Island Boy

Seven times the silver moon of harvest had dipped into the black sea since his mother and all the others were killed.

On the eighth day, when Paulo looked out from the secret cave where he was hiding, he saw Boki, the trader, striding up the beach. Soon they were sailing in Boki's canoe across the many-colored sea to a strange island, in search of someone willing to care for a homeless boy.

"But will they like a new boy?" Paulo wondered. Around his neck he wore his only possession, the shell necklace that had belonged to his mother. It was a talisman, she had said, to bring him good fortune -- and after an uncertain beginning, her prophecy comes true.

In this delightful tale, the leading character, Paulo, says aloha to American children, and shares with them the poetry and wisdom of everyday life in old Hawaii.