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Shards of Silence: A Novel
In his first YA novel, award-winning author Brian Lee Young (Diné) bridges the generational divide between a Navajo teen at an elite prep school and his great-grandmother’s experience at a federal boarding school for Indigenous students. The book is an eye-opening call for community healing and a profound coming-of-age story.
Even if it hurts to leave behind his friends and family in Navajo, New Mexico—especially his great-grandmother, Mildred—Derrick knows his scholarship to an elite East Coast boarding school is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Sagefield Academy is totally different from life on the His new classmates vacation in Europe and take study drugs. Derrick wants to stick to caffeine, but handling sports, school, and a twenty-page term paper, all while dodging comments about his hair and heritage, feels straight-up impossible.
Back home, Másání Mildred’s health is fading quickly. On the phone, she begs Derrick to leave Sagefield. When he realizes her fear comes from her time in federal Native boarding schools, he knows he’s finally found the term paper theme he believes carrying her voice into the future.
Derrick will need to shatter a steadfast generational silence to untangle his great-grandmother’s memories--though her story might change him, and his family, forever.
Even if it hurts to leave behind his friends and family in Navajo, New Mexico—especially his great-grandmother, Mildred—Derrick knows his scholarship to an elite East Coast boarding school is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Sagefield Academy is totally different from life on the His new classmates vacation in Europe and take study drugs. Derrick wants to stick to caffeine, but handling sports, school, and a twenty-page term paper, all while dodging comments about his hair and heritage, feels straight-up impossible.
Back home, Másání Mildred’s health is fading quickly. On the phone, she begs Derrick to leave Sagefield. When he realizes her fear comes from her time in federal Native boarding schools, he knows he’s finally found the term paper theme he believes carrying her voice into the future.
Derrick will need to shatter a steadfast generational silence to untangle his great-grandmother’s memories--though her story might change him, and his family, forever.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
Did Not Finish
April 13, 2026DNF @ 27%
Unfortunately, the writing style wasn't my favorite at all. I'm not usually a stickler for writing styles that I don't really mesh with, but in this instance, it really affected my enjoyment.
It left absolutely no room for subtext, so it felt more Middle Grade than YA. (The author writes MG and this is his first YA debut.) For example, the MMC will be in a situation where he's angry or upset. The writing will literally say that the MMC is angry or upset even though it's already heavily implied.
The sentence structure was also very mechanical and very staccato. The lack of sentence length variation became exhausting to read after a while.
Thank you to Heartdrum and NetGalley for this arc.
Unfortunately, the writing style wasn't my favorite at all. I'm not usually a stickler for writing styles that I don't really mesh with, but in this instance, it really affected my enjoyment.
It left absolutely no room for subtext, so it felt more Middle Grade than YA. (The author writes MG and this is his first YA debut.) For example, the MMC will be in a situation where he's angry or upset. The writing will literally say that the MMC is angry or upset even though it's already heavily implied.
The sentence structure was also very mechanical and very staccato. The lack of sentence length variation became exhausting to read after a while.
Thank you to Heartdrum and NetGalley for this arc.
July 26, 2026
Bridges the generational divide between a Navajo teen at an elite prep school and his great-grandmother’s experience at a federal boarding school for Indigenous students.
May 10, 2026
This is such a special story. The title says so much. The weight of staying silent when people make thoughtless comments about your community's trauma, the cost of holding devastating history inside rather than speaking it (because it's exhausting to teach others instead of them doing a little research themselves), and what it means to finally break trauma-induced silence present in numerous generations. This deals with the intergenerational trauma of residential schools and I loved the author's note at the end that gives us even more insight into the story.
Derrick is carrying a lot. The pressure of performing at a school that was never designed for someone like him, the guilt of leaving his community for an opportunity he knows is rare, and the growing understanding of what his great-grandmother survived and never spoke of. It all sits on his shoulders and he struggles.
A small complaint: the way Vyvanse and caffeine addiction are handled reads more like fearmongering than genuine education. I understand what it was trying to illustrate about the pressure these students are under, but it made me roll my eyes a little. Now, I will say that I have ZERO experience with this, so perhaps it is realistic... but it seemed a little clumsy. This also sits on the younger end of young adult, which is worth knowing going in.
Shaun Taylor-Corbett narrates the audiobook and he is one of my favorites. A perfect match for this material.
Excellent, important, and genuinely moving. I loved the side character lgbtqia+ rep in this as well.
Thanks to Storygram and Epic Reads for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Derrick is carrying a lot. The pressure of performing at a school that was never designed for someone like him, the guilt of leaving his community for an opportunity he knows is rare, and the growing understanding of what his great-grandmother survived and never spoke of. It all sits on his shoulders and he struggles.
A small complaint: the way Vyvanse and caffeine addiction are handled reads more like fearmongering than genuine education. I understand what it was trying to illustrate about the pressure these students are under, but it made me roll my eyes a little. Now, I will say that I have ZERO experience with this, so perhaps it is realistic... but it seemed a little clumsy. This also sits on the younger end of young adult, which is worth knowing going in.
Shaun Taylor-Corbett narrates the audiobook and he is one of my favorites. A perfect match for this material.
Excellent, important, and genuinely moving. I loved the side character lgbtqia+ rep in this as well.
Thanks to Storygram and Epic Reads for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars rounded up. I really enjoyed the premise of this book and loved that the author was able to pull from his own experiences of attending an elite boarding school, something I could not have envisioned prior to read this book. The main character, Derrick, is the perfect high school kid who does everything for his family without ever needing to be told and his achievements in school and sports allow him to transfer to a life-changing school in his sophomore year. I appreciated that Derrick never seemed resentful of his family or heritage, even though it was clear that both influenced his choices and the way he was treated by his peers. I do think that we, as readers, could have used a little more dimension from him as a character because there were times where his actions didn't make sense for what we knew of him. Once could argue that he's a teenager experiencing life away from home for the first time and making some questionable decisions, though, so it was easy enough to move past.
Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins Children, and the author, Brian Lee Young for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins Children, and the author, Brian Lee Young for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 18, 2025
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.
Shards of Silence is an excellent book that’s grappling with intergenerational trauma of residential schools, as well as the story of Derrick coping with the pressures of being in a new environment far away from his community and family. There’s the weight of holding traumatic events inside and not speaking of them, as well as choices Derrick makes in order to meet the demands of the college-preparatory school he has the opportunity to attend.
I really loved how many topics were woven into this, and how it was handled. The last quarter of the book had me especially stressed out because Derrick was struggling and starting to make poor choices, but the prayers of his málání and the friendships he had helped him break out of the cycle before it could fully drag him in. I also loved how Derrick learns when he wants to educate and when it’s not worth his energy, as well and figuring out who his friends are and who is actually willing to listen.
This is a really powerful book, and it broke and mended my heart in so many ways. Derrick’s story as well as the story of his great-grandmother and their family was so full of care and love. I like how this was Derrick’s story, but him learning about his family’s history as well as the history of residential schools helped him grow and recognize how that history shaped his current experiences. I strongly recommend checking this out when it releases in May!
