She Holds up the Stars is a powerful story of belonging, reconciliation, and the interwoven threads that tie us to family, to the land, and to our own sense of self.
Synopsis
The last thing that twelve-year-old Misko wants to do is to move away from the city to spend time on the rez with her grandmother. And yet she feels strangely compelled to go, drawn by a pull she feels in her dreams. Maybe she can finally find out what happened to her mother, who mysteriously disappeared when Misko was four years old.
Misko’s relationship to the rez shifts when she encounters a spirited horse named Mishtadim. But Mishtadim is being violently broken by the rancher next door and his son Thomas. Misko and Thomas clash at first, only to find themselves drawn together by the wild horse. As Misko slowly discovers her unique bond with Mishtadim, she feels a sense of belonging and comes to understand the beauty of the world all around here.
#MelAndNikkiReview
She Holds up the Stars is absolutely heartwarming in so many ways. An empowering story about a young Indigenous girl, Misko, who is searching for a sense of home. In her journey, she finds strength and courage in her gifts.
Misko is able to deepen her connection to the land, and her own cultural awakening.
For this #MelAndNikkiReview, we give this book 5 stars out of 5! Absolutely loved reading this book as there is so much love, passion and heart that went into creating this beautiful story. I truly appreciated the glossary at the back of the book as it was a great learning opportunity for me to reference as I read. I highly recommend this book for kids who want a truly masterpiece to read.
When you look up
at the sky at night,
I am the star who
shines brightest for you.
If you would like to purchase this book, click here. It is recommended for children from Grade 5 to Grade 9.
About the Author
Sandra Laronde is from the Teme-Augama Anishinaabe (People of the Deep Water) in Temagami, Northern Ontario. An accomplished arts innovator, multi-disciplinary artist, and leader, she plays a pivotal role in the ongoing Indigenous cultural resurgence of Canada. Laronde is also the founder of Red Sky Performance, an award-winning company that leads in the creation, elevation, and evolution of contemporary Indigenous performance in Canada and worldwide.
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
-Momma Braga
*Please note that this book was provided in exchange of an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own.
