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emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-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
Just when I thought it was safe...the story caught me off guard. It was a lovely nod to family and belonging.
Minor: Child death, Vomit
This book hit really close to home to me. The Native American family seems to be very fairly, and honestly portrayed. Mine wasn't as much as a shock and I didn't go live with them but I was just as accepted, and just as quickly as Apple was. I like how she said at the end that she isn't stuck in the middle like she always thought, between two cultures, but as a bridge between the two. Quick read, but it had a lot of really good thoughts and some funny parts. I hope some middle schoolers give it a chance. I'm sure they'd see someone they knew it as well.
Apple's voice drew me in and kept me reading with its often unfiltered, authentic, vulnerable and searching perspective. Her sense of humor is paramount throughout this story that deals with grief and loss, belonging and identity, family and home. I loved how she developed relationships with her mother's parents and extended family who are enrolled members of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, and by doing so, discovered undiscovered depths about herself. This was a powerful Own Voices contemporary that should be in all library collections. It's a fantastic crossover book that has both middle grade and YA appeal.
This reads far more like middle grade than YA, and the writing itself is pretty elementary. But, it's a powerful story about a girl who has grown up without much investment in her Native heritage after the death of her mother after a car accident (Apple was born early, her life saved after the accident). She's since lived in the Minneapolis suburbs with her wealthy white father and stepmother, without much contact with her family in the North Dakota Turtle Mountains, who are Ojibwe. But when her dad and stepmother decide to go on a long summer vacation, Apple gets the chance to spend the summer with her grandparents in North Dakota, along with her big extended family.
The book follows as she learns more about her own cultural heritage and comes to understand her mother better. It's written with dialect and integrates Michif throughout where appropriate.
While the writing isn't spectacular, it's a story that's so rarely told. Besides Apple not having a connection to her background because of her mother's death, she'd also sworn it off because of a horrific slur she was called once. Being different in her town wasn't a good thing -- and this summer allows her to not only lean into her background and appreciate it, but she learns that one of her weirdest personal quirks is, in fact, one of her real spiritual gifts.
This is an ownvoices read, and it's a really fabulous addition to the tiny collection of contemporary Native American stories in YA. Again, I think this is more middle grade and will really work for those tween and younger teen readers, but any YA reader seeking out a story like this will be pleased.
The book follows as she learns more about her own cultural heritage and comes to understand her mother better. It's written with dialect and integrates Michif throughout where appropriate.
While the writing isn't spectacular, it's a story that's so rarely told. Besides Apple not having a connection to her background because of her mother's death, she'd also sworn it off because of a horrific slur she was called once. Being different in her town wasn't a good thing -- and this summer allows her to not only lean into her background and appreciate it, but she learns that one of her weirdest personal quirks is, in fact, one of her real spiritual gifts.
This is an ownvoices read, and it's a really fabulous addition to the tiny collection of contemporary Native American stories in YA. Again, I think this is more middle grade and will really work for those tween and younger teen readers, but any YA reader seeking out a story like this will be pleased.
Loved: the absolutely beautiful portrayal of a loving Native family on the reservation. All of the lessons on humor and about Turtle Mountain (and the several tribes) culture that Apple learns. The fact that this is an own voices book, and that it is an own voices book for tweens/middle school -- there are definitely not enough of those in the world!
Disliked: unfortunately, when I read, what appeals to me most is characters -- and I thought there were many extremely interesting and endearing characters in this story -- from gigantic and lovely cousin Junior to Apple's feisty grandfather, and her sweet and messy young cousin. Unfortunately, Apple herself is really irritating, and we spend the entire time in her head. There's something about the way her character thinks and speaks that is excessively convoluted? sarcastic? awkward? and after a while I just found it really tiring to read. I could swear this book is 400 pages, not 250. To me, that's a trademark of a debut author, and not a particularly bad one -- clearly Quigley is an accomplished nonfiction writer for adults, and I look forward to seeing what more experience as a writer for young people brings to her work.
As far as ratings go, my reviews are personal opinions/reactions about books so that I can remember how I felt about a book. I am not the intended audience, and I support this book in general, so I leave the stars off of it, in hopes that other people will decide for themselves.
Disliked: unfortunately, when I read, what appeals to me most is characters -- and I thought there were many extremely interesting and endearing characters in this story -- from gigantic and lovely cousin Junior to Apple's feisty grandfather, and her sweet and messy young cousin. Unfortunately, Apple herself is really irritating, and we spend the entire time in her head. There's something about the way her character thinks and speaks that is excessively convoluted? sarcastic? awkward? and after a while I just found it really tiring to read. I could swear this book is 400 pages, not 250. To me, that's a trademark of a debut author, and not a particularly bad one -- clearly Quigley is an accomplished nonfiction writer for adults, and I look forward to seeing what more experience as a writer for young people brings to her work.
As far as ratings go, my reviews are personal opinions/reactions about books so that I can remember how I felt about a book. I am not the intended audience, and I support this book in general, so I leave the stars off of it, in hopes that other people will decide for themselves.
I don’t usually read books like this, but I came to enjoy it! There were some moments in the book that made me smile at some of the sayings throughout it, and towards the ending, there was a moment it made me want cry. But I really enjoyed this and reading about Apples journey to connect to her family and find out where she belongs. I just fell in love with all the characters! This book truly is a great one and I loved Dawn’s writing!
This was a great story! The inconsistencies, though, distracted me too much as a reader. This definitely needed another run-through with an editor. Also, it took me so long to get into the book and I don't think I ever really did. I loved the message and the premise of the story! I just don't think it was executed as well as it could have been. I also didn't like how the prologue was worded and set up. It just felt off, especially after the reader reads that scene later in the novel.
Wow, this book was absolutely powerful. It was a beautiful story about a girl coming of age, about the power of being Native American, and what it really means to be submersed into your own culture.
Quigley delivers a heartfelt message about family and unity.
Quigley delivers a heartfelt message about family and unity.
A stunningly beautiful story about a young girl balancing the two halves of herself, never feeling like she truly belongs with either. Half white and half Native American, most of her life has been spent with her dad and stepmom in upper class Minnesota until she journeys to visit her mother's family for a summer on their reservation and begins her path to self discovery.
As the world of YA Literature evolves and we hear more stories that represent diverse voices, Dr. Dawn Quigley's book brings her Native voice to the table in a beautiful heartwarming tale.
Go out and get it... right now.
As the world of YA Literature evolves and we hear more stories that represent diverse voices, Dr. Dawn Quigley's book brings her Native voice to the table in a beautiful heartwarming tale.
Go out and get it... right now.
I didn’t like Apple’s voice. She was supposed to be 16, but had the knowledge and behavior of an 11 year old. Her lack of common sense annoyed me and made me embarrassed for her. I just finished another book with a similar set up and enjoyed it so much more. So I don’t think this book is for me.