The Last Princess: The story of Ka’iulani of Hawaii
This bittersweet story of Princess Ka’iulani, Hawaii’s last heir to the throne, is a fascinating and little known piece of American history. It begins like the happiest of fairy tales and ends in tragedy.
From the day of her birth, Princess Ka’iulani expected to become queen of her ancient island kingdom. But though she would spend tireless years preparing for her royal duties and tried courageously to prevent her country from being annexed by the United States, even traveling to Washington to beg justice from President Grover Cleveland, in the end she lost her country and her throne.
Recognition & Awards
American Library Association Notable Book; National Council for the Social Studies, Carter G. Woodson Award; Booklist, Editor’s Choice; IRA/CBC, Children’s Choices; Parents’ Magazine, Best Kids Books; Children’s Book Council, Notable Children’s Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies; New York Public Library, One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing; Featured in Newsweek Magazine article on multi-cultural books; Featured in Honolulu Advertiser article on multicultural books; Hawaii State Library, Top Choice in the Picture Book Category; Nominee for the Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award; Nominee for the Virginia Young Readers Program; Nominee for Oklahoma’s Sequoyah Children’s Book Award; Starred Review, School Library Journal; Starred Review, Booklist.
