GUEST WRITER AMY PARKER RECOMMENDS THOSE PINK MOUNTAIN NIGHTS BY JEN FERGUSON
“When we can let the things that bring us together fall apart, become places without souls, it’s another way we learn to not care about each other. Or about the land.”
Everyone has experienced hurt at some point in their lives, and young people especially can struggle with processing and healing from pain. In Those Pink Mountain Nights, Michif/Métis author Jen Ferguson’s sophomore book, we meet three teenagers who all must come to terms with their traumas and navigate their relationships with themselves and others.
The story takes place over the span of one weekend and centers around a diverse cast of characters: Berlin, Cam, and Jessie, who all work at locally owned restaurant Pink Mountain Pizza. Over the course of that weekend, the three must work together to stop the restaurant from being bought by a greedy corporation and confront the ongoing ache of their friend and relation’s, Kiki Cheyenne Sound’s, disappearance. They must also tackle their own individual challenges – Berlin reckoning with her best friend’s sudden and intense contempt, Cam with his family’s breakdown over his cousin Kiki’s absence from their lives, and Jessie with the overwhelming expectations being forced on her by her parents. They learn to deal with their obstacles in their own ways while also figuring out how to trust themselves and each other.
The book weaves between different perspectives, and its fast pace will keep readers on their toes and wanting more. It’s perfect for anyone who appreciates relatable characters and deep dives on their development, along with an exploration of themes such as family and found family, friendship, resilience, self-acceptance, and the intersections of identity. This book’s central message – to love and accept yourself for all that you are while also having empathy and kindness for others – is one that teenagers want, maybe need, to hear. I believe that they will resonate with the complexity of the characters and that they will see themselves represented in numerous ways.
Most importantly, this book will get young Canadian readers to think critically about current issues that are prevalent in our society: race, power dynamics, feminism, representation, community, and the environment, to name a few. The possibilities for growth and reflection are endless! I would strongly encourage any teacher to add this book to their classroom library and also advise teachers to share the following content warning: This book deals with issues such as physical and sexual assault, racism, and generational trauma.
Amy Parker is an English Language Instructor and holds an MA in Applied Linguistics and a BA in English Literature and Psychology. She has taught English in Canada and abroad and has worn many hats including EAL/EFL/ELA teacher, curriculum developer, mentor, and editor. She is currently completing her Bachelor of Education at the University of New Brunswick and hopes to inspire readers in the public education system to discover stories they love.