About the Author

Dawn Raid is the first book by Pauline Vaeluaga Smith, for which she received Best New Author at the New Zealand Book Awards and a NZ Storylines Notable Book Award. Pauline's heritage is Samoan, Tuvaluan, Scottish and Irish. Her work is heavily influenced by her experiences growing up in the 1970s, her roles as a teacher and university educator, her passion for civil rights and justice, and her deep interest in uplifting NZ Maori culture. She lives in a small seaside town at the bottom of the South Island of Aotearoa-New Zealand.

Mat Hunkin is an illustrator and comics artist from New Zealand. His day job is in the film industry.

Reviews

"An illuminating look at racism down under"; Kiwi expressions and history are explained in the generous back matter." -Booklist,

"DAWN RAID is about the Polynesian Panthers' work in the 1970's resisting racist crackdowns against Pacific Islanders by the government. It's an amazing, loving, often-funny family story all told through 12-year-old Sofia's eyes. It's told in diary format, it's a pure joy." -Angie Manfredi,

[STAR] "Encourages empathy and understanding while spotlighting underrepresented history, and providing an example of how young people can take action. Highly recommended." -School Library Journal (starred),

[STAR] "Well-crafted and wonderfully fresh." -Kirkus Reviews (starred),