Reviews

This book took me so long because it was so hard to read. There's still so much reckoning to be done with what settlers inflicted on indigenous people in both the U.S. and Canada. I found it so agonizing and heartbreaking to read about how these poor, traumatized people struggled, and how even once they escaped the grip of the Indian School, they were subject to so much racism and discrimination.

readingonmountains's review against another edition

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5.0

Oh my heart. My words cannot do this book justice. In light of the recent horrific discovery of the unnamed children found on the grounds of the residential schools first in Kamloops & now in Manitoba (and for all the children who may be discovered in the coming months/years) I bumped this book to the top of my pile.

My heart aches for all the sweet, innocent children that were ripped from their homes, families, communities and sent to residential schools where they suffered mental, emotional, physical & sexual abuse. These poor sweet souls who had nobody to protect them, to save them except each other, and that wasn’t enough. And the survivors who left these schools broken and unable to put themselves back together. Many who turned to alcohol and drug abuse to numb the hurt, the turmoil inside.

Five Little Indians follows five survivors struggling to find their way forward after the trauma of their childhood experiences in the church-run residential school system. This is a powerful, poignant story, so important to help us understand the atrocities these children and families suffered, yes, but also how they can heal.

leyza052's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Content Warnings

mir_frog73's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was beautiful. I think everyone should read it because it truly gives perspective to so many different people’s experiences. I think my favourite character was Clara. She was always up to something and she was willing to reflect. There is a lot we can learn from her. The character I most connected to was Maisie. I have felt very similar things that she has and coped in similar ways. I find so much respect for her. It was a gorgeous novel.

Content Warnings

brikrush's review against another edition

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5.0

not the “New York is big but this is Biggar” reference

thefabnp's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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