Perma-Bound from Publisher's Hardcover ©2020 | -- |
Publisher's Hardcover ©2020 | -- |
Indian girls. Juvenile fiction.
Powwows. Juvenile fiction.
Indians of North America. Rites and ceremonies. Juvenile fiction.
Indian dance. Juvenile fiction.
Powwows. Fiction.
Indians of North America. Rites and ceremonies. Fiction.
Dance. Fiction.
Sick. Fiction.
In this contemporary story, an Indigenous tradition inspires hope in a young girl.Powwow Day, a Native American social gathering, arrives, but River is still recovering from an unnamed illness and feels too weak to dance. Dressed in her jingle dress and matching moccasins, she longs to join her family and friends in the Grand Entry procession. She hears the drums-"BAM. BAM. BAM. BAM"-and watches the elders enter the circle with flags and feathers. The fancy dancers "twirl and ribbons whirl," while the "grass dancers sway and weave themselves around the circle," but River can't "feel the drum's heartbeat," and her "feet stay still." The emcee calls for the jingle dress dancers to enter the arena. Although River needs the ceremonial healing dance, she can't do it. Thankfully, River's friend says she will dance for her. The rows of shiny cones on the dresses make music as the jingle dancers move: "clink, clink, clink." The girls "dance for the Creator, the ancestors, their families, and everyone's health." Watching her sister, cousins, and friend dance, River's heart begins to open and conviction enters her soul. She finally feels the drumbeat fully, but is it her time to dance? Goodnight's vibrant, energetic digital illustrations capture the beauty and intricacy of powwow regalia as well as the unique atmosphere of a powwow gathering. Together, the artwork and text sensitively portray and celebrate a powerful ritual that upholds the culture, healing traditions, and creative spirit of Native American communities. No specific tribe is mentioned in the story, though the backmatter mentions the Ponca and Omaha tribes.A heartwarming picture book about the roles of courage, culture, and community in the journey of personal healing. (notes, author's notes, bibliography) (Picture book. 4-8)
School Library Journal Starred Review (Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2022)PreS-Gr 3 Powwow Day has arrived but River is recovering from an illness and unable to participate in the pageantry and tradition of the day. Little River is aching to join her family and community in the dances but is unable to "feel" the drums and becomes discouraged at having to remain on the sidelines. Her family and friends help River reach the realization that they are dancing for their community, traditions, healing, and most importantly, for her. The author develops the plot by creating text that is rooted in feeling and emotional connection. As a Cherokee Nation member, Sorell infuses the story with information about various traditions and experiences. Chickasaw Nation member Goodnight provides exquisitely detailed illustrations that exemplify the meaning and importance of Powwow Day. VERDICT A tender and inspiring view of Indigenous traditions and how celebrating them can lead to healing and redemption. Brittany McMahon
Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)In this contemporary story, an Indigenous tradition inspires hope in a young girl.Powwow Day, a Native American social gathering, arrives, but River is still recovering from an unnamed illness and feels too weak to dance. Dressed in her jingle dress and matching moccasins, she longs to join her family and friends in the Grand Entry procession. She hears the drums-"BAM. BAM. BAM. BAM"-and watches the elders enter the circle with flags and feathers. The fancy dancers "twirl and ribbons whirl," while the "grass dancers sway and weave themselves around the circle," but River can't "feel the drum's heartbeat," and her "feet stay still." The emcee calls for the jingle dress dancers to enter the arena. Although River needs the ceremonial healing dance, she can't do it. Thankfully, River's friend says she will dance for her. The rows of shiny cones on the dresses make music as the jingle dancers move: "clink, clink, clink." The girls "dance for the Creator, the ancestors, their families, and everyone's health." Watching her sister, cousins, and friend dance, River's heart begins to open and conviction enters her soul. She finally feels the drumbeat fully, but is it her time to dance? Goodnight's vibrant, energetic digital illustrations capture the beauty and intricacy of powwow regalia as well as the unique atmosphere of a powwow gathering. Together, the artwork and text sensitively portray and celebrate a powerful ritual that upholds the culture, healing traditions, and creative spirit of Native American communities. No specific tribe is mentioned in the story, though the backmatter mentions the Ponca and Omaha tribes.A heartwarming picture book about the roles of courage, culture, and community in the journey of personal healing. (notes, author's notes, bibliography) (Picture book. 4-8)
Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)When River first wakes up on tribal powwow day, she feels a surge of excitement before remembering that there will be -no dancing./ No jingle dress competition for me./... I can-t dance like I could before I got sick.- Attending the powwow with family, River, portrayed with light brown skin and short hair in a marigold jingle dress, hopes to dance Grand Entry and the intertribal dance, but is fatigued, unfocused, and -can-t feel the drum-s heartbeat.- Yet, watching from a nearby seat as the dancers connect to -the drum,/ Mother Earth,/ and one another,- and witnessing family and friends participating in the girls- jingle dance, she realizes: -They dance for/ the Creator,/ the ancestors,/ their families,/ and everyone-s health.../ including mine.- In sensory-focused lines, Sorell (
Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)
Starred Review for Publishers Weekly
School Library Journal Starred Review (Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2022)
Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)
Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)
River is recovering from illness and can't dance at the powwow this year. Will she ever dance again?
A heartwarming and hopeful contemporary Native American picture book for ages 4-8-year-olds about traditions, community, music, and healing, written and illustrated by Indigenous creators.
It's powwow day, and River wants so badly to dance as she does every year. But she can't dance this year as she deals with a serious illness.
In this modern and inspiring Native picture book that's perfect for beginning readers, follow River's journey from feeling isolated after an illness to learning the healing power of community.
Additional information explains the history and functions of powwows, which are commonplace across the United States and Canada and are open to both Native Americans and non-Native visitors. Best-selling and award-winning author Traci Sorell is a member of the Cherokee Nation, and illustrator Madelyn Goodnight is a member of the Chickasaw Nation.