Kim Spencer

In the 1980s, the coastal fishing town of Prince Rupert is booming. There is plenty of sockeye salmon in the nearby ocean, which means the fishermen are happy and there is plenty of work at the cannery. Eleven-year-old Mia and her best friend, Lara, have known each other since kindergarten. Like most tweens, they like to hang out and compare notes on their crushes and dream about their futures. But even though they both live in the same cul-de-sac, Mia’s life is very different from her non-Indigenous, middle-class neighbor. Lara lives with her mom, her dad and her little brother in a big house, with two cars in the drive and a view of the ocean. Mia lives in a shabby wartime house that is full of relatives―her churchgoing grandmother, binge-drinking mother and a rotating number of aunts, uncles and cousins. Even though their differences never seemed to matter to the two friends, Mia begins to notice how adults treat her differently, just because she is Indigenous. Teachers, shopkeepers, even Lara’s parents―they all seem to have decided who Mia is without getting to know her first.… (more)

Set in the 1980s in Prince Rupert and spanning about two years, opening with sockeye salmon season to the end of Mia's 8th grade year. This reads as a series of short stories, inspired by the author's own youth in the '80s. Mia describes the goings on of life in Prince Rupert, of her large extended family, and her best friendship with Lara who is non-Native. For Mia, her indigenous culture is mostly background as she barrels through childhood, but it becomes forefront while spending time with her grandmother, observing the adults in her family, and when it is focused in unexpected ways such as through micro aggressions. Mia's voice and observations are genuine and poignant. This is a refreshing portrayal of modern indigenous life.… (more)

Weird Rules to Follow, by Kim Spencer, is a semi-autobiographical story of a pre-teenaged girl growing up in Prince Rupert, British Colombia. Mia is a Tsimshian First Nation indigenous girl who lives with her grandmother, her alcoholic mother and an ever-changing group of relatives who need a place to live for a period of time. Her best friend Lara lives on the same cul-de-sac and the two have been friends since kindergarten. Though living so close, their homes are very different. Mia’s home is a shabby home while Lara’s house has an ocean view and looks like it could exist in the pages of a magazine. Lara has a mother, father and little brother and has two cars. The book is written in short, easy-to-read vignettes, told by Mia, during several years of Mia’s life. Mia’s family would be considered poor although Mia never feels that way. They are rich in extended family and shared experiences. Occasionally, Mia’s family goes on a fun road trip with a relative who owns a car. This is generally a pile-in affair – overstuffed automobile and overstuffed motel room Her family is close and share whatever they have. As Mia grows older, though, she begins to realize that she is treated differently by many people than her friend Lara is. There are prejudice and pre-conceived notions about indigenous people.

Spencer’s writing style is smooth and easy. Mia’s voice is very authentic, and the reader feels they are living life beside her. The book is wonderful for middle-grade readers and addresses many important topics in a non-threatening manner – prejudice, poverty, alcoholism, Canadian Indian boarding schools. Mia’s sense of self is quietly proud and this helps carry her through puberty and changing friendships. This self-assurance is another important issue for pre-teen and teenaged young people. Spencer has written a marvelous, meaningful and enjoyable book. Thank you to NetGalley, Kim Spencer, and Orca Book Publishing for the opportunity to read the ARC of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.… (more)