Books
A is for Aloha: A Hawai'i Alphabet - U'ilani Goldsberry, (978-1585361465), Non-fiction
Interest level: PreK-2, Lexile: 1030L
From A to Z, this alphabet book showcases the people, places, traditions, and natural wonders that make the state of Hawaii truly one of a kind.
Aloha Everything - Kaylin Melia George, (978-1636551128), Fiction
Interest level: K-3, Lexile: 940L
A winding adventure through the stunning islands of Hawaii awaits in this enchanting story, which also serves as a rich introduction to Hawaiian history, ecology, and culture. Equal parts captivating tale and educational resource, it brings the spirit of the islands to life on every page.
Baby Honu's Incredible Journey - Tammy Yee, (978-0896102859), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-2, Lexile: 500L
From the moment he hatches, a Pacific baby green sea turtle must navigate a gauntlet of ocean predators on his way to open water. This island adventure introduces young readers to Hawaiian marine life through a glossary and an exciting survival story.
Honey Girl The Hawaiian Monk Seal - Jeanne Walker Harvey, (978-1628559224), Non-fiction
Interest level: K-3, Lexile: 830L
Honey Girl is no ordinary Hawaiian monk seal — scientists have nicknamed her Super Mom for raising seven pups. But when a fishhook injury leaves her gravely ill, a team of scientists and veterinarians races to nurse her back to health and return her to the sea. This true story celebrates both an extraordinary animal and the people dedicated to protecting her endangered species.
Ho`onani: Hula Warrior - Heather Gale, (978-0735264496), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 530L
Rooted in the true story of a real Hawaiian girl, this uplifting tale follows a young dreamer who sets her sights on leading her school's all-boys hula troupe. A joyful exploration of self-discovery, belonging, and the richness of Hawaiian tradition.
Kai's O'ahu Adventure: A Kid’s Guide to Exploring Hawaii’s Wonders - Wild Irises Books, (979-8293679812), Non-fiction
Interest level: 1-6
Narrator Kai welcomes readers as personal travel companions on an exploration of O'ahu, packed with fascinating details about Hawaiian geography, food, wildlife, language, and culture. Special vocabulary pages and cultural tidbits make this both an engaging read and a handy guide.
Luka's Quilt - Georgia Guback, (978-0688121549), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 360L
When Luka's grandmother, Tutu, presents her with a traditional quilt, Luka can't hide her disappointment at its simplicity. In response, Tutu lovingly crafts her a vibrant flower lei — a tender story about family, expectations, and the many forms that love can take.
Ohana Means Family - Ilima Loomis, (978-0823443260), Fiction
Interest level: PreK-3, Lexile: 710L
Follow one close-knit ohana (family) as they tend their taro fields and prepare poi for a traditional luau celebration. Written in the playful, cumulative style of The House That Jack Built, this poetic story weaves Hawaiian culture and family togetherness into every page.
Middle Grade Books
Calvin Coconut: Trouble Magnet - Graham Salisbury, (978-0375846007), Fiction
Interest level: 3-7, Lexile: 410L
Life as a fourth grader in Hawaii is never dull in this lighthearted chapter book brimming with humor and the everyday joys and mishaps of growing up on the islands. This is the first installment in a beloved series.
Georgia in Hawaii: When Georgia O’Keeffe Painted What She Pleased - Amy Novesky, (978-0152054205), Non-fiction
Interest level: 3-5, Lexile: 890L
Georgia O'Keeffe had never taken direction from anyone about her art — so when the Hawaiian Pineapple Company commissioned her work, they were taking a chance. Fortunately, Georgia was swept away by the beauty of Hawaii, filling her canvases with lush green islands, brilliant flowers, feathered fishhooks, and the deep blue sea. Whether she gave the pineapple company what they were hoping for is another matter entirely. This book includes an author's note, illustrator's note, bibliography, island map, and floral endpapers.
Heroes: A Novel of Pearl Harbor - Alan Gratz, (978-1338736076), Fiction
Interest level: 3-7, Lexile: 730L
Alan Gratz brings his signature energy and storytelling power to one of history's most pivotal moments, crafting an action-packed and deeply moving account of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Hiʻiaka and Panaʻewa: A Hawaiian Graphic Legend - Gabrielle Ahuliʻi, (978-1484672853), Fiction
Interest level: 3-6, Lexile: GN460L
Hi'iaka has one goal: to make Hawaii's forests safe for all who pass through. Standing in her way is a fearsome lizard named Pana'ewa and his entire army. Armed with special powers and her sister's support, Hi'iaka prepares for the battle of a lifetime.
KINO and the KING - Jen Angeli, (978-1627470636), Fiction
Interest level: 3-6
Kino Kahele embarks on a journey back in time to an era when Hawaii was a young and sovereign nation, ruled by the powerful Kamehameha Dynasty. History and adventure intertwine in this story of a boy discovering his roots.
