This is the second book I've read from the Race to the Truth series, and I already really like this honest-yet-approachable series for helping young rThis is the second book I've read from the Race to the Truth series, and I already really like this honest-yet-approachable series for helping young readers understand social issues. This is a great book to help explain land acknowledgment and foster understanding of Indigenous homelands in North America. ...more
11-year-old Ojibwe girl Ariel loves to dance ballet, but now that her Auntie Bineshiinh is missing, Ariel can't dance anymore. Not only does it not fe11-year-old Ojibwe girl Ariel loves to dance ballet, but now that her Auntie Bineshiinh is missing, Ariel can't dance anymore. Not only does it not feel the same, but her parents tell her all of their extra money needs to go to trying to find Auntie. 12-year-old Tomah, Ariel's neighbor in their Intertribal Housing Complex, misses Auntie Bineshiinh too -- she was his babysitter. At school, Tomah acts like a class clown to hide the fact that he struggles to read. Ariel decides to do a school project on the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in order to raise awareness of people like Auntie Bineshiinh. She also learns to perform the Jingle Dance from Tomah's grandmother which helps her think how her love of dancing can help heal her and her community.
This intricately woven novel in verse shows two Indigenous tweens who find ways to persevere despite their challenges. The verse switches between Ariel and Tomah's perspective seamlessly and incorporates Ojibwe language throughout. This book is emotional, and sensitive readers will be able to connect with the protagonists easily. This book is beautifully written and filled with heartbreak and hope in equal measure....more
A young Cherokee girl is excited to move with her etsi (mother) away from the chaotic city and back where their family lives. This is more than just aA young Cherokee girl is excited to move with her etsi (mother) away from the chaotic city and back where their family lives. This is more than just a moving story, though, it is also a ruminative picture book about the connection of modern Native Americans to their ancestors and ancestral lands. Joyful and heartwarming, this lyrical book is completed by illustrations from the incomparable Michaela Goade. Baring some similarities to Goade's previous works, this picture book sees a deviation from her style and the incorporation of doodlelike drawings that evoke a child's work. Lovely....more
A fantastic blending of Cherokee tradition, history, and culture with pop culture and western literature -- this middle grade speculative novel is surA fantastic blending of Cherokee tradition, history, and culture with pop culture and western literature -- this middle grade speculative novel is surreal in the very best way. Compassionately incorporates issues facing Native Americans in the modern day and through history. Ziggy Echota is the male protagonist who suffers from anxiety and goes to therapy. A magically realistic novel about the power of stories....more
In partnership with UNESCO, this picture book asks thought provoking questions about the importance of language. Showing the ways that language buildsIn partnership with UNESCO, this picture book asks thought provoking questions about the importance of language. Showing the ways that language builds our culture, and protects it from being destroyed -- this book touches on what happens when language is not protected. This is a lovely and beautifully illustrated book that would work nicely for elementary school children in thinking more about social sciences....more
These illustrations are next level gorgeous. Acrylic on canvas paintings filled with life and color that make use of geometric shapes and Lakota and MThese illustrations are next level gorgeous. Acrylic on canvas paintings filled with life and color that make use of geometric shapes and Lakota and Metis motifs for a work that feels culturally specific and universal at the same time. The story is easy to read aloud and takes a exuberant and celebratory tone....more
This gorgeously illustrated picture book is a thoughtful rumination on the convergence of cultures. When a young teacher goes to teach at a school deeThis gorgeously illustrated picture book is a thoughtful rumination on the convergence of cultures. When a young teacher goes to teach at a school deep in the Amazon rainforest, she is excited to share her books and her knowledge with the indigenous people she's teaching. But when the locals warn her about the great serpent, she is dismissive of their legends -- until they prove to be wise. The satisfying ending has her incorporate indigenous legends and wisdom into her school lessons....more
This engaging autobiographical novel brings to life a moment from history I knew little if nothing about. I love books like this.
In 1957, the US IndiThis engaging autobiographical novel brings to life a moment from history I knew little if nothing about. I love books like this.