Shards of Silence is an excellent book that’s grappling with intergenerational trauma of residential schools, as well as the story of Derrick coping with the pressures of being in a new environment far away from his community and family. There’s the weight of holding traumatic events inside and not speaking of them, as well as choices Derrick makes in order to meet the demands of the college-preparatory school he has the opportunity to attend.
I really loved how many topics were woven into this, and how it was handled. The last quarter of the book had me especially stressed out because Derrick was struggling and starting to make poor choices, but the prayers of his málání and the friendships he had helped him break out of the cycle before it could fully drag him in. I also loved how Derrick learns when he wants to educate and when it’s not worth his energy, as well and figuring out who his friends are and who is actually willing to listen.
This is a really powerful book, and it broke and mended my heart in so many ways. Derrick’s story as well as the story of his great-grandmother and their family was so full of care and love. I like how this was Derrick’s story, but him learning about his family’s history as well as the history of residential schools helped him grow and recognize how that history shaped his current experiences. I strongly recommend checking this out when it releases in May!
May 11, 2026
Shards of Silence is an incredible, realistic fiction story about an indigenous teen named Derrick who moves from his home on the rez across the country to go to an elite high school boarding school. Throughout the story, we learn that Derrick's great-grandmother, Mildred, has a reason to be worried about him; she experienced federal Native boarding school trauma and is worried that he's experiencing the same. In the author's note, we discover that this aspect was based on his real life and family. This story would be best for older teens who are ready to learn about the challenges facing Indigenous teens and families both in the past and in the present. Young does an amazing job of highlighting so many issues that teens, especially Indigenous teens, face today--pressures of school, sports, grades, social status, etc. He also explores intersectionality by including characters who are LGBTQIA+. This is a much-needed addition to the world of YA literature and is a must-buy for any public, school, or classroom library serving teens, especially those who like learning more about American and Indigenous history, realistic fiction readers, or those who are fans of Angeline Boulley. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. Highly recommend!
May 19, 2026
4.5 stars
May 20, 2026
📖 Shards of Silence
✍️ Brian Lee Young
🎧 Narrated by Shaun Taylor-Corbett
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
There is a particular kind of frustration that comes with being 51 years old and reading a work of fiction that should have existed when you were a kid. I grew up in New Mexico. I grew up with Pueblo communities all around me. And I did not know. I did not know what had been suffered by the people whose land I was growing up on, because no one told me. My education was so deeply whitewashed that the Trail of Tears got exactly one paragraph before we moved on to celebrating the Spanish conquistadors. That is not an exaggeration. That is what happened in classrooms in this state.
Shards of Silence made me feel that gap in my education as a physical thing.
Brian Lee Young’s debut YA novel follows fifteen year old Derrick Hoskie, a Diné teenager from the Navajo reservation in New Mexico who earns a scholarship to an elite East Coast boarding school. What unfolds is a coming of age story that is funny and painful and rooted in reality, following Derrick as he navigates class shock, microaggressions, academic pressure, and the particular exhaustion of being the only one in the room who looks like you. But woven through all of that is something even more tender: the unraveling of his great grandmother Másání Mildred’s silence about her own time in a federal Indian boarding school, and what it costs a family to carry that kind of history without language for it.
Shaun Taylor-Corbett’s narration is stunning. The Diné pronunciation is handled with such beauty and care, and it adds a dimension to the reading experience that I think is essential for this particular story.
It has been the last several years of my life where I have really begun to understand what this country did to Native nations and Native peoples. Books like this one are part of how that education happens, and not just for adults like me catching up on everything we were never taught. For young people reading this right now, in school, with the full weight of this history still so present and so unresolved, having a book that sees them and tells the truth about what happened? That matters enormously.
I am so glad this book exists. I just wish I had it thirty five years ago.
Shards Worth Carrying:
“I’ve never known how to respond when someone tells me being Native is cool. But don’t get me wrong-it totally is.”
“It’s funny how white students can separate Puritans from Pilgrims but have trouble distinguishing between Cherokee and Diné. This is why I really don’t care about history class. It’s always about dead white guys who screwed over Native people again and again.”
“All those decades of colonization have warped our philosophy into a rigid mindset of suppression and erasure…If we are to heal, we are going to have to identify where the philosophy of positivity and the effects of colonization have intermingled and become indistinguishable.”
⚠️ Trigger Warnings:
federal Indian boarding school trauma and intergenerational silence, substance use among teens, microaggressions and racism, family illness and grief
✍️ Brian Lee Young
🎧 Narrated by Shaun Taylor-Corbett
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
There is a particular kind of frustration that comes with being 51 years old and reading a work of fiction that should have existed when you were a kid. I grew up in New Mexico. I grew up with Pueblo communities all around me. And I did not know. I did not know what had been suffered by the people whose land I was growing up on, because no one told me. My education was so deeply whitewashed that the Trail of Tears got exactly one paragraph before we moved on to celebrating the Spanish conquistadors. That is not an exaggeration. That is what happened in classrooms in this state.
Shards of Silence made me feel that gap in my education as a physical thing.
Brian Lee Young’s debut YA novel follows fifteen year old Derrick Hoskie, a Diné teenager from the Navajo reservation in New Mexico who earns a scholarship to an elite East Coast boarding school. What unfolds is a coming of age story that is funny and painful and rooted in reality, following Derrick as he navigates class shock, microaggressions, academic pressure, and the particular exhaustion of being the only one in the room who looks like you. But woven through all of that is something even more tender: the unraveling of his great grandmother Másání Mildred’s silence about her own time in a federal Indian boarding school, and what it costs a family to carry that kind of history without language for it.
Shaun Taylor-Corbett’s narration is stunning. The Diné pronunciation is handled with such beauty and care, and it adds a dimension to the reading experience that I think is essential for this particular story.
It has been the last several years of my life where I have really begun to understand what this country did to Native nations and Native peoples. Books like this one are part of how that education happens, and not just for adults like me catching up on everything we were never taught. For young people reading this right now, in school, with the full weight of this history still so present and so unresolved, having a book that sees them and tells the truth about what happened? That matters enormously.
I am so glad this book exists. I just wish I had it thirty five years ago.
Shards Worth Carrying:
“I’ve never known how to respond when someone tells me being Native is cool. But don’t get me wrong-it totally is.”
“It’s funny how white students can separate Puritans from Pilgrims but have trouble distinguishing between Cherokee and Diné. This is why I really don’t care about history class. It’s always about dead white guys who screwed over Native people again and again.”
“All those decades of colonization have warped our philosophy into a rigid mindset of suppression and erasure…If we are to heal, we are going to have to identify where the philosophy of positivity and the effects of colonization have intermingled and become indistinguishable.”
⚠️ Trigger Warnings:
federal Indian boarding school trauma and intergenerational silence, substance use among teens, microaggressions and racism, family illness and grief
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars
This is a compelling YA novel: contemporary realism with some solid lessons, representations, and characters.
