The Rez Doctor
Gitz Crazyboy author Azby Whitecalf illustrator Veronika Barinova illustrator Toben Racicot illustrator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Portage & Main Press
Published:24th Oct '24
£14.99
Supplier delay - available to order, but may take longer than usual.

In this uplifting story, a young Indigenous man overcomes hardship to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor.
Ryan Fox dreams of becoming a doctor. But when university takes him away from the support of his family and Siksikaitsitapi community, his grades start to slip, his bills pile up, and getting into med school feels impossible. And now his beloved uncle is in jail. Can Ryan regain his footing to walk the path he saw so clearly as a young boy?
Young Ryan Fox gets good grades, but he’s not sure what he wants to be when he grows up. It isn’t until he meets a Blackfoot doctor during a school assembly that he starts to dream big.
However, becoming a doctor isn’t easy. University takes Ryan away from his family and the Siksikaitsitapi community, and without their support, he begins to struggle. Faced with more stress than he’s ever experienced, he turns to partying. Distracted from his responsibilities, his grades start to slip. His bills pile up. Getting into med school feels impossible. And now his beloved uncle is in jail. Can Ryan regain his footing to walk the path he saw so clearly as a boy?
This inspiring graphic novel for young adults is based on a true story.
An empowering telling of a journey to healing.
* Kirkus *Inspiring….Providing young readers with an example of success in the face of struggle and failure, this graphic novel would be a good addition to any collection.
* School Library Journal *Among LA County Library’s Graphic Novels list
* LA County Library *Among American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) 2024 Best Books, Comics and Graphic Novels list
* American Indians in Children's Literature *Readers will root for Chase as he struggles with realistic problems like failing grades, acute stress, near-alcoholism, bills, and suddenly becoming a dad. What holds him together and pushes Chase to do better is his need to help his family and give back to his community, filling the story with sincerity. The Rez Doctor is an uplifting and realistic narrative of achieving your dreams and giving back to your community.
* Youth Services Book Review, 5 out of 5 stars *Selected for In the Margins Book Award, Young Adult Nonfiction Titles List
* In the Margins Book *Among 2025 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book
- Winner of NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book 2025 (United States)
- Commended for In the Margins Book Award, Young Adult Nonfiction Titles List 2025 (United States)
ISBN: 9781553799245
Dimensions: 254mm x 165mm x 4mm
Weight: 177g
64 pages