By Holly Johnson, Emeritus Professor, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Almost every book allows for a perspective that may be different from the reader’s, and many books give readers something to ponder, but books that afford both pondering and perspective-taking are a bit more rare. Joseph Bruchac’s new book, Border Patrol (2025), is one such book. It brings to life both current issues and historical context, which had me contemplating just how much of U.S. history might need rethinking.
Lily, a middle grade Mohawk girl, has a lot to say in respect to border issues both current and historical. The book shares Lily’s thinking through a series of verses that can be read individually—with openings for much discussion—or in a series of verses that give readers numerous ways to contemplate another perspective while also pondering their own actions if they found themselves in similar situations or confronted with someone like Lily.
Lily, who is willing to share her strengths and weaknesses enables readers to know more about her life in a way to consider perhaps, the represented Other in readers’ own lives. Several of the verses create tension, but in doing so also answer some historical questions. Did George Washington chop down the cherry tree? Yes, he did, and many others as part of the campaign against the indigenous peoples of the Northeast and Midwest. Did our government create arbitrary borders that made (make) no sense to those peoples who lived in this land before it was called the United States? Yes, it did, with borders often crossing indigenous lands with little thought to those who lived/live there. Should we reunite families when they are separated accidentally or, in some cases intentionally? Yes, we should. Does our government resemble that of the Six Nations? Read this book and find out. Were there Six Nations or only Five Nations? Again, read this missive and discover Lily’s perspective—along with history.
There is so much in this book to ponder. So much to enjoy. So much to learn. So much to consider both currently and historically. What I think I like best, however, is that in Border Patrol, history is shown to be still very much alive and part of our lives. It is unfortunate that this perspective on history is not taught in middle schools and thus many of us fail to recognize how we are living in history, are created through history and are influenced by history. And, right now, we need to recognize its importance.
As I was reading this book, I thought of two additional books that could be read along with Border Patrol: Borders (2022), a graphic novel by Thomas King and Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration (2019) by Bryan Caplan and Zach Weinersmith. All three would be suitable for sharing with middle grade readers.
This book, because it is in verse, reads like talk, the talk of a young girl who has a voice, who ponders the world around her and shares a perspective readers will find worth hearing. It is a wonderful read and a series of thoughts that make a lovely story, but it is not without controversy.
Bruchac is a tribally enrolled citizen of the Nulhegan Abenaki nation as stated on the book jacket. Under scrutiny by some critics, however, is the author’s heritage. Further information about this issue can be found online for those interested. It is another aspect of the book to ponder and to note differing perspectives.
WOW Currents is a space to talk about forward-thinking trends in global children’s and adolescent literature and how we use that literature with students. “Currents” is a play on words for trends and timeliness and the way we talk about social media. We encourage you to participate by leaving comments and sharing this post with your peers. To view our complete offerings of WOW Currents, please visit its archival stream.
- Themes: Border Patrol, Holly Johnson, Joseph Bruchac
- Descriptors: Books & Resources, WOW Currents