Published in 2016 in Canada, with a 2017 publication year in the US, it is in Lorimer's reluctant reader "Side Streets" series. I also got two emails asking if I've seen her Rez Runaway. Yesterday's review of Melanie Florence's Missing Nimama generated a lot of private email and social media from Native people who are uncomfortable with it but didn't want to say anything. It is one of the too-many aspects of Native peoples in the US and Canada that is mis-used, and yes, appropriated. If a Native writer, writing from within their own ways, chooses to use it, that's one thing. Native ways of being aren't something "cool" for writers to use in their stories, even if their stories are about Native people. You may think you'll do some research and find out the right way to use spirit animals in your story, but why use it at all? There are other choices. you might really be touched by Native peoples and Native ways, and you just want to impart that to your readers. It is, in fact, specific to some Native nations, but not all, and it has significance. This idea is everywhere as a "Native American" thing. I wrote about the spirit animals in Shusterman's Unwind series and in those quizzes that invite you to find out your spirit animal. Refinery29 has an article about Kerry Washington using it, and then apologizing for using it. In 2016, Julie Murphy, author of the acclaimed Dumplin' wrote, on her Tumblr, about her decision to remove "spirit animal" from future printings of her book. > For these to be published means the most basic research, the most basic respect, was absent. Kids are going to read these books and think it's okay to "ROLE PLAY" having a spirit animal. Research those threads, blogs, books, etc. Many Native people have already explained why in depth. human and beast that bestows great powers to both." Also in that blurb: "Part engrossing book series, part action role-playing game - discover your spirit animal and join the adventure." There are so many things wrong with this. every child who comes of age must discover if they have a spirit animal, a rare bond between." -> ". Are you aware of the series? From the blurb of the first book: ". Looks like I don't see this on AICL, but I might've missed it.
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