Lei and the Fire Goddess (Lei and the Legends Book 1) - Malia Maunakea, (978-0593522042), Fiction
Interest level: 3-7, Lexile: 770L
Twelve-year-old Lei would rather be anywhere than spend summers in Hawaii listening to her grandmother's old family legends. But after she disrespects Pele, the Goddess of Fire, those stories turn terrifyingly real — Pele kidnaps her best friend and curses her family, leaving Lei as the only one who can set things right.
One Boy, No Water - Lehua Parker, (978-1949429015), Fiction
Interest level: 3-7, Lexile: 650L
Eleven-year-old Zader has always been a puzzle — adopted as a newborn under mysterious circumstances into a family of surfers and fishermen, yet inexplicably allergic to water. Raw seafood triggers haunting dreams he can't explain. His Uncle Kahana, equal parts wise elder and no-nonsense guide, seems to hold the answers about Zader's origins — and his destiny.
Wind Riders #1: Rescue on Turtle Beach - Jen Marlin, (978-0063029248), Fiction
Interest level: 3-5, Lexile: 570L
Max and Sofia set sail aboard Wind Rider, a sailboat with a magical secret, on a mission to protect the environment. Their first challenge takes them to the sparkling waters of Hawaii, where a group of baby sea turtles desperately needs their help.
Young Adult Books (ages 12-18; Grades 7 and up)
Hamakua Hero: A True Plantation Story - Patsy Y. Iwasaki, (978-1573063210), Fiction
Interest level: 9-12
This graphic novel brings to life the Japanese-Hawaiian immigrant experience through the remarkable journey of Katsu Goto — a story of hardship, injustice, perseverance, and tragedy set against the backdrop of Hawaii's sugar plantation era, a little-known but deeply significant chapter of the islands' history.
How Far I'll Go: A Twisted Tale - Keala Kendall, (978-1368108249), Fiction
Interest level: 7-12, Lexile: 630L
In the aftermath of a devastating clash with Te Kā, Moana faces her darkest hour — the heart of Te Fiti is shattered, Maui is encased in volcanic rock, and a creeping darkness threatens her island home. With secrets mounting and monsters closing in, Moana must summon everything she has to restore what was lost before it's too late.
Island Boyz - Graham Salisbury, (978-0440229551), Fiction
Interest level: 5-9, Lexile: 670L
This rich short story collection dives into the lives of boys coming of age across the Hawaiian Islands, capturing moments of daring, heartache, and resilience. From cliff-diving in treacherous ravines to grappling with the shadow of war on their families, these characters navigate what it means to grow up, find courage, and claim their identity.
Night of the Howling Dogs - Graham Salisbury, (978-0545176354), Fiction
Interest level: 7-9, Lexile: HL630L
A scout camping trip to Halape, a remote stretch of Hawaii's Big Island, takes a terrifying turn when a powerful earthquake strikes — followed immediately by a devastating wave. What unfolds in the hours that follow is a gripping tale of survival, resilience, and what it truly means to lead when everything falls apart.
Princess Ka'iulani: Hope of a Nation, Heart of a People - Sharon Linnea, (978-0802850881), Non-fiction
Interest level: 7-9, Lexile: 410L
Drawing on newly translated journals and letters, this biography illuminates the little-known but extraordinary life of Princess Ka'iulani and her determined fight to preserve Hawaiian independence. An essential introduction to one of the most cherished figures in Hawaiian history.
That Which Feeds Us: A Hawaiian Gothic - Keala Kendall, (979-8217117963), Fiction
Interest level: 9-12
When a Native Hawaiian teenager arrives at a luxury island resort searching for her missing twin sister, she begins pulling back the glamorous surface to reveal something sinister beneath. To find Ohia, Lehua must excavate a history of bloodshed buried in the sugarcane fields — and confront the supernatural forces lurking there — before they consume her along with everything else. A haunting exploration of what paradise truly costs.
The Islands at the End of the World - Austin Aslan, (978-0385744034), Fiction
Interest level: 7-9, Lexile: 590L
When electronics go dark across the globe, and Hawaii is cut off from the rest of the world, Leilani and her father find themselves stranded on O'ahu with one goal: making it back home to the Big Island. Their harrowing journey through an eerily transformed Hawaii weaves together pulse-pounding survival action with the islands' ecology, culture, and warrior traditions.
Under the Blood-Red Sun - Graham Salisbury, (978-0385386555), Fiction
Interest level: 6-12, Lexile: 640L
Tomi grew up in Hawaii, proud of both his American identity and his Japanese heritage. But when Pearl Harbor is attacked, and the United States enters World War II, Japanese men — including Tomi's father and grandfather — are rounded up and arrested. In the terrifying months that follow, one thing holds steady: the unwavering loyalty of Tomi's closest friends.