A bustling anthology of 16 short stories framed by opening and closing poems all connect to an annual intertribal powwow in Ann Arbor. Readers are immersed in the sights, sounds, energy, and emotions of a powwow experience as diverse Native protagonists, most older children and young teens (and one rez dog), prepare for, travel to, and converge on the event for a variety of reasons: They’re experienced or novice powwow dancers; or vendors’ kids helping to sell the “World’s Best Fry Bread,” corn soup, or jewelry on the powwow circuit. One is a wryly resigned traveler with a lively group of Choctaw Elders; another is staying with his cousin while his professor parents speak at the university. Their reasons for being there are sometimes an aside to the plot of their particular stories, which are thoughtful, funny, probing, or all of the above. Most of the characters are strongly connected to their Native culture and identities; one is just starting to explore his Native heritage, another is challenged to consider questions of identity and belonging through another's eyes. The contributors collaborated to reference one another’s characters, allowing the work as a whole to mirror the interconnectedness of an intertribal powwow experience. Across stories that read with ease, each of these characters from a number of different North American Indigenous cultures illuminate a facet of the complexity of Native identity and experience in a collection that is purposeful, affirming, and always entertaining. (Ages 9-14)

“A groundbreaking Indigenous anthology for young people . . . A joyful invitation to celebrate the circle of ancestors together.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

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.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books