Seabird - by Michelle Kadarusman (Paperback)

About the Book

"Inspired by the true story of a nineteenth-century feminist, follows Kartini's early teen years as a young noble girl, where she must endure home confinement in preparation for an arranged marriage, igniting her desire for freedom and the right to have a say in the decisions that shape her life." -- Provided by publisher."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"--

Book Synopsis

A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of the Year

Inspired by the true story of a nineteenth century feminist.

Seabird follows Kartini's early teen years as a young noble girl. Confined to the family home in preparation for an arranged marriage, Kartini's desire for freedom ignites as she fights to have a say in the decisions that shape her life.

In late nineteenth century Indonesia --then known as the Dutch East Indies--a Javanese girl from a noble family is confined to her home before her thirteenth birthday, where she must remain until she is married. Removed from school and the outside world, Kartini writes to her former Dutch schoolmate, Lesty, who has returned to the Netherlands. With Lesty's support Kartini begins to challenge the role expected of her, and that of girls and women in her community. Determined to gain her freedom, Kartini bravely battles prejudice and tradition stirring change for her family, and for her country.

Michelle Kadarusman shows us that no matter how powerless you feel, your voice can have great impact. By virtue of writing down your dreams and ideas, you can inspire generations to come--as Kartini continues to do through Kartini Day in Indonesia.

Review Quotes

A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of the Year
2025 Children's Book Council "Hot Off the Press" Feature
Kirkus Reviews Notable Fall Release 2025

"A first purchase for all libraries wishing to inspire readers to make their own path rather than follow the trail."--School Library Journal

"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

"Kadarusman reimagines a story of the past not often told, allowing Kartini's voice and message to fill a void in the present" --Booklist

"Although a short and easy read, this story gives readers much to think about. Highly recommended." --Historical Novel Society

"[Michelle Kadarusman] once heard about this woman who fought for female rights. This book, Seabird, is a fictional retelling of that woman's life." --Betsy Bird, Fuse 8, School Library Journal

"This is a must-read for students. It offers an accessible entry point into discussions of colonization, patriarchy, and global history, while inspiring young readers with Kartini's courage and conviction. Highly recommended for school and home libraries alike." --Southern Librarian

"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 the 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 friend 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

This book is a beautiful testament to the power that one voice, one woman, can have to change the course of history." --Sidura Ludwig, author of Swan: The Girl Who Grew

About the Author

Michelle Kadarusman is a Canadian-based children's author, who spends part of the year in Australia. She is twice-nominated for a Governor General's Literary Award and her work has been translated into Spanish, German, Japanese and Turkish. Her middle-grade novels have earned many nominations and honors, including the Freeman Book Awards, TD Award for Children's Literature, Green Earth Books Awards, USBBY Outstanding International Books and Malka Penn Award for Human Rights in Children's Literature. She's originally from Australia and Indonesia.