Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
Really wonderful YA novel. Powerful messages and themes throughout about family, belonging, and understanding your place in the world.
There are a lot of things I like about this book.
I'm really into the cover.
And the concept.
And obviously, the REPRESENTATION. It's great to read an ownvoices YA book by an indigenous author.
I also liked the wide variety of characters in the reservation community. I'm taking this out to my middle school virtual class visits this year, and my booktalk focuses on how Apple's grandparents are part of a real true Community. The most effective theme in this book for me was about how isolated Apple felt in her life back home, and how major it is for her to experience a more connected community environment during this summer on the Turtle Mountain Reservation.
Unfortunately, there was something about the writing style and overall character voice that never clicked for me. I didn't quite believe Apple's quirk or attitude, and some of her story didn't feel consistent. And there were some passing moments that felt fat-phobic or prejudiced against people with disabilities (i.e. page 50: "Grandma, is Little Inez . . . you know . . . a 'special needs' child? Because, well . . . she seems to have a violent streak.") - especially because they were never addressed or dealt with.
I wonder if some of those issues might have been handled differently if this had gone through the editorial process at a publisher that specializes in YA. This is put out by North Dakota State University Press.
For me, the good outweighed the troubling (clearly, since I'm booktalking it!). More like this, please!
I'm really into the cover.
And the concept.
And obviously, the REPRESENTATION. It's great to read an ownvoices YA book by an indigenous author.
I also liked the wide variety of characters in the reservation community. I'm taking this out to my middle school virtual class visits this year, and my booktalk focuses on how Apple's grandparents are part of a real true Community. The most effective theme in this book for me was about how isolated Apple felt in her life back home, and how major it is for her to experience a more connected community environment during this summer on the Turtle Mountain Reservation.
Unfortunately, there was something about the writing style and overall character voice that never clicked for me. I didn't quite believe Apple's quirk or attitude, and some of her story didn't feel consistent. And there were some passing moments that felt fat-phobic or prejudiced against people with disabilities (i.e. page 50: "Grandma, is Little Inez . . . you know . . . a 'special needs' child? Because, well . . . she seems to have a violent streak.") - especially because they were never addressed or dealt with.
I wonder if some of those issues might have been handled differently if this had gone through the editorial process at a publisher that specializes in YA. This is put out by North Dakota State University Press.
For me, the good outweighed the troubling (clearly, since I'm booktalking it!). More like this, please!
A wonderful look into the life of the Turtle Mountain people. And a beautiful understanding of biracial life. As a biracial person I shared in Apple's story of not understanding where you belong. I loved the book.
More a 2.5, but I'll round it up to 3 for the very likable side characters and because, despite the many flaws, this book thought me something!
emotional
informative
reflective
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:
Complicated
I want to preface by saying I’m not Indigenous. I can’t speak on the info about the tribes that were discussed in this book. I will say that for a middle grade book focusing on identity and finding where you belong, I think this is a good intro to those who are trying to unlearn some more harmful tales they may have been told about Native Americans. I do think some plot points could have been edited better and there is a death that occurs that I wasn’t entirely sure should have happened but nonetheless I’m glad to see more own voice authors being able to publish their work for us to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death, Death of parent
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Apple is not the most sympathetic but maybe that makes her a more realistic teenager. Reading this book in MN is particularly powerful, I imagine.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
I read this because we're reading it in 7th grade ELA this year; it starts out okay for a middle grade novel but falls apart for me by the end. The death at the end doesn't really seem to serve a purpose and a lot of the character growth feels ham-fisted. Also, the constant parenthetical asides and fairly outdated references make her seem less realistic as a character.
I really wanted to love this; a local-ish author! Own voices! But I think there are better options out there.
I really wanted to love this; a local-ish author! Own voices! But I think there are better options out there.
One of my fav YA reads of the year, for grades 8-10. Hard to source which is unfortunate.
An important story about a girl learning about her Native heritage and understanding her place in the world. Reads more middle grade than young adult, but that’s not a detraction, just an observation.