Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults by Robin Wall Kimmerer is praised for its engaging adaptation, making complex themes accessible for younger readers. Reviewers commend its blend of Indigenous wisdom and scientific knowledge. However, some feel it oversimplifies nuanced concepts. The book's evocative storytelling and rich illustrations captivate a diverse audience.

A reader who appreciates nature, Indigenous wisdom, and environmental science will enjoy Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Comparable to The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben and The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan, this book blends storytelling and ecology for curious, young minds.

Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults, adapted by Monique Gray Smith from Robin Wall Kimmerer's original work, intertwines Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and personal memoir to illustrate humanity's connection with nature. Major themes encompass the interconnectedness of life, storytelling's role in Indigenous communities, and the American government's historical injustices towards Indigenous people.

**Robin Wall Kimmerer**  
A Potawatomi botanist and author who explores the intersections of science and Indigenous knowledge, particularly through her lived experiences and cultural heritage.  

**Hazel Barnett**  
A neighbor of Robin Wall Kimmerer in Kentucky, whose life story, narrated by Kimmerer's daughter, embodies themes of community and sacrificial care within families.  

**Nanabozho**  
A central figure in Anishinaabe mythology described as a culture hero and a teacher, serving as an example of humility and coexistence with the natural world.  

**Tom Porter (Sakokwenionkwas)**  
The spiritual leader of Kanatsiohareke, a Mohawk community focused on restoring and teaching Indigenous language and culture, depicted as a vital advocate against assimilation.  

**John Pigeon**  
A Potawatomi artisan renowned for his black ash basket weaving, exemplifying respectful and consensual interaction with natural resources in his craft.

Robin Wall Kimmerer

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Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults Summary and Study Guide

Background

Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Meeting Sweetgrass”

Part 1 Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Planting Sweetgrass”

Part 2 Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Tending Sweetgrass”

Part 3 Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Picking Sweetgrass”

Part 4 Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “Braiding Sweetgrass”

Part 5 Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults Part 5 Summary & Analysis

Part 6: “Burning Sweetgrass”

Part 6 Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults Part 6 Summary & Analysis

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Key Figures

Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults Key Figures

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Themes

Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults Themes

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Important Quotes

Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults Essay Topics

Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants

Before You Read

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