The American Indian Youth Literature and Morris Award-winning author of Rez Ball returns with the unforgettable story of a gifted young Ojibwe athlete learning to ride in his father’s footsteps while practicing for a skateboarding championship.
When Bryce’s mom walks out on her abusive boyfriend and back into jail for breaking her probation, he’s left facing the summer of his junior year with no parents, no phone, and only the clothes on his back.
With nowhere to call home, Bryce crashes at his grandparents’ house on Wolf Creek reservation. Wolf Creek is full of memories and old friends—including Robbie and Mikayla, who hang out at the local skate park.
Skateboarding reminds Bryce of his late dad: carefree, riding like he could fly. If Bryce could learn to ride like that, he’d take his crew to the top of the skateboarding championship at the end of the summer, and finally prove he’s not a loser, especially to the online-famous, captivating Mikayla. Summer is looking up, even as he’s falling on his face.
But when a fresh loss takes Bryce down, he’ll need to learn to lean on his Ojibwe community to get back on the board. Only then can he discover his father’s real legacy—and the true meaning of unconditional love.
Listened to audiobook, narrated by Meegwun Fairbrother.
I truly loved my time with Medicine Wheels. Despite its heavy subjects, I found it to be such an encouraging, comforting story - like slipping on a cozy sweater that smells like your favorite person.
Bryce is such a lovable protagonist. He goes through a lot over the course of this novel - grieving the death of his father, dealing with his mom's abusive boyfriend and her alcoholism, and helping out his elderly and ailing grandparents - but through it all, he remains a remarkably grounded, grateful and hopeful kid. He truly appreciates the warm moments of sunshine in his life: a delicious home-cooked meal, a thoughtful gift, the joy of reuniting with an old friend. And yet the novel doesn't shy away from the weight he's carrying either, giving us space to sit with him as he grapples with intense and sometimes contradictory feelings, like trying to balance respect and understanding for what his mother is going through with the very real pain of how she's let him down.
Bryce learning to skateboard is such a wonderful way to weave the different parts of the narrative together. He starts as a complete beginner, struggling just to stand on the board, and we really get to see his practice, mistakes and perseverance pay off in a satisfying but realistic way. The message about focusing on what you enjoy and improving yourself rather than worrying about looking dumb or what others think feels especially resonant today, when perfectionism is rampant and everyone is so afraid of looking cringe. I also loved how so many different people in Bryce's community show up at different moments to guide him on his skating journey - even, sometimes, people he'd normally feel antagonistic towards. I really appreciated those moments of finding common ground in unexpected places.
I also found the medicine wheel theme so clever and effective. I won't pretend to be deeply familiar with Ojibwe medicine wheel teachings - and even the sources I found while researching noted that interpretations can vary from one teacher to another - but I couldn't help noticing what felt like meaningful parallels in the novel's structure. Over the course of the summer, Bryce grows in ways that seem to echo the wheel's quadrants of emotional, physical, mental and spiritual: he navigates the emotional hurts of losing and being let down by family; finds physical release and discipline through skating; develops a political consciousness through his community's fight against pipeline development on the rez; and deepens a spiritual connection to his late father by following in his footsteps as a skater. From my limited perspective, I thought this was a beautiful way of illustrating the teachings through Bryce's story rather than overtly stating them, and it genuinely opened my eyes to how differently an Ojibwe community might process grief and growth compared to what I'm used to seeing. I'd love to hear from readers with a deeper knowledge of these teachings about what else they found in it.
Meegwun Fairbrother's narration was exceptional throughout. His soft intonations suited Bryce's character perfectly and were simply a pleasure to listen to, and his distinct voices for the supporting cast brought the community to life beautifully.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperAudio Children’s for providing an audio ARC.
I previously really enjoyed Rez Ball by Byron Graves, so I was excited when I saw this book was coming out. Medicine Wheels is a compelling YA book about Bryce, an Ojibwe teen, reconnecting with old friends and family when he moves back to the Wolf Creek reservation for the summer after his mom ends up in jail. The story is full of friendship, activism, personal growth, and Bryce learning to skateboard.
I loved following Bryce throughout the story and seeing the ways that he gets more confident in himself. He’s had some rough times, but with his friends and family he’s able to push through. There are so many strong supporting characters in the book with Bryce’s Ojibwe community. I also absolutely loved the skateboarding plot, it was so rewarding to read about Bryce dedicating himself to improving and seeing others support him in his journey. Byron Graves’ writing elevated all those scenes, the joy he feels when accomplishing new tricks really comes through.
