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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
As a Native American proverb says, “The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.” That same sentiment carries through A Heart That’s True by Mark Guillerman. The story opens in the early 1900s as a group of Native American children is taken from their homes and brought to a government school. They are sent there to learn a new way of life that pulls them away from their culture and pushes them to fit into the rest of society. The journey to this unknown place is long and difficult, both physically and emotionally, as the youths are separated from all they’ve ever known. Among them are Joseph Cross and his cousin, Elizabeth White Cloud. He worries about what lies ahead but is determined to remember his family and their ways, while she tries to comfort him when she can. Along the way, the group encounters different people and places that show the changing world around them. Once they reach their destination, the boys and girls must learn to adjust to an unfamiliar, rigid setting. Will Joseph and White Cloud be able to stay true to who they are? And will they ever be able to go home again?
As I was reading A Heart That’s True by Mark Guillerman, I kept thinking about this Eleanor Roosevelt quote: “Do one thing every day that scares you.” This book really opened my eyes to what life was like for Native Americans during this time period. I don’t think I had ever heard about the heartbreaking reality of children being taken from their families and forced to give up their identities. I realized that if the children in the story could be strong, then I could certainly try to do the difficult things I usually try to avoid. The writing is very descriptive without being overwhelming. Some moments have really stayed with me, like when White Cloud gives one of the other kids a letter for her cousin, Joseph. It shows how important he is to her. Overall, I truly appreciated this book and what it taught me along the way. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with meaningful themes will want to pick up this engaging read.
