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bookishmillennial's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This was such a lovely middle-grade coming-of-age story about Wesley, a 7th grader who lives with her single mom at her grandfather's home. She is Upper Skagit, but is not officially an enrolled tribe member and grapples with feelings of belonging and being "othered". Her poem celebrating Indigenous People's Day is being published in the school newspaper, and she is going to ask her crush Jake out to the school dance. However, things go awry and it begins a journey of exploration for Wesley, as she examines her family, her roots, her beliefs, and has impactful conversations with her mom and her grandpa.
Wesley's conversations with her grandpa about what he believes were so tender! She is trying to figure out her beliefs as far as the afterlife, ghosts, spirits, and whatnot because she is curious about her grandma (who has passed). Instead of forcing Wesley to adopt his beliefs, her grandpa asks guiding, open questions instead and trusts Wesley enough to come to her own conclusions. I rarely see this kind of adult/child interaction IRL, and am so happy to see this kind of open dialogue represented in middle grade novels.
Wesley's experience with her biological father is a darker part of the novel, but it provided the impetus for an important conversation between Wesley and her mom about what we deserve in partnerships. I could absolutely feel the care and respect that Wesley and her mom shared for each other. I generally appreciated how Wesley was curious, thoughtful, and generous in her ruminations on these experiences. She was never too judgmental or quick to choose anger; she almost always chose curiosity, which is a beautiful trait for not only a 12-year-old, but for any human to have.
I really appreciated the disclaimers and author's note at the very end, which provided commentary on the processes to become an officially enrolled tribe member. Day recognizes the integrity and respect for those processes, but feels they ultimately embody colonization rather than the spirit of indigenous people. I find it incredibly brave that she is calling her community in, and she hopes that one day, they will move towards more truly indigenous practices when it comes to who "belongs".
I will absolutely be reading more from Christine Day!
This was such a lovely middle-grade coming-of-age story about Wesley, a 7th grader who lives with her single mom at her grandfather's home. She is Upper Skagit, but is not officially an enrolled tribe member and grapples with feelings of belonging and being "othered". Her poem celebrating Indigenous People's Day is being published in the school newspaper, and she is going to ask her crush Jake out to the school dance. However, things go awry and it begins a journey of exploration for Wesley, as she examines her family, her roots, her beliefs, and has impactful conversations with her mom and her grandpa.
Wesley's conversations with her grandpa about what he believes were so tender! She is trying to figure out her beliefs as far as the afterlife, ghosts, spirits, and whatnot because she is curious about her grandma (who has passed). Instead of forcing Wesley to adopt his beliefs, her grandpa asks guiding, open questions instead and trusts Wesley enough to come to her own conclusions. I rarely see this kind of adult/child interaction IRL, and am so happy to see this kind of open dialogue represented in middle grade novels.
Wesley's experience with her biological father is a darker part of the novel, but it provided the impetus for an important conversation between Wesley and her mom about what we deserve in partnerships. I could absolutely feel the care and respect that Wesley and her mom shared for each other. I generally appreciated how Wesley was curious, thoughtful, and generous in her ruminations on these experiences. She was never too judgmental or quick to choose anger; she almost always chose curiosity, which is a beautiful trait for not only a 12-year-old, but for any human to have.
I really appreciated the disclaimers and author's note at the very end, which provided commentary on the processes to become an officially enrolled tribe member. Day recognizes the integrity and respect for those processes, but feels they ultimately embody colonization rather than the spirit of indigenous people. I find it incredibly brave that she is calling her community in, and she hopes that one day, they will move towards more truly indigenous practices when it comes to who "belongs".
I will absolutely be reading more from Christine Day!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Gaslighting, and Racism
Minor: Genocide
readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Sexism, Racism, and Misogyny
Minor: Grief, Racial slurs, Slavery, Death, Pregnancy, Ableism, Colonisation, and Genocide
Residential schools mention, divorce mention.
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