Sea Bird
Inspired by the true story of a nineteenth century feminist. Sea Bird follows Kartini’s early teen years as a young noble girl, where she must endure home confinement in preperation for an arranged marriage, igniting her desire for freedom and the right to have a say in the decisions that shape her life.
In late 19th century Indonesia—then known as the Dutch East Indies—a young noble woman named Kartini must endure home confinement prior to her thirteenth birthday, removed from school and the outside world. During seclusion, Kartini writes to a former Dutch schoolmate named Lesty, who has returned to Holland, allowing both girls to reflect on their inability to make decisions about their lives.
Kartini begins questioning her role, and that of all women, in her community, igniting her desire to create change through education.
Governor General’s Award finalist Michelle Kadarusman shows us that no matter how powerless you feel, your voice can have great impact. By virtue of writing down your dreams and ideas, you can inspire generations to come.
Michelle Kadarusmanis a Toronto-based children’s author. She is twice-nominated for a Governor General’s Literary Award and her work has been translated into Spanish, German, Japanese, and Turkish. Her middle-grade novels have earned many nominations and honors, including the Freeman Book Awards, TD Award for Children's Literature, Green Earth Books Awards, USBBY Outstanding International Books, and Malka Penn Award for Human Rights in Children's Literature. She's originally from Australia and Indonesia.
