Two Roads by Joseph Bruchac

 

-from goodreads.com

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bruchac, Joseph. 2018. TWO ROADS. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-1-72542-440-1.

B. PLOT SUMMARY
Two Roads is a story about Will and Cal Black, a father and son who are living the Hobo life in the 1930s. After losing their beloved wife/mom, they also lose their farm, and they are forced into a transient life. The two live by the rules of the road together. In a life-defining moment, Will reveals to Cal that they are Creek Indian, and when Cal is sent to Indian boarding school, he will embark on his biggest adventure yet.  

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
For the first sixty-plus pages, the main character (and the reader) are completely unaware that this is a Native American story. The young narrator, Cal Black, tries to forget the immense loss he has already experienced in his young life, and focuses on learning the ways of the “Knights of the Road” life with his father.  

There are clues that his dad, Will, may be unique among the other hobos.  He is keenly aware and uses his senses readily. Early on, he and Will track a thief that was stealing from a friend.  Will is also a great storyteller, and he has a gift with animals.  These are stereotypical skills of an American Indian.   

The story centers on the abhorrent experience of the Native American Boarding school.  First, Will prepares Cal by recounting some of his experiences from his youth.  The intentions of the school are absolutely awful. From Cal’s dialogue, the reader learns that these “schools” were meant to strip the native culture from the children and replace it with complete conformity to white government standards. First their appearance was changed; hair was cut; clothes replaced.  Then they were told to only speak English, and they were punished for speaking any native languages. The children were forbidden to practice their religion or ceremonies 

However, the magnificent irony of this tale is that it is at the boarding school where Cal learns about his Creek Indian culture.  He learns more of the language and customs from the other boys. One of the most moving acts of rebellion that the boys do is to practice their stomp dances out in the woods together.  For Cal’s situation, the boarding school has some redeeming qualities, like a bed to sleep in every night, regular meals, and skill-based learning. Nevertheless, it is the brotherly camaraderie and the Creek customs that are the most meaningful.     

D. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPTS

Booklist, October 2018

Horn Book Magazine starred, November 2018: “Cal, who always believed he was white, confronts this heretofore-unknown part of himself while adjusting to a school designed to "kill the Indian" within him. His first-person narration rings true in this tautly paced, compelling story of family and identity.”

Kirkus Reviews, September 2018

New York Times, November 2018: "Cal's cleareyed first-person narration drives the novel. Meticulously honest, generous, autonomous and true, he sees things for what they are rather than what he'd like them to be. The result is one of Bruchac's best books." 

E. CONNECTIONS
Two Roads is a historical fiction novel from the 1930s.  To get a fuller picture of Native American culture, one could read other novels like the highly reviewed Rez Dogs by Bruchac, which is set in modern day or Moon of two dark horses by Sally M. Keehn, set in the American Revolution time period.