I started this book last year and never game back to it. I'm happy that I finally took the chance to pick up it again because it did not disappoint!

Lei and the Fire Goodess is perfect for middle grade readers who love any books that center/focus on mythology. It follows main character Lei who is spending the summer with her grandmother in Hawaiʻi and, to her dismay, has to learn more about her family's moʻolelo. Caught in an identity crisis, Lei insults the Fire Goddess, Pele, and causes a curse to be placed upon her family. It is up to Lei to figure out how to life the curse and save her family.

What Worked: This book was so rich in storytelling and the inclusion of Hawaiʻi myths, culture, and lore. Maunakea did a wonderful job capturing those middle grade struggles that I look for whenever I pick a up a book intended for this age group. She's at a crossroads with her identity that causes her to struggle with appreciating her family and culture. The story is definitely a journey of self-discovery and learning to be comfortable with who you are. It's fast paced and fully immerses the reader into the world of gods and goddesses that aren't often discussed as frequently as Greek, Roman, etc. I found the characters to be fun, yet serious enough that they hold Lei accountable to for her actions. The conclusion was great and it left the perfect amount of openness for the next book in the series.

Overall, this was a great read and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.