Inspired by a true story, Seabird follows the early teen years of Kartini, whose forced isolation ignites her desire for freedom and the right to have a say in the decisions that shape her life.
Kartini was born in 1879 during Dutch-colonized Indonesia, then known as the Dutch East Indies. Due to her high-born status, Kartini is forced to enter home seclusion just before her twelfth birthday with the intention that she will remain home until she is married.
During seclusion, Kartini, who is fluent in the Dutch language, begins a self-directed education and writes letters to a former schoolmate named Lesty. This period of isolation sparks her interest in feminist thinking and ignites her desire to improve education opportunities for all Javanese girls and women.
In Seabird, Governor General’s Award finalist Michelle Kadarusman shows us that no matter how powerless you feel, your voice can have great impact, and by virtue of writing down your dreams and ideas, you can inspire generations to come.
Praise for Seabird
“Kadarusman beautifully brings Kartini to life with clarity and empathy in a story that’s educational without being preachy and is a superb pick for readers interested in history and activism.”—Kirkus Reviews
“In this fictitious depiction of Kartini, a quietly resolute visionary and Indonesian icon, Michelle Kadarusman brings to life the struggle between tradition and progress and the courage of a girl who dared to stand up against the sequestering of women to fulfill her own dreams.”—Wendy Orr, author of Out of the Valley of Horses, Swallows Dance, and Nim’s Island
“Seabird is an enchanting feminist story of a young woman in late 19th century Indonesia. By advocating for change in her family and her community, Kartini inspires change throughout the world.”—Linda Trinh, award-winning author of The Nguyen Kids series
“Seabird is a charming story of friendship and fortitude, highlighting the challenges facing a young woman who desires freedom from traditional views of the role of women. The correspondence between two friends who are experiencing different cultural upbringing is both heartfelt and enlightening.”—Anne O’Brien, author of SPIRIT AND GRIT!: Women Entrepreneurs Who Blazed the Trail
