THE SECOND CHANCE OF BENJAMIN WATERFALLS by James Bird

 

If you are looking for a book to celebrate Native American Heritage Month, look for a copy of THE SECOND CHANCE OF BENJAMIN WATERFALLS by James Bird.

Benjamin lives in Duluth. He spends most of his time shoplifting from the local mall or simply stealing anything that catches his eye. He has been caught a number of times, but this time he finds himself in court with a judge who means business. 

The judge is about to sentence him when Benjamin's mother speaks up. She suggests that Benjamin be sent to stay with his father at the Objibwe reservation. It would be a "boot camp" of sorts. The judge agrees and Benjamin finds himself on a bus headed to see a father who left him behind years ago.

It is difficult to understand what he is supposed to learn from a guy who drank too much and abandoned his family. Benjamin isn't expecting too much from his deadbeat dad when he arrives at the reservation. What he does find is his father's new wife, a step-brother, three giant dogs, and a girl in a mask. An angry Benjamin sticks to his old ways of stealing and shoplifting, but he soon is touched by a magical something that has him rethinking his ways. Could his new surroundings and the girl in the mask change Benjamin for the better?

Author James Bird takes readers into his Objibwe culture in this tale of reform and rebirth. Readers will easily connect with the characters and the heartwarming relationships Bird creates as Benjamin earns his second chance and begins to understand what it means to be a good person.