Saturday, September 13, 2014

Timmy's Review of Pukawiss the Outcast by Jay Jordan Hawke

I truly believe some days that I am not a normal 12-year-old, because I must say that the best part of this book was the history in it. There is nothing I love more than learning, and to add that with my second favorite thing, reading fiction books, you have a happy reader on your hands. There were no parts of the book that I didn’t like. It was interesting and engaging from the very beginning. The story had two key elements for me, history and hope. I also like that though this book’s main character is gay, it’s not about romance. That to me means this is a book every kid should be comfortable reading.

In the story, we follow Joshua while he tries to find himself. All he wants is to fit in somewhere. He learns about his roots and where half of his ancestry comes from, and while doing that he finds where he fits into life. Being abandoned by both parents, he was lost and hurt when he was dropped off with a grandfather he barely knew.

Joshua meets fun and interesting people on his journey and they teach him parts of his heritage. He instantly connects with a Legend, and he works to better understand himself by learning more about the Legend. He takes an instant liking to his new friend and mentor, Mokwa, who teaches him the customs and stories of the Ojibwe people. He also learns to trust and respect Gentle Eagle, his grandfather. Little Deer, Mokwa's friend, takes a while to get to know, but when Joshua gets to know him, they hit it off in spite of Little Deer’s quirky demeanor. Though Joshua is jealous of Jenny for her relationship with Mokwa, and though he tries hard not to like her, Jenny wins her way into his heart as well.

I really hope there is a second book to tell more of Joshua’s story, because I don’t feel it is done. I would have liked to know more about his father, and I would have really liked to have seen his mother drive off a cliff. (Oops, I didn’t say that.) I would like to see how things end with his mother, and whether his mother and him settle their differences.

I give this book 4 marbles, and I recommend this book to any and all kids trying to find their way in life.~Timmy


Pukawiss the Outcast by Jay Jordan Hawke
Available in Print and eBook 

About Pukawiss the Outcast

When family complications take Joshua away from his fundamentalist Christian mother and leave him with his grandfather, he finds himself immersed in a mysterious and magical world. Joshua’s grandfather is a Wisconsin Ojibwe Indian who, along with an array of quirky characters, runs a recreated sixteenth-century village for the tourists who visit the reservation. Joshua’s mother kept him from his Ojibwe heritage, so living on the reservation is liberating for him. The more he learns about Ojibwe traditions, the more he feels at home.

One Ojibwe legend in particular captivates him. Pukawiss was a powerful manitou known for introducing dance to his people, and his nontraditional lifestyle inspires Joshua to embrace both his burgeoning sexuality and his status as an outcast. Ultimately, Joshua summons the courage necessary to reject his strict upbringing and to accept the mysterious path set before him.

Find Jay Jordan Hawke on his blog, on Goodreads,
on Facebook, on Twitter @JayJordanHawke, and on Tumblr

18 comments:

  1. Loved the review. I love when I read a book and learn new things. Thanks for the review and I'll place it on my tbr pile. And because of the history involved with the American Indian I'll pass it along to my mom. She loves books about American Indians.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was an awesome read! I'm sure you will both love it.
      <3 Timmy

      Delete
  2. I hadn't heard of this book until now and it looks great! Thanks, Timmy. Great review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a great read! I'm excited to read more from this author.
      <3 Timmy

      Delete
  3. As always a very well thought out review. Probably not my kind of read, but you make it sound interesting so that I'm kinda considering it lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would recommend this on for you Deeze. Really, I wasn't sure at first that it would be my kind of book, but it was very good.
      <3 Timmy

      Delete
  4. I agree with everything you said, Timmy. I loved this book. I was a kid who also loved history, especially Native American history. This is a great book, and you'll be happy to know there are two sequels forthcoming, the first likely by December or January.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's awesome news Michael! That does make me happy. I enjoyed this and I'm sure I will enjoy any future books by this Author.
      <3 Timmy

      Delete
  5. Excellent review, Timmy. Sounds like a very good book. I love to read about different cultures in a respectful and including context. I had never heard of this book, so I might have to take a closer look. maybe a bit further down the line, as I am kind of head-shy when it comes to as-yet un-finished series. But when the other book (-s?) is (are) out, I'll have a go for sure. :-)
    Well done. You rock this reviewing thing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll let you know when the series is done, as I plan to read them all.
      <3 Timmy

      Delete
  6. Great review as always, Timmy. I'll be showing this one to my daughter- sounds right up her alley. Thank you for the recommendation! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope she liked it as much as I did!
      <3 Timmy

      Delete
  7. Excellent review, Timmy! It sounds like something I'd enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! I hope you get a chance to read it!
      <3 Timmy

      Delete
  8. Oh wow! I can really get excited about this book, Timmy. I love history and I love historical novels. This is a terrific review. It really makes me want to read the book. I will definitely put this on my TBR SOON list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really was a great read. Though I wouldn't call it a historical read, it did have a lot of Indian history and words in it.
      <3 Timmy

      Delete
  9. Another Great review Timmy! Always look forward to reading yours! This is my kind of book & I will definitely be reading it & the whole series. These look like books Mt teens may be interested in. Thanks for the introduction to this new (to me) author. Ann Alaskan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your teens will love it! It's a perfect book for teens female or male. Let me know what they think!
      <3 Timmy

      Delete