Hidden Roots by Joseph Bruchac

This story is told through the eyes of 11 year-old Howard or Sonny and it is about his family. Its a coming of age story through which he slowly learns about his family's history and begins to get answers to many questions he's always had. The story builds up until he finally learns the truth about his Native American identity and how his parents have been trying to cover up their identity because of the discrimination they faced in the past. The story incorporates several issues such as domestic violence and racism. In the end it also addresess the history of discrimination toward American Indians, particuarly the practice of eugenics in the U.S.

At the end of the story there is a note from the author explaining the social issues raised in the book as well as how many of the details and characters from the book are derived from his own life.  I think the Bruchac does a good job of conveying difficult issues through the book although I was a bit confused by what the message he was trying to portray.  When I initially read the back of the book I thought that the main issue was domestic violence and that the 'hidden roots' were that habits of violence can sometimes pass down in the family.  As I was reading the book I began to realize that the hidden roots had to do with the family hiding their identity and the father's violence was a byproduct of that.  Eventhough it was intially confusing for me and it might be for children reading it, incorporating several issues in the boook is effective because issues within families are not clear but often complex, interconnected, and hidden.

My main criticism of the book is how it ended, it felt somewhat abrupt.  It ends with Sonny finally learning the whole truth about his roots  which helps to bring the whole family together.  Also Sonny's dad makes a promise that he will stop being angry. The ending is hopeful but it seems sudden and does not sync well with how the author had slowly built up complex issues and emotions throughout the story. For example, domestic violence was kind of pushed to the side once the reasons for Sonny's father's anger were revealed.  Leading up to the ending Bruchac describes some transformation taking place in Sonny's father especially when he has an accident and is physically not able to be abusive anymore. So the author does show how changing violent habits is a process.

 Still, I felt like the ending was trying too  hard to show that once the truth is revealed and all the questions answered then everything is okay.  This may not have been the author's intention but this was how I interpreted it.  So definately when reading this book it is important to follow up with discussion about what may have happend after the closing scene. In addition, to discussing the social issues raised in the book.