A quick read about the author’s formative years as a young Native American girl growing up in Minnesota.
The author’s reverence and respect for her grandmother reverberates from every page.
I enjoyed reading about her life and her family.

Sugar Bush Babies was a much shorter book than I anticipated, but I found myself immersed in their words and wanting to not only read more but understand more.

The book is a collection of stories from Janis A. Fairbanks, a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The stories range from her early childhood until the death of her grandmother with the central theme being the impact and importance of her grandmother on her life.
Interestingly, the book is split into sections based on geography (Bena and Duluth) despite the stories occurring in both locations and following no discernible chronological order. I imagine the stories are organized in a way that makes sense to the author but not necessarily the reader. It is best to assume there is no order when reading and enjoy each story individually.

A nice addition to the book was approx. 25 photos throughout which add to the stories and memories shared by Fairbanks and cumulate a fuller understanding of the information shared.

Sprinkled throughout are mentions of relocation, Indian boarding schools, and loss of language. However, they are not written about in detail. Too often, when we read Indigenous stories, there’s an unspoken expectation that they will centre on trauma or hardship. While those stories are important, they are not the only stories which deserve space. It was refreshing to read a book that focused on kinship, joy, and identity rooted in Fairbanks’s memories of her grandmother and their impact on their life since Fairbanks maintains a very positive outlook throughout the book.

I found the first 30 pages a bit repetitive since it is mentioned multiple times her dad was unhappy and moved back, and how he was such a happy worker. It also seemed like the middle part of the book did not directly include her grandmother. However, I came to realise that despite her non direct inclusion her experiences with her were often reflected in other aspects as she navigated life in a city and growing up.

I loved the moment when the naming of the book “Sugar Bush Babies” clicked when I realised it was tied to her grandmother’s birth story.

Readers who are interested in Minnesotan experiences, Indigenous experiences more broadly, or lovers of short story collections will very much enjoy this book.

I will be recommending my university library add this book to their collection.

I received a copy of "Sugar Bush Babies" From NetGalley. Janis Fairbanks. writes loving memories of her beloved Grandmother who was an Ojibwe. Her grandmother was a wise woman who lived in a small shack that she loves. Janis speaks of the lessons she learned from her adored grandmother. She spent the first years living nearby in Bena Minnesota but had to move with her family to Duluth. Janis writes of her years in Duluth but always looked forward to visiting her beloved grandmother back in Bena. she speaks fondly of going to a "Pow Wow" and the fun she had at the event especially with her grandmother joining in on the dances she learned. This a nice memoir from Janis and her loving trubute to her grandma. She lncludes many pictures ot her family and grandmother. A nice read.