I really enjoyed this book. Those interested in biographies/Memoirs will be interested in reading this book. I rate this book 5 out of 5. Generously provided by NetGalley.

So happy to be given a whole budget to replenish our senior shelves in the school library. The books in there are far from appealing at the moment and I have been delighted to find books here that will intrigue, captivate and engross my senior students.

This is a fantastic read with characters they will be able to connect with, a captivating narrative and an ending that will provide plenty to talk about.

It's great to read a book that does not feel formulaic and gives some credit to their reader's intelligence too. Young people are very fussy about the books they choose to read and in this time-precious day and age it really has to be something above and beyond the ordinary to get them to put down their devices and get their noses stuck in a book.

I think this is one book that will capture their imagination and keep them turning the pages until the end. This is definitely going onto my 'must-buy' list and I really look forward to seeing what the young people themselves think of this thought-provoking and beautifully written novel.

Gord Downie first peaked my interest in the fight to help the Indigenous people of Canada. He made it his dying days purpose to bring awareness to and fight against the cruel treatment of the Indigenous. Even after learning of the Chanie Wenjack story and donating myself, I was still pretty unaware of exactly what was going on in the North. When I heard about this memoir, I hoped it would shed some more light on the topic and give me a better understanding. I’m not Canadian, but I am human and this stuff matters.

While this memoir did not shed light on the Indigenous issues the way I expected, it did open my eyes to the trickle-down impact this cultural genocide continues to have on the children and grandchildren of those forced into residential schools. And while Catherine has risen above her circumstance, she is still a prime example of what that injustice left behind. Discrimination, lack of proper housing and education, refusal to allow the practice of their traditional medicine. These are all things she faces throughout her life.

The writing style is simple, but the story of perseverance, incredibly intricate and strong.

I will give this 4 stars based on Lafferty’s strength alone. Her path, and other Indigenous women like hers, has not been easy. The writing was simple but read with her strong voice and powerful emotion.

I didn't really understand where the author was going with the message of this book. It was clear she was trying to educate people about the history and culture of indigenous peoples, but I didn't see how sharing her background did that.

I loved this memoir it showed the author's strength to overcome. It was beautifully written. I highly recommend it.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review of it.