Description
Borders is a masterfully told story of a boy and his mother whose road trip from Alberta to Salt Lake City is thwarted at the border when they identify their citizenship as Blackfoot. Refusing to identify as either American or Canadian first bars their entry into the US, and then their return into Canada. In the limbo between countries, they find power in their connection to their identity and to each other.
This much-anthologized story has been adapted into a gripping graphic novel by award-winning artist Natasha Donovan. A beautifully told tale with broad appeal, Borders resonates deeply with themes of identity, justice, and belonging.
Review
Borders… what are they?
Borders is the story of a Blackfoot boy and his mother who are travelling by car to visit his sister, who has moved to Salt Lake City. The lands of the Blackfoot spread from Alberta in Canada, through to Montana in the USA.
At the border crossing, when his mother identifies herself as Blackfoot and refuses to declare herself to be either American or Candian, they are stuck. Authorities on both sides of the border between the United States and Canada refuse to admit them.
Trapped between two countries, reporters and TV crews arrive to cover the story and they are suddenly allowed to cross.
This is an emotional, eye-opening graphic novel about taking pride in your ancestry, the power of identity and belonging, that works wonderfully as a graphic novel that will appeal to all teenagers.
Reviewed by Rob
