Little Moons

by Jen Storm, Ryan Howe (Illustrator)

In this moving graphic novel, thirteen-year-old Reanna grieves the loss of her older sister. Can she find comfort through her family’s Ojibwe traditions?

It’s been a year since Reanna’s sister, Chelsea, went missing on her way home from school. Without any idea of what happened, Reanna and her family struggle to find closure.

Driven from their home by memories, Reanna’s mom moves to the big city. Left behind on the reserve, Reanna and her little brother go to live with their dad.

Reanna is hurt and angry that her mom has run away. She feels lonely, abandoned… but she is not alone. Lights turn on in empty rooms, and objects move without being touched.

There are little moons everywhere.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Indigenous, Comics, Fiction, Contemporary, Family

64 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2024

About the author

Jen Storm (she/her/hers) is an Ojibwe writer from Couchiching First Nation in Northwestern Ontario. She lives and raises her family, which includes her son, River and stepson Axel, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Jen completed Deadly Loyalties, her first novel, at age fourteen and has continued writing ever since.

Reviews

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A YA graphic novel about an Ojibwe family trying to navigate life after a tragedy. Had great potential, but couldn’t capitalize on it. I appreciate the intent, but the execution felt a bit cluttered and half-baked. The ending could go either way for readers. Not a happy story.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Plot Preview:

Ever since Reanna’s sister Chelsea went missing after school, her family hasn’t been the same. Struggling to find closure, each member copes in a different way, with some drifting apart and some coming closer, some seeking a change and some finding comfort in the old and familiar.
The story comes to us mostly in Reanna’s third-person perspective.

I admire the theme of this book. Attempting to highlight the difficult topic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) deserves applause. However, the execution of the theme didn’t work that well for me. The key problem is that the book leaves many things unsaid, and I am not talking just about the unresolved ending.

For one, this graphic novel is only 64 pages long – far too short to do proper justice to the topic. A few of the pages don’t even have any text, so the book goes by even faster.

We barely get to know any of the family members well, so there’s no way to understand why they behave the way they do. The mother’s character is the toughest to connect to, given that her actions seem the most drastic. Of course, everyone mourns differently, but as her behavior goes against most expectations of how mothers typically grieve and her emotions are barely mentioned, it is challenging to relate to her. I liked the portrayal of their father better, but there was much too less of him in the story.

I wish I could feel the family’s grief about Chelsea’s loss more. Reanna’s emotions are the only dominant ones on page. Then again, her pain is less about Chelsea’s loss and more about her mother’s decision to move to a new house in town and get a new life. This totally changes the track of the narrative. Given the blurb, I expected the main focus to be on MMIW, but that seems sidelined for the most part.

The passage of time is also not always clearly indicated, condensing weeks and months into immediate sequence without any time indicator. As such, it is tough to figure out how long after Chelsea’s disappearance the various events occur.

I wanted more of the titular “little moons”, but it takes ages for the book to even mention them, forget about indicating what they are. We barely get a glimpse of them in the whole story. The cover art is also merely decorative; such a scene doesn’t exist in the book at all. Given the significance of this concept, the moons should have been better explored in the narrative. There are tiny hints of the paranormal, but these stay just at that level.

The book highlights the mourning/death traditions of the Ojibwe. As in, it shows some of the indigenous rituals but without indicating what they mean (with just one exception). I never understood the significance of Reanna’s initial tradition seeking Chelsea. Even the significance of the beading craft, though highlighted multiple times, isn’t properly detailed. Indigenous people are traditionally community-oriented, but we don’t even get much sense of a community here except for one teeny powwow scene. I wish the book had offered some more info on Ojibwe culture and rituals, at least through a parting note. Non-native readers would have benefited from such elaborations.

Given how the book begins directly in the midst of a family conversation, it takes a while to recognize who’s who. This isn’t helped by the art style, whereby all the women of the family (except the grandma) look more or less the same age. In fact, Reanna looks older than her mom in most panels. That said, I do love that Reanna isn’t sketched like a typical teen with a thin figure and an attractive face. (This is a tiny victory, given how Chelsea and their mother are both sketched the usual tall-thin-stunning way.)