Derrick is a teen who is leaving home in Navajo, New Mexico for an elite boarding school, and while this has the makings of a dark academia plot, it isn't technically but it kind of functions that way nonetheless because of, you know, ignorance and racism.
Before Derrick starts his new chapter, readers have the opportunity to understand why he is awesome. He's a compassionate, diligent kid who is focused on caring for his mom, his great-grandmother, and his friends. Derrick must navigate the nuances of each person's traumas and preferences, including but not limited to grappling with socioeconomic challenges, the uncertainty of aging, and a local drug epidemic. He's getting out of some of this thanks to his impending scholarship, but he's not one to just leave the friends and family behind, nor will he escape a whole new set of challenges as he proceeds to boarding school.
Once Derrick arrives at boarding school, he encounters micro- and macroaggressions from peers and authority figures alike, and while most folks seem well intentioned, a lot doesn't land. Does Derrick speak up or stay under the radar? Does he fall into the temptations of extra cash or stick to what he knows is right? How will these academic opportunities afford him the chance to dive deeper into his personal and familial history?
Young expertly weaves together Derrick's individual experiences along with those of preceding generations and manages to tell a compelling coming-of-age story in the process, both keeping this relatable to all readers and achieving impressive representation for a group that is often, as the title suggests, forced into silence. I really enjoyed this read for a number of reasons, and I hope that Young has more YA in store for enthused readers (like me!). In the meantime, I'll be drumming up that enthusiasm among my students, too.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Heartdrum for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This is a compelling YA novel: contemporary realism with some solid lessons, representations, and characters.
Derrick is a teen who is leaving home in Navajo, New Mexico for an elite boarding school, and while this has the makings of a dark academia plot, it isn't technically but it kind of functions that way nonetheless because of, you know, ignorance and racism.
Before Derrick starts his new chapter, readers have the opportunity to understand why he is awesome. He's a compassionate, diligent kid who is focused on caring for his mom, his great-grandmother, and his friends. Derrick must navigate the nuances of each person's traumas and preferences, including but not limited to grappling with socioeconomic challenges, the uncertainty of aging, and a local drug epidemic. He's getting out of some of this thanks to his impending scholarship, but he's not one to just leave the friends and family behind, nor will he escape a whole new set of challenges as he proceeds to boarding school.
Once Derrick arrives at boarding school, he encounters micro- and macroaggressions from peers and authority figures alike, and while most folks seem well intentioned, a lot doesn't land. Does Derrick speak up or stay under the radar? Does he fall into the temptations of extra cash or stick to what he knows is right? How will these academic opportunities afford him the chance to dive deeper into his personal and familial history?
Young expertly weaves together Derrick's individual experiences along with those of preceding generations and manages to tell a compelling coming-of-age story in the process, both keeping this relatable to all readers and achieving impressive representation for a group that is often, as the title suggests, forced into silence. I really enjoyed this read for a number of reasons, and I hope that Young has more YA in store for enthused readers (like me!). In the meantime, I'll be drumming up that enthusiasm among my students, too.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Heartdrum for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
May 27, 2026
Derrick Hoskie is Diné, from the Navajo Nation in New Mexico, a two-sport athlete and a very bright student. He’s a rising sophomore, and he is leaving the reservation to attend a private school in Connecticut, the Sagefield Academy. His family (mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother) are very important to him, especially Másání Mildred, his great-grandmother. Her health is failing, and Derrick is very concerned. Sadly, her childhood included being sent to a federal Native boarding school; her memories make her worry about Derrick. Every time they talk on his weekly calls or video chats, she asks him to come home, saying that he doesn’t have to stay at the school. Derrick fears that her frail health is only being made worse by this stress.
While at Sage, Derrick encounters stereotyping and racist remarks, but he makes friends and impresses his teachers and fellow students. He is a determined student and knows that if he succeeds at Sage and graduates, he could get into college. One of his most important projects is a history paper, and he decides to research and write about the effects boarding schools have had on Indigenous people. Derrick is inspired to write about this because of his Másání Mildred. The relationship between the great-grandmother and Derrick is written so lovingly.
There are temptations at Sage, easy ways out of difficult situations, ways that could get him kicked out of the school, such as illicit drugs or stolen exams, but Derrick knows what he must do to get through them.
This wonderful novel was inspired by the author’s own experiences, making the story even more powerful. In the story, Derrick relies on a book, Boarding School Seasons: American Indian Families 1900-1940 by Brenda J. Child for his paper. This book is nonfiction and available to readers today.
Many Diné words and phrases are used throughout this book, so a helpful glossary is included at the back with Diné words, phrases, and sentences translated into English. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
While at Sage, Derrick encounters stereotyping and racist remarks, but he makes friends and impresses his teachers and fellow students. He is a determined student and knows that if he succeeds at Sage and graduates, he could get into college. One of his most important projects is a history paper, and he decides to research and write about the effects boarding schools have had on Indigenous people. Derrick is inspired to write about this because of his Másání Mildred. The relationship between the great-grandmother and Derrick is written so lovingly.
There are temptations at Sage, easy ways out of difficult situations, ways that could get him kicked out of the school, such as illicit drugs or stolen exams, but Derrick knows what he must do to get through them.
This wonderful novel was inspired by the author’s own experiences, making the story even more powerful. In the story, Derrick relies on a book, Boarding School Seasons: American Indian Families 1900-1940 by Brenda J. Child for his paper. This book is nonfiction and available to readers today.
Many Diné words and phrases are used throughout this book, so a helpful glossary is included at the back with Diné words, phrases, and sentences translated into English. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Heartdrum, Harper Collins, Netgallery, and Brian Lee Young for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Synopsis: Derrick, a young Navajo teen, is awarded a scholarship to attend a renowned boarding school hundreds of miles from the rez and his family. There, Derrick tries attempts to make the most of his opportunity while navigating the academic pressures, pressure to fit in with his peers, and an ailing great-grandmother, Másání Mildred. Derrick is tasked with a term paper about federal boarding schools and navigates trying to piece together Másání Mildred's experience at federal boarding school while reflecting on the differences between his own experience.
My thoughts: Shards of Silence is deeply resonant and healing. It is a story that feels both familiar and completely novel, which is a unique quality in storytelling. The relationships that Derrick has with his mother, grandmother, and Másání Mildred were so intimate and touching and highlighted the beauty of a matrilineal community. The respect, kindness, and fierce love of these characters were palpable, and it was impossible to not relate to Derrick's emotions. The way that Derrick's experience was different than his great-grandmother's was such an important shift in perspective and I imagine will be healing for many of us who have residential school ancestry. In the author's note, Brian Lee Young mentions that he drew upon his own experience at boarding school which can be felt from the very first page; only someone with firsthand experience could have etched out the nuances between the dark history of Indian boarding schools and current boarding schools. Lee Young carefully reminds us that while there have been strides in this area, there is still room for improvement and much healing that remains. Miigwech, Brian Lee Young for this salient, timely, and deeply healing book! I strongly encourage everyone to read this when it is published!
