I have read over 15 YA books this year, which, yes, to many of you isn't a lot. To me, it far exceeds the reading goal I originally set in January. I've ambitiously changed my goal to 30 books for the year. Let me tell you about my favorite this year, and, to be honest, I'm not sure any book will top it:
By debut author, Angeline Boulley, Firekeeper's Daughter touches on several topics including drug addition, the treatment of Native Americans/indigenous people, and navigating family issues. Before now, a contemporary book about a teen Native American was nearly impossible to find for young adults. This refreshing narrative follows eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine as she is thrown into an FBI investigation along with the new guy in town, Jamie. Together, they try to find who is behind the production and distribution of a new form of meth wreaking havoc in her community.
This beautifully written novel keeps you on your toes the whole time and really helps you appreciate and respect the Native American culture in our nation. It is being adapted to a Netflix movie, so be sure to keep an eye out for that. In the meantime, if you are looking for a more informational book about Native Americans/Indigenous people check out Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But We're Afraid to Ask or An Indigenous people's history of the United States for young people. Additionally, the superbly illustrated graphic novel If I Go Missing discusses many of the same issues as Firekeeper's Daughter.
I hope you enjoy Firekeeper's Daughter as much as I did and learn more about the Native American culture in the process. Happy reading!
-Ashleigh Edwards
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