Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids
Heartdrum (imprint of HarperCollins)
Edited by award-winning and bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith, this collection of intersecting stories by both new and veteran Native writers bursts with hope, joy, resilience, the strength of community, and Native pride.
Native families from Nations across the continent gather at the Dance for Mother Earth Powwow in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
In a high school gym full of color and song, people dance, sell beadwork and books, and celebrate friendship and heritage. Young protagonists will meet relatives from faraway, mysterious strangers, and sometimes one another (plus one scrappy rez dog).
They are the heroes of their own stories.
**Joey Reads the Sky** story by Dawn Quigley
Praise
★ “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.
…Dawn Quigley asks about the nature of intelligence…”
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ “…a wonderful introduction to the included authors’ work and a persuasive encouragement to seek out more Indigenous stories.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ “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.”
—Booklist, starred review
“…anthology of richly varied, loosely interconnected stories all centered on an intertribal powwow…overarching themes emerge around the importance of family, the solace of tradition and community, and growing personally through supporting others…this uplifting assembly affirms the vitality of Indigenous life today and offers accessible situations and characters to all young readers.”
Jaclyn Fulwood, Shelf Awareness
