An award winning middle grade novel, Weird Rules to Follow by Kim Spencer totally lives up to the hype.

A coming of age story set in the 1980s, Mia is an Indigenous girl growing up in Prince Rupert, BC. Her best friend Lara is non-Indigenous and the two friends could not live different experiences in the small fishing community. While Lara lives in a big house with her brother and mom and dad, Mia lives in a small war time house with a stream of relatives coming and going. Their differences never seem to matter as they grow to middle school, but as many friendships do, they begin to fade.

It’s hard to admit that stories set in the era of my childhood are now considered historical fiction but I guess that’s the thing about getting older. I LOVE a great middle grade story set back in the 80s as it bring up a lot of feelings and remembrances for me. I can also appreciate the impact that a story set 30-40 years ago has on readers of today, just as stories of World War II and the 50s and 60s had on me growing up. Readers can appreciate how things have changed, hopefully for the better.

Written in first person, with a diary feel, we learn all about Mia and her family and the challenges faced by Indigenous people living the effects of “those schools”, residential schools. In the 80s, “those schools” were still operating all over the country and readers understand Mia’s first hand experiences. This story never sugar coats and is always honest about the way life was in Prince Rupert. Based on Kim Spencer’s own experiences, I appreciated how she treats the friendship of Lara and Mia and how the two girls grow apart as they transition from elementary to junior high. It’s such a common experience for many readers and for them to know that it is okay if friendships change and evolve as we get older. 

This book recently swept the Canadian Children’s Book Centre Awards, winning every award category in which it was nominated and now I understand why. It’s a book that will hopefully find it’s way into many classrooms and many reader’s hearts.