Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks

Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved all of Geraldine Brooks' books, I never got to read this while being a high school/YA librarian and this novel of Bethia (her father is a minister to the Native American tribe of the Wampanoag) and Caleb, who meet and form a lifelong friendship that is secret until Caleb becomes a member of their family after his family dies. I was gripped by Bethia, her restricted life as a woman, pioneer and Puritan, her thirst for knowledge, and her special friendship with Caleb. So awful were the conditions and privations Caleb and other natives suffered (horrible assumptions, calling them savages & comparing them to animals). Thoroughly researched with authentic characters, the many settings were historically accurate with the beauty of the island and acrid smells of big cities. Highly recommended!

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The Sentence by Louise Erdrich

The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Louise Erdrich's narration of this story that takes place between All Souls' Day 2019 and ends on All Souls' Day 2020 with Tookie, a once lesbian Native woman, incarcerated for stealing a dead body with cocaine on it. But this book deals with so much MORE and all of it was so tantalizingly good, I loved this story so much---mystery, humor, ghosts, the supernatural and most important a bookstore and many many great titles recommended for readers!!!


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The Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This audiobook & the story WERE SO GOOD! Awesomely narrated by Isabella Star LaBlanc, this reader was treated to an awesome story, a kick-ass heroine, and immersed in the Ojibwe tribe which Daunis is not a member of (yet). When her best friend is murdered by her boyfriend who then takes his life, Daunis is asked to go undercover by the FBI to find out who is responsible for meth production in the tribe---and oh does she get involved in so much more than that. She is partnered with an FBI agent posing as a high school hockey player. I was glued to the story, the history, the traditions in the community and hockey teams. I highly recommend this suspenseful story; it offers a look into Native beliefs, practices, and traditions in this amazing must read story.

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rez dogs by Joseph Bruchac

Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This middle grade novel in verse about a young girl who visits her grandparents (on their reservation) and must stay because the COVID 19 pandemic breaks out was mesmerizing. I loved the beauty of Malian's life with her grandparents and a dog, Malsum, who becomes her protector (as well as her grandparents) but also the horror of what Malian's grandparents and parents endured simply because they were Native Americans. The stories her grandparents tell her change Malian and will change the reader too! Highly recommended, a must read!

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Me (Moth) by Amber McBride

Me by Amber McBride
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This YA debut by Amber McBride took me totally by surprise; Moth is so alone after losing her family in a car accident, living with an aunt and going to school feeling lonely and invisible until one day in school, she meets Sani. McBride's descriptions of Sani from Moth's POV were just so beautiful and gripping. How they find each other and becomes friends is a must read for all and oh that ending!

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Dread Nation (Dread Nation #1) by Justina Ireland

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, this audiobook was amazing!!! My fave narrator, Bahni Turpin (she was also awesome with Underground Railroad and The Sun Is Also a Star) was spectacular as Jane McKeene, a totally kick-ass heroine, who lies a lot, is fearsome, will take a dare anytime, anywhere and is thoroughly at ease wielding scythes to put down the "shamblers" the dead who are now infected, have risen up and are roaming the country, swelling in numbers and becoming an overwhelming threat. Negro Jane attends a school in the post Civil War era that trains/arms (and educates) negroes and Native Americans in fending off the shamblers. As Jane prepares to graduate, her old boyfriend, Jackson appears asking for Jane's help to find his little sister and the white family she is living with who have disappeared. This book is an adventure, a horror story, history re-imagined with zombies, with Jane fighting for truth, freedom, becoming friends, being a leader, and always a target by the survivalists who subscribe to hate, lies, violence, and torture. Using her daring do, her very capable mind that is keen on weaponry and the art of battle, Jane strives to escape Summerland with her friends and stop the shamblers. I could not stop listening to this rip-roaring tale which made me laugh, made me cringe, and made me sick with the evil and horrors that lurked (but also lived in plain sight) and I rooted for Jane and her loyal band to succeed; I can't wait for the 2nd in this duology! A must read.

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Roughneck by Jeff Lemire

Roughneck by Jeff Lemire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this awesome graphic novel as part of the 2018 HUB Challenge because it is an Alex Award winner. Jeff Lemire's discussion of indigenous people, fractured families, ice hockey, and violence in this harshly, real illustrated graphic novel really moved me. Derek and his sister's plight- a violent father and sweet mother taken from them too quickly is just one thread in this must read graphic novel that takes place in Pimatamon but also explores their lives- Derek's with ice hockey and the violence afterward and drug addicted, Mary with an abusive boyfriend. The secondary characters were so authentic and really fleshed out the plot. Highly recommended. If you like to read about ice hocky and it's grip- Bear Town by Fredrik Backman is good also.

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Fire Song by Adam Garnet Jones

Fire Song by Adam Garnet Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for the advance reader copy Fire Song by Adam Garnet Jones in exchange for an honest review. I was so moved by the story of Shane, an Anishinaabe teen, who is reeling from his sister’s suicide, his mother’s withdrawal into grief, his conflicting feelings for his girlfriend, Tara, and his secret relationship with David, are just a few of the REAL things. Just as key to the plot is Shane’s lukewarm commitment to his indigenous heritage, at one with language, beliefs, and traditions. He ignores the defining elements of being an Anishinaabe but luxuriates in all that nature offers. Conversely David is proud of his heritage, has a strong belief system, and loves where he lives but wants to hide his relationship with Shane. But Shane’s need to leave the rez is absolute, going to school in Toronto, with David by his side. But can Shane make his future happen? I could not put this book down; teens will be reading, sharing, and loving this emotional, gripping book! A must read, highly recommended! #Firesong #NetGalley

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