A Snake Falls to Earth

If you enjoy stories filled with magic, adventure, friendship, and meaningful themes like climate justice, then A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger is a book worth exploring. The book was published in 2021 and is written for readers ages 12 to 18. This award-winning novel combines Indigenous storytelling with contemporary issues and fantasy, making it appealing to readers of all ages.

Title: A Snake Falls to Earth

Author: Darcie Little Badger

Age Range: 12 to 18

Length: 384 pages

Content warnings: N/A

A Snake Falls to Earth follows two main characters whose lives eventually become connected despite living in very different worlds. Nina is a Lipan Apache girl living on Earth, while Oli is a cottonmouth from the Reflecting World, a magical realm filled with spirits and monsters.

At the beginning of the novel, Nina and Oli have never met. However, when one of Oli's closest friends becomes ill, Oli travels to Earth in search of a cure. His journey eventually brings him into contact with Nina, setting the stage for an unforgettable adventure.

One of the novel's most unique features is its alternating perspectives. Darcie Little Badger switches between Nina's and Oli's points of view throughout the story, which allows readers to experience both worlds and is, in my opinion, one of the best parts of the novel!

Since its publication, A Snake Falls to Earth has received numerous awards. In 2022, the novel received the John Newbery Medal, the Andre Norton Award, and the Ignyte Award – all in one year!

Darcie Little Badger is an enrolled member of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas. In addition to being an accomplished author, she has an impressive academic background, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Geosciences from Princeton University and a PHD in Oceanography from Texas A&M University. Her writing often features Apache and LGBTQ+ characters, bringing important representation and diverse perspectives to young adult literature.

Alongside A Snake Falls to Earth, Darcie Little Badger has written several acclaimed novels, including Elatsoe – which features an asexual protagonist – and Sheine Lende, both of which have received numerous awards and critical praise as well.

If you’re looking for a book to read over summer break – or simply to add to your bookshelf – A Snake Falls to Earth is a great choice. You can find it at your local bookstore or library, or order it online through Strong Nations Publishing or Amazon.

Happy reading, everyone!

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Author: Riley Sommerville

Image Credits: A Snake Falls to Earth cover, via Strong Nations Publishing