Writing in lyrical prose, Huson, who belongs to the Gitxsan Nation, honors the sockeye salmon as a resource and potent symbol within Gitxsan culture: "Little does this small sockeye fry know that its life cycle not only nourishes the people and other beings along the watersheds, it is the whole reason the forests and landscapes exist." He describes the journey of a young sockeye from the river to the Pacific and back again to spawn, incorporating (and defining) vocabulary words related to salmon ecology, including semelparous ("breeding only once in a lifetime") and keystone species. Donovan, a member of the Métis Nation of British Columbia, incorporates masklike images into her dynamic spreads, as well as motifs of flowing currents, plumes of campfire smoke, grasses, and tree bark. Huson eloquently conveys the fragile interconnectedness of the natural world and the moral imperative to protect it. Ages 10–14. (Mar.)

Gr 3–6—Gyetxw, also known as Brett D. Huson, has penned a moving meditation on the life cycle of the Sockeye salmon from the perspective of the Gitxsan people of Northwestern British Columbia. This beautifully illustrated book captures the growth of salmon from fry to full maturity and beyond. The Sockeye salmon are a keystone species along the Xsan (Skeena) River. Each section of the book highlights how this fish shapes the life of the people and animals along the Xsan. Vocabulary words are highlighted on each page with clear definitions. Gyetxw is a member of the Gitxsan nation and his passion and love of his culture is evident in the care with which the text has been written. Donovan, a member of the Métis nation, uses rich colors and bold lines to create stunningly detailed scenes of Xsan river life—readers will not be able to look away. VERDICT A wonderful exploration of science and culture with many ties to curricula. A top selection for nonfiction collections.—Meaghan Nichols, Archaeological Research Associates, Ont.