📖 Overview
Louise Wolfe, a Native teen starting her senior year, breaks up with her first boyfriend after he makes disparaging remarks about Native people. She channels her energy into working for her high school newspaper, covering stories that matter to her Kansas community.
When Louise joins forces with Joey Kairouz, the new photojournalist on the school paper, they investigate the controversy surrounding their school's musical theater production of The Wizard of Oz. The casting choices have sparked intense debate about representation and inclusion in their small town.
As Louise pursues the story, she navigates complex relationships with her family, including her younger brother who faces discrimination at school, and her growing feelings for Joey. Her Muscogee (Creek) heritage shapes her perspective as she reports on issues of prejudice and equity in her community.
The novel explores themes of identity, journalism ethics, and speaking truth to power through the lens of contemporary Native American teenage experience. It raises questions about whose stories get told and who gets to tell them.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate the authentic representation of Native American experiences and the nuanced exploration of racism, microaggressions, and high school journalism. Many note the strong voice of protagonist Louise and her realistic relationships with family and friends. Several reviews highlight the book's handling of free speech versus hate speech in school settings.
Common criticisms include a slow-moving plot, particularly in the first half. Some readers found the romance subplot predictable and certain character reactions unrealistic. Multiple reviews mention wanting more resolution to various story threads.
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.3/5 (80+ ratings)
BookBrowse: 4/5 (42 ratings)
"The protagonist's voice feels real and raw" - Goodreads reviewer
"Handles complex topics without being preachy" - Amazon reviewer
"Needed more development of secondary characters" - BookBrowse reviewer
"Important perspective but pacing issues" - School Library Journal reader review
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🤔 Interesting facts
★ The author, Cynthia Leitich Smith, is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and has written over 20 books for young readers, making her one of the most prolific Native American children's authors.
★ The school musical at the center of the story is "The Wizard of Oz," which has its own complicated history with representation, as L. Frank Baum wrote editorial pieces advocating for the genocide of Native Americans.
★ The protagonist's identity as a Native teen journalist reflects the author's own background - Smith worked as a reporter before becoming an author and often incorporates themes of media representation in her work.
★ The book won the American Indian Youth Literature Award for Best Young Adult Book in 2020, recognizing its authentic portrayal of contemporary Native American experiences.
★ Kansas, where the story is set, has historical significance in Native American history as the Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced many tribes to relocate there, dramatically changing the region's cultural landscape.