A review by mezzythedragon
Jo Jo Makoons: The Used-to-Be Best Friend by Dawn Quigley
4.0
Cute chapter book. I like that this Native story is light, because all too often the stories published about them deal with trauma and pain and the ugly history that led to all that. While sadly that is true, people are more than their collective pain, so this is a great balance. Also shows kids that Natives are still here.
Also appreciate Jo Jo teaching pronunciations about her language. Love the line, "If you can say Tyrannosaurus rex, you can say nindizhinikaaz."
Another good scene was when she talks about her and Fern sitting at the Blue Table, or the "Kids Kicked Out of the Red Table 'Cause We Can't Read So Good." I know Quigley has a soft spot for kids who struggle with school, judging from her story in Ancestor Approved, so it's nice to see her portray them in all their complexities.
Also appreciate Jo Jo teaching pronunciations about her language. Love the line, "If you can say Tyrannosaurus rex, you can say nindizhinikaaz."
Another good scene was when she talks about her and Fern sitting at the Blue Table, or the "Kids Kicked Out of the Red Table 'Cause We Can't Read So Good." I know Quigley has a soft spot for kids who struggle with school, judging from her story in Ancestor Approved, so it's nice to see her portray them in all their complexities.