Thanksgiving Thoughts

As the United States enters Thanksgiving week, we feel grateful for so much: health care workers, school personnel - teachers, administrators, and staff, grocers, restaurant staff, vaccines, boosters, friends, families, our town, good food, walks in woods ... The list could go on and on.  

And we recognize that things can be complicated when it comes to gratitude, including with the Thanksgiving holiday and how the story surrounding pilgrims and Native Americans sharing a meal for the good of all isn't a simple one. As part of re-examining stories, we are highlighting Native American Heritage Month and review in this post two recently published books by Native American authors. So, happy reading and happy Thanksgiving - in the best sense of that phrase.

Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac (2021). This, the first children's book I've read that directly addresses the Covid-19 pandemic, is spectacular.  When the story begins, Malian's visit with her grandparents at their home on a Wabanaki reservation, is interrupted by the Covid-19 lockdowns. The adults in her life decide it is better for her to stay with her grandparents than back in the city with her parents. And so she stays -- protecting her grandparents, just as they protect her. She won't go outside to play with friends. She tutors her grandparents about video chats. She cares for a stray dog; and, she attempts to keep up with her school online. Perhaps most importantly, she listens and learns from her grandparents' stories. Told in verse (fewer words per page for reluctant readers), with stories from the Wabanaki people woven throughout, this novel is a lovely read about what we do to help family, friends, our community, and the world when we can. It also specifically highlights how Malian's community has cared for one another throughout troubles of the past, and how they keep helping today. ~ Lisa Christie

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The Sea In Winter by Christine Day (2021). In this tale of loss and growth, Maisie is supposed to be auditioning for amazing ballet programs across the USA. She's dreamed of being a prima ballerina since she wore her first toe shoes. She's also supposed to be able to talk to her father about anything and everything. Instead, a torn ACL has derailed, perhaps permanently, her ballet career, and a war took her father years before - so long ago she worries she can't really remember him. Eventually, her anxiety and dark moods hurt as much as the pain in her knee. Told with love, spirit, and hope, as well as excellent reminders about the power of good therapy - both physical and mental, this tale is an excellent one for any young reader - perhaps especially those for whom life right now is not very dreamlike or who are struggling to find their joy. I also appreciated the glimpses into Native American tribes on both coasts of the United States, as well as descriptions of nature in the Pacific Northwest. ~ Lisa Christie​

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NOTE FROM ONE WEEK AFTER THIS POST WAS FIRST PUBLISHED --- We are always delighted when people enjoy our reviews. And, recently through a series of connections (i.e., our good friend Katie Kitchel was cast in a demo reel/proof of concept by one of our town's indie filmmakers - Nora Jacobson - that stars members of a Native American tribe), one of the above reviews was seen by one of the reviewed authors - Joseph Bruchac. We are beyond thrilled he was delighted to be highlighted. We love the fact our small Vermont town connected us in one step (Hi Katie) to Mr. Bruchac. And, we were extremely moved by the poem he shared with us through Katie. With Mr. Bruchac's permission, and with our gratitude, we share his poem here.

Tutuwas
by Joseph Bruchac

I know the names
 on this land
 have been changed,
 printed on maps
 made by those
 who claim their ownership.
 
 Some say nothing survives.
 
 But the wind
 still sings
 the same song
 of our breath.
 
 The hilltop trees
 still bend like dancers
 in ceremonies
 that never ended.
 
 And the little pines,
 tutuwas, tutuwas,
 lift up, protected
 from the weight of snow
 by the held-out arms
 of their elders.