"An illuminating novel about the importance of reclaiming the past, based on the author's family historySummer and her family always spend relaxed summers in Alberta, Canada, on the reservation where her mom's family lives. But this year is turning out to be an eye-opening one. First, Summer has begun to have vivid dreams in which she's running away from one of the many real-life residential schools that tore Native children from their families and tried to erase their Native identities. Not long after that, she learns that unmarked children's graves have been discovered at the school her grandpa attended as a child. Now more folks are speaking up about their harrowing experiences at these places, including her grandfather. Summer cherishes her heritage and is heartbroken about all her grandfather was forced to give up and miss out on. When the town holds a rally, she's proud to take part to acknowledge the painful past and speak of her hopes for the future, and anxious to find someone who can fill her in on the source of her unsettling dreams."
I got an ARC of this book.
I will admit, I saw the cover and title and wanted to read the book. I had no idea what it was about. The first dream was a bit of shock. I read the description when I realized the MC was someone else suddenly. Thats when everything clicked and I realized I was not ready for this book. I kept reading.
Duncan addresses the mass unmarked graves of Indigenous children that are being found around residential schools. This was the first book I have seen aimed at kids that did not pull punches. Instead, Dunan flat out calls this a genocide and has a character that is beaten to death (off page). So this book is intsense. There is also a scene of a kid escaping, but being chased into a blizzard where she ends up in the snow and unable to continue. This chapter ends here and then the MC has to deal with the fact that she does not know if this kid survived or not. It was a lot. It was necessary, but wow.
None of that is a spoiler. It is more like TW/CW. The twists and turns of the story aren't exactly shocking, but I will leave the big reveal a secret. It was the most touching twist that could have happened while staying realistic. I was beyond delighted with it.
The rest of the book is about the two tween girls learning about residential schools from their family and elders. They learn more than they knew before, because they pushed to learn. They wanted to know what had happened and why it was such a secret. The secret is from paim and trauma. It is from generational pain and trauma. It all makes so much sense and was a really wonderful book. It really said everything. Talk to your elders, learn their stories. Hold their pain and help them heal by embracing your culture with you whole heart.
I am a white man. I am married to a Chickasaw two spirit person. Their grandma was in a residential school. The more the truth about the schools come out, the more pain my wife holds. I am glad there are books out there to help kids learn their painful histories and learn to heal. I wish there were more. I wish there were more supports. I wish residential schools had never existed. I wish so much. I can't speak highly enough about this book and others that address residential schooling, so it can't be forgotten/erased. Yes, I cried while reading this one. It is important for the non-Indigenous kids to learn this history too. Please have your kids read this. Read it with them.
4.5 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this book.
You can buy the book here.
~Isaiah
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