Kino and the King, Paperback

Want to escape into an epic adventure back in time? Pick up a copy of KINO and the KING and follow Kino Kahele on her visit when Hawaii was a young nation, and the Kamehameha Dynasty ruled the land. After Kino receives a pohaku (stone), that is supposed to help Kino find her destiny, she is chased by bullies into the Hawaiian Hall at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. She ducks into the ancient grass hut display and hides her rock in a conch shell. With a flash of bright light, she is transported to 1825 where she meets 11-year-old Kauikeaouli, just weeks before he becomes Kamehameha III, Hawaii's longest reigning monarch. Enjoy the adventure filled journey around Oahu, braving encounters with sharks, wild boars, Night Marchers, and more, while gathering the four items a kahuna said Kino needs to fulfill her destiny and return home. KINO and the KING is a novel filled with Hawaiian history, customs, language, and lore. Based on real people, places, and events, both historical and current, the story educates as it entertains. Written for middle grade, it's an enjoyable read for kids and adults alike.

Jen Angeli grew up on the island of Oahu, first in Kalihi until age four, then Pearl City until age eighteen. A graduate of St. Francis High School in the mid-'80's, Jen pursued different writing courses in college and earned a certificate in screenwriting from Cal State Fullerton. This is her first novel. Like the main character of her book, the author was raised with a strong sense and appreciation for the Hawaiian culture and the diversity of the islands. Her Hawaiian/Portuguese grandmother taught her how to catch, prepare, and eat food from the ocean. To pass the time awaiting crabs to fill their nets, she'd tell Jen stories of a simpler time in the islands and what it was like growing up on a ranch in Molokai.