Karlene Harvey – illustratör

Wałaas is excited to visit her family's reserve, Kitkatla, for spring break.

Kitkatla always feels like home. She and her dzi'i (grandmother) travel there by fishing boat, and on the way Wałaas spots porpoises in the sparkling waves. Once they arrive, they stay with her da'as (auntie), and her mom comes too to join in the fun.

The days pass slowly as Wałaas spends time with family, wanders the shore and enjoys foods you can't get in town, like fresh chiton and sea urchin. She likes listening to her family speak Sm’algya̱x, even though her mom won't always tell her what they're talking about, and sharing an evening snack of homemade anaay (bread) and jarred cherries. The visits to Kitkatla are never long enough, but Wałaas knows she will always return to the reserve because it's her home.

Praise for Kim Spencer:

★“Readers will be left with a rich image of Mia’s world and the family and people that surround her as well as a strong sense of how culture and class impact people’s experiences. A touching exploration of identity and culture.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review for Weird Rules to Follow

When Charlie’s Kohkom asks him what the best part of his school day was, he knows right away: Indigenous drum circle!

Kohkom tells him that not very long ago she was gifted her very first drum at a ceremony for children who never returned home from residential schools. But Charlie doesn’t understand. How could she only have gotten her first drum so recently?

Kohkom explains that she was taken from her family when she was very little because of something called the Sixties Scoop. She was raised by an adoptive white family and only later learned what being Cree meant. It’s taken her a long time to feel like she belongs. Kohkom's story gives Charlie the idea to teach her a song so they can play their drums together.

Praise for Monique Gray Smith:

★“Joyful and tender...celebrates the activities that bring gladness through family and cultural connections.”—School Library Journal, starred review for My Heart Fills With Happiness

★“Smith tackles difficult and complex conversations with straightforwardness and compassion.”—School Library Journal, starred review for Speaking Our Truth

“Gentle…Notably centering Indigenous families and characters of color in personal and communal activities—and encouraging readers to evaluate their actions toward others.”—Publishers Weekly for When We Are Kind

“Smith’s text is heartwarming!”—Debbie Reese, American Indians in Children’s Literature for You Hold Me Up

Lorsque la Kohkom de Charlie veut savoir comment s’est passée sa journée à l’école, le garçon parle avec enthousiasme du cercle de tambours Autochtone. Kohkom lui raconte qu’il n’y a pas longtemps, elle a reçu son tout premier tambour lors d’une cérémonie organisée à la mémoire des enfants qui ne sont jamais revenus des pensionnats pour Autochtones. Mais Charlie ne comprend pas. Comment se fait-il que Kohkom n’ait pas déjà reçu son premier tambour?

Kohkom explique qu’elle a été enlevée à sa famille quand elle était toute petite, lors de ce qu’on appelle la « Rafle des Années 1960 ». Elle a été adoptée par une famille blanche et c’est plus tard seulement qu’elle a découvert la culture Crie. Il lui a fallu beaucoup de temps pour commencer à se sentir à sa place. C’est une histoire triste, mais elle donne une idée à Charlie : il va enseigner une chanson à Kohkom et ils vont la jouer ensemble sur leurs tambours.

Éloges sur Monique Gray Smith:

« L’histoire est tendre et pleine de joie. […] Elle célèbre les activités qui apportent de la joie grâce aux rapports familiaux et culturels. »—Critique étoilée pour J’ai le cœur rempli de bonheur parue dans le School Library Journal

« Smith traite des conversations complexes et difficiles avec franchise et compassion. » —Critique étoilée pour Speaking Our Truth parue dans le School Library Journal