Little Badger, Darcie. Snake Falls to Earth, A. Fiction. Levine Querido, 01/2021. 372pp. $18.99. 978-1-64614-092-3. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 6-12.
In a story filled with distinct voices and well-delineated characters, Little Badger uses two main narrators to tell the story of two young adults from literally two different worlds. Nina is a Lipan girl from Earth, trying to save her family’s stories and uncover the mystery of her grandmother’s illness. Oli is a cottonmouth person from the Reflecting World, taking a huge leap to Earth from his home in an attempt to save a life. They meet and quickly form a community of friends and family in a well-paced story that is part coming-of-age, part adventure, part reflection on the forces that destroy the worlds. Despite much serious content matter, Little Badger manages to emphasize hope and kindness in her characters without condescending or avoiding truth. Her connection of traditional First People mythology with current climate change events is deft and timely. The world-building is strong, and her embedded stories reinforce the traditional mythology she draws on in her work.
Lesley Mandros Bell, Oakland Library Advocates