School Library Journal Review
Gr 10 Up-According to the foreword, Charleyboy's intent for this anthology is to provide a "space to not only write a love letter to all young Indigenous women trying to find their way, but also to help dispel those stereotypes so we can collectively move forward to a brighter future for all." Charleyboy and Leatherdale have selected art, poetry, and prose created by Indigenous teenage girls and women that touch on a plethora of topics, from Standing Rock to ReMatriate, a collective of Indigenous women dedicated to showing the multiplicity of Indigenous identity through social media. Each entry is titled and accompanied by the author's name and their tribal ancestry or affiliation. In addition to the text, art pieces such as Lianne Marie Leda Charlie's Tagé Cho (Big River) and Pamela J. Peters's Real NDNZ Re-Take Hollywood, which recasts iconic movie stars as Indigenous actors/actresses, deepen the conversation and provide alternative ways of looking at identity, history, and inherited trauma. Some entries are in dialogue with readers, while others offer deeply personal insights-and all emphasize the damage that ignoring or changing the rich histories of Indigenous people does, especially in regards to women. This portrait of girlhood is a necessary addition in line with #ownvoices and We Need Diverse Books movements. And with a hashtag as a title, it should garner much-needed attention on social media, in libraries, and on bookshelves. VERDICT A stunning anthology of creative writing and art-a love letter, indeed. All YA collections will want this.-Alicia Abdul, Albany High School, NY © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A unique cultural anthology of stories gathered from Indigenous women representing nations in the U.S. and Canada. The voices in these stories defy and deconstruct the common stereotype of the Native American woman as docile tribal "princess." The hashtag in the title is an intentional signal to readers that Native American women are a significant presence in the digital age. This book acts as a platform that allows Indigenous women to express their stories through poetry, vibrant and colorful art, personal photos, short stories, and traditional song. This tapestry of voices addresses reclaiming Indigenous rights, overcoming abandonment and abuse, navigating mixed identity, and cultural appropriation; there is also an homage to 13-year-old Anna Lee Rain Yellowhammer, a young Water Protector who gathered more than a quarter-million signatures to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. Each page offers eye-catching images that represent the wide diversity among Indigenous women. A poignant interview with Dr. Janet Smylie (Cree/Mtis) reveals both her personal struggle with depression as a teenager and the challenges she faced while attempting to finish medical school. Co-edited by author Charleyboy (Tsilhqot'in) and Leatherdale, this collection was created as a love letter to young Indigenous women. The vital message that it offers is that Indigenous women continue to shatter stereotypes through their personal successes and creative expression. Both testament to the complexity of Indigenous women's identities and ferocious statement that these women fully inhabit the modern world. (Anthology. 12-adult) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Being an Indigenous woman in modern America is a social position that often comes with a complex sense of self. Charleyboy provides a self-described love letter to all young indigenous women that targets pervasive stereotypes and holds up several amazing role models of success and confidence. Along with fellow editor Leatherdale, with whom she also collaborated on Dreaming in Indian (2014), Charleyboy offers a thoughtfully curated collection of poems, visual art, personal memories, and informative articles. Together, they identify commonalities among women of different Indigenous tribes and create a complete picture of the challenges that they face. The book includes examples of an array of occupations and experiences from professional athletes to social reformers and politicians that readers have likely never heard of. The book fills an under-represented niche. It includes retrospection into the shared history of native people along with their respective cultural traditions, but at its core, it is about what the future holds and what the position of Indigenous women in America will be in years to come.--Anderson, Erin Copyright 2017 Booklist
