Shards of Silence is an excellent book that’s grappling with intergenerational trauma of residential schools, as well as the story of Derrick coping with the pressures of being in a new environment far away from his community and family. There’s the weight of holding traumatic events inside and not speaking of them, as well as choices Derrick makes in order to meet the demands of the college-preparatory school he has the opportunity to attend.
I really loved how many topics were woven into this, and how it was handled. The last quarter of the book had me especially stressed out because Derrick was struggling and starting to make poor choices, but the prayers of his málání and the friendships he had helped him break out of the cycle before it could fully drag him in. I also loved how Derrick learns when he wants to educate and when it’s not worth his energy, as well and figuring out who his friends are and who is actually willing to listen.
This is a really powerful book, and it broke and mended my heart in so many ways. Derrick’s story as well as the story of his great-grandmother and their family was so full of care and love. I like how this was Derrick’s story, but him learning about his family’s history as well as the history of residential schools helped him grow and recognize how that history shaped his current experiences. I strongly recommend checking this out when it releases in May!