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jamielea86's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
tinynavajo's review against another edition
5.0
As a Native American stuck in the middle, just like Apple, I will say this story just decided to take my heart and punch it to outer space. It was so good! Apple spends the summer with her mother's parents, her maternal grandparents, on the Turtle Mountain Reservation in North Dakota. Apple learns a lot more about her mother who has died when Apple was born.
I laughed, I definitely cried, and I'm glad to have read this book and I'm going to suggest to anyone, child, teen, or adult, who feels a bit in the middle.
I laughed, I definitely cried, and I'm glad to have read this book and I'm going to suggest to anyone, child, teen, or adult, who feels a bit in the middle.
ebz1022's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
jwinchell's review against another edition
I kept comparing this to the wonderful The Brave by James Bird and I found it so inferior. I didn’t like her weird verbal outbursts or her inner monologue. The book has potential but I am passing this one by.
bsmorris's review against another edition
4.0
This is a sweet, wholesome, coming-of-age story about a girl learning how to be herself even as she feels in-between cultures because of her white father and Ojibwe mother. Not only is it a compelling, well-paced story, it's also packed with insights into Ojibwe culture. I really enjoyed the character development and the humor of this story.
roots_and_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Really wonderful YA novel. Powerful messages and themes throughout about family, belonging, and understanding your place in the world.
saidtheraina's review against another edition
3.0
There are a lot of things I like about this book.
I'm really into the cover.
And the concept.
And obviously, the REPRESENTATION. It's great to read an ownvoices YA book by an indigenous author.
I also liked the wide variety of characters in the reservation community. I'm taking this out to my middle school virtual class visits this year, and my booktalk focuses on how Apple's grandparents are part of a real true Community. The most effective theme in this book for me was about how isolated Apple felt in her life back home, and how major it is for her to experience a more connected community environment during this summer on the Turtle Mountain Reservation.
Unfortunately, there was something about the writing style and overall character voice that never clicked for me. I didn't quite believe Apple's quirk or attitude, and some of her story didn't feel consistent. And there were some passing moments that felt fat-phobic or prejudiced against people with disabilities (i.e. page 50: "Grandma, is Little Inez . . . you know . . . a 'special needs' child? Because, well . . . she seems to have a violent streak.") - especially because they were never addressed or dealt with.
I wonder if some of those issues might have been handled differently if this had gone through the editorial process at a publisher that specializes in YA. This is put out by North Dakota State University Press.
For me, the good outweighed the troubling (clearly, since I'm booktalking it!). More like this, please!
I'm really into the cover.
And the concept.
And obviously, the REPRESENTATION. It's great to read an ownvoices YA book by an indigenous author.
I also liked the wide variety of characters in the reservation community. I'm taking this out to my middle school virtual class visits this year, and my booktalk focuses on how Apple's grandparents are part of a real true Community. The most effective theme in this book for me was about how isolated Apple felt in her life back home, and how major it is for her to experience a more connected community environment during this summer on the Turtle Mountain Reservation.
Unfortunately, there was something about the writing style and overall character voice that never clicked for me. I didn't quite believe Apple's quirk or attitude, and some of her story didn't feel consistent. And there were some passing moments that felt fat-phobic or prejudiced against people with disabilities (i.e. page 50: "Grandma, is Little Inez . . . you know . . . a 'special needs' child? Because, well . . . she seems to have a violent streak.") - especially because they were never addressed or dealt with.
I wonder if some of those issues might have been handled differently if this had gone through the editorial process at a publisher that specializes in YA. This is put out by North Dakota State University Press.
For me, the good outweighed the troubling (clearly, since I'm booktalking it!). More like this, please!
_emaliemoore's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful look into the life of the Turtle Mountain people. And a beautiful understanding of biracial life. As a biracial person I shared in Apple's story of not understanding where you belong. I loved the book.
tano's review against another edition
3.0
More a 2.5, but I'll round it up to 3 for the very likable side characters and because, despite the many flaws, this book thought me something!
amandalorianxo's review
emotional
informative
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? It's complicated
3.5
I want to preface by saying I’m not Indigenous. I can’t speak on the info about the tribes that were discussed in this book. I will say that for a middle grade book focusing on identity and finding where you belong, I think this is a good intro to those who are trying to unlearn some more harmful tales they may have been told about Native Americans. I do think some plot points could have been edited better and there is a death that occurs that I wasn’t entirely sure should have happened but nonetheless I’m glad to see more own voice authors being able to publish their work for us to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death and Death of parent