Boozhoo Books | Small Ceremonies: A Novel

Small Ceremonies: A Novel

Kyle Edwards

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A poignant and heart-wrenching coming-of-age story that follows the friendships, hopes, fears, and struggles of a group of Native high school students from Winnipeg, Manitoba’s North End, illuminating what it's like to grow up in the heart of an Indigenous city.

Word on the street is that this is the Tigers' last season. For Tomahawk “Tommy” Shields, an Indigenous, image-obsessed high school student from Winnipeg, the potential loss of his team serves as a stark reminder of his uncertain future. He can't help but feel that each of his peers has some skill or gift that he lacks, yet each of their perceived virtues hides darker truths, too.

Clinton is beloved by teachers, but his "good kid" disposition is a desperate attempt not to fall prey to the gang violence in which his older brother has become enmeshed. Floyd has incredible talent on the ice, yet behind that talent lies deep insecurity about his multiracial background.

And the adults that populate Tommy's life—his mother, who struggles with schizophrenia; Pete, the team's wayward Zamboni driver; and elders Maggie and Olga—offer a mixture of well-intentioned but often misguided support and serve as a portent of what the future could hold.

Set in Winnipeg's North End, at the border of Canada's eastern woodlands and central prairies, Small Ceremonies follows a community both at the edge of the world and at the center of something much larger than itself.

As its richly drawn characters navigate the thrilling independence of adulthood and the loss of innocence that accompanies adolescence, one can't help but root for Tommy and his community, even as Tommy wrestles with his place in it.

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Posts about this title from Boozhoo Books

Boozhoo Books\ \ Naomi\ \ • Jun 15 2025

Hi Friends, \ \ Here are the winners of the giveaway! I will be emailing you today! Please confirm your address by 5pm tomorrow or I will have to choose someone else!\ \ Ardentlnks\ \ Jdkizzle\ \ Michellemybelle\ \ Sherantsalot\ \ Wanahca\ \ Grey\ \ Makespeaceart\ \ Ronnica\ \ Ghoulkisses\ \ WashyPirate\ \ AliseonLife\ \ KDGberg\ \ Smanning\ \ Tsehongva\ \ 07jae

Giveaway Winners Announced: Small Ceremonies

1 book

Boozhoo Books\ \ Naomi\ \ • May 30 2025

GIVEAWAY US ENTRANTS ONLY I have partnered with @pantheonbooks to giveaway 15 copies of Small Ceremonies by Kyle Edwards (Good Day To Read Indigenous Book Club Selection for July)\ \ To Enter: just leave a comment below!\ \ A poignant and heart-wrenching coming-of-age story that follows the friendships, hopes, fears, and struggles of a group of Native high school students from Winnipeg, Manitoba’s North End, illuminating what it’s like to grow up in the heart of an Indigenous city\ \ Word on the street is that this is the Tigers’ last season. For Tomahawk “Tommy” Shields, an Indigenous, image-obsessed high school student from Winnipeg, the potential loss of his team serves as a stark reminder of his uncertain future. He can’t help but feel that each of his peers has some skill or gift that he lacks, yet each of their perceived virtues hides darker truths, too. Clinton is beloved by teachers, but his “good kid” disposition is a desparate attempt not to fall prey to the gang violence in which his older brother has become enmeshed. Floyd has incredible talent on the ice, yet behind that talent lies deep insecurity about his multiracial background. And the adults that populate Tommy’s life—his mother, who struggles with schizophrenia; Pete, the team’s wayward Zamboni driver; and elders Maggie and Olga—offer a mixture of well-intentioned but often misguided support and serve as a portent of what the future could hold.\ \ Set in Winnipeg’s North End, at the border of Canada’s eastern woodlands and central prairies, Small Ceremonies follows a community both at the edge of the world and at the center of something much larger than itself. As its richly drawn characters navigate the thrilling independence of adulthood and the loss of innocence that accompanies adolescence, one can’t help but root for Tommy and his community, even as Tommy wrestles with his place in it.

Giveaway: Small Ceremonies by Kyle Edwards

1 book

Boozhoo Books\ \ Naomi\ \ • May 18 2025

Do Our Tastes Align? Indigenous Edition.

Indigenous edition! How many of these have you read and how many are on your TBR! Add them up and drop your score below! Also, if you’re seeing this and you haven’t followed me on Bindery yet for free, can you please do that? It’s quick and simple and would make an impact! #boozhoobooks #indigenous books #booksrecs

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Boozhoo Books\ \ Naomi\ \ • Apr 24 2025

Indigenous Book Bingo #3!

Indigenous Book Bingo #3! My first bingo card with my imprint logo 🥰 The intent of these cards is to help people discover, read and promote Indigenous books! All of these books will be available on my dynamic bookshelf on Bindery! If you are not a member of my community on Binderu yet, please go and subscribe for free! If you can afford to support for $5 a month, please consider a paid subscription to help fund the publishing of our upcoming releases! Boozhoo Books is dedicated to uplifting and promoting Indigenous and diverse voices. (First 🔗) in bio! WIN A FREE BOOK! There is one thing I have kept consistent on all three cards and the first person to name the one I’m thinking of will get a free book! Take your guesses below! Please note these books are either already out or releasing by August. #indigenousbooks #boozhoobooks #bookrecommendations #bookbingo

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Boozhoo Books\ \ Naomi\ \ • Apr 7 2025

Hello Friends!\ \ Below find the remaining books of this year's book club! Our bookclub channels are held on discord here. In June, Stephen Graham Jones will be joining us on Zoom. Questions can now be submitted on the Discord. \ \ April: The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones\ \ May: The Paranormal Ranger: A Navajo Investigator's Search for the Unexplained by Stanley Milford Jr. \ \ June: Big Chief by Jon Hickey\ \ July: Small Ceremonies by Kyle Edwards\ \ August: Love is a War Song by Danica Nava\ \ Sept: Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith\ \ Oct: The Whistler by Nick Medina\ \ Nov 1 : The Bone Thief by Vanessa Lillie\ \ November 2: The El by Theodore C Van Alt Jr. \ \ Dec: Beyond the Glittering World: an anthology of Indigenous Feminisms and Futurisms by Stacie Shannon Denetsosie, Kinsale Drake, et al\ \ If you can afford to, please pre-order or order by following the books below!

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Boozhoo Books\ \ Naomi\ \ • Dec 24 2024

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Boozhoo Books\ \ Naomi\ \ • Dec 10 2024

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