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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
Very engaging story of a girl dealing with her family dynamics and making her way in middle school while still representing her indigenous family on Indigenous People's Day while also trying to summon up the courage to ask the boy she likes to the school dance.
Wesley is excited and nervous about two things - asking Ryan to the dance, and publishing her poem about Indigenous Peoples Day in the school newspaper. However, all her well thought out plans go awry, and she must figure out what she wants and what is important to her. Wesley's kindness and compassion is on display throughout the book. Her character is one you wish you had as a best friend! In the book Day also weaves in information about modern Indigenous culture seamlessly. The story was beautiful and hopeful and exactly the right type of book we need right now. Highly recommended.
Wesley has a plan. Her poem on Indigenous Peoples' Day is set to be published in the school newspaper which should prompt a class discussion given her teacher's reactions to other published pieces. And... she has a plan to ask fellow gamer, Ryan, to the school dance.
Of course, nothing goes to plan. Wesley's poem, sharing with other Indigenous students that their voices matter and they still belong, is shrugged off by her teacher. Her plan to ask out Ryan comes crashing down when an anonymous social media post pairs up popular kids like Ryan.
In this heartwarming story Wesley explores her identity as an Indigenous person, hurt that she is the first generation in her family to be excluded from tribal membership. As she fights to be seen by both whites and Indigenous for the whole person she is, she resoundingly speaks her truth: We still belong.
Of course, nothing goes to plan. Wesley's poem, sharing with other Indigenous students that their voices matter and they still belong, is shrugged off by her teacher. Her plan to ask out Ryan comes crashing down when an anonymous social media post pairs up popular kids like Ryan.
In this heartwarming story Wesley explores her identity as an Indigenous person, hurt that she is the first generation in her family to be excluded from tribal membership. As she fights to be seen by both whites and Indigenous for the whole person she is, she resoundingly speaks her truth: We still belong.
excellent. written for middle readers. Native protagonist. I think it may be a good book to gift Kiley.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Why should we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day? This seems to be the question guiding Christine Day's middle-grade novel, "We Still Belong." Wesley, a young Indigenous girl from the Pacific Northwest, wrote a poem for her school newspaper that bears the same title as the novel. The poem explains the importance of celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day over Columbus' colonization. Wesley's poem did not get the attention that she thought it deserved, so she began to have feelings about her identity as a young Indigenous girl. The novel tackles social issues, such as being unable to register with a tribe, as well as colonization's impacts. Although these topics may be difficult for a young reader to grasp, Day's writing eloquently conveys the importance of family and heritage, while also empowering youth to speak out against injustice.
