caprichosbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
shsavoie's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
kemendraugh's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic. I'm a sucker for connected stories and this collection had something for everyone.
queenpebbles's review against another edition
Too young of a read for me, while enjoyable.
caylieratzlaff's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 / good stories but definitely “for children” and not middle grade or high school. I LOVE how they all centered around one event to really focus on powwows and their meanings. It also looks at various tribes.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
5.0
So grateful for this collection of short stories that centers a Native American tradition and the way it connects tribes. I loved how some stories intertwined and I really enjoyed hearing about the many colors in the regalia characters wore.
br2infinity's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic book to read on our way to a powwow with the kids. Wish it had a little more history in it, but it was still great.
readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
yapha's review
5.0
I loved this book of interrelated short stories! It was brilliant the way the authors worked together to have characters from each other's stories make cameos. It really made it feel like they were all at the powwow together. Each story individually is great, but the sum of the whole is so much greater than the parts. It shows both the interconnectedness and the diversity in the Native American communities throughout the United States and Canada. It is also a great taste of a wide variety of Native authors.
It does help to have some background on the modern powwow. I am glad that I read [b:Son Who Returns|18854859|Son Who Returns|Gary Robinson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385994896l/18854859._SY75_.jpg|26801215] over the summer, it explains a great deal about the current role of powwows in Native American society and how they work.
Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
It does help to have some background on the modern powwow. I am glad that I read [b:Son Who Returns|18854859|Son Who Returns|Gary Robinson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385994896l/18854859._SY75_.jpg|26801215] over the summer, it explains a great deal about the current role of powwows in Native American society and how they work.
Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
amysutton's review
3.0
I love the purpose behind this! There needs to be more Native American voices in literature, especially for middle grade and children's lit. This collection is a series of short stories and one poem that are all set at the same powwow in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The stories all stand alone, but they do give nods to other story's characters. For example, the spunky dog who wanders the powwow with a Rez Dogs shirt on gets several mentions throughout the book. I really enjoyed that this gave representation to many different native tribes and groups and showed what a celebration of native culture looks like.
The stories themselves did not fully engage me. I appreciated what they were, but the writing itself was not why I liked this. I was also confused in a few areas by the Indigenous writers using terms like "Indian", "Native", and "Indigenous" interchangeably. I did not think that "Indian" was an appropriate term, so I'm not sure if it's being reclaimed or if it's really an interchangeable term. That was the only thing that was a bit confusing as an adult reader. As a child reader, I'm sure they will love learning more.
The stories themselves did not fully engage me. I appreciated what they were, but the writing itself was not why I liked this. I was also confused in a few areas by the Indigenous writers using terms like "Indian", "Native", and "Indigenous" interchangeably. I did not think that "Indian" was an appropriate term, so I'm not sure if it's being reclaimed or if it's really an interchangeable term. That was the only thing that was a bit confusing as an adult reader. As a child reader, I'm sure they will love learning more.