Charlene Willing McManis

From Amazon description:

Best Books of 2019, American Indians in Children's Literature
Regina Petit's family has always been Umpqua, and living on the Grand Ronde reservation is all ten-year-old Regina has ever known. Her biggest worry is that Sasquatch may actually exist out in the forest. But when the federal government signs a bill into law that says Regina's tribe no longer exists, Regina becomes "Indian no more" overnight--even though she was given a number by the Bureau of Indian Affairs that counted her as Indian, even though she lives with her tribe and practices tribal customs, and even though her ancestors were Indian for countless generations.

With no good jobs available in Oregon, Regina's father signs the family up for the Indian Relocation program and moves them to Los Angeles. Regina finds a whole new world in her neighborhood on 58th Place. She's never met kids of other races, and they've never met a real Indian. For the first time in her life, Regina comes face to face with the viciousness of racism, personally and toward her new friends.

Meanwhile, her father believes that if he works hard, their family will be treated just like white Americans. But it's not that easy. It's 1957 during the Civil Rights Era. The family struggles without their tribal community and land. At least Regina has her grandmother, Chich, and her stories. At least they are all together.

In this moving middle-grade novel drawing upon Umpqua author Charlene Willing McManis's own tribal history, Regina must find out: Who is Regina Petit? Is she Indian? Is she American? And will she and her family ever be okay?… (plus d'informations)

Incredibly well-done, story of a young girl and her family's displacement during the termination of the Umpqua Tribes' reservation in the mid-fifties. While this is inspired by personal experiences, rather than true memoir, it not only has been thoroughly and respectfully researched, but also rings with a true personal voice. Things I loved about this book - Regina has a great voice, and her puzzled confrontations with neighborhood kids who want her to be a specific kind of Hollywood Indian rather than a modern tribal kid are illuminating without being preachy. Her family life is rocky sometimes, but hugely loving. Her father's success, and her clear-headed assessment of what is lost in progress as well as what is gained. It's really well done, and well targeted for its audience. I mourn the death of the author, because I would love to read more of her work.… (plus d'informations)