Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids

Description (Heartdrum): 
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. Find discussion questions from the publisher on page 10 of this educator guide.

Author Biography (Heartdrum): 
Cynthia Leitich Smith is the bestselling, acclaimed author of books for all ages, including Sisters of the Neversea, Rain Is Not My Indian Name, Indian Shoes, Jingle Dancer, and Hearts Unbroken, which won the American Indian Library Association’s Youth Literature Award. Most recently, she was named the 2021 NSK Neustadt Laureate. Cynthia is the author-curator of Heartdrum. She is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and lives in Austin, Texas.
 

Resource type: Book (fiction/poetry)

Age recommendation: Grades 4-6, 7-9

Keywords: short stories, Indigenous authors, powwow, dance, fancy dance, animals, Poetry, community, frybread, family, dance, drum, father, feelings, Cree, drum beat, feathers, strength, culture, native, First Nations, Treaty 8, Saskatchewan, ceremony, food, fancy dance, self confidence, resilience, Dance for Mother Earth, rediscover, stepfather, moccasins, beadwork, military, separation, grandfather, kin, grief, reunification, pride, joy, love, Elder, respect, fraud, elder abuse, forgiveness, support, regalia, fostercare, foster parents, nervous, difference, acceptance, rez dog, perspective, point of view

Year of publication: 2021

Publisher information: Heartdrum