An illuminating novel about the importance of reclaiming the past, based on the author’s family history
Summer and her family always spend idyllic summer vacations in Canada on the Cree reservation where her mom’s family lives. But this year, some things are troubling her. First, Summer starts having vivid dreams about trying to escape from one of the real-life residential schools that tore Native children from their families and tried to erase their Native identities. Not long after that, she learns that unmarked children’s graves have been discovered at the school her grandpa attended as a child. Now more elders—including her grandpa—are starting to speak up about their experiences at these awful places, and Summer and her cousin are taking note. The two girls are determined to learn all they can about their past, and as they do, they start to meet some extraordinary people, including a very special elder—a woman who is able to enlighten Summer about the source of her unsettling dreams.
* Featuring bonus educational resources from the author! *
