Distant Enemy, A

Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with questions of identity, feeling caught between two worlds, or resisting the pressure to conform to modern expectations. Set in a remote Alaska village, the story follows fourteen-year-old Joseph as he navigates the complex tension between his Yupik heritage and the encroaching Western culture. It is an ideal choice for parents of middle schoolers or high schoolers who are experiencing a sense of being an outsider within their own community. The narrative explores themes of cultural preservation, internal conflict, and the struggle for self-confidence. Through Joseph's eyes, readers witness the frustration of feeling like a 'distant enemy' to both the tradition he honors and the modernization he distrusts. It is a realistic, grounded story that validates the anger and loneliness often felt during the transition to adulthood, offering a mirror for those who value heritage but struggle to find their place in a changing world.