Aouli feels like she lives her life in a cage. Her father is overbearing, abusive, and keeping a horrible secret. Her mother does little to stop his rage. Her sister is the model daughter, which Aouli resents. She goes to church with her family, but doesn’t believe. Her best friend is drifting away to the more popular crowd. The only place where Aouli feels free is with her Native Hawaiian diaspora community at her Aunty Ehu’s house. Then, a new boy, Nalu, moves to town, and her world expands.

Told in verse, the  story is a love story, but it’s not only about romantic love. Aouli and her sister Kāia’s relationship is just as central as Aouli and Nalu’s. The romantic love story is compelling, and the poetic language really immerses the reader in that feeling. The title refers to both Aouli and Nalu – in Hawaiian their names mean the blue sky and the blue ocean, respectively – but it also refers to the two of them together. They compliment and seem to complete each other, expressed best when Nalu writes an accompanying guitar piece Aouli’s lyrics. There is some kissing and some vague thought beyond that, but nothing outwardly “spicy.”

The family side of things is much more complicated and dives into some trauma (including domestic violence and sexual abuse), though most things happen off-page and are only alluded to. At times the story was wanting for even more depth. Mom, for example, flattens on the page, and the death of a family member doesn’t quite have as much weight as it seems it should.

Back matter including an author’s note, editor’s note, discussion questions, and an invitation to write one’s own poems are inspiring. The imprint, Heartdrum, focuses on books by Native authors and is one to watch. Hand this title to students who enjoy the strong emotions of something like If He Had Been With Me, but want a story that’s more grounded and lyrical.

Reviewed by Kristin Arsenault, Mountain Valley High School, Rumford.