What are educators saying?

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Scar Dakota is a great book that students will enjoy reading. Scar is dealing with life’s lessons. Having to move to a new home, trying to fit into a new school and making friends. Just when things are going well, Scar makes some choices that will test friendships, and help him know that everyone has scars. I loved the perspectives we learn about other cultures and learning about others point of view. I’m excited to purchase this for my library and look forward to recommending this book to my students.

Karlan Ewell

Media Specialist

Reading Elementary School

I absolutely loved Scar Dakota! Not only is it a fun book that will draw kids in, it also has lots of little life lessons hidden in every chapter. Working in public schools, I feel that this book will be a hit with students of all ages. Our school library and office library will definitely have a copy of Scar Dakota on the shelves!

Glenette Carlson

SecretaryLibrary Aide

Sentinel Oklahoma Public Schools 

Being a teenager is difficult. Everyone is trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in their world. Scar Dakota takes this time of life and shows us that being different is not a bad thing and that everyone has scars. What a wonderful read about how to work through your mistakes. 

Lori Bullock

Librarian

Pleasant Grove Junior High School

I loved Scar Dakota! It was by far one of the most wholesome, uplifting books I've read in a long time. And I read a lot! What a wonderful book about courage, fitting in and forgiveness. Will definitely purchase it for our school library when it becomes available!

Alice Coombs

Media Specialist

Windsor Elementary School

I loved the diversity of Scar Dakota, the consequences for decisions both good and bad, and how it ties up at the end. If a book makes me cry, it is a winner to me. Thank you for letting me read the draft! Would love a copy for our library when it’s released!

Mary Graham

Librarian/Media Specialist

Gulf Breeze Middle School

I think the book is an excellent read for middle level students. Jason has definitely done his homework on the interests and language of middle schoolers. There is always something to keep the reader reading. There are many situations in this book that kids will relate to because they are faced with the same issues. Moving, new friends, peer pressure, mending friendships, death of a parent, friends with different beliefs, social media, etc. 

Denise Williams

Principal

Maeser Elementary School

I loved Scar Dakota, and I think my students will too! There are definitely things for many of them to relate to, especially the scar theme. I hope it does well, please let me know when it gets published!

Melissa George

Media Coordinator

Charles P. Murray Middle School

I particularly loved that the main character is a young man because I feel like there are not enough realistic fiction books with male protagonists. I feel like most of the books in my library that fall under the realistic fiction umbrella have female male characters or alternate between the two. A solely male perspective is very valuable for my students. I also really like that you pull parts of Hinduism. I personally don't know much about it but I am glad that that is a faith you decided to highlight because it is underrepresented despite its prevalence around the world.  So many of my students that fall in the demographic this book is meant to reach are trying to figure themselves out. They are determining what they think, believe, feel, and so on. I like that Shane is figuring it out too. 

Erica Durbin

Wilmington, North Carolina

Scar Dakota is a captivating new character to emerge in middle-grade fiction. Scar and his delightful group of friends take young readers on a roller coaster journey of self -discovery while dealing with adolescent themes of loss, friendship, bullying and being true to one’s self. A favourite new addition to our classroom library.

Karen Beck B. Ed, OCT

Grade 6 Teacher

Bridgewood (Cornwall, Ontario) Public School

I really enjoyed reading Scar Dakota. It felt very authentic and I'm a sucker for realistic fiction. Shane seems much like other 13 year old boys trying to figure out where they fit in. He is dealing with some real trauma which, unfortunately, a lot of kids go through in today's world. I like that it made seeing a counselor as a normal way to deal with tough times. Thank you for letting me read your wonderful book.

Helayna Wheeler

Librarian

Three Falls Elementary School

This book is both a mirror and windows story for me and I can assume, might be for many of the young people who read it in the future. I too, lost my mom at a young age and you completely captured the distress and the chaos of navigating life without a mom. As a window story, I would love to share this with my own students because of the clear representation of the differences of people and their faith allows a private viewing into what others feel and go through in our world. Most importantly, I appreciate the heart-tugging descriptions that allow readers to take this journey right alongside Shane/Scar.  Such an awesome read and one that I hope to be able to share with my students someday soon!

Barbara Scott 

English Teacher

Admiral Byrd Middle School

Scar Dakota is a clean, uplifting book that middle grade students will love. The characters are easy to connect with, and the story is so relevant for youth today. This book is full of witty writing, beautiful themes, and positive lessons to be learned. 

Marie Hauck

Media Specialist

Windridge Elementary School

I was so pleasantly surprised the story had so many religious differences and perspectives that I learned about. I love the conflict, I love the resolution. I really wanted to hate RIP! but instead of hating, I ended up loving them and it ended in a positive way.  I love how Dakota found the courage to tell the truth about his mom. I love how you brought it all together. I loved Ink and her talk at church. I absolutely loved this book. Great story, loved the characters, loved the conflict and the resolution! Seriously, if anyone says anything bad about your book. They might get the stink eye from me.

Courtney White

Media Specialist

Sunset Ridge Intermediate School

Oh my stars.  I am so incredibly grateful I said yes to reading this book.  I throughly LOVED it.  I would not change a thing.. This book could not be better.  Please let me know when it is out and I will be putting it in our library as well as posting it to fellow librarians!

Sally Hadley

Media Specialist

Crestview Elementary School

Scar Dakota draws you in on page one as you wonder what caused Shane’s mother’s death. And as you continue to read, trying to figure out the rest of the story, the characters become people you would love to know in real life, like Jeeps and Meems. Shane is so fortunate to have such a close relationship with his grandparents. I love Kabir and his kind heart. I love Ink’s forgiving nature while still maintaining her standards. I love everything about Ms. Stella and little Priya. Even RIP! has their endearing qualities. Scar Dakota captures perfectly the moral confusion that middle school students face. It is a great example of kids making mistakes while trying to figure it out. I love how it shows the messy parts of growing and learning. The theme of the book is such an important one - we do all have scars. “And may we learn to love every single scar.”

Jennifer Wallace

Library Media Coordinator

Tonaquint Intermediate

It is easy to feel like you are the only person in the world who has problems! This book is a wonderful reminder that we all have scars. Scar Dakota takes us on his journey of self-discovery as he mourns both the loss of his mother and the life that they shared together. Along his path he makes amazing friends that are able to share their stories. Together they learn that though everyone has scars, helping and lifting each other makes our journeys easier. I loved this book, and think that students will love it too!

Angela Eckhardt

Teacher

Larsen Elementary School

I loved Scar Dakota. It was a well-crafted story that tackled some heavy topics students face. I appreciated the values taught in a way that respected many cultures. Thank you for the opportunity to read it!

 Alicia Poulton-DeMill

Principal

Sharon Elementary School

Scar Dakota is an easy read that seems as though we can hear Scar's words and thoughts. I always tell kids they can do hard things, and Scar is a great example of this as he deals with a great loss! He exemplifies what many kids experience - the desire to find where they fit and figure out who they are and what they stand for. I'm thankful this story ended with a great lesson learned and realized by many, even though it took experiencing hard things to get there. Middle school students will enjoy this!

Mary Rieck

Principal

Pangburn Elementary School