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Reviewed by: Kathy Jaccarino, High School Librarian Title: This Indian Kid
Author: Eddie Chuculate
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 2023 Good for Grades: 7-12 Genre/Type of Book: Memoir
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: No
Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: I have been looking to diversify my biography section and have been wanting to add memoirs from more varied backgrounds. This memoir had great reviews.
If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be:
Chuculate clearly establishes that your path is determined by you!
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Review:
This Indian Kid is a young adult memoir by Eddie Chuculate. Eddie is a Muscogee (Creek) and Cherokee, he tells of his story of the critical and defining moments of his childhood, growing up in Oklahoma in the 1970s and ’80s. Eddie’s life is not easy. His parents are divorced, his mother remarries but has a turbulent relationship with her new husband. They do not have a lot of money. Eddie moves and relocates many times during his childhood… 14 schools in 9 years! Often times he is separated from his mother and lives with his grandparents. However, at no point does this memoir read like a sad tale. On the contrary, despite Eddie’s transient and impoverished childhood, and many rough patches, this is a story of love and strong family connections, plus it is the story of strong connections to the Native culture.
The book unfolds as a series of stories (vignettes) about Eddie’s childhood. Stories are interspersed with photographs of the author and his friends/family. Throughout the memoir he describes his love of sports and fishing, how he copes with always being the “new kid,” his love of the library where ever he landed, and his impulsive behavior which often got him into trouble.
This memoir can also be used as a lesson for every child, through Eddie we see that we all make mistakes, but these mistakes don’t define us. We are in charge of our own paths, and we can alter this path at any time. Eddie also clearly demonstrates how just one person can impact and change our lives, that we should be open to the help that comes our way.
I think it could easily have a place in the curriculum- in ELA as an example of narrative writing, and diverse voices. And, in the social studies curriculum as it demonstrates the role of Native Americans and American culture during the 70s and 80s. And, although the book isn't explicitly about racism or poverty, it does explore these issues.
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