An informative Lakota historical novel heavy on exposition.
When his people are treated unfairly, a Lakota boy’s determination wins out.
In 1929, 11-year-old Alfred Sparrow lives on the Kul Wicasa Lakota Reservation in South Dakota with his mother, younger brother, and grandparents following the disappearance of his father, who left to find work in Wyoming and was never heard from again. The family treasures the tribal allotment land his grandfather has worked so long and hard to sustain. When Mr. O’Neil, the local government agency superintendent, and his cohorts try to swindle Alfred’s grandfather and other Lakota landowners out of their land, Alfred looks to his dreams, then shares what he learns with his friends. Together, they come up with a plan to defeat their enemy and save their homes. Lakota culture and traditions are incorporated throughout the story, for example when Alfred dreams of the golden eagle spirit helper. He remembers his grandfather telling him, “Grandchild, a golden eagle came to your mother when you were born. It will surely watch over you throughout your life.” Alfred later calls on this helper when he and his dog are attacked by wolves after getting too close to a den of wolf cubs. This series opener by Beartrack-Algeo (Lower Brule Lakota Nation) begins slowly, and the quantity of and dense approach to conveying historical information may deter the intended audience of reluctant readers. Things pick up toward the end of the book with several exciting action-packed scenes.
An informative Lakota historical novel heavy on exposition. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: April 26, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-939053-40-4
Page Count: 122
Publisher: 7th Generation
Review Posted Online: Jan. 25, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2022
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
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