Review | We Still Belong

Summary: We Still Belong

We Still Belong follows young Wesley on one special Indigenous People’s Day, on which she plans to ask her crush to the Tolo dance. She’s also expecting the publication of her poem about Indigenous pride in the school newspaper. But suddenly, the day is not going to plan. Instead of her crush, she has a new lab partner, her English teacher doesn’t think her poem is all that great, and things may be changing at home.

The Good

Wesley is a sweet, likable protagonist with a lot going on. I enjoyed the one-day setting (something that’s rare in middle grade literature), and the author does a wonderful job of encapsulating the main elements of Wesley’s life in the events of one day while showing readers some impactful past moments of Wesley’s life.

Wesley is one-sixteenth Upper Skagit and lives with her grandfather, mother, her aunt, uncle, and their baby in her grandfather’s house. She’s in the Gamer Club in her school and has one best friend, Hanan, whose family is struggling financially. Sometimes, Hanan can’t get lunch because of her lunch debt. We also learn that Wesley’s father is estranged because of a disagreement with her mother and his fiery temper.

Somehow this book manages to pack a lot of issues into 254 pages. I loved how sweet and sensitive Wesley’s crush Ryan Thomas is, and the rollercoaster readers go on with both kids. Gaming also plays a big role in this story as Wesley loves to watch a popular Native gamer’s live stream.

Like everything by this author, this book is impressively gentle as it delves into complicated issues like blood quantum laws (there’s also a fantastic Authors Note with more info about this), dealing with rejection, familial financial challenges, and having an absent parent. For a touch of sweetness, Wesley and her crush have an age-appropriate friendship that tweens will love.

Overall: We Still Belong

We Still Belong is a deeply insightful, important, and engaging book about Indigenous pride, family, and self-confidence. I loved how age-appropriate and fun this is, with a gamer protagonist and depictions of healthy female friendships. If any of those themes interest you, OR you’re looking to read more books by Native American authors, don’t miss this one!

My Rating

Content Notes

Here are some specifics to know about the content.

• Wesley and another Native American student experience several microaggressions
• A slightly scary scene in which Wesley and her mom have to escape her father after a meeting with him goes wrong
• A fellow Native American student protests Columbus Day and teaches Wesley the gritty history behind Columbus’ encounter and interactions with Natives

Diversity

• Ethnic: Many Native American characters, Ryan is white
• Sexual orientation: All main characters are straight

Recommended for ages: 9+

Good for kids who like:

• The Sea in Winter by Christine Day
• Sincerely Sicily by Tameka Burgess
• Books about video games
• Books with characters who like to write

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