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khourianya's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
hyggedreamer's review against another edition
5.0
Forever Birchwood by Danielle Daniel was a great read. It’s a middle-grade read about Wolf and her friends who grow up in a small mining town. They have a secret place in their town, surrounded by Birch trees they love to visit that they’ve called Birchwood.
Wolf had just learned her great-grandfather was a tree-talker, and she’s interested in exploring her Indigenous roots, but her mom doesn’t want anything to do with it. When Wolf and her friends find evidence that a new subdivision will get built exactly where all the beautiful birch trees are, they take action to try and preserve the heritage and hopefully stop the worst from happening.
I loved this book, especially the journey of Wolf’s mother. As a mom myself, I find it easy to lose track of where I came from growing up, but I know that I want to explore that side of life with my kids. I want to fall in love with nature with them and not always look for the next new thing.
Whether you love middle-grade books or maybe you have a child in that age range, I would highly recommend reading this book. It was endearing, and understated, and the call to action to protect nature and wildlife is very effective.
Wolf had just learned her great-grandfather was a tree-talker, and she’s interested in exploring her Indigenous roots, but her mom doesn’t want anything to do with it. When Wolf and her friends find evidence that a new subdivision will get built exactly where all the beautiful birch trees are, they take action to try and preserve the heritage and hopefully stop the worst from happening.
I loved this book, especially the journey of Wolf’s mother. As a mom myself, I find it easy to lose track of where I came from growing up, but I know that I want to explore that side of life with my kids. I want to fall in love with nature with them and not always look for the next new thing.
Whether you love middle-grade books or maybe you have a child in that age range, I would highly recommend reading this book. It was endearing, and understated, and the call to action to protect nature and wildlife is very effective.
tracey1981's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? No
4.0
I always want to start reviews of middle-grade and YA books by noting that, of course, I am not the target audience.
I thought this was a sweet middle grade story. The core themes are: the importance of friendship and being a good friend, environmentalism, family tensions, being a good friend, connection to Indigenous roots, and grief/loss. Also a little bit of young love. So there’s a lot happening. I cared about the kid characters, especially Wolf. The things I didn’t love as much are probably things that most young readers will enjoy - mostly just some things being cheesy or working out too easily. Definitely recommended, especially for 8-11 year olds.
I thought this was a sweet middle grade story. The core themes are: the importance of friendship and being a good friend, environmentalism, family tensions, being a good friend, connection to Indigenous roots, and grief/loss. Also a little bit of young love. So there’s a lot happening. I cared about the kid characters, especially Wolf. The things I didn’t love as much are probably things that most young readers will enjoy - mostly just some things being cheesy or working out too easily. Definitely recommended, especially for 8-11 year olds.
evaosterlee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.5
raaahella's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
Great environmental focus for Sudbury.
smorrison4's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great story about a group of kids trying to save their favorite spot in the woods. I love that this takes place in Canada and includes some Indigenous history. Looking forward to reading more of Danielle Daniel's books in the future.
cryptidkay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This took a while for me to get in to as it seemed like any other coming-of-age story with boys, and loss of childhood friends to nonsense arguments and moving away.That being said, the romantic scenes were really well written and the rush from that kiss with Hari was really adorable. I really liked the juxtaposition between Wolf's grandmother and her Algonquin traditions and the pains her mother had taken to rid herself of those beliefs to fit in to settler society for a better life for her and her child. I thought Wolf was a bit naive for a 12/13 year old but I know that the shift to high school can hit hard. It also broadens the range where kids would find this relatable.
That librarian though! Ms. Barry is my new idol! I was so happy that she went from this weird, mildly psychic old lady to this amazing person willing to put it all on the line for the town she lived/worked in.
That librarian though! Ms. Barry is my new idol! I was so happy that she went from this weird, mildly psychic old lady to this amazing person willing to put it all on the line for the town she lived/worked in.
jenna0010's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a tender and powerful and nostalgic story of a group of girls, on the cusp of turning 13 and all the changes that brings, trying to save their town's trees and a historic site they discover. I really loved the relationships between Wolf and her friends, Hari, her grandma Houle, even her mother. There was an aching complexity here. I also love that the town librarian was a badass in disguise and helped them gather the information they needed AND even joined in their secret operation takedown! Will be recommending this to middle grade readers in search of a summer read of friendship, mystery, and fighting injustice.