There There by Tommy Orange

Reviewed by Maansi C.
Grade 10

There There is told from many characters' points of view and connects at the end in the big powwow in Oakland. The characters in the book tell their Native American stories throughout. Each character has two or three chapters written in different points of view. They grapple with their Native American identity and stories that make them who they are. They also deal with addiction because many of the Native Americans that live on the reservation drink and are addicts. They also deal with mental health such as OCD. There are symbols throughout the book that relate to each character. Some are part of the gangs and others research Native American life. They all meet at the end of the book at the big powwow in Oakland.

Tommy Orange, the author of There There, wrote this book to show how Native Americans deal with life in Oakland. The way that he decided to write the book in many points of view allows you to better understand their lives. Each character is a different age and has a different story that is related to them. This gives a better understanding of the life they live.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. It was interesting to learn about Native American life from people of different ages and backgrounds. It gave you a better understanding of the life they live. Tommy Orange does an amazing job elaborating on their lives throughout this book.