pickHeart Berries, by Terese Marie Mailhot (2018 🇨🇦)
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Premise: An unflinchingly honest memoir about growing up and living with abuse and mental illness while Indigenous
Review: This memoir takes a no holds barred # approach and I think is much better for it. Mailhot bares all here, in all her intelligence and education and all her trauma, illness, and heartbreak. Cont.
I think this book covers some heavy topics and includes language that might make some students uncomfortable, so I probably wouldn‘t use it as a whole-class read. That said, it could be a great option for students who are dealing with mental health struggles and ask for recommendations. I‘d definitely give a heads-up about the content, but it‘s still a thoughtful and creative resource for the right reader.
“We need to remember that the mind is still a mind, floating like a newborn cloud or bird wings drowning in hardened chocolate. My point is that a leaf knows it‘s important, at all moments of its life even when it is broken. People always forget that a rough day, a bad year— doesn‘t equal a bad life.”
While this book is not my cup of tea, it is undeniable that it harbors many beautiful, important quotes, that would be helpful to one struggling.
panThe book deserves credit for tackling important, often taboo topics like mental illness and generational trauma, particularly within the Black community. That said, its execution falls short. The fantasy elements are vague, the worldbuilding lacks depth, and key terms are poorly explained. With so many competing themes, none are given the depth they deserve.
McBride illustrates Whimsy‘s depression through bold language, shifting structure, and layout. Parentheses echo intrusive thoughts, while her right-aligned dialogue visually sets her apart, showing her sense of isolation. Sudden changes in structure reflect the confusion and unpredictability of recovery. I have never read a book formatted in such a way before.
so-soMcBride weaves a beautiful story about perseverance. The fantastical elements were not my cup of tea; however, I could see many YA readers enjoying this book. My favorite part of McBride's novel is the final message that one is never alone. Mental illness is often a struggle behind closed doors, but there is always someone rooting for you. I would love to include this novel in my classroom library and recommend it to my whimsy-loving students.
McBride's novel appeals to so many students with her characters. Mental health conditions and prejudice against black kids are at the forefront of the novel, but are not overwhelming for adolescent minds. These issues are not sugarcoated, yet they are not made too graphic for YA readers. McBride's novel encourages adolescents to learn about issues which, in turn, encourages them to use their voices for change.
pickAny Gracie Abrams fans on here? This book feels like listening to "I Love You, I'm Sorry". The angry live version, specifically.
Bookish Pair: For another bold memoir by a Salishan woman, check out Red Paint, by Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe (2022). 4h