Soldier Sister, Fly Home by Nancy Bo Flood - NO

Soldier Sister, Fly Home by Nancy Bo Flood, illustrated byShonto Begay, 160 pages.  Charlesbridge, 2016.  $17.  

Content: Language: PG (4 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG.  

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - NOT RECOMMENDED

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

A young native American girl tries to find her place in the Native American community and the white, American community. Amid trying to find her place, Tess’s sister Gaby goes across seas to serve her county leaving Tess feeling alone and lost. Gaby asks Tess to take care of her bold horse named Blue. Tess tries to feel close to her sister through Blue, while trying to balance life on the reservation and life at school.

I did not like this book. The main character wallowed in self-pity the entire time constantly complaining about everything. This book seemed like it would be an original idea, but it was really a crash and burn. The story was flat, and I felt like it had no beginning or end. The content includes underage smoking, graphic killing of sheep and animals mating.  I would not recommend this book.  

Student Reviewer, Isabelle, 9^th grade.