The ending also falls in the same pattern, given that it leaves a key event unresolved. However, this is the only incomplete content I can actually forgive (somewhat.) The author’s note clarifies her reasons for this and I am in sync with it, though I wish we had received some answers given that the book aims at YAs.

The only thing the book handles quite successfully is the portrayal of white ignorance about indigenous people and their customs.

I appreciate the content warning at the start and even more, the author’s note at the end.

Overall, this graphic novel has its heart in the right place, but by trying to cram too much into a few pages, it ends up doing no justice to most of its subplots. Having about 50 more pages would have resolved many of its issues. I appreciate its highlighting the apathetic attitude of those in power towards MMIW, but I cannot rate a book highly just for its intention. Of course, the book is getting acclaim from other readers, so if you do wish to give it a go, I hope it clicks better for you.

2 stars.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly depressing and unfortunately, necessary book based on what is happening right now and was experienced by the author. I have no idea why Indigenous Women are preyed upon to the extent that they are and it is sickening that it happens to anyone at all.

This is a short, but incredibly difficult read. My heart goes out to all of those who have lost loved ones to violence, abuse, murder and to the direct victims themselves. May we one day live in a world where all are safe.

5 stars.

[Sam - Spines in a Line · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful new graphic novel that tells an important story. Big thanks to the publisher for a copy to review, highly recommend this read for all ages!

It's a story of grief and family, tackling the difficult subject of MMIWG2s. Along with showcasing the different ways that each family member experiences grief, the author also incorporates cultural forms of mourning, sharing in the acknowledgements that she wanted to bring in some of her own Ojibwe traditions.

I love reading book acknowledgements and to learn more about the author’s intentions with their story. It’s very touching to learn that many of the characters’ actions and experiences were based on the author’s own life or that of her family and friends, like the titular “little moons” throughout. They gain a special second meaning with the understanding that it’s something so personal and I think they strengthen the story and connection for readers with similar experiences.

[Lio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwrenching. It's okay to cry, right?

[Sana · Rating 4 out of 5]

'You know, my girl, life is a lot like a river. You can't argue with a river-- --it is going to flow. You can dam it up, deflect it, float away on it, fight against the current of it-- --but you can't argue with it.'

Oh wow, despite only being 64 pages long, Little Moons packs an emotional punch that I wasn't quite prepared for. It is a depressing yet important read about grief when Reanna's sister, Chelsea, goes missing and she's rightfully having the hardest time dealing with such a loss.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) is a very real crisis in America and it's so important to see it being tackled here. The incorporation of Ojibwe traditions in the story and life on the Rez are just as important to see and nice to learn about. This is a complex story and Jen Storm did nothing short of a fantastic job of portraying the emotions of an Indigenous family in the aftermath of a tragedy with well-developed characters.

I'm just personally not a fan of the art style, though and kinda wish it was different.

[Aislyn Havell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for the GR badge

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short but powerful graphic novel tackles the grief that hits families when a young woman goes missing. Reanna’s sister simply does not come home from school one day and it tears the family apart. This is a real look at the aftermath when Indigenous Women (#MMIW – Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) go missing. Not to be missed.

[Madeline Rossell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't as big of a fan of the illustration style, but the story itself is incredibly relevant and important.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for work and it was great! A quick read about grief and community. 4 1/2 stars.

[Carli · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Wow. What a punch in the feels. This is the story of an Ojibwe family whose teenage daughter goes missing. As time goes on, the family’s grief manifests in different ways. Reanna leans heavily on her tribe’s traditions, while her mother moves off the reservation for life in the city, leaving Reanna and her brother Theo with their father. All the while, both Reanna and Theo see Chelsea in the air, see lights turn on, and wonder if their sister is still alive. The ending isn’t resolved, but it sadly and beautifully illustrates the nature of grief. Hand to readers in grades 7+.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully moving YA graphic novel about Reanna, an Ojibwe teen girl and the grief she and her family go through when her older sister goes missing. This is a personal story for the author, meant to represent and call attention to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG2S) and Two-Spirit people crisis in Canada. The story depicts traditional Ojibwe mourning ceremonies and celebrates beading and Powwow dancing. I liked the illustrations a lot and the way the book demonstrates different types of families (in this case divorced parents where the mother chooses to leave the Rez to make a life in the city, leaving behind her children and mother to be cared for by her ex-husband). Highly recommended and available on Hoopla!

[Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

sobbing

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complex tale of grief told through multiple generations of family members and customs that mean different things to different folks after a loss.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for the Native Voices achievements.

This is very short and it just ends, it doesn't feel resolved. It is said sister Chelsea's bag is found buried in the forest near the road, so the family assumes she's dead. As a reader I assume that she's murdered, but it feels like a leap and a distraction from what the story that the author wants to tell as no investigation, suspect, or motive is discussed. It's slice of life and perhaps true to life as we don't get to know all the details, we have to cope and grieve. Perhaps because it's short it feels kind of shallow, I feel like I don't know the characters very well and that things are glossed over, such as little brother Theo talking about seeing ghosts, all that's said in response is that Reanna is going to smudge his room.

I thought the mom's white boyfriend was well written as the guy you don't want to date. I also thought that the mom was well written, not everyone experiences loss the same way or on the same timeline and some prefer to distract themselves.

[Renee]

This is a graphic novel for younger readers about dealing with grief and loss, specifically around Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and it is based on a personal story - I will leave it unrated as I tend to do with personal stories. The characters and how they deal with the grief are all unique, and while I may not agree with the choices, I can empathize. The art was beautiful and the story was certainly moving for me. It was short, and I could have used a little more, but it is meant to be an approachable story given the heavy topic.

[kaitlphere · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story revolves around a family whose oldest daughter becomes a missing or murdered indigenous woman. The story mostly focuses on the next oldest child, who remembers her sister by sharing her hobbies and leaving offerings.

I had a hard time understanding the mother's response to grief, but the grandmother figure was a voice of reason to me as well as to the other characters. I really liked the insightful young brother.

This was a sad story but also one that was beautiful for the characters' love for one another. The end is bittersweet.

[Annie Oosterwyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel tackles the too frequent disappearance/murder of indigenous women. Also shows misinformed ideas held by white people about native culture/ heritage and a glimpse into their reality.

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book made me very emotional. Many trigger warnings as this story talks about MMIWG2s and a family directly affected by a missing daughter. Illustrations were beautiful, the author shared Ojibwe traditions which was nice to learn about. I wouldn't change anything about this.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had me crying from the second page, the depictions of grief, and how often Indigenous communities won't know what happened to their loved ones that go missing, is difficult to read. The diversity of grief depiction in this book is stunning for such a short graphic novel.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book that could have taken place anywhere in Canada, or on Turtle Island - the story is the same everywhere. Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit folks go missing and there are no answers. I liked the art.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, sad graphic novel about a family experiencing loss in different ways. A very important book to show the impact of MMIWG2S (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People) in every day life.

[Michael Doane · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a young woman goes missing, a family torn apart by grief must learn to process their loss in their own ways. A complex and personal story that also gives insight into Ojibwe traditions and indigenous experience.

[Priyank Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Moons is a small graphic novel that deals with Family, Grief, and Identity. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-SpiritPeople (MMIWG2S), which is a very common occurrence, makes the premise of the book. The characters feel real; Flawed, yet Human.
it was a very quick read, but one that will stay with me for long time.

[Lisa Smiroldo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Care]

A story of grief and healing with no neat ending. Realistic, leaving the bitter taste of ashes behind, yet the smoke cleanses.
No More Stolen Sisters.

[Athena A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

heartbreaking/heartwarming piece of art & storytelling that gives a glimpse indigenous Ojibwe grief rituals and the huge impact MMIWG2S has on a family !! (having said that, pacing felt a lil confusing/rushed)

[La Nomada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and Real.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heartbreaking and emotional read. With only 64 pages the author was able to quickly grab your attention and feel for these characters. I would recommend this book.

[Beth Dettman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good, but short, graphic novel about grief/moving on. I liked the art as well as the cultural info.

[Van Nyx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and heartbreaking tribute comic. It's not surprising that so many of us shed tears reading it.