I’d definitely recommend this to people who are fans of YA contemporary stories or are interested in trying out a different flavor of sports fiction. The audiobook is excellent, Meegwun Fairbrother’s narration helps to bring all the different characters to life.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Oh Byron Graves, please stick around for a very long time.
Bryce's life is full of ups and downs after the death of his father because Mom runs from guy to guy (generally abusive, alcohol fueled fighting) that pulled him off the rez he had lived on with his grandparents and friends to another, but he's ping-ponged back to that rez now that his mom is in jail and he's been welcomed back to the home of his grandparents to provide him with stability, though his grandfather is dying.
This glimpse into family life is a bittersweet moment that Bryce isn't taking for granted. His grandparents have always been rock solid and now he can dream bigger than ever and feel comfortable and settled, hanging out with his best friend again and a girl who are both into skateboarding that he has also decided to use to gain a newfound sense of confidence and get closer to the girl, Mikayla, too.
It's so solid. And Bryce's aunt is a fully-formed character who brings Bryce several times to the jail to see his mom who he realizes needs to be confronted about letting him stay with his grandparents and enroll him in the fall back into the school on the rez, where he belongs and can thrive. For him and his future. It has all the hallmarks of a hard road to a hopeful future. And I can't love it more.
I'd like to thank Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced reader copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.
"Medicine Wheels" is a strong story. There is a lot of grief and growth packed into the pages, and I think a lot of this would resonate with younger readers. It's honest and raw in places, and it definitely strikes a cord of nostalgia for the long and easy summers when you're a teenager.
As a teacher, due to the language and substance use, I would say you could use it with older students. The weight of the story itself lends itself to very earnest conversations about grief, dealing with parents who don't always come through, community, and indigenous issues such as colonizer use of land, life on a rez, and what it means to be native.
There are some things I was looking for but didn't get - like more of a resolution between Aiden and Bryce. After the skateboard competition, there is no closure with the Lost Boys, and Aiden in particular felt like someone Bryce was supposed to have connected with. I also wanted more to happen regarding the pipeline story, but we got an 'ending' to that, and there wasn't much conversation about it after. More a moving on to something else.
Overall, I think this is a solid book that should be recommended to high school students.
After reading Graves's _Rez Ball_, I couldn't wait to start this new book. I have to say that I enjoyed getting to know Bryce and his friends and family even more. This is a great one!
Bryce and his mom are going through a tough time. After his father's death, Bryce's mom hooks up with a less than ideal individual who puts their family in some tough spots. When his mom is incarcerated, Bryce has limited resources and ends up with his grandparents. They are also going through some major life changes, but their love for Bryce is palpable, and that's just what he needs at this stage.
I loved getting to know Bryce. He's going through a lot, but he's a very hopeful kid. His struggles are both relatable and specific to his circumstances. No matter how many personal obstacles he faces, he's able to set and achieve goals, form healthy relationships, and demonstrate grit. On top of that, there's fantastic representation here, which I've come to expect from this author.
This is a great read. Graves's books are now on my immediate TBR list, and I'm excited for the next one already.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Heartdrum for this arc and alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Medicine Wheels is a definite must for any high school library.
When Bryce finds himself alone and kicked out of the seedy motel that he and his mother had been staying in, he has a choice - walk to his grandparents trailer or to his best friend Robbie's house. He arrives at his grandparents with nothing but the clothes on his back and is welcomed by his grandmother with open arms. Bryce starts to spend his days at the local skate park with his friend Robbie, quickly becoming obsessed with learning to skateboard and pushing himself to improve. As he begins to find himself through skate culture, he is also dealing with the news that his grandfather is terminally ill and coming home on hospice and that his mother is in jail for breaking parole.
Bryce is a character that I really felt for. He is trying his best to deal with the hardships that he is going through while also trying to support his culture and family. He's a very self-aware teen, but it is believable because he has clearly had to grow up fast with all the things he has dealt with since the passing of his father,
The glossary at the back of the book was also very helpful - for both the Ojibwe language and the skater terms used throughout the story.
An own voices story that follows Bryce as he navigates one summer with lots of changes.. These changes also reflect what many indigenous youth face today- alcoholism, peer relationships, school and family drama, self-doubt, and trying to fit in.