Rating: 5 Stars
Synopsis: Derrick, a young Navajo teen, is awarded a scholarship to attend a renowned boarding school hundreds of miles from the rez and his family. There, Derrick tries attempts to make the most of his opportunity while navigating the academic pressures, pressure to fit in with his peers, and an ailing great-grandmother, Másání Mildred. Derrick is tasked with a term paper about federal boarding schools and navigates trying to piece together Másání Mildred's experience at federal boarding school while reflecting on the differences between his own experience.
My thoughts: Shards of Silence is deeply resonant and healing. It is a story that feels both familiar and completely novel, which is a unique quality in storytelling. The relationships that Derrick has with his mother, grandmother, and Másání Mildred were so intimate and touching and highlighted the beauty of a matrilineal community. The respect, kindness, and fierce love of these characters were palpable, and it was impossible to not relate to Derrick's emotions. The way that Derrick's experience was different than his great-grandmother's was such an important shift in perspective and I imagine will be healing for many of us who have residential school ancestry. In the author's note, Brian Lee Young mentions that he drew upon his own experience at boarding school which can be felt from the very first page; only someone with firsthand experience could have etched out the nuances between the dark history of Indian boarding schools and current boarding schools. Lee Young carefully reminds us that while there have been strides in this area, there is still room for improvement and much healing that remains. Miigwech, Brian Lee Young for this salient, timely, and deeply healing book! I strongly encourage everyone to read this when it is published!
Rating: 5 Stars
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Shards of Silence is an eye-opening coming-of-age story that is a must-read. Based on his real life experiences, author Brian Lee Young (Diné) tells the story of a Navajo teen who is sent to an elite out of state prep school, and the challenges he faces there.
Derrick has been given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend an elite East Coast boarding school. He knows it will be difficult leaving his family and friends in Navajo, New Mexico - especially his ailing great-grandmother - but it's an opportunity he can't pass up.
When he arrives at Sagefield Academy, Derrick quickly discovers how different life is at the academy than on the rez. He encounters situations he's never faced before, challenging classes, students selling drugs, and 2o page papers, all while dealing with students making comments about his hair, heritage, and upbringing.
Derrick's phone calls home cause his great-grandmother to beg and plead with him to return to Navajo. Through her worry and conversations with family, Derrick discovers his great-grandmother attended a federal boarding school for Indigenous students as a child. His care and concern for her are the impetus he needs to share her story and the story of his people as the topic of his term paper. He soon realizes her story will change him and his family forever.
Prior to reading this book I hadn't been aware of the federal schools that Native Americans were forced to attend by the government. Shards of Silence opened my eyes to the atrocities Indigenous peoples faced in those schools and the hardships they still face each and every day. Derrick's story is also Brian Young's story, and the story of so many others.
I feel that Young did an excellent job of displaying the vast differences of life at an elite boarding school versus life on a reservation. In addition, Derrick's story is fully immersed in cultural representation and debunks some common stereotypes and misrepresentations about Native Americans. Lastly, Young shows us the importance of family relationships, honesty, and trust.
Fantastic book!
Derrick has been given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend an elite East Coast boarding school. He knows it will be difficult leaving his family and friends in Navajo, New Mexico - especially his ailing great-grandmother - but it's an opportunity he can't pass up.
When he arrives at Sagefield Academy, Derrick quickly discovers how different life is at the academy than on the rez. He encounters situations he's never faced before, challenging classes, students selling drugs, and 2o page papers, all while dealing with students making comments about his hair, heritage, and upbringing.
Derrick's phone calls home cause his great-grandmother to beg and plead with him to return to Navajo. Through her worry and conversations with family, Derrick discovers his great-grandmother attended a federal boarding school for Indigenous students as a child. His care and concern for her are the impetus he needs to share her story and the story of his people as the topic of his term paper. He soon realizes her story will change him and his family forever.
Prior to reading this book I hadn't been aware of the federal schools that Native Americans were forced to attend by the government. Shards of Silence opened my eyes to the atrocities Indigenous peoples faced in those schools and the hardships they still face each and every day. Derrick's story is also Brian Young's story, and the story of so many others.
I feel that Young did an excellent job of displaying the vast differences of life at an elite boarding school versus life on a reservation. In addition, Derrick's story is fully immersed in cultural representation and debunks some common stereotypes and misrepresentations about Native Americans. Lastly, Young shows us the importance of family relationships, honesty, and trust.
Fantastic book!
May 27, 2026
I really loved this YA novel.
Derrick Hoskie is Diné, from the Navajo Nation in New Mexico, a two-sport athlete and a very bright student. He’s a rising sophomore, and he is leaving the reservation to attend a private school in Connecticut, the Sagefield Academy. His family (mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother) are very important to him, especially Másání Mildred, his great-grandmother. Her health is failing, and Derrick is very concerned. Sadly, her childhood included being sent to a federal Native boarding school; her memories make her worry about Derrick. Every time they talk on his weekly calls or video chats, she asks him to come home, saying that he doesn’t have to stay at the school. Derrick fears that her frail health is only being made worse by this stress.
While at Sage, Derrick encounters stereotyping and racist remarks, but he makes friends and impresses his teachers and fellow students. He is a determined student and knows that if he succeeds at Sage and graduates, he could get into college. One of his most important projects is a history paper, and he decides to research and write about the effects boarding schools have had on Indigenous people. Derrick is inspired to write about this because of his Másání Mildred. The relationship between the great-grandmother and Derrick is written so lovingly.
There are temptations at Sage, easy ways out of difficult situations, ways that could get him kicked out of the school, such as illicit drugs or stolen exams, but Derrick knows what he must do to get through them.
This wonderful novel was inspired by the author’s own experiences, making the story even more powerful. In the story, Derrick relies on a book, Boarding School Seasons: American Indian Families 1900-1940 by Brenda J. Child for his paper. This book is nonfiction and available to readers today.
Many Diné words and phrases are used throughout this book, so a helpful glossary is included at the back with Diné words, phrases, and sentences translated into English.
Derrick Hoskie is Diné, from the Navajo Nation in New Mexico, a two-sport athlete and a very bright student. He’s a rising sophomore, and he is leaving the reservation to attend a private school in Connecticut, the Sagefield Academy. His family (mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother) are very important to him, especially Másání Mildred, his great-grandmother. Her health is failing, and Derrick is very concerned. Sadly, her childhood included being sent to a federal Native boarding school; her memories make her worry about Derrick. Every time they talk on his weekly calls or video chats, she asks him to come home, saying that he doesn’t have to stay at the school. Derrick fears that her frail health is only being made worse by this stress.
While at Sage, Derrick encounters stereotyping and racist remarks, but he makes friends and impresses his teachers and fellow students. He is a determined student and knows that if he succeeds at Sage and graduates, he could get into college. One of his most important projects is a history paper, and he decides to research and write about the effects boarding schools have had on Indigenous people. Derrick is inspired to write about this because of his Másání Mildred. The relationship between the great-grandmother and Derrick is written so lovingly.
