The captivating―and little-known―story of Hawaii’s Princess Ka’iulani is told in this award-winning biography from Sharon Linnéa. On March 1, 1893, Princess Ka’iulani, the seventeen-year-old crown princess of Hawaii, stepped onto the pier at New York City. She was greeted by a crowd of reporters and onlookers who knew that, in many ways, she stood at a crossroads in history. Fully aware of the significance of her visit, she prayed that she could help persuade the American government to return her beautiful islands to the Hawaiian people. This biography from author Sharon Linnéa tells the fascinating―and little-known―story of Princess Ka’iulani’s life and courageous fight for Hawaiian independence. Using many newly translated journals and letters, the book introduces young readers to the most beloved figure in Hawaiian history, and one of America’s most overlooked Christian heroines. A Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year and winner of the Carter G. Woodson Award from the National Council for the Social Studies. Grade 9 UpKaiulani, who died in 1899 at the age of 23, was Hawaiis last princess. Even before the tumultuous events that led to her countrys eventual annexation by the United States, her personal life had been sad and difficult. Her mother died when she was 11; at 13, she was sent to boarding school in England. Relying heavily on primary sources, Linna presents a thorough and detailed account of her subjects life. At times, the data is overwhelming and is in need of judicious pruning. There is considerable fictionalizing, and a chronology and family tree are sorely needed. The author gives a preliminary explanation of the Hawaiian language, but her glossary is incomplete. Still, this is an interesting, accessible book about an intriguing individual. Black-and-white photos and reproductions add visual interest.Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. AWARDS and RECOGNITIONS   Bank Street College ,  Best Children's Books of the Year  (2000) National Council for the Social Studies ,  Carter G. Woodson Award for the most distinguished social science books depicting ethnicity in the United States that are appropriate for young readers (2000) Children's Book Council ,  Not Just for Children Anymore!  (2001) American Booksellers Association ,  Bookselling This Week: "Kids Pick of the Lists" New York Public Library ,  Books for the Teen Age List Parent Council, Ltd. ,  Selected as Outstanding Multicultural Review "This book is recommended to all from middle schoolers to adults who have an interest in the life of a princess, Hawaii, or U.S. History."   Catholic Parent "A fascinating biography. . . Her story will encourage and inspire modern girls, and it also will teach them something of Hawaii's interesting history, traditions, and language."   Booklist "Written with great empathy for the subject, this biography describes the life of Hawaiian crown princess Ka'iulani. . . Well researched and engagingly written, this biography presents a lively portrait of Ka'iulani as she grows from a spoiled child to a disciplined, self-assured young woman, who died after a short illness at age 22."   School Library Journal "Linnéa presents a thorough and detailed account of her subject's life. . . An interesting, accessible book about an intriguing individual."   The Horn Book Guide "Engaging and informative."   The Bloomsbury Review " Princess Ka'iulani: Hope of a Nation, Heart of a People  is an educational book packed full of fascinating facts and great black-and-white photographs." Sharon Linnéa grew up in Elmhurst, Illinois andattended Wheaton College for two years. She received herB.A. in English from New York University in 1978, afterwhich she worked as a book editor and staff writer for fournational magazines.