Rez Rebel is a powerful contemporary young adult novel set in an Indigenous community facing a heartbreaking wave of youth suicides. Floyd Twofeathers has always believed in his parents: his mother, a respected traditional healer, and his father, the hereditary chief of their band. But as opportunities disappear and support services fail, the young people on the reserve begin to feel they have no future.
As more friends and acquaintances end their lives, Floyd refuses to look away. He searches for realistic, concrete solutions, only to find his own father unable to respond, numbed by alcohol and depression as the crisis deepens. With leadership faltering, Floyd must step up and find the courage to challenge denial, spark honest conversations, and help his community begin to heal.
Written with honesty and compassion, Rez Rebel explores suicide contagion, intergenerational responsibility, and the struggle to create hope where systems have failed. It offers a sensitive look at mental health, community resilience, and the strength of Indigenous youth determined to protect one another.
Ideal for readers who:
- Want realistic, issue-driven YA fiction about Indigenous life
- Are interested in stories about mental health, leadership, and activism
- Appreciate novels that balance difficult topics with determination and hope
