Reviews

Borders by Thomas King

happylilkt's review against another edition

3.0

I had read the short story / essay about this experience in the Native American lit class I took in Summer 2022. Thomas King is an incredible storyteller and I could listen to his voice forever. I was excited to see this graphic novel was published in 2021.

The illustrations are great and so is the story, but I admit I wish a little more information was given for readers who are not as familiar with the Blackfoot nation and these citizenship issues. I was hoping to nominate this book for next year's Battle of the Books in Oregon, but I'm not sure if 3-5th graders would get the nuance of some of the issues. Or maybe they would? I might nominate it anyway and the selection committee can decide :)

soleil_soleil's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Very important message - be proud of where you come from and who you are, and don't let others define you!

The storytelling is interesting, though. I found it a bit unnerving that one character's questions are never answered, but otherwise good book!

ex_libris_volantes's review against another edition

funny inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is a book written straight to the hearts and pride of Natives, and those who would consider themselves comrades and collaborators in Indigenous rights. I came away from this fully on the side of the mother, and with a knowing smirk on my face. Never back down when the our rights and identity are attempted to be explained away by “the law” because the law does not make us who we are. The law does not shape our hearts. LANDBACK!

saara_ilona_muu's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

bibliobrandie's review against another edition

3.0

This is a good look at identity and the colonialism, nationalism, and ego of borders. A boy and his mother are at the border between America and Canada and when asked their nationality, the mother identifies their citizenship as Blackfoot. Refusing to identify as either American or Canadian prevents them entry into the US and reentry into Canada. They are stuck and their struggle is a good conversation about identity, citizenship, and the arbitrary nature of borders, but the story was missing something for me.

dsouash's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

amholling's review against another edition

inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

evamadera1's review against another edition

I expected this book to go a little deeper but I still recommend this and plan to use it in my classroom. This would make an excellent text for teaching non-fiction, especially in classrooms with high ML (multilingual learners) and otherwise diverse populations. The simplicity of the narrative allows the message to have an even stronger impact.

susan_dandar's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

books4all's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

3.75

Graphic; idigineous; Blackfoot; Canada and US border