This illustrated novel retells an origin story of the first Iñupiaq Messenger Feast, a Native Alaskan tradition. Piŋa lives in the Arctic with his parents; their solitary lives revolve around the hunting, fishing, and trapping essential to their survival. In prior years, Piŋa’s two older brothers each took a trip up the mountain to get obsidian for knapping spearheads but never came back; the pain lingers for all three of them. Now Piŋa is making the same journey, vowing to return. When he encounters a threatening golden eagle that transforms into a man, Piŋa realizes he may be meeting the same fate as his brothers. The eagle reveals himself a god, and Piŋa complies with his order to make an arduous journey to the heart of the eagle’s community. There, grandmother eagle informs Piŋa he has been chosen to learn critical lessons to carry back to the human world; his survival is dependent on succeeding. Piŋa’s lengthy and challenging lessons include drumming, dancing, storytelling, how to build a qalgi shelter, and the importance of gift-giving. For his final challenge, he must return home, build a qalgi, make gifts, and bring together 100 people to share what he has learned. This spellbinding retelling of an Iñupiaq story underscores the origin of specific cultural traditions and beliefs, including the importance of people coming together in community rather than being suspicious and afraid of one another. Occasional full-page, full-color illustrations by the author enhance a unique and captivating story. (Ages 10-13)

**A NEWBERY HONOR BOOK**

A magical realistic middle grade debut about the origin story of the Iñupiaq Messenger Feast, a Native Alaskan tradition.

As his family prepares for winter, a young, skilled hunter must travel up the mountain to collect obsidian for knapping—the same mountain where his two older brothers died.

When he reaches the mountaintop, he is immediately confronted by a terrifying eagle god named Savik. Savik gives the boy a choice: follow me or die like your brothers.

What comes next is a harrowing journey to the home of the eagle gods and unexpected lessons on the natural world, the past that shapes us, and the community that binds us.

Eagle Drums by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson is part cultural folklore, part origin myth about the Messenger’s Feast – which is still celebrated in times of bounty among the Iñupiaq. It’s the story of how Iñupiaq people were given the gift of music, song, dance, community, and everlasting tradition.