Elisabeth Kamakawiwoole is a children’s author of fantasy and speculative fiction.
The Seventeenth Quest, her debut middle grade novel, is a science fiction story with the heart of a fairytale.
Coming out in Fall 2026, it will be published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers at Penguin Random House. The book will feature black-and-white illustrations by Elise Hurst.
The Seventeenth Quest
Seventeen is a little robot who wishes with all his heart to become a knight like those from the fairy tales in his databases. Hazel is a daring girl whose only problem is that she can't remember where she came from or where her parents are.
Together they go on a quest to find all the missing humans who disappeared over one hundred years ago. On their way, they meet magical creatures, tell stories and recite poetry, and discover what it means to be human.
KA⋅MA⋅KA⋅WI⋅WO⋅O⋅LE
My last name is pronounced kah-MAH-kah-VEE-voh-OH-lay, with the emphasis is on every other syllable. The Ws are pronounced like Vs, and the Os are pronounced separately.
Fun fact—it’s actually the shortened version of the original Hawaiian name—Kamakawiwooleokamehamehaekahi.
It means “the fearless eye of Kamehameha the First,” and was a name given by King Kamehameha to one of my husband's warrior ancestors after a battle where he took an axe to the head and survived.
You can hear the correct pronunciation by clicking the button above. But fear not if you're still struggling: I often go by Elisabeth K!
In the Press
Contact
Elisabeth is represented by Steven Malk at Writers House. Please contact him with any rights inquiries.