Reviewed by Caroline MacKenzie
Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley is an incredible book that tells the story of a young woman named Lucy Smith. The reader journeys with Lucy as she copes with the loss of her single father, unearths her Indigenous identity, learns about her mother, and stumbles on the dangerous truth about what was going on at some of her foster placements that put her life in danger. Boulley is Chippewa (Ojibwe) and a member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians. She has worked at various levels to improve education for First Nations children.
Boulley uses several themes within the novel to highlight numerous societal issues. These include the sexualization of women’s bodies, death, foster care, illegal adoption, the reclaiming of Indigenous identity, family (whether biological or chosen), and racism. These are topics the reader may have no personal experience with, only a general idea gleaned from the media. Through Lucy and her experiences, the reader gains a deeper understanding of these concerns, encouraging them to think about these matters in their own life. The reader also starts to understand the effects of these issues on those who go through them.
The story’s timeline shifts between Lucy’s childhood and the present where she is a young adult. This aids the reader’s understanding of Lucy and who she is becoming. This allows the reader to form a connection with Lucy and become invested in what happens to her. This keeps the reader engrossed in the story, making it difficult to put the book down.
The pace of this story likewise keeps the reader’s attention. The reader is kept on the edge of their seat and eagerly awaits what is going to happen. They are not overwhelmed by the speed at which the plot moves forward. Thus, audience is kept engaged and processing the messages within the pages of the book.
The characters in this story are written in such a way that they come alive on the page. It does not matter if they are a major or minor character. They all seem three-dimensional and may remind the reader, to some degree, of someone they met or a combination of people they have met. This gives the story a sense of realism to the situations the characters find themselves in. As a result, the reader realizes that there is truth to these situations, which can inspire positive change within society.
The language used by the different characters in the story further adds to the realism and individuality of each. The expressions that the characters use fits with who they are, making them relatable to the reader. This aids in the development of a deeper understanding of who the characters are and an appreciation of the information within the story.
The tone of this book is at times sad and joyful at others. This ensures that the reader is not overwhelmed by negative emotions and discouraged from reading further. This helps the reader to process the messages and knowledge found within this story and learn from them. This further adds to the realism of the story and its sway on the reader.
Sisters in the Wind is a fast-paced exciting tale that takes the reader on a journey that exposes them to issues that they may only be peripherally aware of.
Angeline Boulley, Sisters in the Wind. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2025.
ISBN: 978-1-250-32853-3