Wesley is excited about Indigenous Peoples' Day and about the school newspaper publishing the poem she wrote. Her language arts teacher has a policy of discussing articles written by class members and she is eager to hear what her peers have to say about the poem. But the entire class period goes by and he never brings it up. When she questions him about it, he says the poem was a missed opportunity and that she didn't really have a "clear thesis statement." As a friend points out to her later, the thesis statement is the title of the poem itself, "We Still Belong." What could be a clearer position to take about the continued existence and relevance of Indigenous people?
That isn't the only disappointment of the day. Like other middle school students, Wesley is figuring out who she is. She has friends, family, hobbies, and skills that make her unique. She is working up the nerve to ask a friend to a school dance, but hears through social media that he is unavailable. Her science teacher has rearranged the seating assignments, so that Wesley is now working with a new student who also seems to be having a hard day. Is anything going to go right?
But this is a resilient girl with a big heart. She makes unexpected friends by reaching out when she sees others in need. Her family and best friend Hanan, as well as others at school, praise her poem. There is an intertribal powwow to look forward to in the evening. And one of her favorite online gamers recognizes Indigenous Peoples' Day and gathers donations through a charity live stream event. Not everything has gone wrong after all.
Christine Day, herself a member of the Upper Skagit Tribe, has crafted another thoughtful and engaging story with believable characters that deal with situations that reflect real life. Perfect for readers who enjoy realistic fiction. Publication date is August 1; I read an advance copy provided by the publisher for review purposes.
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