Awards and Articles
- Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
- Kirkus Starred Review ⭐
- School Library Journal Starred Review ⭐
- Publishers Weekly
- Bookstr
- Book Riot
- Aloha State Daily
- Honolulu Civil Beat
- The Spokesman-Review
- We Are Teachers
- E Train Talks
- YA Books Central
- BookHuddle Podcast
From the award-winning author of the Lei and the Legends duology comes a sharp new fantasy about a Hawaiian boy who can transform into what people fear most: a shark.
In a small Hawaiian village, Nohea is the latest son in a long line of male ancestors with a horrible secret: He’s half-human, half-shark. After his father—also cursed as a shark—kills someone while surfing and subsequently disappears, Nohea is left isolated with only his mom and tūtū as company. He knows he’ll suffer the same fate one day, so he can’t go to school or make any friends.
Worse yet, when he eventually succumbs to his shark-like cravings, he’ll be put to death, and his family will have to move to the continent. But when Nohea sees a flyer for a new surf competition, he realizes the prize money might be enough to help his family afford to stay in Hawaii when Nohea is gone. The catch? The competition is for school teams only.
So taking the biggest risk yet, Nohea joins the local public seventh-grade class where he makes friends, contends with a school bully, and gets so angry, he discovers a new row of supersharp teeth in his mouth! But this is only the beginning of Nohea’s problems.
Because soon, Nohea realizes that one by one, his surfing friends are disappearing. Is Nohea killing his classmates without knowing it? Or is something even more dangerous afoot?
Praise
“With exciting Hawaiian mythology, nail-biting moments, and a mystery to solve, this thrilling fantasy has broad appeal. Kanaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) author Maunakea explores themes of identity, family, friendship, and community, showing how they’re entwined with the culture, land, and language of Hawaiʻi and the Hawaiian people.
A riveting and culturally grounded read to sink your teeth into. ” —Kirkus Starred Review ⭐
“Leisurely pacing immerses readers into his world, including the Hawaiian setting. The multiple sources of conflict keep the narrative engaging without overwhelming readers. Themes of family, social justice, and self-acceptance tie the story together.
VERDICT An immersive coming-of-age fantasy perfect for mystery lovers and sports fans alike.” —School Library Journal Starred Review ⭐
“Adept portrayals of carefree summertime atmosphere and surfing culture feature alongside Nohea’s inner turmoil, relayed in his stubborn and pragmatic first-person POV. Community-focused messaging injects an undercurrent of optimism into an edge-of-the-seat mystery. “—Publishers Weekly
🦈 A note from Malia’s editor at Penguin, Elizabeth Lee: This is a page-turner about sharks, blood, magic, wild twists, and even wilder waves, perfect for grounded fantasy lovers. But it is also a story about male aggression and mental health: Statistically, boys in America report higher rates of mental health issues and are less likely to seek help. This novel seeks to combat that with its nuanced discussions on male generational trauma, emotional availability, and the assertion that boys can and should cry.
The Shark Prince is Malia Maunakea at her best: Her boy POV is honestly one of the strongest I’ve ever read, and her ability to subtly interweave these larger important themes into a whirlwind adventure is nothing short of astonishing.
We can’t wait for you to sink your teeth into this one.
How Hawaiʻi became the First Officially Recognized Non-European Nation (Video 2 referenced in Author's Note)
How the US Overthrew the Hawaiian Government (Video 3 referenced in Author's Note)
Kipuka Database