Presented in partnership with the Faculty of Education Alumni Engagement Office
Description
We live in a hopeless old house on an almost-deserted dead-end street in a middle-of-nowhere town named Hope. This is the oldest part of Hope; eventually it will all be torn down and rebuilt into perfect homes for perfect people. Until then, we live here: imperfect people on an imperfect street that everyone forgets about.
For Eva Brown, life feels lonely and small. Her mother, Shirley, drinks and yells all the time. She’s the target of the popular mean girl, and her only friend doesn’t want to talk to her anymore. All of it would be unbearable if it weren’t for her cat, Toofie, her beloved nohkum, and her writing, which no one will ever see.
When Nohkum is hospitalized, Shirley struggles to keep things together for Eva and her younger brother, Marcus. After Marcus is found wandering the neighbourhood alone, he is sent to live with a foster family, and Eva finds herself in a group home.
Furious at her mother, Eva struggles to adjust—and being reunited with her family seems less and less likely. During a visit to the hospital, Nohkum gives Eva Shirley’s diary. Will the truths it holds help Eva understand her mother?
It’s wonderful to read an author who so artfully channels the voice of youth. As Eva navigates serious challenges like living in a group home and being separated from her family, she observes the world around her, learning lessons about love, the ties of family and friendship, the unfairness of poverty, and the power of finding your voice. Oh, and also soup—the tremendous healing power of a bowl of homemade soup.
Jennifer Moss, UBC Creative Writing Instructor and New Media Storyteller
Meet Wanda
Wanda John-Kehewin is a remarkable Cree writer known for her powerful and evocative work delving into Indigenous cultures’ struggles and resilience. Her personal journey reflects a story of determination and hope as she embarked on a transformative path from the prairies to Vancouver, BC, when she was just nineteen and pregnant. Armed with little more than a bag of chips, thirty dollars, and a glimmer of hope, Wanda’s journey to Vancouver symbolizes her indomitable spirit.
Throughout her writing career, Wanda John-Kehewin has used her literary talent to process the historical trauma and near decimation of Indigenous culture, language, and traditions. Her writings serve as a means to stand firmly in her truth and share it openly. Through her various publications, including poetry, children’s books, graphic novels, and middle-grade readers, she reaches out to others who, like her, may be trying to make sense of a world where they feel like they come from nowhere and don’t quite fit in.
Wanda brings a unique perspective to her writing, having walked the path of healing for many years, sometimes stumbling along the way. Her personal experiences of healing serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for others on similar journeys. In addition to her literary pursuits, Wanda is a mother to five children, demonstrating her capacity for nurturing and love. Her family also includes one dog, two cats, one Angelfish, and a super cute grand dog, exemplifying her deep connection to life and nature.
With special thanks to HighWater Press.
