Something To Hold

Noe, Katherine Schlick        Something To Hold       

 Houghton/Mifflin/Clarion/

Graphia/Kingfisher      2011  250p  $16.99      978-0-547-55813-4       elm/ms

Historical 

Based upon the author’s childhood, the novel looks at commonly-held stereotypes of Native Americans.  Kitty’s family moves to an Oregon Indian Reservation in 1962.  Kitty is accustomed to moving around the country since her father is an employee of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs working with the forest service.  The family is now on the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon.  Kitty feels a little out of place as one of few white children attending the school that educates 300 Native American children.  Kitty is aware of the prejudices and incorrect beliefs held by teachers and the white people in the nearest town, and she sees how their remarks insult the Native Americans.  She becomes a staunch supporter of her classmates, speaking up for them and calling out the injustices she witnesses in her classroom, at baseball games, and in the community.  A physically abusive father with alcohol problems is handled in an age-appropriate way.  Native American customs and beliefs are seamlessly interwoven into the narrative.  A lightning-caused forest fire makes for an exciting conclusion.  This novel provides a well-written look at what is even now the seldom discussed topic of racial prejudice against Native Americans.  A glossary/pronunciation guide and an author’s note correlating events in her childhood with those in the book are found at the end.  

     

VG    Lois McNicol      Native Americans, Prejudice