About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the complexities of identity, specifically the feeling of being caught between two cultures or struggling with the weight of inherited history. It is an essential resource for adolescents who feel misunderstood by labels or who are beginning to ask deep questions about their family's past and how it shapes their present self. Through a mix of moving verse, prose, and original art, Eric Gansworth explores his upbringing on a Tuscarora reservation, reclaiming a slur used against Native people and transforming it into a powerful narrative of resilience. This memoir handles heavy themes of historical trauma, including the legacy of government boarding schools, with a dry wit and raw honesty that resonates with the 14 to 18 age group. It is a choice for parents who want to support their child's journey toward self-actualization while providing a window into the enduring strength of Indigenous communities.
