Publishers Weekly
06/13/2022
Johnson uses her own great-grandmother’s story as a foundation to deliver an intimate tale chronicling an Indigenous 14-year-old’s life in a new city, set in 1914 on the brink of WWI. Following Norvia Nelson’s parents’ divorce and her mother’s whirlwind nuptials to a white man they hardly know, Norvia’s mother, who is French and Ojibwe, asks her and her siblings to hide their Indigenous heritage from their new stepfamily. The Nelsons soon move from Beaver Island on Lake Michigan to Boyne City, where Norvia longs for her old life listening to her late Grand-père tell stories about their ancestors. Struggling between embracing her heritage and attempting to fit in at her new high school, Norvia channels heroines from her favorite novels, including Anne of Green Gables and Little Women, to navigate shifting family dynamics, community gossip over her parents’ divorce, prejudice, and first love. This introspective, unhurried debut, filled with personal touches from the author’s ancestry as detailed in an author’s note, is populated by memorable characters, such as Norvia’s larger-than-life younger sister. Johnson’s family photographs and an Ojibwe glossary conclude. Ages 8–12. Agent: Jessica Schmeidler, Golden Wheat Literary. (July)
From the Publisher
"Johnson’s writing is gentle, unhurried and reflective—with touches of humor and heartbreak."—NPR
"Lovingly woven from the threads left for debut author Anna Rose Johnson by her ancestors from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. . . . She showcases Norvia, a courageous young hero navigating complex family dynamics, the pressure to pass, and universal daily-life challenges. . . . Pairs well with The Birchbark House."—Cynthia Leitich Smith, NYT-bestselling author of Ancestor Approved, Rain Is Not My Indian Name, and Sisters of the Neversea
"Unputdownable. You’ll cheer for Norvia as she navigates her way to joy in spite of change, prejudice, and heartbreak."—Anne Bustard, author of Parents’ Choice Book Award Winner Blue Skies
"This is a new classic in the making."—The Southern Bookseller Review
"Touching historical fiction."—Detroit Public Radio
"Johnson (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians) combines family history with an homage to such classics as Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, and Pollyanna. . . . An engaging work of historical fiction."—The Horn Book
"A beautiful historical novel, based on the author's family. . . . A heartfelt novel about embracing one's identity, appreciating what the past has taught, and finding the courage to move forward."—Booklist
"Inspiring. . . . [Based on] the author’s family history, this gentle novel nimbly and tenderly confronts topics including prejudice, the challenge of blending families, young love, and staying true to oneself."—Kirkus Reviews
"An intimate tale chronicling an Indigenous 14-year-old's life in a new city. . . . An introspective, unhurried debut, filled with personal touches."—Publishers Weekly
"Charming. . . Sweetly old-fashioned. . . . Sensitive."—Buffalo News
"[Johnson] has dealt affectionately but with honesty and clarity in describing a young girl's struggle. . . . The strength of this novel is the gentle warmth of its tone."—The Historical Novel Society
"A sensitive coming-of-age story about identity, prejudice, and confidence in your own skin."—A Mighty Girl
"Enchanting. . . Lots of Anne of Green Gables vibes, but from an Indigenous American perspective and with more modern sensibilities."—Book Riot
"This coming-of-age story with a strong heroine is perfect for fans of Anne of Green Gables."—Parnassus Books
"This coming-of-age story finds Norvia learning how to navigate high school, figuring out how to love both her absent father and new stepfather, and finding her own happiness in a world full of change."—Youth Services Book Review
"As Norvia contends with forming friendships and gossipy classmates, she must keep her Ojibwe heritage & parents' scandalous divorce secret. . . . For fans of Anne of Green Gables."—The New York Public Library
School Library Journal
01/27/2023
Gr 5–8—Inspired by the author's family, this historical fiction novel centers 14-year-old Norvia Nelson, a bookish teen in the early 20th century who dreams of being a heroine in her quiet life in Northern Michigan as she adapts to divorce, blending and changing families, and racism. Ojibwe and French Canadian on her mother's side, Norvia is accustomed to the hateful words her father often had for her heritage. When her mother remarries in 1914, she asks her five children to hide this part of their identity from their stepfather. The story focuses primarily on the interpersonal relationships of Norvia and her newly expanded family, though crushes and changing friendships also play a significant role in this book. Bible verses are peppered throughout, and Christianity is a strong focus throughout the story. The author notes she was heavily influenced by Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, and Pollyanna, evident in the vocabulary and drowsy pace, befitting the era. A glossary of Anishinaabemowin and French terms and black-and-white family photographs are included in the back matter. VERDICT Recommended for purchase only where there is high demand for historical fiction, and where classics circulate well.—Monisha Blair
Kirkus Reviews
2022-04-27
A teen girl in early-20th-century Michigan faces loss and change.
Fourteen-year-old Norvia Nelson’s maternal grandfather, Grand-père, shared stories from their family’s Ojibwe culture and history before his death. But now, everything has changed. Norvia’s parents have divorced, and her French and Indian mother is rushing into a new marriage with a White man she barely knows. Worse still, she has asked Norvia and her siblings not to share the Native part of their background with their new stepfamily (the children’s father is a Swedish immigrant). Norvia takes inspiration from the heroines in her favorite novels: Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, and What Katy Did, among others. She is determined to become popular at her new high school and hopes to maybe even find a beau. Norvia struggles to navigate new relationships under the shadow of her parents’ divorce, which is the talk of the town. She is also torn between her love for her Native heritage and a desire to assimilate into her new life. Norvia proves to be a resilient and inspiring main character. Inspired by the author’s family history, this gentle novel nimbly and tenderly confronts topics including prejudice, the challenge of blending families, young love, and staying true to oneself.
A coming-of-age story with a kind heart and strong spirit. (author’s note, glossary and pronunciation guides, family photos) (Historical fiction. 8-13)
