Shards of Silence by Brian Lee Young

    

Where do I begin? My cultural book club I joined at school picked this book for the month of September. It is a young adult novel that truly lets its audience know about Navajo culture. From the first chapter, you learned that our main character, Derek is beyond smart and has achieved enough accolades to qualify for a prestigious boarding school. Indigenous populations for many years were forced into religious based boarding schools so this creates quite a divide in his family. As he learns more about his grandmother and great grandmother's experiences at boarding school, he understands why they are stressed for him to willingly go.
    Each chapter starts with the Navajo language. One insight that I purely enjoyed was that every older woman in your life as an auntie or grandmother. It was reiterated that family is more than just blood ties. I was overcome with emotion as he was telling his story about what school was like with all the white kids at the boarding school. Stereotypical questions and the constant need for validation (his peer's opinions) really did lead our main character astray (as in livid). I'm glad that his character was portrayed as being someone who was resilient and strong. When he stood up for his beliefs to his classmates and really put himself out there to talk about his culture was a very proud moment. I think young readers of all races should have opportunities where they read stories about ordinary people who do extraordinary things. 
    I wonder if my students feel like that once they leave the boundary and go off to college away from the reservation? I would highly recommend you read this even if you're not interested in young adult novels. The Navajo nation is the largest indigenous tribe in America. I looked it up earlier to see where they ranked. The only reason I look this up was because we went to a Cherokee at large event hosted in Kennesaw Georgia last week and they mentioned that their tribe, Cherokee Nation, was the second largest tribe in America. 
    Without saying, this book definitely deserves a five out of five stars. Our librarian over the high school really knows how to choose books! 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lists 2.0

 #40. Fly in a plane.  Check A+.       I did end up flying in a plane. The year I turned 30 was one of the best year's of my life so far. My best friend/ sister convinced me to go to the infamous Vegas. The four hour flight was breathtaking and I will forever remember the feeling of lifting off. I do not ever really want to fly again. We hit some MAJOR turbulence on the way home and I was frightened to the point I had a panic attack.      We enjoyed seven days of shows,  shopping, and exploring. We averaged over 15,000 steps a day and slept well at night. That was what life was like before children. My sister and I could take off with a moment's notice and go where ever. We took off to NYC to watch the ball drop one year. As it turns out it isn't an actual ball at all.  #45. Save a life.      Well, this one is really out there. Let me think...   I have saved a life but not like a you are thinking though. I go and...
Read more

Lists Again

        While cleaning out some storage boxes today I found various books with list being used as book marks. These books are well worn and have been read dozens of times. The lists were left in chapters that I deemed important. I reread some of the saved items and soon discovered that I had a list of what my thirties need to look like. It's a laughable concept. I really had all these plans as to how my thirties would look and be. Let me share a few of them with you.  #4. I will be an independent woman that doesn't rely on any man.  #9. I will have obtained a master's degree in some field that has purpose.  #21. I will live somewhere far away from town.  #24. I will have the job I have been wanting my whole life.  #31. Break away from family that doesn't see me for me.  #39. Buy a car that no one else has ever owned.         Context:         I wrote this list as a first year teacher. I was 21 ...
Read more

Lists

    Analyzing my current behaviors has been somewhat informative. I wonder if there is some weird diagnosis for people who have to have lists to function? I have to have the lists checked off in order to feel accomplished. It's strange to really think about it all. The lists are do not serve as reminders, but more of importance. I arrange items based upon the tasks at hand and what matters most, which often leads to a massive let down for me.       My current list consists of the many chores that need to be done that go beyond the daily tasks. Mostly things that need to be repaired or moved. Lists assist me in my daily life of routine. I live a monotonous life and each day is basically a replica of the day before. Nothing changes and that is to be expected. When new things to arise, I really struggle with change. I even have list for school as well and I make various lists for my students as well.      We have lists of missing work, agendas, ...
Read more