Buffalo Dreamer - by Violet Duncan (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST

An illuminating novel about the importance of reclaiming the past, based on the author's family history

Summer and her family always spend relaxed summers in Alberta, Canada, on the reservation where her mom's family lives. But this year is turning out to be an eye-opening one. First, Summer has begun to have vivid dreams in which she's running away from one of the many real-life residential schools that tore Native children from their families and tried to erase their Native identities. Not long after that, she learns that unmarked children's graves have been discovered at the school her grandpa attended as a child. Now more folks are speaking up about their harrowing experiences at these places, including her grandfather. Summer cherishes her heritage and is heartbroken about all her grandfather was forced to give up and miss out on. When the town holds a rally, she's proud to take part to acknowledge the painful past and speak of her hopes for the future, and anxious to find someone who can fill her in on the source of her unsettling dreams.

* Featuring bonus educational resources from the author! *

Review Quotes

* "Drawing inspiration from her own family's experiences, Duncan (Kehewin Cree/Taino) tells the story of an Indigenous girl who confronts hard truths one summer. . . . Duncan shines a light on a devastating aspect of Indigenous history, never sugarcoating the topic yet leaving readers with hope. Her writing is seamless, tight, and immersive, making stellar use of sensory descriptions, and she braids important truths into her captivating narrative: 'We are the living proof of our ancestors' resilience and the strong spirit of our people.' Compelling yet heartbreaking--and essential reading for all young people." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "An important middle grade novel about a family reunion, as well as the histories of the Indian residential schools that were set up across the U.S. and Canada. . . . Based on Duncan's family history, this novel balances an exploration of a painful events with idyllic scenes of intergenerational love and connection. Beautiful descriptions of traditional Native American culture and dress make scenes vivid for readers as Summer's family rides horses, picks berries, prepares meals, and shares stories, even ones that have remained unspoken. A powerful addition to all middle grade library shelves highlighting a time in history that has been hidden and often forgotten in both Canada and the U.S." --School Library Journal, starred review

* "Buffalo Dreamer, told in Summer's kind and heartfelt first-person narration, is intimate and compelling. Duncan makes a violent and devastating component of Indigenous history emotionally appropriate for middle-graders by connecting the author's rich and sensitive past to a hopeful present: 'We are the living proof of our ancestors' resilience and the strong spirit of our people.' This deeply and proficiently written novel is a welcome addition to the often-underexplored history of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas." --Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Past and present converge in Duncan's novel about an extended Canadian Cree family spending vacation time together. . . . This story of maturation and involvement in community will appeal to readers interested in the past and in present-day social action." --Booklist

"Summer is earnest, thoughtful, and unfailingly kind . . . the perfect narrator to introduce a heavy topic that is underexplored in literature for youth. For readers unfamiliar with the schools, enough context is given to understand the immense evil of a system that ripped Indigenous children away from their families to essentially abuse them into being acceptably 'standard.' Duncan's powerful afterward offers a brief description of how her own family survived the harrowing experience of the residential school system, ending the book with a poignant sense of intimacy." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Plains Cree and Taino author Duncan juxtaposes Summer's intense dreams with the low-conflict nature of her everyday life, which includes detailed descriptions of Native traditions such as picking sweetgrass, making for a brief look into Indigenous customs and history." --Publishers Weekly

"Along with providing a glimpse into life on a Cree reservation today, Duncan's middle grade-friendly narrative introduces readers to the devastating impact of residential schools. For example, readers learn that Mosom had to learn Cree customs from his wife because the school prohibited him from engaging in them. . . . An author's note adds personal context." --The Horn Book

About the Author

Violet Duncan (VioletDuncan.com) is Plains Cree and Taino from Kehewin Cree Nation. After becoming a mother of four and seeing the need for Native representation in literature, she wrote three picture books: I Am Native, When We Dance, and Let's Hoop Dance! She has toured nationally and internationally as an author, educator, dancer, and storyteller, and facilitates workshops to promote spiritual wellness and cultural education across the United States, Canada, and Europe. She is currently the Indigenous cultural advisor at the Tempe Center for the Arts, where she aims to create space for a permanent program of Indigenous performance and practice. She lives in Mesa, Arizona.