Apple: Skin to the Core

Apple: Skin to the Core is a memoir in verse by Eric Gansworth that chronicles his experiences as an Onondaga person living among the Tuscarora nation. Through poetry, prose, and artwork, Gansworth documents his family history and personal journey while exploring the broader context of Native American experiences in the United States. The book incorporates multiple forms of storytelling, including original paintings, photographs, and collages created by Gansworth himself. The narrative addresses the impact of residential schools on Indigenous communities and examines cultural identity through the lens of the derogatory term "apple" - used to describe Native Americans perceived as acting white. This award-winning young adult book has received multiple honors, including being longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature and winning the American Indian Youth Literature Award. Through interconnected pieces, it presents a multi-generational story of family, identity, and survival in contemporary Native America. The memoir stands as a significant work about cultural preservation and the complexity of navigating multiple worlds while maintaining one's core identity. Its format and themes create an innovative exploration of what it means to exist between traditional and modern ways of life.

Readers describe this memoir-in-verse as raw and unflinching in its portrayal of Native American identity and intergenerational trauma. The mix of poetry, prose, and visual art resonates with many Indigenous readers who see their experiences reflected. Readers appreciated: - Personal family photographs that enhanced the storytelling - Beatles music references woven throughout - Complex exploration of identity and belonging - Educational value about boarding school history Common criticisms: - Structure can feel fragmented and hard to follow - Some readers found the Beatles connections forced - Length (over 350 pages) challenging for verse format Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (100+ ratings) "The format perfectly mirrors the fractured nature of growing up between cultures," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. Another noted: "The non-linear storytelling lost me at times, but the raw honesty of his experiences stayed with me long after."

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🍎 The title "Apple" reclaims a derogatory term used against Indigenous people, transforming it into a powerful statement about cultural identity and survival. 🎨 Gansworth created all the artwork featured in the book himself, including black and white gouache paintings that complement and enhance the written narrative. 📚 The book's structure draws inspiration from The Beatles' White Album, using song titles as chapter headings to create a unique framework for storytelling. 🏫 The author grew up living on the Tuscarora Nation reservation in New York state, despite being enrolled in the Onondaga Nation - a unique perspective that shapes his narrative. 🎓 Eric Gansworth is not only an author but also a Professor of English and Lowery Writer-in-Residence at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, where he teaches creative writing and literature.