Review by Booklist Review
Sixteen short stories, two poems, and visual art (not viewed) present Native youth attending a two-day intertribal powwow in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and reflect on kinship, community, and the interconnectedness of the experience. The narratives vary in style and tone: in Monique Gray Smith's "Fancy Dancer," a young boy gains a kind stepfather, who teaches him the Dance for Mother Earth; Tim Tingle's "Warriors of Forgiveness" features young Luksi, who accompanies a bus full of elders on a hilarious road trip from Oklahoma to Michigan; Rebecca Roanhorse's "Rez Dog Rules" reflects on the powwow from a canine perspective; and foster child Aiden receives special regalia from his biological brother in David A. Robertson's "Brothers." Most selections are realistic and ultimately upbeat, although Art Coulson's "Wendigos Don't Dance" explores the supernatural, and Eric Gansworth's "Indian Price" confronts the indignities of microaggressions lobbed by those who would pretend to be Indian as a game. Each piece is tribally specific, emphasizes Native values (cooperation, forgiveness, and the importance of family), and features characters that make cameo appearances in other stories, adding cohesiveness to the collection. With exceptionally strong writing throughout, and appended with glossary, author notes, and acknowledgements, this makes an appealing choice for those just learning about contemporary Indigenous life as well as readers well versed with the powwow circuit.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In a letter to reviewers, editor Smith (enrolled Muscogee Creek) describes this anthology as a "sampling of the many rising Indigenous voices who are changing children's literature for the better." Using the framework of an intertribal powwow, 17 Indigenous authors craft stories that explore themes such as ethnic identity and ancestry. The rhythmic "What Is a Powwow?" by Kim Rogers (Wichita and Affiliated Tribes) first establishes the event as one "where our hearts beat as one/ to the thump of the drum." In enrolled Onondaga author Eric Gans-worth's thought-provoking "Indian Price," two cousins in different living situations connect for the first time. Family is also central to the inspiring "Secrets and Surprises" by Traci Sorell (Cherokee), which celebrates how Native cultures can support others--an idea threaded throughout. The most engaging entries detail aspects of Native culture alongside universal themes: sisters learn to navigate a changing relationship in "What We Know About Glaciers" by Christine Day (Upper Skagit), while two stories by Brian Young (enrolled Navajo) showcase the same events from the eyes of two frenemies. It's a wonderful introduction to the included authors' work and a persuasive encouragement to seek out more Indi-genous stories. Ages 8--12. Agent: Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown. (Feb.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--6--Editor Smith and 16 other authors and artists collaborate in this #OwnVoices short story collection from HarperCollins's HeartDrum imprint, which was created to "highlight the voices of Native creators." Each story focuses on a different character and their experience of an intertribal powwow in Michigan. The stories range from solemn to silly, but each emphasizes the power of the tribal community to support and heal its members. The well-edited volume begins with welcoming and humorous tales before moving into heavier territory. Each creator provides a short biography in the back matter, which includes their tribal affiliation and other works, in addition to their acknowledgements and notes on their contributions to the book. This anthology aims to both increase Native representation in middle grade literature and promote knowledge and understanding in non-Native readers. While not every story will be equally engaging for every reader and some points of overlap might seem a bit redundant, there is still more than enough to recommend this for school and public libraries everywhere. VERDICT All libraries should make room on their shelves for this collection of Native-voiced stories. Recommended.--Taylor Worley, Springfield P.L., OR
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Review by Horn Book Review
Through this linked anthology by seventeen contributors, readers experience "What Is a Powwow?" (the title of Kim Rogers's opening poem), as characters converge in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the Dance for Mother Earth Powwow. Rory begins to heal from his father's abusive words and embrace his Indigenous heritage ("Fancy Dancer" by Monique Gray Smith). Aiden travels with his foster parents to meet his brother and dance in his first powwow (David A. Robertson's "Brothers"). Amber, whose sister battled cancer, receives a new dress for the Jingle Dance ("Secret and Surprises" by Traci Sorell). Some of the attendees live locally, while others travel from places including Oklahoma and Missouri; some live in the city, while others live on the reservation. This anthology offers readers a variety of images of Native children while also introducing them to vocabulary from several different Indigenous languages, compiled in an appended glossary. According to Rogers's poem: "A powwow is / friends and family / ...a way to remember those / who've passed on / ...a place for belly-laughing / ...healing / and soul-soothing," and this volume reflects all of those elements and more. Notes and acknowledgments, contributor bios, and an editor's note are appended. Nicholl Denice Montgomery March/April 2021 p.100(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A groundbreaking Indigenous anthology for young people. Readers can join the fun in this collection of 18 contemporary stories and poems about loving families from various parts of the U.S. and Canada who travel to meet, dance, sing, socialize, and honor Native traditions at an intertribal powwow. The entries tell of the personal struggles, family joy, belief systems, and stunning regalia of various nations, including the Cree, Ojibwe, Choctaw, Cherokee, Navajo, Abenaki, and Haudenosaunee, through the eyes of the young protagonists. Enrollment issues, Indian wannabes, and veterans' histories are just a few of the serious themes addressed in these entertaining stories written by familiar and lesser-known writers alike. Senses of goodwill and humor pervade the book as well as the spirit of community, intersection, resilience, and a desire to remember the past. Whether engaging with the quiet spiritual strength displayed in "Fancy Dancer" by Monique Gray Smith or the profound point of view of Brian Young's "Senecavajo," the stories are full of surprises. Rebecca Roanhorse writes from a dog's vantage point, and Dawn Quigley asks about the nature of intelligence. Many other original tales complete this anthology of modern Natives celebrating their diversity together. An especially winning feature is the glossary in which various Indigenous vocabulary words in the stories are defined. A joyful invitation to celebrate the circle of ancestors together. (about the authors) (Anthology. 10-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
