The Invisible Wild
Written by Nikki Van De Car
May 6, 2025
240 pages
ISBN: 978-0762487066
The Invisible Wild takes place in Hawai’i after the 2023 Maui fires. The protagonist Emma is a Native Hawaiian teen who lives in a close knit community that is threatened by the sudden upcoming development of a nearby forest. What should be a relaxing summer vacation quickly turns into a frenzy of activity as the family tries to stop the development, while also preparing for Emma’s sister’s upcoming nuptials.
Between the destruction of the beloved forest and the never ending list of pre-wedding tasks, everything in Emma’s life is in disarray. Tidy garden beds are in shambles, hanging lights are suddenly tangled, and previously straight tiles are crooked. Emma starts to notice that wedding preparations seem to be constantly coming undone despite the family’s efforts. Could it be that the Menehune, the sacred guardians of the Hawaiian islands, are interfering? Emma meets the Menehune and quickly realizes that the constant spread of urban development and the encroaching deforestation of the island’s rainforest threatens them both.
This poignant tale blends magical realism into the modern world of Native Hawaiians. What started off as a slow summer quickly becomes a summer of change. As Emma struggles to help the Menehune cope with the loss of their forest and starting afresh, Emma faces what it means to be a white-passing Native Hawaiian and comes to terms with her mixed identity. Between the wedding celebrations and her first taste of romance this is a summer Emma certainly won’t forget.
The Invisible Wild was a delightful read – I’m glad to see more books about Native Hawaiians by Native Hawaiians being published, and I encourage you to give this a try.
I was able to listen to this audiobook courtesy of Libro.fm’s Advance Listening Copy (ALC) program where librarians and educators can sign up to listen to audiobooks before their release. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but pleasantly surprised by the depth and breadth within the curated selection. If you’re interested in participating in Libro.fm’s ALC program you can read more here.
Review by Melissa Ernst, editing assistance by Emily Espanol.
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