Smiler's Bones by Peter Lerangis

This is a novel based on the true story of an Eskimo from Greenland named Minik. It begins in Quebec in 1909 with Minik trying to kill himself, and then takes us back to the beginning of the story in 1893. Robert Peary was a famous explorer in the Arctic who was recognized by the Eskimos who lived there. In the name of science he took some Eskimos back to New York City with him, but four of them soon died, including Minik’s father, because they could not adjust to the new climate and environment.
Minik was young when he was taken to New York so his body was able to adjust, but he did not find out until much later that the American Museum of Natural History never buried his father or the others, but preserved and kept their bones. The few people on Minik’s side were able to expose the deception, but the damage was done. After living in New York for 12 years, Minik had a hard time going back to the culture in Greenland, and he never really fit in the United States, either.
This is a sad but meaningful story, and it is important for us to understand the darker parts of our history.

Review by David Dunkerton