Grief is a funny thing and it can feel like you’re grieving incorrectly and correctly all at the same time. 

This graphic novel tells a part of Reanna’s and her family’s story of losing a sister, a daughter, and a grand daughter. Reanna’s older sister goes missing one day on her way from school. One day she leaves home and never comes back. What follows is a family coming to terms with her absence. Reanna is a teen and trying to find solace and connection with her sister by embracing her Ojibwe traditions. Reanna’s mother’s grief is pushing her away from the traditions that remind her of her eldest daughter, of her bead work, and her dancing in her regalia. 

What Jen Storm does with this story with the help of the imagery by Ryan Howe, colours by Alice Rl, and lettering by Nickolej Villiger is showcase a story that grief and loss manifests differently in each person. There’s some rights, some wrongs, and a wise Koko whose advice is to let people grieve and simply be there for them when they’re ready. There’s truly no perfect way to handle loss, there’s sadness, there’s confusion, there’s rage and with time there’s growth and healing. This is a great opportunity to open up dialogues with older teens about MMIWG2S and for adults to help younger teens navigate heavy grief. 

Thank you Highwater Press for my copy.