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rjsreadingnook's review
4.0
Great graphic novel read, one of the only graphic novels I’ve been able to find at my local library by a Native author. The art is simply gorgeous. The message and questions the book poses about borders and citizenship are important for readers of any age to consider.
libraryrobin's review
4.0
A Blackfoot mother and son are trapped in an international limbo when the mother is pressured to declare her nationality as Canadian or American while she only identifies as Blackfoot.
Thought provoking subject matter with superb illustrations.
Thought provoking subject matter with superb illustrations.
maryehavens's review
4.0
As a Texan, I hear the word "Border" and I automatically think of the controversial Texas/Mexico border. I was pleasantly surprised (if you can be about border politics...mostly just happy it was a different border) that this graphic novel takes place at the Canadian border.
Mom's refusal to identify as anything other than Blackfoot was such a strong and true statement. Why should she identify as anything other than what she is, especially when she did not choose to "become" Canadian? I wonder if Border Patrol has changed their question from "what are you" to "where do you hail from" or something similar. What would the answer be if you were a tourist in Canada traveling to America? "I'm Brazilian but I was visiting Canada". Would that have been acceptable?
In addition, this story is a typical story of a young adult wanting to experience the world outside of their community. I know I was very much this way: everything outside of my small town Texas upbringing seemed "the most" exotic even if it was just the next big city that I could get to. The people there seemed more important and exciting. But really: they are just people like me :)
Mom's refusal to identify as anything other than Blackfoot was such a strong and true statement. Why should she identify as anything other than what she is, especially when she did not choose to "become" Canadian? I wonder if Border Patrol has changed their question from "what are you" to "where do you hail from" or something similar. What would the answer be if you were a tourist in Canada traveling to America? "I'm Brazilian but I was visiting Canada". Would that have been acceptable?
In addition, this story is a typical story of a young adult wanting to experience the world outside of their community. I know I was very much this way: everything outside of my small town Texas upbringing seemed "the most" exotic even if it was just the next big city that I could get to. The people there seemed more important and exciting. But really: they are just people like me :)
professionalreader's review against another edition
I like this. The style was very nice and the story was interesting.
thenextgenlibrarian's review
5.0
This graphic novel is beautifully drawn and written. It deals with Indigenous people and the issues they face with trying reclaim their culture, their land, their sense of self. It deals with border issues (those in Canada in this one) and how difficult it is to claim your country of origin when you're an Indigenous person. This book will be well-received by anyone who reads it because it hits so close to home on many issues we discuss in the US everyday.
lizaroo71's review
3.0
A graphic novel depicting what it means to have borders determine who we are and what we call ourselves.
When a boy and his mother set out to visit his sister in Salt Lake City, they find themselves between nations when they are asked at the border to declare their citizenship. When the mother replies, "Blackfoot" the border agents on either side (American or Canadian) can't accept the answer.
As the boy and his mother spend the night in their car in limbo. It isn't until their story gets the attention of the media that the two find a solution.
When a boy and his mother set out to visit his sister in Salt Lake City, they find themselves between nations when they are asked at the border to declare their citizenship. When the mother replies, "Blackfoot" the border agents on either side (American or Canadian) can't accept the answer.
As the boy and his mother spend the night in their car in limbo. It isn't until their story gets the attention of the media that the two find a solution.
swtmarie's review
2.0
This graphic follows a mother and son who are trying to cross the American and Canadian borders to go visit Leatitia, their daughter/sister. At the border when asked her citizenship, the mother proudly declares "Blackfoot" which is neither American nor Canadian. This of course causes problems and they aren't allowed to cross. It isn't until mom tells her story to the owner at a duty free shop near the border that reporters and a camera crew arrive the following day. With the aid of some big wig in a fancy suit (which I hoped they would say who this person was in the story) the camera crews and reporters run to the border while mom and son try again to cross. The pressure of having cameramen and lights in your face causes the border patrol agent to allow them access even after mom still says "Blackfoot". I thought there should have been a little more info provided, especially with the conversations mom was having with the reporters and supposed politician (my guess!) and I didn't care for the phrase in the beginning "abrupt and rude" that was seemingly directed at Americans. Overall, the story was okay but lacking in content which led the reader wondering how it all was able to work out for the mom and son in the end.
rdyourbookcase's review
4.0
The art was fantastic and the story had a strong message. However, that message was subtle and I think young readers would need to discuss it to fully understand it. It would be an excellent book to read in a classroom. The story moved slowly and as a reader, I became frustrated - I think younger readers might get bored and not finish it. I can see why it had excellent reviews, but I'm not sure how well the intended audience will appreciate it.
monamurphy's review
5.0
I read this as part of the Myrca 2022-23 challenge, and came into the graphic novel blindly. I read the entire novel during a Library period, with a student reading some of the pages beside me asking "who is that?" "where are they going?", which made for an interesting reading.
Positives : It was a perspective and story I had not heard before.
Negatives : It seemed that the relationship between Mother and Daughter's story was overlooked by the story of the Physical Border. I would have liked to hear more of that story.
Positives : It was a perspective and story I had not heard before.
Negatives : It seemed that the relationship between Mother and Daughter's story was overlooked by the story of the Physical Border. I would have liked to hear more of that story.
mrs_bookdragon's review
5.0
Loved and devoured. The illustrations, the plot, the characters. It’s also an important story on identity and standing strong. Definitely a must read.