Bdóte

Bdote is a collection of narrative poems and prose written by Angela Ellen Grey. The story revolves around two young girls who meet by magic at Bdote, the point where the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers meet. Evangeline, also known as Evie, is a modern Sioux girl who is not fond of fishing with her father. She prefers spending her time chatting online with strangers. Lily, on the other hand, is a Sioux girl from 1862 who has time-traveled to modern-day America and has met Evie. Lily shares stories about the oppression, diseases, and death that white men have brought to their once peaceful and flourishing land. She also talks about nature, her family, and friends. Evie empathizes with Lily's stories and shares her own experiences about the internet, school, her family, and her own sadness and sorrow.

Bdote is a powerful piece of literature that addresses various social issues affecting two girls from different eras. I appreciate how the author, Angela Ellen Grey, uses the concept of Bdote, a place of convergence and spiritual significance for the Sioux, to narrate the stories of these two girls, Evie and Lily. Being thirteen years old, both girls' struggles and helplessness are well portrayed as they try to comprehend why their people have to go through so much pain and distress. The book also highlights how the pain and traditions have transcended time and still have an impact on the Sioux in Evie's era. The book is well-written and beautifully organized, and the narration is captivating. It is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction and poetry. Overall, it is excellent work.—Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite