Meadowlark

A few years ago I probably would have rated this higher. It reads like a film storyboard, and the illustrations are great, and the story while having a fairly predictable ending delivered on the Coming-of-Age crime story promised in the title.

I am not a huge fan of the cover art because to me it reads as Native American imagery, and it feels a bit appropriated. I don't know for certain whether Greg Ruth or Ethan Hawke have Native American ancestry, but I am very hesitate to support anything that alludes to any kind of Indigenous movement, spiritual beliefs, or characterizations that isn't written by an Own Voices author.

As for the story, if you are a fan of Tarantino, or slow burn western-esq action films that make a fast turn into violence then you will probably enjoy the arc of this book. It felt like it may have been aimed toward a younger audience, but I would recommend a parent read this before letting a younger teen read it.

***Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with the e-ARC for free via NetGalley for an unbiased review.