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43 pages 1 hour read

Joseph Bruchac

Rez Dogs

Joseph BruchacFiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Middle Grade | Published in 2021

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Book Brief

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Joseph Bruchac

Rez Dogs

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Middle Grade | Published in 2021
Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction

Setting

Maine • 2020s

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

830L

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Super Short Summary

Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac is a novel in verse that follows Malian, an eighth grader, who is visiting her grandparents on the Penacook Wabanaki reservation when the COVID-19 lockdown occurs. She bonds with a loyal rez dog named Malsum and learns about her Wabanaki heritage, history, and the resilience of her people, while also grappling with the isolation from her parents and challenges of remote learning. The narrative covers the legacy of forced assimilation within boarding schools and other historical injustices faced by Indigenous Americans.

Heartwarming

Serene

Informative

Contemplative

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.2

4,297 ratings

77%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Joseph Bruchac's Rez Dogs receives acclaim for its authentic depiction of Native American culture and the deep bond between a girl and her dog. Positively noted for its lyrical prose and emotional resonance, some reviewers mention the pacing can be slow. Overall, it is praised for its heartwarming and culturally rich narrative.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Rez Dogs?

Readers who would enjoy Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac are typically middle-grade to young adult audiences interested in Native American culture, contemporary issues, and tales of resilience. Fans of Louise Erdrich’s The Birchbark House or Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian would find this novel engaging and insightful.

4.2

4,297 ratings

77%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction

Setting

Maine • 2020s

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

830L

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