Weird Rules to Follow

 

Book Review:

Bibliography-

Spencer, K. (2022). Weird rules to follow. Orca Book Publisher.

ISBN 1459835581

 

Plot Summary- 

In the 1980s, the coastal fishing town of Prince Rupert is booming. There is plenty of sockeye salmon in the nearby ocean, which means the fishermen are happy and there is plenty of work at the cannery. Eleven-year-old Mia and her best friend, Lara, have known each other since kindergarten. Like most tweens, they like to hang out and compare notes on their crushes and dream about their futures. But even though they both live in the same cul-de-sac, Mia’s life is very different from her non-Indigenous, middle-class neighbor. Lara lives with her mom, her dad and her little brother in a big house, with two cars in the drive and a view of the ocean. Mia lives in a shabby wartime house that is full of relatives―her churchgoing grandmother, binge-drinking mother and a rotating number of aunts, uncles and cousins. Even though their differences never seemed to matter to the two friends, Mia begins to notice how adults treat her differently, just because she is Indigenous. Teachers, shopkeepers, even Lara’s parents―they all seem to have decided who Mia is without getting to know her first.

 

 Critical Analysis-

This story is a first-person narrative that builds empathy for the main character, Mia, as she tackles issues of friendship and identity. It is not a typical straightforward story, but rather a collection of snapshots of events in Mia's life. Throughout the book she narrates her experience with family alcoholism, money challenges, Tsimshian culture, and self-discovery. As Mia grows up, she begins to recognize the shifts in attitude and behavior of the people in her community. Her clear understanding of herself and her world will appeal to sensitive readers. Although it is a quiet book, it is impactful. Spencer created an insightful, realistic and sincere storyline and characters. The text is lyrical, which makes it read like a novel-in-verse.

 

Review Excerpts-

2023 USBBY OIB (Outstanding International Book) List

“Like a photo album but in text rather than in pictures…providing the reader with a layered, nuanced picture of Mia’s life.” ― Booklist

“Easy to read but poetic and focused…This story, while fiction, rings true.” ― The Horn Book

 Connections-

-Students can write in their reading response journal:

What is the most interesting thing you learned about the main character?

Describe an important event in the book, tell why it is important.

If you could give the main character some advice, what would you tell her?

List 6 adjectives that describe the main character in the book.

 

 

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