m1rand4's review against another edition
5 stars for its intended audience. Would be an amazing resource for teachers. Dnfing so I can read the adult version. Not the best option to read via audio.
booksemmahasread's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Racism, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Violence, War, and Animal death
lucybmn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I'm just really grateful that this version exists, so that I, with my very non-science brain, could still read it, take in the lessons, and understand.
This was an incredible reading experience. I learned so much, and I hope I will carry it with me forever. I hope I don't forget to appreciate the earth and all life on it. I do really want to make this a regular practice.
This was an incredible reading experience. I learned so much, and I hope I will carry it with me forever. I hope I don't forget to appreciate the earth and all life on it. I do really want to make this a regular practice.
flute_frog_7's review against another edition
Had to return to library, will probably pick up the normal version at some point.
mel_tk's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
Was gifted this by a random chestertown lady who remembered I was looking for it 🥲 still want to read the full og version
krissyronan's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Fascinating and enlightening. A new-to-me way of looking at the world with indigenous knowledge. Loved how the authors were clear in showing how western science only serves part of the way to learn about our earth.
Thank you to Libro.fm and Tantor Media Inc for the audiobook.
Thank you to Libro.fm and Tantor Media Inc for the audiobook.
dianafraser17's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Braiding Sweetgrass: Young Readers Edition is one of my favorite reads so far this year! I find technical nonfiction really challenging and started choosing Young Readers Editions a few years ago (when available). These adaptations are literally designed to explore the deep concepts in a thoughtful, repetitive, teachable way and encourage reflection. I learn better when I read these. They are, in their own way, a gift to all. Braiding Sweetgrass is part biology, part spiritual book. It is full of legends, personal encounters that created core memories, and botany. I learned so much in every chapter and found the style to mimic that of a devotional: How can you ponder the messages in each chapter? How can you carry that wisdom and Indigenous medicine into your own life? How can we build a world that rises from The Seventh Fire ashes with gratitude and generosity?
krin's review against another edition
4.25
This was an important and thought-provoking book that I would recommend to anyone. I will be buying a print copy for my kids. I listened to the audio and I'm not sure this is the right subject matter for me to consume in audio. The ideas in the book were compelling from the beginning but the pacing and narration made it a very slow, flat start for me. That said, I'm so glad that I kept listening because it does pick up and include some very engaging stories that will stick with me for a while - especially those about the three sisters and the study measuring sweetgrass growth. There were some powerful examples of how we have ignored what Indigenous people have learned from thousands of years of observing, learning and sharing and what respectful care of the earth's gifts could look like. There are some great discussion and reflection questions and calls to actions that would be great conversation starters with kids.
Some things I will be thinking about: understanding food and nature as gifts, a different view of the power of gratitude, responsible reciprocity, the beauty of interdependency, and so much more. I'll also be considering more about what responsible consumption could look like - examining the scarcity mindset that capitalism encourages and considering the principles of "take only what is given, take only what you need, don't take the first or last, don't take more than half."
Ultimately this book made me think A LOT and also offered much hope. I think it could inspire great conversation and inspiration for responsible action by young adults.
I received an audio Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review.