Joseph Bruchac's Rez Dogs receives acclaim for its authentic depiction of Native American culture and the deep bond between a girl and her dog. Positively noted for its lyrical prose and emotional resonance, some reviewers mention the pacing can be slow. Overall, it is praised for its heartwarming and culturally rich narrative.

Readers who would enjoy Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac are typically middle-grade to young adult audiences interested in Native American culture, contemporary issues, and tales of resilience. Fans of Louise Erdrich’s The Birchbark House or Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian would find this novel engaging and insightful.

Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac is a novel in verse that follows Malian, an eighth grader, who is visiting her grandparents on the Penacook Wabanaki reservation when the COVID-19 lockdown occurs. She bonds with a loyal rez dog named Malsum and learns about her Wabanaki heritage, history, and the resilience of her people, while also grappling with the isolation from her parents and challenges of remote learning. The narrative covers the legacy of forced assimilation within boarding schools and other historical injustices faced by Indigenous Americans.

Joseph Bruchac

Middle grade

Novel/Book in Verse

Fiction

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