Published: 2020
Author: Darcie Little Badger
Genres: YA Fantasy, Magical Realism, Mystery, Indigenous Voices
Audience: Grades 9–12
Number of Stars: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Goodreads Link: Elatsoe
Content Warnings: Murder, systemic violence, and supernatural threats.
Publisher’s Summary
Imagine an America very similar to our own, with homework, best friends, and pistachio ice cream—but shaped by the magic and legends of its people. In this slightly stranger America, some people can travel through rings of fungi, while others can raise the dead.
Elatsoe (Ellie) is a Lipan Apache girl with the unique ability to raise the ghosts of dead animals, a skill passed down through generations of her family. When her beloved cousin is murdered in the picture-perfect town of Willowbee, Texas, his spirit appears to her in a dream to name his killer: a prominent local doctor. To protect her family and uncover the town’s gruesome secrets, Ellie must rely on her wits, her ghost dog Kirby, and the stories of her ancestors—specifically her “Six-Great” grandmother—to unmask the truth.
Full Review
The premise of Elatsoe is fascinating: a “magical realism” world where mythical creatures and abilities are integrated into everyday life. The integration of Lipan Apache folklore and storytelling is easily the book’s strongest element. Ellie’s power is rooted in her lineage, most notably the stories of “Six Great,” her six-times great-grandmother who used her magic to defend her family.
The book offers excellent representation, featuring a plucky Indigenous heroine who also identifies as asexual, providing a rare and welcome voice in the YA fantasy genre. However, I personally struggled to connect deeply with the characters. While we spend the entire novel with Ellie, I felt I didn’t get to know much about her personality beyond her ability to recall dead animals. The plot moved a bit slowly for my taste, and some of the secondary characters lacked a rich backstory.
That said, students who are already fans of fantasy and are looking for a unique, culturally grounded mystery will likely enjoy the “world-building” and the eerie atmosphere of Willowbee. It’s a solid choice for readers who appreciate an atmospheric mystery where the setting and the legends are the stars of the show.
🏳️🌈 Representation: Asexuality in YA
Elatsoe is notable for featuring a protagonist who identifies as asexual. In a genre often dominated by romance subplots, Ellie’s identity allows the story to focus entirely on her friendships, family bonds, and the mystery at hand.
- Identity: Ellie’s asexuality is presented as a natural part of who she is, not a “problem” to be solved or a plot point that requires a major “coming out” arc.
- Narrative Focus: By removing the typical “will-they-won’t-they” romance, the author prioritizes platonic intimacy and familial loyalty.
🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections
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ELA (Magical Realism): Use Elatsoe to define the genre of Magical Realism.
Activity Idea: Compare Ellie’s world to our own. Have students identify three “mundane” things in the book and three “magical” things. How does the author make the magical things feel like a normal part of the world?
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Social Studies (Indigenous Storytelling): Discuss the importance of oral tradition in Lipan Apache culture.
Activity Idea: Research the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas. How does the fictional “Six Great” reflect the real-world history and resilience of Indigenous peoples in the American Southwest?
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Creative Writing (Ancestral Powers): > Activity Idea: Ask students to write a short story about a skill or “power” (real or imagined) passed down through their own family history. What would be the “rules” for using that power?
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Media Literacy (Representing Diversity): > Activity Idea: Discuss the importance of “Casual Representation”—characters who are Indigenous or LGBTQ+ without the story being exclusively about their struggle with that identity.
