Welcome to Lullo Marnoo
When I tell people, especially Pālagi people, that my father is from Sāmoa, they usually ask, “Do you go back?” Weird, right? It’s not like I was born in Sāmoa.
About this resource
Series: School Journal Level 4 November 2018
Reading year level: 7
Category: Fiction
Topics: belonging, change, culture, family, grandparents, home, identity, Lalomanu, Pacific, responsibility, Sāmoa, separation, single-parent families
Welcome to Lullo Marnoo
Words by Victor Rodger
Illustrations by Scott Pearson
I was born here, in Christchurch. Aranui, to be exact. One of those suburbs the quake messed up. If I went to Sāmoa, I wouldn’t be going back – I’d just be going. But I don’t try to explain any of this. It can get complicated.
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More from this series
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School Journal Level 4 November 2018
Inside this School Journal are two articles (Science on the Ice; Rise Up - The Story of the Dawn Raids and the Polynesian Pantherss) one poem (Brave Flower) one play (Much Ado) and four stories (S.O.S.; Welcome to Lullo Marnoor; How to be Normal and The Sea Devil).
1 of 8The Sea Devil
Just beyond the long arm of the wharf, the camp’s launch, Pearl, tugged at its mooring. The thought of a big fish jagging on his line quickened James’s pace, and it wasn’t until he was on the wharf that he saw he was not alone.
2 of 8Science on the Ice
Two sets of merino underwear, two fleece jackets, a windbreaker, a puffer jacket, five pairs of gloves, a hat, a balaclava, fleece pants, fleece-lined boots, and lastly – a set of extreme-cold weather gear (called ECWs by those in the know).
3 of 8Much Ado
This play introduces students to the fun of Shakespeare, as well as his conventions and characters.
4 of 8How to be Normal
Charley’s at the old playground, sitting on the bottom of the slide and concentrating. When the bell rings, she’ll walk back to class – but first, she’ll wait till at least half the other kids have done the same.
5 of 8Brave Flower
The poem “Brave Flower” vividly captures the experience of those who were subjected to the dawn raids that took place in Aotearoa in the 1970's.
6 of 8Rise Up - The Story of the Dawn Raids
The article “Rise Up: The Story of the Dawn Raids and the Polynesian Panthers” recounts the story of the dawn raids that took place in Aotearoa in the 1970s.
7 of 8S.O.S.
Cursing the surround-vision, which made you feel like you were there, she shut the Holographison down. The incessant birdsong was more than she could tolerate. The disgruntled professor stared across at her sheep.
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