Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of The Whale Rider
Young Adult· New Zealand

The Whale Rider

by Witi Ihimaera
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 1987English
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Witi Ihimaera's The Whale Rider (1987) stands as one of the most significant works of young adult of its era. The Whale Rider is a novel by Witi Ihimaera that blends Maori mythology with a contemporary story of a young girl's struggle to fulfill her destiny. The novel is celebrated for its lyrical prose and its exploration of themes such as leadership, tradition, and gender roles. It gained international recognition after being adapted into an award-winning film in 2002, further cementing its status as a classic of New Zealand literature. Themes of leadership, tradition, gender roles run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorWiti Ihimaera
Published1987
Country of Origin🇳🇿 New Zealand
LanguageEnglish
Category🌟 Young Adult
ISBN9780143011392
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

🌟 Young Adult

Fiction and non-fiction written primarily for teenage readers.

Explore all Young Adult books →
Country of Origin

🇳🇿 New Zealand

This book is part of New Zealand's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from New Zealand

Awards & Recognition

BBC Big Read
list · global
20030
✍️
About the Author
Witi Ihimaera
New Zealand
View Author →
Happy Employees
The Management Companion
Happy Employees
What Evolution Tells You About Leading People
Lead with human nature, and your team won’t just perform — they’ll thrive.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of The One and Only Bob
childrens

The One and Only Bob

Katherine Applegate· 2020
Newbery Medal
Editorial Score83/100
Cover of Ender's Game
science-fiction

Ender's Game

Orson Scott Card· 1986
Hugo AwardNebula Award
Editorial Score82/100
Cover of How I Live Now
young-adult

How I Live Now

Meg Rosoff· 2004
Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score79/100
Cover of Dear Nobody
young-adult

Dear Nobody

Berlie Doherty· 1991
Carnegie Medal
Editorial Score71/100
Cover of Watership Down
adventure

Watership Down

Richard Adams· 1972
Carnegie Medal
Editorial Score70/100
Cover of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
literary-fiction

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Mark Haddon· 2003
Costa Book Award
Editorial Score69/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Whale Rider about?

The Whale Rider is a novel by Witi Ihimaera that blends Maori mythology with a contemporary story of a young girl's struggle to fulfill her destiny. The novel is celebrated for its lyrical prose and its exploration of themes such as leadership, tradition, and gender roles. It gained international recognition after being adapted into an award-winning film in 2002, further cementing its status as a classic of New Zealand literature.

Who wrote The Whale Rider?

The Whale Rider was written by Witi Ihimaera, from New Zealand. First published in 1987.

What awards has The Whale Rider won?

The Whale Rider has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Whale Rider worth reading?

The Whale Rider is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in leadership, tradition, gender roles.

Where can I buy The Whale Rider?

You can buy The Whale Rider on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Whale Rider?

The Whale Rider is classified as Young Adult. Fiction and non-fiction written primarily for teenage readers.

What country is The Whale Rider from?

The Whale Rider originates from New Zealand's literary tradition. Explore more books from New Zealand on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

🌟More Young AdultBrowse all Young Adult books🇳🇿Books from New Zealand🇳🇿 New Zealand literature📅1980s BooksPublished in the 1980s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time