The Sky Watched by Linda LeGarde Grover is a short little poetry collection/memoir about Ojibwe people.

I want to preface this review by saying I am not usually a poetry reader!! I have been trying to expand my genres by dappling in poetry (especially since it's national poetry month!) but it's certainly not my genre of choice.

This collection is separated into 4 sections.

Part 1 is about Ojibwe histories and spirits,
Part 2 is about the impact of Indian schools
Part 3 is about picking up the pieces of Ojibwe culture after the Indian schools
and Part 4 is about more contemporary issues that link back to the histories discussed in part 1.

The author outlined these sections through an introduction which I found to be very helpful! Once problem I tend to have with poetry is that is so abstract and I just have no clue what to expect, but this intro allowed me to go into the poems well prepared which helped my enjoyment.

If you are looking for a quick poetry collection to read about the Ojibwe people, I definitely recommend this one <3

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read and review this book. The Sky Watched is a poetry collection about the Ojibwe family and tribal community.

"This world unfolds in the manner of traditional Ojibwe storytelling, shaped by the seasons and the stages of life, marking the significance of the number four in the Ojibwe worldview. Summoning spiritual and natural lore, award-winning poet and scholar Linda LeGarde Grover follows the story of a family, a tribe, and a people through historical ruptures and through intimate troubles and joys—from the sundering of Ojibwe people from their land and culture to singular horrors like the massacre at Wounded Knee to personal trauma suffered at Indian boarding schools. Threaded throughout are the tribal traditions and knowledge that sustain a family and a people through hardship and turmoil, passed from generation to generation, coming together in the manifold power and beauty of the poet’s voice."

The poems were beautiful and intriguing. I couldn't put the poetry book down. I learned a lot and enjoyed reading the poems.

I really loved this poetry collection, and appreciated the inclusion of Ojibwe words. I don't think a translation was needed. The writing was flowy and beautiful, and I had a better sense of the struggles and loves of the Ojibwe.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free poetry collection!*

I really loved some of the poems by Linda LeGarde Grover even thought they are more prose than poetry sometimes. I also had to google a lot and thus learned a lot. The imagery in some of the poems is very vivid, the scope of the poems vast. I don't really want to talk too much about the content, but it was overall enjoyable and also (sounds weird I know) informative. I'm glad I could learn about Ojobwe loves.

4 stars

If you have wanted to listen to the stories indigenous women are telling about their lives and communities, this book is a perfect place to start. Through her poetic voice, Linda LeGarde Grover engages powerful, beautiful, devastating, and healing storytelling. I will absolutely reread this again when it comes out.

I was very intrigued to read this book of poems/stories of traditional Aboriginal stories. I did have some trouble getting the file to display properly on my devices but the actual content of the book was excellent. I loved learning more about Aboriginal culture and connecting with some of their traditional stories. Thank you!

Linda LeGarde Grover is a poet and the creator of The Sky Watched. Grover is a member of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe as well as a professor and columnist. She is also a weaver of myth and memory and her work is beautifully set out in this re-release. Her poems are beautiful reflections of the Anishinaabe/Ojibwe people of the western Great Lakes regions. These mythic works are told in English and Ojibwe. I do not know even a word in Ojibwe but that does not matter. The collection is arranged in 4 stages of life - four is a sacred number reflected in the four colours of the medicine wheel, the four seasons, four directions etc. I found this collection such a pleasure to read and savour and look forward to re-reading and reflecting on these poetic 'stories' as time passes. I am grateful to the University of Minnesota Press for giving me the opportunity to read this collection and look forward to seeking out other works by Linda Legard Grover. Thank you.

I have not been a reviewer of many poetry books, but I feel this was is special! I enjoyed reading and reviewing this, especially in honour of National Aboriginal Day on June 21st in Canada. The poetry and flow of words as a story was well executed and beautiful. The meaning and teachings were meaningful and important. Recommend this book for all wishing to learn more about indigenous history.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinion. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Sky Watched is a collection of poems remembering the history of Ojibwe--their fundamental connection with the land, their experiences in mission schools, and their mundane moments of joy and dreaming.

Favorite poems:
- Dadibaajimoowinini, the Storyteller
- Lugalette
- Ann's Market, SALADA TEA
- Loss and a Question

** Thanks to NetGalley, Linda LeGarde Grover, and University of Minnesota Press for this ARC **

The Sky Watched will be available for purchase in October, 2022.

This was a beautiful, impactful collection of poetry by the award-winning poet and scholar Linda LeGarde Grover. Giving voice to a range of experience in Ojibwe lives - from residential boarding schools and the horror of Wounded Knee to private moments of tenderness and love - this is a must-read for any poetry lover. These poems made me reflect a lot on the history of violence in America and on the ways in which we have tried - and often failed - to acknowledge this harm in the present day. An important, inspirational read that would be a great addition to any library - especially for those who live in the United States.

A note - some of this collection is written in Ojibwe :)

The Sky Watched is a reading experience and a learning experience — a collection of beautifully crafted and transporting poetry. Recommended verse reading.

Four main sections and each section has poetry that would make you much closer to nature, emotions and culture.

I find the writing quite interesting and thought provoking for most poems. My most favourite part still remains the first section. It has left a huge impact on me. I took most of my time in this part trying to get used to the type of poetry and the new words.

The stories are thrilling, the expressions got me curious.

It would be really helpful for curious readers like me if there's references for further reading or a glossary towards the end or at the beginning to describe the words and the stories better.

Nevertheless a good read. Please take your time.

Thank you, University of Minnesota Press, for the advance review copy.