Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Weird Rules to Follow by Kim Spencer - OPTIONAL

Weird Rules to Follow by Kim Spencer
, 176 pages. Orca, 2023. $13

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

10yo Mia and Lara have been best friends forever, but this year seems to be pulling them apart. Mia is part of the Indigenous community in Prince Rupert, CDA while Laura is white. Because her privileged upbringing, Lara is moving away from Mia socially - Laura’s easy access to money and material objects has become a barrier between the girls and the people Lara’s parents want her to socialize with are not Mia’s people. 

While Mia’s family is portrayed and loving and supportive, the glimpse into the struggles of her Indigenous community are not enough drama to carry the weight of the narrative. Spencer also goes back and forth a bit in time and repeats some scenes without real purpose - so confusing. I do like that the girls grow away from with each other without drama or animosity, but on the whole there isn’t anything here to grab a student reader’s attention. 

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

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