To the Bone (book) by Alena Bruzas
Bibliographic Information
Title: To The Bone
Author: Alena Bruzas
Publisher: Rocky Pond Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House
Copyright Date: September 10, 2024
ISBN: 978-0593616208
Page Count: 256
Genre
Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Mystery/Thriller
Reading Level/Interest Level
age 14-18 (Kirkus Reviews)
Plot Summary
Ellis travels to America as an indentured servant in hopes of finding her papa after her mother and sister die from the Bubonic Plague. She lives with a man and woman who have no other children. Ellis is uneducated (she can’t count or read) and she strives to be a pious woman. She believes she has done things in the past (like kissing a girl) that caused God to punish her and kill her mother and sister, so she strives to be a good girl, but she falls in love with another young adult, Jane, on the settlement. Her abusive master forbids her to see Jane, but she is emotionally torn as the only time she isn’t fearful or anxious is the time she spends with her, and their mutual friend, Rowan. Her master abuses her and his pregnant wife. Ellis, Jane, and Rowan do all they can to survive a hard winter after their supply ship doesn’t make it, but it may not be enough.
“By combining historical and archaeological facts with a compelling love story, Bruzas has created a powerful, engaging tale that illuminates social, economic, and moral lines in colonial America. ”
Author Background
Alena Bruzas currently lives in Nebraska with her family. To The Bone is her second published book. Her first book, Ever Since (another YA fiction) came out in 2023. Alena serves on the board for Ten Thousand Villages in Lincoln. “She also occasionally cooks dinner, worries about commas, and wanders the prairie” (Bruzas, n.d.)
Critical Evaluation
I will start with what I loved - the protagonist and narrator, Ellis - she gives the reader one narrow and haunting viewpoint of a troubled time in our history. I think as a society we grew tired of hearing about how the settlers had such a hard, but triumphant time. The book doesn’t paint the settlers in a rosy light, but does accurately portray them for what they were while still driving the reader to empathize with Ellis.
Additionally, most people think about Jamestown and John Smith and think about Pocahontas. Bruzas describes in great detail on her blog her choice to omit Pocahontas from this story. This was a new perspective that touched on what it meant to love someone from of the same gender.
Creative Use for a Library Program
This book was so heavy. Teens may need a safe space to talk through the content. The library can partner with a guidance counselor to support discussions related to the traumatic truths presented in the book.
Speed-Round Talk
Ellis has traveled to America in 1609 as an indentured servant to find her papa. Tensions with the Powhatan people who already occupy the land are high, and the European settlers are unprepared to feed themselves after their supply ship is shipwrecked with all of their food. Will Ellis survive the winter?
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation
This book contains a lot of heavy subjects - cannibalism, murder, domestic abuse, racial slurs, racism, violence related to colonialism, pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage, child death, body horror, blood, gore, starvation, food-withholding - according to the author, as well as some LGBTQ elements, so I can see it being challenged. The book represents historical truths in a fictional way that teaches the reader about a traumatic time in our history. It happened, and we can’t ignore it.
Reason for Inclusion
This book represents real people and events in a truthful way that will connect the reader to the time period in a way that one chapter in a history book couldn’t possibly do.
References
Bruzas, A. (2024, January 1). I don't mention Pocahontas in my upcoming book about Jamestown in 1609, here's why. Alena Bruzas. Retrieved September 28, 2024, from https://www.alenabruzas.com/post/i-don-t-mention-pocahontas-in-my-upcoming-book-about-jamestown-in-1609-here-s-why
Bruzas, A. [Alena Bruzas]. (2024, June 18). Hi Everybody! I am here to give content warnings! Please like to boost and feel free to add content warnings [Ratings & Review comment]. Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203608490-to-the-bone
Bruzas, A. (2024, September 10). To the bone. Rocky Pond Books.
Bruzas, A. (n.d.). Alena Bruzas. https://www.alenabruzas.com/about-me
Bruzas, A. (n.d.). Alena Bruzas [photograph]. https://www.alenabruzas.com/about-me
Catlett, S. (2024, September 1). To the bone [Review of the book To the bone by A. Bruzas]. School Library Journal. https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/review/to-the-bone#:~:text=It%20becomes%20truly%20horrifying%20once,presents%20as%20white%20and%20LGBTQIA%2B.
Kirkus Reviews. (2024, June 15). Ruthless and tender by turns: a triumph of historical fiction. [Review of the book To the bone by A. Bruzas]. Kirkus Reviews. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/alena-bruzas/to-the-bone-2/
*Book Cover Image is property of Rocky Pond Books; taken from Amazon.