My Place Among Them

A Novel

Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
358 Pages
Reviewed on 08/27/2023
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

My Place Among Them is a work of fiction in the historical fiction, interpersonal drama, and cultural writing subgenres. It is suitable for the general adult reading audience and was penned by author J. Stanion. Based on real events, the story delves into the life of a young boy who survives the Wounded Knee massacre but is subsequently enrolled in the federal government's Indian Education program. The boy's exceptional intellect and dedication lead him to excel in his studies, forging a deep connection with his first teacher, a white man working at Pine Ridge School. However, both characters face personal and societal obstacles as they strive to bridge the gap between Native American and white cultures. This captivating novel, taken from the author's great-grandfather's manuscript, follows the boy's journey as he navigates the challenges of assimilation and cultural identity.

Author J. Stanion has crafted a poignant exploration of cultural assimilation, identity, and the impact of historical events on individuals' lives. The story's rich historical context and well-drawn characters create a compelling narrative that resonates with readers long after the final page, and I found this work to be absolutely brimming with detail and a well-researched atmosphere, attitude, and drama. One feature that I especially appreciated was the way that intolerance was handled and not used for graphic, dramatic effect, but still shown in a raw fashion for all the harm it can do, and balanced well with other characters trying to change that for future generations. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend My Place Among Them to anyone seeking a deeply interesting and heartfelt personal tale.