For most of her life, Maisie has had one dream: to be a professional ballet dancer. When a knee injury puts a stop to her intensive training, Maisie slips into a depression. Despite her efforts in physical therapy, she worries she won’t recover in time for spring auditions. She misses her ballet friends and struggles in school. On a family trip to the Olympic Peninsula to hike and hunt razor clams, Maisie, who is Makah and Piscataway, ignores the lingering aches and pains in her knee until a fall reinjures her tendon. Finally acknowledging that a future as a professional dancer will not come to pass, Maisie finds support and solidarity from her mother, who shares the story of her own unexpected and difficult life change: When Maisie was a baby, Maisie’s father died while serving in Iraq. In a novel that offers a welcome look at a pre-teen’s mental health struggles, Maisie realistically hides her feelings and does not initially recognize her depression for what it is. Her family—whose Native identity and history is brought to light in many ways, including through Maisie’s stepfather’s stories—provides consistent love and care despite Maisie’s angry outbursts, and adjusts to Maisie’s needs as they become known. (Ages 9-12)

American Indian Youth Literature Award: Middle Grade Honor Book! In this evocative and heartwarming novel for readers who loved The Thing About Jellyfish, the author of I Can Make This Promise tells the story of a Native American girl struggling to find her joy again.

It’s been a hard year for Maisie Cannon, ever since she hurt her leg and could not keep up with her ballet training and auditions.

Her blended family is loving and supportive, but Maisie knows that they just can’t understand how hopeless she feels. With everything she’s dealing with, Maisie is not excited for their family midwinter road trip along the coast, near the Makah community where her mother grew up.

But soon, Maisie’s anxieties and dark moods start to hurt as much as the pain in her knee. How can she keep pretending to be strong when on the inside she feels as roiling and cold as the ocean?

The Heartdrum imprint centers a wide range of intertribal voices, visions, and stories while welcoming all young readers, with an emphasis on the present and future of Indian Country and on the strength of young Native heroes. In partnership with We Need Diverse Books.