Dawn Raid (Pauline Veluaga Smith)

Summary: 

"Imagine this: You're having an amazing family holiday, one where everyone is there and all 18 of you are squeezed into one house.  All of a sudden it's 4 o'clock in the morning and there's banging and yelling and screaming.  The police are in the house pulling people out of bed..."

Sofia is like most 12-year-old girls in New Zealand.  How is she going to earn enough money for those boots?  WHY does she have to give that speech at school?  Who is she going to be friends with this year?

It comes as a surprise to Sofia and her family when her big brother, Lenny, starts talking about protests, "overstayers," and injustices against Pacific Islanders by the government.  Inspired by the Black Panthers in America, a group has formed called the Polynesian Panthers, who encourage immigrant and indigenous families across New Zealand to stand up for their rights.  Soon the whole family becomes involved in the movement. (from amazon.com)

Where can I find it?: Lower/Middle School library, Lithgow building

Tags: Children's stories, New Zealand; Diary fiction; Emigration and immigration; Families; Fiction; Historical fiction; History; Juvenile works; New Zealand; New Zealand fiction; Nineteen seventies; Novels; Polynesians; Polynesians--Social conditions; Protest movements; Race relations; Siblings