Swift Fox All Along

By Rebecca Thomas, Rebecca Lea Thomas, Maya McKibbon (Illustrator), Maya McKibbin (Illustrator)

Swift Fox seeks her Mi'kmaq identity amidst family traditions and uncertainty.

4.3/7 Bookroo expert·4.2/5 Goodreads · 244 ratings

36 pages· 821 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

$18.95Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Swift Fox embarks on a journey to understand her Mi'kmaq heritage, feeling out of place during a family visit. Her father's assurance doesn't ease her anxiety, especially when she struggles with cultural rituals. Meeting her cousin Sully, who shares her uncertainty, Swift Fox discovers she might have something to teach him about belonging. This heartfelt tale explores identity and connection, resonating with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.

From the publisher

What does it mean to be Mi’kmaq? And if Swift Fox can’t find the answer, will she ever feel like part of her family? When Swift Fox’s father picks her up to go visit her aunties, uncles, and cousins, her belly is already full of butterflies. And when he tells her that today is the day that she’ll learn how to be Mi’kmaq, the butterflies grow even bigger. Though her father reassures her that Mi’kmaq is who she is from her eyes to her toes, Swift Fox doesn’t understand what that means. Her family welcomes her with smiles and hugs, but when it’s time to smudge and everyone else knows how, Swift Fox feels even more like she doesn’t belong. Then she meets her cousin Sully and realizes that she’s not the only one who’s unsure–and she may even be the one to teach him something about what being Mi’kmaq means. Based on the author’s own experience, with striking illustrations by Maya McKibbin, A Long Way to a New Place is a poignant story about identity and belonging that is at once personal and universally resonant.

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 36
Words: 821
Reading age: 4–7
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD510L

Themes & topics

Books about Canada Books about culture Books about feelings and emotions Books about family Books about race and ethnicity

What readers & critics say

Reviews

4.3

out of 7

4.3

“The author's note at the back explains how this is very much her story, which adds interest and I appreciate the exposure it provide to the Mi'kmac culture, and I really liked how the little girl found the courage to face her fears in helping someone else. Personally, I did not love the illustrations (particularly the noses were quite distracting!) and the actual telling of the story didn't pull me in.”

Marmee

Trusted reviewer

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