Just as the best way to learn a language is by hearing it spoken in daily life, so the best way to learn about Indigenous values is by hearing the stories. This book does a wonderful job of presenting a different point of view than most Americans hold. The author poses excellent questions for self-reflection.

Beautifully crafted with specific plans to use with students at the end of each chapter. Will go to the Harvard Forest this fall with grade 9 while they read this to encourage a deeper dive into native land, culture, resources, and the world.

I had read the e-book from my library much earlier, but when I needed it again for book club, I couldn't get it. Hence I ordered the Young Adult version. I was most impressed. There were a few things not in the original. Dictionary definitions of concepts were sprinkled throughout when a hard word or concept was introduced. Lovely framed quotes from the book were reminders of important principles being taught, or introduced. Also, an illustrator had created beautiful images for each story which evoked the feeling of that story. So much is understood by the first peoples of this land that has not been understood at all by the people who undertook to diminish or even eradicate this wisdom. Now our world is suffering greatly and this book gives simple and complex ways of thinking before regeneration can begin. This book begs to be cherished and read a bit at a time, not as a non-stop reading as I have done. Better to read a chapter or two that are well connected and live with it awhile before engaging in the next ideas. The author weaves/braids it all back together nicely at the end. Either book is an important book to help us learn the important Indigenous ways to love our world.

I was lucky enough to review a first chapter sample arc for BRAIDING SWEETGRASS FOR YOUNG ADULTS and have to say that it is gorgeous and thought provoking, and I wish I had been able to read something like this when I was younger. In the same vein as BRAIDING SWEETGRASS, natural botany and stories figure very much into this chapter, and so I assume the whole book, but with a twist. The big twist is a story of Kimmerer's educational training and scientific boxing (I don't want to give it away, please read to understand), and how young adults can learn to think outside the box form a young age. Absolutely love this and want my own copy when it publishes.