There are temptations at Sage, easy ways out of difficult situations, ways that could get him kicked out of the school, such as illicit drugs or stolen exams, but Derrick knows what he must do to get through them.
This wonderful novel was inspired by the author’s own experiences, making the story even more powerful. In the story, Derrick relies on a book, Boarding School Seasons: American Indian Families 1900-1940 by Brenda J. Child for his paper. This book is nonfiction and available to readers today.
Many Diné words and phrases are used throughout this book, so a helpful glossary is included at the back with Diné words, phrases, and sentences translated into English.
August 3, 2026
"Shards of Silence" is an important story, well told. I appreciated Brian Lee Young's (Diné) book, "Healer of the Water Monster" and short story in the anthology, "Ancestor Approved." I am eagerly awaiting his next publication in Summer 2027.
I was deciding between a high four and five stars but bumping to a well deserved five because I love grandmothers and generational tales, and it's so incredibly important to share the strength of Indigenous stories, histories, and languages among younger folks.
This book is fiction but heavily based on the author's own experience as a boarding student at the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut.
Companion Read:
- Angeline Boulley's, "Warrior Girl Unearthed"
My Source:
Started as a physical book at the library (because I was waiting for the audiobook on hold), but as "Shards" starts out strong with Diné bizaad (Diné/Navajo language), it was important to wait for the audiobook so that I could hear the language spoken. I always want to hear a Native speaker for Indigenous languages.
The book is performed by Shaun Taylor-Corbett (also known as I’Pyooksisstiiko’om). As a Blackfeet, Mr. Taylor-Corbett, is not a native speaker of Diné bizaad but is a trusted performer for Indigenous stories. I enjoyed listening to him and am committed to diving into his prolific body of work in the coming seasons, much of which is already on my To Be Read list.
Thank You:
Gratitude all around, including to Heartdrum Publishers, a division of HarperCollins. Ahéhee'.
Note on AI:
This is the first book I have ever heard where the final statement is a prohibition of using the audiobook to train AI or for AI data mining-- in the European Union. Impressive. Lawmakers, please get this immediately for the United States.
I was deciding between a high four and five stars but bumping to a well deserved five because I love grandmothers and generational tales, and it's so incredibly important to share the strength of Indigenous stories, histories, and languages among younger folks.
This book is fiction but heavily based on the author's own experience as a boarding student at the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut.
Companion Read:
- Angeline Boulley's, "Warrior Girl Unearthed"
My Source:
Started as a physical book at the library (because I was waiting for the audiobook on hold), but as "Shards" starts out strong with Diné bizaad (Diné/Navajo language), it was important to wait for the audiobook so that I could hear the language spoken. I always want to hear a Native speaker for Indigenous languages.
The book is performed by Shaun Taylor-Corbett (also known as I’Pyooksisstiiko’om). As a Blackfeet, Mr. Taylor-Corbett, is not a native speaker of Diné bizaad but is a trusted performer for Indigenous stories. I enjoyed listening to him and am committed to diving into his prolific body of work in the coming seasons, much of which is already on my To Be Read list.
Thank You:
Gratitude all around, including to Heartdrum Publishers, a division of HarperCollins. Ahéhee'.
Note on AI:
This is the first book I have ever heard where the final statement is a prohibition of using the audiobook to train AI or for AI data mining-- in the European Union. Impressive. Lawmakers, please get this immediately for the United States.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Derrick is leaving his family and friends behind in New Mexico for a fancy education at a boarding school in New England. This opportunity is more than a little triggering for his great grandmother who was taking from her family as a child and placed in a Native boarding school.
This reaction, and a history paper assignment requiring first hand accounts, prompts Derrick to want to learn more about her experiences. Especially as his great grandmother's health declines. However his culture is heavy on not talking about bad things so as to avoid inviting the negativity into their lives.
In this midst of all this, Derrick is also dealing with a heavy school workload, intrusive (and ignorant) questions, temptations to cheat or abuse substances, and trying to make new friends.
I found the cultural idea of avoiding discussion of hard topics interesting. I feel like so many have similar beliefs, although often for different reasons, usually just because it's really hard to talk about heavy intense topics.
The community Derrick finds not only among his blood or chosen family, but also with other Dine he's newly met is also something that catches my attention. I think most of America, particular white America is stuck in that individualism, so this sense of community is enviable to me.
Further, Derrick, even though still growing and learning, is an amazing example of positive masculinity. He cares for others, works hard, and isn't afraid to be vulnerable or cry.
This is one I want to add to my tbr for bedtime books with my boys.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.
This reaction, and a history paper assignment requiring first hand accounts, prompts Derrick to want to learn more about her experiences. Especially as his great grandmother's health declines. However his culture is heavy on not talking about bad things so as to avoid inviting the negativity into their lives.
In this midst of all this, Derrick is also dealing with a heavy school workload, intrusive (and ignorant) questions, temptations to cheat or abuse substances, and trying to make new friends.
I found the cultural idea of avoiding discussion of hard topics interesting. I feel like so many have similar beliefs, although often for different reasons, usually just because it's really hard to talk about heavy intense topics.
The community Derrick finds not only among his blood or chosen family, but also with other Dine he's newly met is also something that catches my attention. I think most of America, particular white America is stuck in that individualism, so this sense of community is enviable to me.
Further, Derrick, even though still growing and learning, is an amazing example of positive masculinity. He cares for others, works hard, and isn't afraid to be vulnerable or cry.
This is one I want to add to my tbr for bedtime books with my boys.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.
June 2, 2026
This was such a good book. Derrick receives a scholarship to a fancy private school on the East Coast. After growing up on the Navajo Nation Reservation, he and his mother want him to take advantage of the opportunity to be put on track for an Ivy League college.
Derrick is very close to his great grandmother, a survivor of the Native boarding schools in the United States. After being tasked with writing a research paper for his history class, Derrick starts to learn more about the experiences his great grandmother and other elders went through.
For much of the book, I was frustrated that Derrick didn’t feel like he had the room to be a normal, messy kid. But as the book progressed, I understood what the author was doing. The pressure for Derrick to be a good example and earn the sacrifices he and his family have made is intense and he comes close to breaking.
For many who are unfamiliar with the boarding schools, this is a good introduction to how the schools destroyed many young people, as well as the incredible ways they survived and thrived in spite of it. But it’s not just an educational opportunity. Derrick is a great character on his own and his story is relevant to any students from a racialized background. I also love the relationship Derrick has with Mildred. It was a beautiful story.
I had the advanced listening copy with Shawn Taylor-Corbett. It’s unfair to rate him because I think everything he does is wonderful. But also, he’s wonderful here.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book.
Derrick is very close to his great grandmother, a survivor of the Native boarding schools in the United States. After being tasked with writing a research paper for his history class, Derrick starts to learn more about the experiences his great grandmother and other elders went through.
