Seneca, South Carolina, United States, 21st Sep 2024, -
My Place Among Them, a novel by J. Stanion, has been awarded the 2023 HFC "Highly Recommended" 5-Star Award. This recognition highlights the novel’s contribution to historical fiction and its portrayal of Indigenous history. The Historical Fiction Company (HFC) praised the novel for its in-depth research and narrative, stating, “The beautiful story told within My Place Among Them, combined with the in-depth research and beautiful prose of the author, earns this book a five out of five rating. It is incredibly well done, and Stanion has created a touching novel that does Indigenous history justice.”
The novel, based on a manuscript written by Stanion’s great-grandfather, explores the life of John Iron Horse, a twelve-year-old boy who survives the massacre at Wounded Knee. He is later enrolled in the U.S. government’s Indian Education program, where he forms a strong bond with his first teacher, a white man named Carter Heath. The novel looks into the cultural sacrifices John must make in order to succeed in a world that seeks to strip him of his heritage.
In addition to the HFC award, My Place Among Them has garnered several other accolades, including the BREW Fiction Book Excellence Award for Political Fiction of the Year 2023 and the BREW Seal of Excellence. The novel’s focus on the complexities of identity, education, and cultural preservation has earned it recognition within the literary community.
During her interview with The World's Best Magazine, J. Stanion spoke about how her great-grandfather’s manuscript inspired her novel. “I wrote this novel because the story is based on a manuscript written by my great-grandfather who lived and worked in the turbulent world of change that was forced upon America’s Indigenous people,” she said.
J. Stanion's dedication to her late father’s memory is a central theme in her writing. As she revealed in an interview published by FOX 40, “My promise to my father was the single driving force behind the hours it took to complete my first novel...Dad always inspired good writing…my father always wanted us to write well”
In Emma Roberts' article at Book Principle, "How Poetry Paved the Way for J. Stanion’s Literary Success," J. Stanion's background in poetry is linked to her success in historical fiction. Stanion emphasized the importance of this historical context, stating, “The original manuscript… was typed on the back of a car dealership’s stationary in 1920. The paper was fragile, the Victorian era writing was verbose and repetitive.” Through her work, Stanion aims to provide a fresh perspective on Indigenous history, reflecting her belief that “cultural identity has intrinsic value, that cultural differences have helped individual societies survive and succeed in their own place over time.”
Glenn Prior, in the Tumblr article titled “Writing as a Promise: J. Stanion’s Personal Commitment to Her Late Father,” offers insightful commentary on how J. Stanion's dedication to her family's history shaped her literary success. Prior emphasizes how Stanion's meticulous research and cultural sensitivity brought historical depth to her novel. “Her immersion in Lakota history and her consultations with tribal elders,” Prior notes, “ensured that the novel authentically represents a crucial chapter in American history.” The article highlights that Stanion’s journey reflects a broader commitment to honoring and preserving historical narratives through literature.
J, Stanion, who recently appeared on Big News Network, Newsweek and MSN News where she shared views on culture, archaeology, and history, takes seriously the challenge of balancing the line between historical accuracy and creative freedom. In her interview through Vents Magazine, she explained a particular struggle while writing My Place Among Them: "It was tempting to portray a character using a piece of Pine Ridge Pottery, but it was important for the reader to comprehend the level of poverty on the reservation."
For more information about the award, visit the Historical Fiction Company website.
The book is available in digital, paperback, and hardbound editions through major retailer sites such as Amazon.
Know more about J. Stanion and her work. Visit her official website, www.jstanion.com.
About the Book
My Place Among Them follows John Iron Horse, a young Lakota boy caught between his Indigenous heritage and the assimilationist policies of the early 20th century. The novel has been recognized for its historical accuracy, receiving awards like the 2023 BREW Fiction Book Excellence Award Political Fiction of the Year and the BREW Seal of Excellence from The Chrysalis BREW Project.
About the Author
J. Stanion, a former educator with over three decades of experience, is the author of the critically acclaimed novel My Place Among Them. She wrote the book after fulfilling a promise to her late father. Her works are deeply inspired by her interest in history, Indigenous cultures, and rural life. Stanion now resides on a family farm, surrounded by horses and other animals, where she continues to write.
