Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids

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.

Featuring stories and poems by:

Joseph Bruchac

Art Coulson

Christine Day

Eric Gansworth

Carole Lindstrom

Dawn Quigley

Rebecca Roanhorse

David A. Robertson

Andrea L. Rogers

Kim Rogers

Cynthia Leitich Smith

Monique Gray Smith

Traci Sorell,

Tim Tingle

Erika T. Wurth

Brian Young

In partnership with We Need Diverse Books

|

"This uplifting assembly affirms the vitality of Indigenous life today and offers accessible situations and characters to all young readers." - Shelf Awareness

"A thoughtful and sometimes funny celebration of a celebration, and whether kids are veteran powwow-goers or new to the experience, they’ll long for the convivial warmth of the festivities." - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"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... A joyful invitation to celebrate the circle of ancestors together." - Kirkus Reviews (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)

"A wonderful introduction to the included authors’ work and a persuasive encouragement to seek out more Indigenous stories." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"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." - Horn Book Magazine