In 1957, the US Indian Relocation Program went into effect and many Native American people had their tribal identity terminated by the US government. Their reservations were dissolved and many families were forced to relocate when they could no longer afford their homes. Regina and her family are one such family, members of the Umpqua tribe in Oregon, they were forced to move to Los Angeles where they are forced to adjust to their new community in South Central LA. This episodic story deals with racism, prejudice and the importance of cultural identity. This is a brief book, but a powerful one, that will open up hard conversations....more
An unusual board book, perfect for bedtime and imbued with Indigenous Mexican folklore and wisdom. The illustrations are blue toned and highly stylizeAn unusual board book, perfect for bedtime and imbued with Indigenous Mexican folklore and wisdom. The illustrations are blue toned and highly stylized. Includes some words in Spanish....more
There are surprisingly not very many contemporary ya sports novels, and I definitely can't think of another one that focuses on indigenous youth. For There are surprisingly not very many contemporary ya sports novels, and I definitely can't think of another one that focuses on indigenous youth. For that reason alone, this book is a must-buy for teen collections. It also happens to be very good. It deals with intergenerational identity, loss, grief, peer pressure, and pride in place, culture, and people. But it's also about basketball in the best kind of way. You can tell that Byron Graves has played the sport before which makes it a little more gripping. I loved the way the contemporary Ojibwe community was represented, and I loved that this book deals frankly with racism and prejudice while not being only a sad, wake-up call. I am a big fan of wake-up call books, but it is also so refreshing to see a book that is not only about that. For readers who play sports, the friendship of the teammates will feel really familiar. ...more
If you never knew that Paul Bunyan was a marketing ploy to explain the rapid deforestation across the United States during the 19th century. I feel liIf you never knew that Paul Bunyan was a marketing ploy to explain the rapid deforestation across the United States during the 19th century. I feel like this graphic novel has easy classroom applications for teachers talking about folktales and American Tall Tales or for talking about colonization and the displacement of Native Americans. This is a pretty short graphic novel, but it is enriched by a foreword and back matter from Indigenous creators. ...more
Based on her mother's childhood experiences, this book shares a disturbingly true story of a young girl taken away from her family to a Residential ScBased on her mother's childhood experiences, this book shares a disturbingly true story of a young girl taken away from her family to a Residential School in British Columbia. The conditions at the school are terrible and the children are starving, but the First Nation girls at the school use their stitching skills to make secret pockets in their clothes to sneak food from the kitchen and survive. This is an incredibly moving book, that ends with an uplifting message despite the tough subject matter. Accessible for younger readers, this is an important book to share....more
A lovely and culturally responsive picture book about the harvest and life cycle of mnoomin (sometimes called "wild rice"). Bilingual English and AnisA lovely and culturally responsive picture book about the harvest and life cycle of mnoomin (sometimes called "wild rice"). Bilingual English and Anishinaabemowin text is poetic and enhances the moody watercolor illustrations. ...more
This picture book is such a loving tribute to life in a big, chaotic family -- enriched by cultural details from two Native creators. I am not Native,This picture book is such a loving tribute to life in a big, chaotic family -- enriched by cultural details from two Native creators. I am not Native, but I do have a big family and so sometimes I feel just like Russell in this book and I think a lot of other kids will too. The narrative gets a little lost at times, but the central theme is always presented strongly. And, as chaotic as life may get, the family love for Russell is always there. Blue tonal illustrations are used throughout....more
This is such a heartfelt graphic novel about a tween girl trying to find her place in disparate cultural heritages. Mia's parents are divorced, and shThis is such a heartfelt graphic novel about a tween girl trying to find her place in disparate cultural heritages. Mia's parents are divorced, and she lives with her mother and stepfather in LA where she goes to a Jewish school and is heavily involved in the synagogue. She doesn't know her biological father as well, he's Muscogee and lives in Tulsa and left Mia's mother when Mia was young. As a Bat Mitzvah, Mia feels like she knows what it means to be Jewish, but she knows nothing about being an Indian -- as a kid taunts her at school.
Desperate to reconnect with the Indigenous side of her family, Mia sneaks away to Tulsa to visit her father. There she experiences more of what it means to be Native American and gains an appreciation for cherishing culture and tradition. This is a powerful novel about a young girl fighting for self-acceptance. My only gripe is with Mia's voice. Sometimes she reads far younger than she is and I struggled to place her. Otherwise, an excellent graphic novel for young readers....more
This picture book is really lovely and very affirming. Lots of kids will relate to feeling out of place in a new home that doesn't feel like home, andThis picture book is really lovely and very affirming. Lots of kids will relate to feeling out of place in a new home that doesn't feel like home, and will understand that a new place can't ever quite be home. But family, customs, history, and connection are what home really is. The illustrations aren't my favorite, but there are many really nice spreads. ...more
Picture book biography about Clarence Tinker, the first Native American Major General from World War II. The book establishes early on that Tinker is Picture book biography about Clarence Tinker, the first Native American Major General from World War II. The book establishes early on that Tinker is still celebrated by the Osage nation as one of their great warriors and that in part that is because Clarence Tinker stayed committed to his Native identity throughout his life. The illustrations in this book, done with photorealistic acrylic painting have a sense of otherworldliness as they layer montage on top of each other. An incredibly important story and interesting to read. Back matter includes a timeline of Osage and Wichita history from 1820 on. ...more
A simple book, but there is lots of supporting back matter. I like that this book focuses on a real community and how the children in that Native AmerA simple book, but there is lots of supporting back matter. I like that this book focuses on a real community and how the children in that Native American community felt seen and recognized by Deb Haaland wearing regalia to be inaugurated into the White House cabinet. This is a meaningful and effective book to help kids understand the importance of diversity....more
A joyful picture book about two cousins preparing to participate in the Jingle Dress dance at a powwow. Diving a little into different meanings and trA joyful picture book about two cousins preparing to participate in the Jingle Dress dance at a powwow. Diving a little into different meanings and traditions, this book is good information for those less familiar with Jingle Dance. But this is also an affirming picture book about family, community, culture and tradition. These illustrations are crazy good with ethereal watercolors filled with color and life. Really powerful, really lovely. ...more
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