A powerful coming-of-age novel set in the Pacific Northwest during the 1960s, River's Reach explores friendship, justice, and the fight for Indigenous fishing rights.
Alex Haugen, a high school senior, dreams of a future beyond his small Washington town. But when he befriends Charlie McCallister, a young member of the Nisqually tribe, Alex is pulled into the heart of the Fish Wars-an intense battle for Indigenous fishing rights. As tensions rise, Alex must decide where he stands in a conflict that challenges everything he thought he knew about justice, loyalty, and identity.
Perfect for fans of historical fiction, social justice novels, and powerful coming-of-age stories, River's Reach is a must-read for those who love books with strong themes of activism, friendship, and cultural heritage.
Dive into this unforgettable journey of courage and change!
This novel is suitable for MG/YA and the young at heart. It contains no gratuitous language, but there are a few swear words, in keeping with the characters and story.
After teaching sixth grade for twenty years, David Scott Richardson found the time and motivation to write this story, which he'd been thinking about for years. He previously held positions in mental health and legal services and worked with developmentally disabled people. His fishing experience and interest in declining salmon populations flesh out the characters' connections with the river. In whole, he drifts along with the river current much like Alex does.