Book review: Strawberries and Sweetgrass
Reviewed by Karl Hele
Nadine Labelle’s Strawberries and Sweetgrass is a compelling story of a journey into culture and self while growing up. The main character, Baylee, moves from the city to an acreage near her Gokomis and Mishomis’ home. Here, Baylee adjusts to rural life, enjoys being with her grandparents, frolics with Gokomis’ two horses, and frets about attending the new school.
Shortly after beginning school, Baylee experiences bullying and harassment from several children in the class. One day, Baylee’s dad picks her up early with the disheartening news that her Gokomis has passed away. After the passing of Gokomis, one of the horses is sold while the other runs away. Determined to find the beloved horses, Baylee undertakes a quest. Before setting out, Baylee awakens a long sleeping Spirit Tree who helps the young girl through a gift – the ability to shift into a beautiful horse. Along the way, Baylee, as a human girl and as a horse, experiences several hardships and is helped by a young deer, called Kwe. Throughout the story, Baylee, her horses, and friend Kwe learn the value of friendship, love, bravery, and family. By working together and trusting one another, the group manages to return home to family and learn about the power and importance of friendship, bravery, and love. As the first book of the proposed Spirit Tree series, Labelle is off to an excellent start.
This is an excellent first novel for Labelle who is a member of Serpent River First Nation and resides in Massey, Ontario. The book obviously draws from Anishinaabeg culture. Like many books written by and for Indigenous youth, Strawberries and Sweetgrass contains an Anishinaabemowin vocabulary. Baylee, like many youth, does not speak her natal language but enjoys trying to learn it from her Gokomis while working together in the kitchen and listening to stories. This also makes the novel a story of culture rebirth – at least for Baylee and her brother – as well as a tale of the importance of remembering the old ways as these have relevance in the contemporary world.
I found this short novel an interesting and enjoyable read as well as unique in concept. The characters are believable and easy to identify with, as are the adventures experienced by Baylee as she adjusts to her abilities to shape-shift while growing into a new maturity and confidence. Strawberries and Sweetgrass should be a welcome addition to any reading list – it is fun, engaging, and original. The book’s intended audience is youth aged 8 to 11 whether they be girls, horse lovers, or anyone interested in Anishinaabeg culture.
Nadine Labelle, Strawberries and Sweetgrass. Sunset Wolf Publications, 2012.
ISBN: 0987921819