For much of the book, I was frustrated that Derrick didn’t feel like he had the room to be a normal, messy kid. But as the book progressed, I understood what the author was doing. The pressure for Derrick to be a good example and earn the sacrifices he and his family have made is intense and he comes close to breaking.
For many who are unfamiliar with the boarding schools, this is a good introduction to how the schools destroyed many young people, as well as the incredible ways they survived and thrived in spite of it. But it’s not just an educational opportunity. Derrick is a great character on his own and his story is relevant to any students from a racialized background. I also love the relationship Derrick has with Mildred. It was a beautiful story.
I had the advanced listening copy with Shawn Taylor-Corbett. It’s unfair to rate him because I think everything he does is wonderful. But also, he’s wonderful here.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book.
July 13, 2026
Built on a very interesting plot idea, the execution of this YA novel was just ok. Derrick, a sophomore in high school on a Navajo reservation, is recruited to play football and wrestle at an elite Connecticut boarding school. As the only Native student, his experience is eye opening.
He knows that graduating from Sagefield will practically ensure entry to an Ivy League university and a lucrative career. So he has to adapt. The food is different, there's hot running water, and immaculate dorm rooms. The school is also filled with privileged students whose stereotypes about Indian culture are derogatory. The work load is overwhelming and many students rely on ADHD drugs, caffeine, and cheating to get by.
Derrick chooses his great grandmother's experience at a Native boarding school run by the clergy as the topic for his ten page history research paper. After I watched "1923", an excellent miniseries on Netflix, I learned about the abuses of every kind and the deaths resulting from the theme "Kill the Indian, Save the Man" that occurred at these government sanctioned religious schools that beat Native girls into submission.
His conversations with the grandmother were limited. It really felt like Derrick was lecturing to the reader with all the politically correct explanations whether on issues of homosexuality or racism. It felt improbable for a fifteen year old boy. He was perfect in front of his classmates when confronted by his teachers to defend his opinions. It just felt a bit unrealistic.
He knows that graduating from Sagefield will practically ensure entry to an Ivy League university and a lucrative career. So he has to adapt. The food is different, there's hot running water, and immaculate dorm rooms. The school is also filled with privileged students whose stereotypes about Indian culture are derogatory. The work load is overwhelming and many students rely on ADHD drugs, caffeine, and cheating to get by.
Derrick chooses his great grandmother's experience at a Native boarding school run by the clergy as the topic for his ten page history research paper. After I watched "1923", an excellent miniseries on Netflix, I learned about the abuses of every kind and the deaths resulting from the theme "Kill the Indian, Save the Man" that occurred at these government sanctioned religious schools that beat Native girls into submission.
His conversations with the grandmother were limited. It really felt like Derrick was lecturing to the reader with all the politically correct explanations whether on issues of homosexuality or racism. It felt improbable for a fifteen year old boy. He was perfect in front of his classmates when confronted by his teachers to defend his opinions. It just felt a bit unrealistic.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This work follows a young Navajo teen who attends an elite boarding school, an experience that was much different than the boarding schools his elders were forced into by the United States government. There are some solid discussions included surrounding the white-centric focus of American history, inherent racism and prejudices, micro-aggression, and how even if these things are happening due to ignorance rather than malicious intent it's still quite damaging.
This work is written in a way where everything is spelled out, allowing no room for interpretation or discovery from the reader. There were also times when I wanted the story to be much more immersive, but due to the writing style it wasn't. And the sentence structure is very simplistic and straightforward. These things make this work feel more like a MG read despite some of the heavier themes and occurrences. The toeing the line of drug dealing and caffeine addiction also felt like it came a little out of left field, and that subplot didn't blend with the rest of the story as well as I would have preferred.
Overall, this is a decent YA read that addresses some important topics, and will likely be quite enjoyable for the target audience. My thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins and Heartdrum Publishing for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This work is written in a way where everything is spelled out, allowing no room for interpretation or discovery from the reader. There were also times when I wanted the story to be much more immersive, but due to the writing style it wasn't. And the sentence structure is very simplistic and straightforward. These things make this work feel more like a MG read despite some of the heavier themes and occurrences. The toeing the line of drug dealing and caffeine addiction also felt like it came a little out of left field, and that subplot didn't blend with the rest of the story as well as I would have preferred.
Overall, this is a decent YA read that addresses some important topics, and will likely be quite enjoyable for the target audience. My thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins and Heartdrum Publishing for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 4, 2026
Derrick, who has grown up on the Navajo (Diné) reservation in New Mexico, is transferring to Sagefield Academy in Connecticut, a prestigious boarding school that funnels kids into Ivy Leagues. He’s only a sophomore and very tall for his age; he’ll be on the wrestling team. He’s nervous about being away from his community, two best friends, and family members; he especially feels guilty about leaving behind his beloved great-grandmother Másání Mildred, whose health is declining.
The transition to Sagefield is difficult. Other kids are ignorant about Indigenous people and ask rude questions (Did he grow up in a teepee? Why doesn’t he have long hair?) or make assumptions about his ethnicity. He doesn’t have as much money as the other students for things like eating out, so it causes a bit of social tension for him. And the schoolwork is a lot. He feels some encouragement after speaking to an Indigenous alum, who tells Derrick that he can choose whether or not to educate classmates who ask questions. He’s also encouraged by a history teacher who appreciates Derrick’s contributions in class, especially when he speaks up about Indigenous history and its erasure from historical narratives.
Derrick decides to focus on the history of residential schools for his big history paper. He hopes to record Másání Mildred’s own story—a past she’s never spoken about, but which clearly was traumatic. There’s a culture of silence in his community, and Derrick is trying to change that, believing the only way to heal and move forward is to talk about what happened.
There are subplots involving additional challenges: Derrick is given cheat sheets for final exams and is tempted to use them; he's offered Vyvanse to help him study, which he takes; and he even has the opportunity to begin dealing himself to make some money.
This story offers important information about aspects of Indigenous history that readers may not know. It is based on the author’s own experiences in a similar boarding school. But it feels clunky at times—clearly trying to teach—and the subplots, especially the drug one, don't feel well integrated or true to Derrick's character. But I loved his relationship with his great-grandmother and thought that part of the story was the most interesting.
One quibble: There is a scene in which a student comes up to Derrick and touches his hair without his permission, which understandably bothers him. The student is a Black girl. It feels like of all the students, a Black girl would be the least likely to do that. It made me wonder, does the author not realize Black people deal with this all the time?
The transition to Sagefield is difficult. Other kids are ignorant about Indigenous people and ask rude questions (Did he grow up in a teepee? Why doesn’t he have long hair?) or make assumptions about his ethnicity. He doesn’t have as much money as the other students for things like eating out, so it causes a bit of social tension for him. And the schoolwork is a lot. He feels some encouragement after speaking to an Indigenous alum, who tells Derrick that he can choose whether or not to educate classmates who ask questions. He’s also encouraged by a history teacher who appreciates Derrick’s contributions in class, especially when he speaks up about Indigenous history and its erasure from historical narratives.
Derrick decides to focus on the history of residential schools for his big history paper. He hopes to record Másání Mildred’s own story—a past she’s never spoken about, but which clearly was traumatic. There’s a culture of silence in his community, and Derrick is trying to change that, believing the only way to heal and move forward is to talk about what happened.
There are subplots involving additional challenges: Derrick is given cheat sheets for final exams and is tempted to use them; he's offered Vyvanse to help him study, which he takes; and he even has the opportunity to begin dealing himself to make some money.
This story offers important information about aspects of Indigenous history that readers may not know. It is based on the author’s own experiences in a similar boarding school. But it feels clunky at times—clearly trying to teach—and the subplots, especially the drug one, don't feel well integrated or true to Derrick's character. But I loved his relationship with his great-grandmother and thought that part of the story was the most interesting.
One quibble: There is a scene in which a student comes up to Derrick and touches his hair without his permission, which understandably bothers him. The student is a Black girl. It feels like of all the students, a Black girl would be the least likely to do that. It made me wonder, does the author not realize Black people deal with this all the time?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Young's story is based a lot on experiences he has had as a Dine teen and now into adulthood wanted to write a story that reflected contemporary Native stories, not just ones of the past though that is a heavy element of the story as Derrick, who moves off the reservation to go to a boarding school learns about his family and tribal past when confronted with his own issues of prejudice at the boarding school from a Latino kid mistaking him for Latino to outrage when he cuts his hair to conversations about colonization in class.
As a football player, he's welcomed into the fold including those that are watching out for him at the school especially when it's made known that his grandmother's health is deteriorating and that is causing him stress because of his undying love for her and as she tells stories about her time in a residential school, he realizes he has so much more to learn and wants to find ways to reconnect with lost parts of history.
It's a story that is fully-formed from friendships to familial relationships, sports culture, and his Dine heritage (both past and present) that is a powerful piece of literature.
As a football player, he's welcomed into the fold including those that are watching out for him at the school especially when it's made known that his grandmother's health is deteriorating and that is causing him stress because of his undying love for her and as she tells stories about her time in a residential school, he realizes he has so much more to learn and wants to find ways to reconnect with lost parts of history.
It's a story that is fully-formed from friendships to familial relationships, sports culture, and his Dine heritage (both past and present) that is a powerful piece of literature.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Shards of Silence by Brian Lee Young was a powerful and impactful read that I truly loved. The author does a fantastic job highlighting how a minority group can be deeply underrepresented and misunderstood due to a lack of knowledge and awareness.
While I have some Native American ancestry, I don’t have personal experience with being questioned about my heritage, which made this story even more eye-opening for me. It really emphasizes how important it is to learn about and share the histories of past generations to better understand the lasting impact on Native nations. The book also touches on how younger generations may feel disconnected from their culture and history, which was portrayed in a meaningful and thought-provoking way.
Another aspect that stood out was how realistically the story addressed how easily addiction can begin. It was handled with care and added another layer of depth to an already important narrative.
This is a book I would recommend to everyone, young and old.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to listen to an advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
While I have some Native American ancestry, I don’t have personal experience with being questioned about my heritage, which made this story even more eye-opening for me. It really emphasizes how important it is to learn about and share the histories of past generations to better understand the lasting impact on Native nations. The book also touches on how younger generations may feel disconnected from their culture and history, which was portrayed in a meaningful and thought-provoking way.
Another aspect that stood out was how realistically the story addressed how easily addiction can begin. It was handled with care and added another layer of depth to an already important narrative.
This is a book I would recommend to everyone, young and old.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to listen to an advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
May 18, 2026
Thank you to Heartdrum and NetGalley for providing this eARC.
This writing style wasn't for me. I almost DNF'd, but I wanted to know his great-grandmother's story, so I kept reading... I should have just DNF'd it. I got through it by imagining each chapter as the MC's journal entry.
YA really isn't my thing anymore, and I should have listened to my gut. I'm going to pick up a different book about this topic that's for an older audience.
I'm going to rate this in the middle. The story is good: it's about a teenage Diné boy who gets accepted into a prestigious boarding school that's a feeder for Ivy League colleges. His story parallels his great-grandmother, who was kidnapped and sent to a boarding school meant to "Kill the Indian, Save the Man," where she (like many others) was abused, and many Indigenous children were killed.
This is a topic I already know a little about, but not nearly enough. This is a good introduction for teens to learn about the atrocities committed against Indigenous nations in the U.S., and I would recommend it to that audience.
This writing style wasn't for me. I almost DNF'd, but I wanted to know his great-grandmother's story, so I kept reading... I should have just DNF'd it. I got through it by imagining each chapter as the MC's journal entry.
YA really isn't my thing anymore, and I should have listened to my gut. I'm going to pick up a different book about this topic that's for an older audience.
I'm going to rate this in the middle. The story is good: it's about a teenage Diné boy who gets accepted into a prestigious boarding school that's a feeder for Ivy League colleges. His story parallels his great-grandmother, who was kidnapped and sent to a boarding school meant to "Kill the Indian, Save the Man," where she (like many others) was abused, and many Indigenous children were killed.
This is a topic I already know a little about, but not nearly enough. This is a good introduction for teens to learn about the atrocities committed against Indigenous nations in the U.S., and I would recommend it to that audience.
July 4, 2026
Derrick, is a 15 year old member of the Navajo Nation that gets the opportunity to attend a prestigious boarding school on the East Coast. He is constantly torn between two worlds-the love and traditions of his family with trying to navigate the elite environment of the school as a BIPOC. Author Adrian Lee Young used his experience as a scholarship student at a Connecticut prep school as the basis to explore Derrick's experiences of trying to find his way in this new environment. The experiences of talking about his heritage to schoolmates leads him to questions that he has of his own great grandmother's experience at boarding school during the era of U.S. government sponsored boarding schools. It takes him on a quest to learn about his own family's history one that is often not spoken about due to the trauma his forebearers faced. Factual information on Indigeous Nations plights is relayed through Derrick's narrative which assists in educating the reader on the monsterous acts that were opposed upon by the U.S. government on Native Americans.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Following the journey of Navajo teen Derrick as he leaves behind his family and home to journey to an elite boarding school, Shards of Silence is a worthwhile read where you learn something on almost every page. This book is so rich in cultural details that it's impossible to finish it without feeling thankful for the story.
But for my personal reading experience, it sometimes felt a little too heavy-leaning towards teaching the reader rather than bringing the story fully to life on its own. At times, it could feel more like a list of events the author was moving through rather than a cohesive story. I loved Derrick so much! I just wanted more of him, all his friends, and family. They didn’t feel fully fleshed out past the plot events on the page, and I wanted to know more about them.
A book though that I will be happy to add to my classroom library and will definitely recommend to students. Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books | Heartdrum for the ARC!
But for my personal reading experience, it sometimes felt a little too heavy-leaning towards teaching the reader rather than bringing the story fully to life on its own. At times, it could feel more like a list of events the author was moving through rather than a cohesive story. I loved Derrick so much! I just wanted more of him, all his friends, and family. They didn’t feel fully fleshed out past the plot events on the page, and I wanted to know more about them.