It is hard to rate this book as this is not my story or my culture; but, I do think this would resonate with youth of any culture. The author does an amazing job with reflecting the insecurities we all have eternally at this age.
My only complaint is, I felt like the book was trying to do too much. There is a great plot line of an oil company attempting to put pipelines through this reservation and I don’t know if that got the attention it deserved or was done to spread awareness. This plot line seemed important, but was over very quickly.
Overall, this would be a great book for middle grade or young adults as it really does give a empathetic view to kids that are struggling and to show them that they are not alone and other kids the feel the same way as they do.
Thank you to the author, HarperAudio, and NetGalley for an advanced copy to listen to and share my humble thoughts and opinions.
Hearing about the struggles Bryce goes through with his mom, losing his dad, and struggling with his grandfather’s illness hit home for me. I also endured trauma growing up, and I understand the urge to lash out or drown your feelings. I appreciate how this book shows how a hobby can transform a person and allow them to overcome adversity and become their best self. I know nearly nothing about skateboarding, but the story was still easy to follow nonetheless. The author’s note at the end that sheds some light on the origins of skateboarding was also an interesting addition.
The organic way Graves integrated indigenous culture, terminology, and experiences into the story was delightful. It was incredibly nostalgic and I felt like I was there. I could smell the frybread, hear the drums, and feel the magic of powwow. The pipeline part of the story was also well done. It's a real issue that our community continues to fight against, and I think it was handled in an age-appropriate way.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you to Heartdrum and Byron Graves for the free review copy via NetGalley.
Bryce's life has been chaos ever since his dad died six years ago. Dealing with his mom's addiction and her terrible boyfriends, Bryce hasn't felt calm and stable in a while. When they leave the current boyfriend and things go from bad to worse, Bryce moves to stay with his grandparents for the summer. But Bryce's grandpa has been diagnosed with cancer, adding more stress to his life. Will Bryce's friendships and newfound love for skateboarding be enough to keep his life from derailing?
Medicine Wheels is another great title by Byron Graves for reluctant readers. Solid incorporation of Indigenous culture and themes of grief, growth, and independence. Some pretty frequent casual incorporations of drinking and marijuana use.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. The narrator does an excellent job. I also loved the exploration of grief, family, and identity in this book. It is an emotional read. Graves did a wonderful job with writing the characters and developing them. I really enjoyed how much growing the main character went through in this book. This book was phenomenal and I'm looking forward to future books by Graves.
I won an Advance Reader's Edition of Medicine Wheels by Byron Graves from Goodreads.
Readers laugh and cry as they follow a teen who confronts adversity and hardships in Medicine Wheel by Byron Graves. At times funny, this poignant tale takes readers inside the mind of an indigenous youth as he grapples with heartbreaking situations, learns life lessons from family and peers, and finds ways to help himself deal with his emotions. Readers of all ages identify with Bryce and celebrate his growth. This is a wonderful book for families of teens to share.
Medicine Wheels follows our main character Bryce as he navigates hardships and loss. The story weaves in inter generational trauma, struggles, and loss with hope perseverance and strength.
It's a wonderful coming of age story and great to see realistic struggles and diversity. The story of community, family, and finding yourself.
A glimpse in the life of a Native American youth navigating high school and a life full of challenges. He finds solace and purpose and connection, with the help of a new-found interest in skateboarding. You can't help but root for Bryce from the first page. And who doesn't love a good underdog story? A worthwhile read.
When Bryce's mom gets arrested, he finds himself back at his grandparents's home on his old rez with practically nothing. Fortunately, he forges confidence and community with old and new friends when he takes up skating. Medicine Wheels is a triumphant novel of starting over, new experiences, and environmental activism.
I'm not the target audience for this one, but I know many readers who are. Short chapters, skateboarding action, and modern dialogue make this perfect for reluctant readers with plenty of heart to help it stick with them long after the last pages.
That you NetGalley for the ARC! This book was like a comforting hug to me. I fought the pipelines with my father and he passed away last year. I loved seeing little reminders of him written in a book.
This was a great story of a teen reconnecting with his community. After the death of his father everything changed and finding the way forward is finding the way back to those who care about and love him.
Medicine Wheels has great character development, Interesting interpersonal relationships, and is not afraid to highlight darker themes. Though the pacing was slow for me, the plot carries forward well.
A perfect read for any teen who enjoys a litfic/genfic that is based around finding belonging and rediscovering oneself.