Digging for Philip

Darleen R. Golke is a high-school teacher-librarian in Winnipeg,
Manitoba.

In his debut novel, Jackson-Davis seeks “to expose and explore the
prejudice that lives in most of us” and “[to discover] how the beast
of racism can be transformed when given the opportunity.” Digging for
Philip combines an adventure story with a discussion of highly emotive
themes.

On a Lake of the Woods island, 14-year-old Philip Reddy struggles with
accepting his father’s death in a car crash and his mother’s
survival. After a “year and a half of solitude and mourning,” Philip
develops the slogan, “everybody sucks, but I suck the most.” He
allows teen bullies to abuse him and punishes his mother with rejection
and rudeness. Buried under his grieving and facing “day after boring
day on an island in the middle of nowhere,” he rebels by digging in
what might be an Indian burial ground. In doing so, he unleashes an
angry Anishinabe spirit, dead of smallpox since 1783.

Manido (Tikumiwaewidung) punishes Philip, representative of the hated
“white devils,” by hurling insults at him, damaging property,
inflicting violent dreams, and insisting that Philip atone by performing
ceremonies to send 14 long-dead Anishinabe to the Land of the Souls.
Although reluctant initially, Philip gradually embraces his role and
“truly feel[s] the sadness of each tragedy he trie[s] to right.” As
Manido and Philip work together, each modifies his anger and prejudice
as he learns respect and acceptance. As Philip feels “pieces inside
him falling into place,” he builds enough confidence to face down
bullies and resume a relationship with his mother.

While Philip is a sympathetic and fully realized character, the
secondary characters, except Manido, are pedestrian stereotypes. The
changes the boy and the spirit undergo are adroitly managed in spite of
the didacticism that lurks in the historical dream sequences and
Manido’s lectures. Dense narrative, vivid descriptive passages,
graphic scenes, and mature themes are not for the timid but will appeal
to serious young readers.

An introductory lexicon provides translations of Anishinabe terms used
in the text, while a small map of Northwestern Lake of the Woods
positions the action. Recommended.