I chose to read a book called "The Whale Rider".Its about a girl called Kahu Paikea , a 12-year-old maori girl who wants to become the chief of the tribe in her village. Paikea was given away by her father to her grandfather because her mother died while  giving birth to her and her father was not expecting a daughter so he abandoned her. Her grandfather Koro believes that the role of chief should belong only to a boy or a man. Pai struggles to prove her grandfather wrong.
Paikea also has a special ability to communicate with whales, she has had a special connection with them since she was a child.
She tries to learn the traditional dances of her tribe with her brother but she gets caught and punished  by her grandfather every time.
This book has been one of my sisters and mothers all time favourites. The book and the movie have won several awards and they were/are both very successful.