About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their child is wrestling with a dual identity or feeling a deep sense of anger regarding perceived unfairness in the world. It is particularly resonant for middle schoolers who feel like outsiders within their own communities or who are struggling to reconcile traditional family values with the pressures of modern, fast-paced society. The story follows Joseph, a fourteen-year-old of mixed Yupik and white heritage living in a remote Alaskan village, as he navigates his resentment toward the outside world and his white father who left. Through Joseph's journey, the book explores intense themes of cultural preservation, the complexity of grief, and the search for a sense of belonging. While the protagonist deals with heavy emotions like abandonment and cultural erasure, the narrative is age-appropriate for the 10 to 14 range, offering a realistic and ultimately grounding look at how a young person can find peace by honoring their roots while accepting the inevitability of change.
