Sisters in the Wind: A Printz Honor Book

A community cannot survive without future generations; therefore, children are a community’s most precious resource. Children need security and stability when their parents crash and burn in the chaos of their lives. Instead of being swept aside like ash, Native children—through ICWA—are placed with relatives, or people in their community, or even people from other tribal communities. The difference between a Native family and a family that isn’t Native is that Native families are like onions. Rough-looking on the outside, people want to peel the outer layers and toss them away, as if they have no value. But each layer is protecting the next, down to its innermost core. That green center, where the onion is sweetest, that’s the Native child. Surrounded by layers of family and community. Every book holds secret messages if you can decode what the author intended the reader to find. Angeline Boulley wrote Sisters in the Wind because the Indian Child Welfare Act, or ICWA, is under attack and the battle has nothing to do with the best interests of Indian children. Sisters in the Wind was written so we can have fewer stories like Lucy’s and more like her character Gimiwan’s. Stories that need to be shared and published. Sisters in the Wind is that book. Like her characters, Angeline has a way of speaking that makes me want to hear more. It’s obvious that she cares so much about the subject matter. She is also an engaging presenter. And when she talks about her books, her enthusiasm is contagious. I’m glad when she wants me to read all the testimonials that she’s collected so far. Sisters in the Wind is a book about the Indian Child Welfare Act, why it matters and how it changes kids’ lives when it’s followed. Her most intense, heart-wrenching, and triumphant novel to date!

This book was good for discussion, and nothing about it was so objectionable or disturbing or strong that the book would not relate to a wide range of reader. The story follows Lucy, whom the reader learns is a foster child on the run from somebody. She meets strangers while working at her diner that want to help her. She isn't sure whether to accept her help. Through flashback, the reader learns more about why she is on the run, who she is running away from, and other aspects of her life that led her towards danger. This book attempts to merge a sort of traditional thriller book with information about the struggles of Native teens and families, and covers information relevant to today's world. It also is a book that is intended to appeal to both teens and adults. For some readers aspects of this book will be a little clumsy. Motivations of characters aren't fully fleshed out, the pacing is unsatisfying for some (a lot of flashbacks followed by a very significant confrontation scene towards the end) and for readers who are looking for a book geared towards adult sensitivities, the plot points and characters may just seem immature and obvious. However, I also found this book a book where the pages flew by, where I could read it almost anywhere I went, and I enjoyed the story if I could get myself out of the headspace of criticizing it.