Buffalo Dreamer, by Violet Duncan

Each Friday that school is in session, I share the link to a read-aloud preview of a book from SRCSA library. The “First-chapter Friday” selection for Jan. 3, 2025 is Buffalo Dreamer, by Violet Duncan.

Summer and her family always spend relaxed summers in Alberta, Canada, on the reservation where her mom’s family lives. But this year is turning out to be an eye-opening one. First, Summer has begun to have vivid dreams in which she’s running away from one of the many real-life residential schools that tore Native children from their families and tried to erase their Native identities. Not long after that, she learns that unmarked children’s graves have been discovered at the school her grandpa attended as a child. Now more folks are speaking up about their harrowing experiences at these places, including her grandfather. Summer cherishes her heritage and is heartbroken about all her grandfather was forced to give up and miss out on. When the town holds a rally, she’s proud to take part to acknowledge the painful past and speak of her hopes for the future. She’s also anxious to find someone who can fill her in on the source of her unsettling dreams. Buffalo Dreamer was a finalist, in 2024, for the National Book Award.
https://youtu.be/VovS3zGMxvM

First-chapter Friday playlist on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6F1x26TGVFF4Clbqq18kcKCxfxnuDx4w

National Book Award playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6F1x26TGVFHLqh12BtCrJbmTa7yjxfsu