Wałaas is excited to visit her family's reserve, Kitkatla, for spring break.
Kitkatla always feels like home. She and her dzi'i (grandmother) travel there by fishing boat, and on the way Wałaas spots porpoises in the sparkling waves. Once they arrive, they stay with her da'as (auntie), and her mom comes too to join in the fun.
The days pass slowly as Wałaas spends time with family, wanders the shore and enjoys foods you can't get in town, like fresh chiton and sea urchin. She likes listening to her family speak Sm’algya̱x, even though her mom won't always tell her what they're talking about, and sharing an evening snack of homemade anaay (bread) and jarred cherries. The visits to Kitkatla are never long enough, but Wałaas knows she will always return to the reserve because it's her home.
Praise for Kim Spencer:
★“Readers will be left with a rich image of Mia’s world and the family and people that surround her as well as a strong sense of how culture and class impact people’s experiences. A touching exploration of identity and culture.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review for Weird Rules to Follow
“While the book’s narration hews closely to the theme of feelings about a beloved place, the additional layer of Wałaas’s culture creates opportunities for further exploration for children who aren’t already familiar with the Northwest First Nations. Harvey’s cartoon-style illustrations are bright and cheerful, conveying the pleasure of being together in Kitkatla. Purchase to fill the need for authentic materials about modern-day Indigenous culture.”