The Serviceberry: An Economy of Gifts and Abundance by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Reviewed by Jacob Roberts, Youth Specialist
Genre: Nonfiction, Nature Writing
Suggested age: Adult, Teens
What is this book about? Robin, an Indigenous scientist, takes us on a journey through both a scientific and Indigenous perspective on how to better live within our world. She discusses the ethics of our current economy in America, which is based on the necessity of scarcity to drive profits and individual success. She points to a better perspective and ideology of which she refers to as the gift economy—one which she sees as nature’s default. She draws on many plants and animals as great examples to support her case that, as humans, we should learn how to better care for ourselves and the relationships in our lives by looking to the animals and plants around us.
My review: Kimmerer brings a much needed, unique perspective on how to live our lives through an economy based on giving, rather than hoarding resources. She offers great indigenous values, that any community can benefit from. Her writing is very poetic, and offers great images of nature in-between each chapter. The images that she drew added to the simplicity of her message by including pictures of nature, instead of chapter headings, and kept the book short and to-the-point. It is clear she thought about the busy audience she was attempting to address in her book, and knew that anybody that was apart of the general economy, may not make the time for something that appears larger at the beginning. She did a fantastic job at weaving her native heritage with scientific thought. This book is a great starting point for anybody interested in learning how to live a more fulfilling, and wholesome life.
Three words that describe this book: Informative, caring, peaceful
Give this a try if you like: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, The Beginning Naturalist by Gale Lawrence, The Secret Wisdom of Nature by Peter Wohlleben
Rating: 5/5
