To be honest, I was not looking forward to reading this book. A steady mounting of “to-read” books on my bedside table almost propelled me to forgo this book entirely. In addition, I made the mistake of Googling the word “Gaff.” I won’t do that again without some more information in the search bar. So, I almost didn’t read it.

That would have been a huge mistake.

Correa has done a masterful job of bringing us into Hawaiian culture and, in the process, shining a needed light on the barbarous world of cock-fighting.

Paul’s father has made a living out of raising roosters after a lumberyard accident has rendered him incapable of doing more rigorous work. Paul knows where the roosters go but it is not until he is forced to attend a cockfight that he becomes determined to get his family out of the business.

This is a highly recommended book for upper elementary/middle school kids to get a glimpse at an important subject that is not often talked about. In the process they will meet some indelible characters and learn more about the Hawaiian culture and language.

For more information make sure you go to the Peachtree publishing blog here.