Four Faces of the Moon
Description
“Four Faces of the Moon is a visually stunning story of Métis life, love and belonging. A rich, beautiful and immersive reading experience that shouldn’t be missed.” —Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, author of Noopiming: The Cure For White Ladies
“This is magnificent storytelling. This is Spotted Fawn magic.” —Richard Van Camp, author of Little You, and We Sang You Home
On a journey to uncover her family’s story, Spotted Fawn travels through time and space to reclaim connection to ancestors, language, and the land in this essential graphic novel.
In the dreamworld, she bears witness to a mountain of buffalo skulls, a ghostly monument to the slaughter of the buffalo—a key tactic to starve and contain the Indigenous People onto reservations.
Spotted Fawn must travel through her own family history to confront the harsh realities of the past and reignite her connection to her people and the land. Her darkroom becomes a portal, allowing her glimpses into the lives of her relatives. Guided by her ancestors, Spotted Fawn’s travels through the past allow her to come into full face—like the moon itself.
Adapted from the acclaimed stop-motion animated film of the same name, also by Strong, Four Faces of the Moon brings the history of the Michif, Cree, Nakoda, and Anishinaabe Peoples alive on the page.
Backmatter by Dr. Sherry Farrell Racette (Michif), an associate professor of Native Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Manitoba, provides information on Michif culture and history.
Awards
- Nominated, Great Graphic Novels for Teens, YALSA 2022
- Commended, Graphic Novel Diversity Award Overfloweth List, VLA 2022
- Nominated, Snow Willow Award, Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Award 2023
Reviews
“Worthwhile . . . and offers interesting perspectives on the search for Indigenous identity.”
- CM Reviews, 03/05/21
“Moving and intense . . . the graphic novel effectively portrays how Indigenous youth can reconnect to their ancestors through art, language, and cultural knowledge.”
- School Library Journal, 04/30/21
Four Faces of the Moon is a visually stunning story of Métis life, love and belonging. Based in part on the life of Strong's grandmother, Olivine Bousquet, we learn of the courage, strength and resilience of Métis women and the Métis people both in the past and in the present. A rich, beautiful and immersive reading experience that shouldn't be missed.
- Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, author of Noopiming: The Cure For White Ladies
A garden of beauty, innocence, broken trust and truth. This is magnificent storytelling. This is Spotted Fawn magic.
- Richard van Camp
“Although FOUR FACES OF THE MOON is the author’s personal retelling about her ancestors, it is a deeply relatable story that can be shared across different cultures and generations for so many. It has opened up new perspectives on the impact of modernization and its lasting impact on the land.”
- VLA Graphic Novel Diversity Award Jury