A book though that I will be happy to add to my classroom library and will definitely recommend to students. Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books | Heartdrum for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this book!
We are following Derrick who has gotten into an elite boarding school. He is excited to go, but little does he know what kind of memories and trauma this will bring up for his great grandmother Másání Mildred.
In this book we are navigating Derricks new opportunity, but also the pain, trauma, and forced removal of Native children across not only the US, but Canada as well.
I loved Derrick and how much he loves his family. He and his family are Diné and I loved learning about their customs, culture, and how deeply proud they are to be Diné. There is a glossary in the back of the book sharing definitions from their language which I thought was amazing as well!
This book definitely reads on the younger side of YA-which I mention for my bookies who love to read YA or if you’re looking for something for your kids.
Thank you Harper Audio Children’s for the ALC.
We are following Derrick who has gotten into an elite boarding school. He is excited to go, but little does he know what kind of memories and trauma this will bring up for his great grandmother Másání Mildred.
In this book we are navigating Derricks new opportunity, but also the pain, trauma, and forced removal of Native children across not only the US, but Canada as well.
I loved Derrick and how much he loves his family. He and his family are Diné and I loved learning about their customs, culture, and how deeply proud they are to be Diné. There is a glossary in the back of the book sharing definitions from their language which I thought was amazing as well!
This book definitely reads on the younger side of YA-which I mention for my bookies who love to read YA or if you’re looking for something for your kids.
Thank you Harper Audio Children’s for the ALC.
May 2, 2026
4.25 stars | This book is not being talked about enough. It covers many important issues but goes in enough depth that it doesn’t feel glossed over or skimmed. I loved how it also talked about residential schools in Canada and orange shirt day. Being a Canadian, I know more about the suffering of indigenous people in Canada so it was a bit of an educational read learning about indigenous people, culture and history in America.
I loved the close relationships Derek had with his family and although he was often singled out for being the only indigenous person he never resented his family or culture.
Derek had some serious growth in this coming-of-age story. I loved the journey he went on. I loved how it started as a school project and ended as a chance to reconnect more of his family and help his family heal.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the close relationships Derek had with his family and although he was often singled out for being the only indigenous person he never resented his family or culture.
Derek had some serious growth in this coming-of-age story. I loved the journey he went on. I loved how it started as a school project and ended as a chance to reconnect more of his family and help his family heal.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for the free arc!
It was great to listen to this as an audiobook. This book provides a perspective that I have not read before in a book. It is about a boy who grew up on a Native American reservation and went to an elite boarding school. It is based on his experiences attending the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut for high school. As the only Native person, he must deal with questions from other students and feeling like he needs to be the teacher as the other kids (and teachers) do not know much about Native American history. It turns out that he feels like he does not know much of his own history either. For a history paper, he needs to write a research paper with first hand accounts. He chooses to write about his grandmother's experience in a forced boarding school to try to get her to assimilate to white culture. Throughout the book, he not only learns more about himself, but also about the history of his family.
It was great to listen to this as an audiobook. This book provides a perspective that I have not read before in a book. It is about a boy who grew up on a Native American reservation and went to an elite boarding school. It is based on his experiences attending the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut for high school. As the only Native person, he must deal with questions from other students and feeling like he needs to be the teacher as the other kids (and teachers) do not know much about Native American history. It turns out that he feels like he does not know much of his own history either. For a history paper, he needs to write a research paper with first hand accounts. He chooses to write about his grandmother's experience in a forced boarding school to try to get her to assimilate to white culture. Throughout the book, he not only learns more about himself, but also about the history of his family.
July 5, 2026
(Actual rating: 4.5 stars)
July appears to be bringing me lots of strong, compelling reads in a row.
This narrative is a fictional story based on some of the experiences of the author. The main character has the opportunity to leave the Diné reservation and attend a prestigious boarding school in New England. When he does so he leaves behind his mom, his grandma, and his great grandma whose health is failing and a woman who has reactions he does not understand to him going off to boarding school. Once at the school, he faces the reality that the school requires a lot of work. Throughout the narrative, he is trying to balance all of these different pressures on his time with school and family and also researching the sordid history of residential schools. The author did a fantastic job with telling this story. I will not tell more about the plot since it should be best experienced through a firsthand reading of this story. I highly recommend this book.
July appears to be bringing me lots of strong, compelling reads in a row.
This narrative is a fictional story based on some of the experiences of the author. The main character has the opportunity to leave the Diné reservation and attend a prestigious boarding school in New England. When he does so he leaves behind his mom, his grandma, and his great grandma whose health is failing and a woman who has reactions he does not understand to him going off to boarding school. Once at the school, he faces the reality that the school requires a lot of work. Throughout the narrative, he is trying to balance all of these different pressures on his time with school and family and also researching the sordid history of residential schools. The author did a fantastic job with telling this story. I will not tell more about the plot since it should be best experienced through a firsthand reading of this story. I highly recommend this book.
July 26, 2026
Informative, namely how colonists arguably plagiarized from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s Great Law of Peace to create the Constitution. While there is truth that the US’ form of government is inspired by Britain, it disregards Indigenous nations altogether.
I was bracing myself for a lot of unapologetic microaggressions, considering Derrick was at a rich, predominantly white prep school, but surprisingly enough, his peers and teachers don’t double down on their ignorant remarks. His history teacher especially doesn’t call him “disrespectful” for pushing back on the whitewashed version of US history, so that was refreshing to read.
If anything, despite the heaviness of topics such as boarding schools for Natives and drug use, Young does not get heavy-handed with it. I was worried that
I was bracing myself for a lot of unapologetic microaggressions, considering Derrick was at a rich, predominantly white prep school, but surprisingly enough, his peers and teachers don’t double down on their ignorant remarks. His history teacher especially doesn’t call him “disrespectful” for pushing back on the whitewashed version of US history, so that was refreshing to read.
If anything, despite the heaviness of topics such as boarding schools for Natives and drug use, Young does not get heavy-handed with it. I was worried that
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Diné (Navajo) fifteen-year-old, Derrick, from the reservation, attends an elite boarding school, where he experiences culture shock due to the homogenous student body and their high economic status. I loved how the story bridged generational divides as Derrick explored his great-grandmother's experiences at federal boarding schools. He is a gentle soul from a close-knit family who doesn't want to lose her family or friends because he's in this elite school.
The character voices and dialogue captured me and brought me into the story. I appreciated how his new friendships brought attention to stereotypes and microaggressions in an understandable way.
The story highlights themes of intergenerational trauma, community, and coming-of-age. I recommend this book for upper Middle Grade and YA readers. Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this novel.
The character voices and dialogue captured me and brought me into the story. I appreciated how his new friendships brought attention to stereotypes and microaggressions in an understandable way.
The story highlights themes of intergenerational trauma, community, and coming-of-age. I recommend this book for upper Middle Grade and YA readers. Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this novel.
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