The Fourth of July is a time when all Americans gather to commemorate the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. And unlike the holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah and Easter, the Fourth of July is a purely American tradition. For Independence Day celebrates not only the creation of the United States, but also American history and culture.
In honor of July Fourth, I chose to read about the celebration of one society's history and culture. But the novel I chose does not include any fireworks, parades, baseball games or barbecues. This book celebrates Spider Woman, an ancient legend about the being said to have taught Navajo women the art of weaving their now renowned tapestries. To show their respect to Spider Woman, it has become Navajo tradition for women to weave an intentional flaw in their work, called a sprit line.
In "Spirit Line" by David and Aimee Thurlo, Crystal Manyfeathers is trapped by the clash of two cultures, Native American folklore and modern American society. Torn between her ambitions beyond the confines of the Navajo reservation and the legacy of her recently deceased mother, Crystal tentatively prepares for her coming-of-age ceremony by weaving her first Navajo rug. In a show of her obvious disdain for Navajo tradition, Crystal chooses not to include a spirit line. Her defiance results in bad karma and she soon finds herself cursed with an inability to weave, dreams of Spider Woman and a missing rug.
But Crystal eventually learns an important lesson: that tradition is not about confining a person by the relics of history, but embracing the events and issues of the past within the present life. Through her tumultuous coming-of-age, Crystal learns to appreciate her Navajo heritage and her own growth into adulthood.
I would give this book a 7 out of 10. "Spirit Line" evolves into a rather predictable mystery, yet the Thurlos still manage to interest their audience. Crystal proves to be a relatable and multi-dimensional protagonist, an example of a modern teen who reconciles traditional and contemporary values. Hers is a lesson beneficial to any teen from any culture; for wherever there are dynamics between the past and the present, there are young adults caught in between.
"Spirit Line" is a celebration of Navajo history, as Independence Day is a celebration of the United States' own birth and growth. It is also a tale of an American teenager engulfed in the modern world. While many American holidays have been commercialized and their meanings lost over time, Crystal's story sheds light on the importance of the Fourth of July. Our history and culture bring meaning to who we are today, and it is through the commemoration of the past that we can decide what to make of the future. Indeed, the fireworks, the parades, the barbecues have very little to do with the Fourth of July. For what matters is not how we celebrate tradition, but why we celebrate it.
Mari Miyachi is an Andover resident and Phillips Academy student who reviews books for young adults.
