Ann Dallman

Cady has been asked by John Ray to find the connection between his relative who buried a journal before he died and the quillwork design on the cover. 'Coincidentally' this ties in with a class assignment to research boats on Lake Superior. In the process, we learn pieces of local history, and see that there is a connection between his family and hers.
We keep being told it is a mystery, and how Cady is learning how to solve mysteries, but the only real mystery is that the elders who know the answers to the questions won't tell her. It's as if she has to prove that she can be focused and put in some effort on her own....which is not a bad strategy for teaching young people, now that I think about it. Cady's friend Irish is mad at her, which is just as well since Irish is a one-dimensional character. Cady's friend John Ray is out west learning how to be traditional.
Cady learns about not judging people by appearances or by what other's say, but to look into how their life history has led them to their situation. What is unsatisfactory is how much time Cady spends not doing any research, but sitting in her room rehashing her relationships, and yet can produce an praiseworthy report in a single weekend just before the deadline.
This second book in the series doesn't read well when closely following the first. Too many of the background explanations are identical to the phrases used in the first book. This book could have used a good editor. e.g. in chapter 13 she is entrusted with a book and asked to be sure to bring it to John Ray's grandma. When she visits Grandma Eunice in chapter 14, no mention is made of the book.… (más)

Cady has started a new school on a nearby reservation, which her father chose so she could learn more about her heritage. The story starts in the spring with Cady meeting a boy who has been raised traditionally (in contrast to those who copy big city toughness). The mystery starts with an eagle feather she has found, and then she asks John Ray to help her find out about an old bear necklace she finds hidden in her room. His grandma, living nearby, and her grandma, living far off in Minnesota, give them clues. A blue jay seems to come around when there is something she needs to pay attention to.
Cady's father is very strict, grounding her every time she is late, cautious about letting her have money or cell time. They do have to watch their budget, as her father has a temporary job as cultural advisor and her step-mother works part time in a donut shop. Her mother left when she was very young and Cady resents her father's new wife.
Chapter headings are in Anishinaabe language, with English translation in parentheses, which contrasts with Cady's statement that she & John Ray are Potawatomi. Some common traditional words are used throughout.
My book is a 2nd edition (different publisher from the 2019 version), but still contains typographical and editing errors.
A younger reader might not notice about the excessive focus put on clothing details, and the way some description of the setting is just tacked in and not really part of the narrative flow.… (más)

A mystery to engage middle grade readers with cultural information about Native Americans interwoven so as to make the clues and solution dependent upon understanding the factual information. As a retired teacher, I would say this is the best kind of learning, exciting. The Native American information is accurate, as in other books such as those written by Dr. Anton Treuer and Angeline Boulley. I read this in one session, not meaning to but I had to find out the solution.
It is described as a coming of age story, but with Native Americans that means more about finding out your life mission. There is only one kiss at the end, making this suitable for the classroom.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.… (más)

A mystery to engage middle grade readers with cultural information about Native Americans interwoven so as to make the clues and solution dependent upon understanding the factual information. As a retired teacher, I would say this is the best kind of learning, exciting. The Native American information is accurate, as in other books such as those written by Dr. Anton Treuer and Angeline Boulley. I read this in one session, not meaning to but I had to find out the solution.
It is described as a coming of age story, but with Native Americans that means more about finding out your life mission. There is only one kiss at the end, making this suitable for the classroom.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.… (más)