Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw's Forest Powwow

July 19, 2024

Gr 2-4-Young Cree girl Sarah recently moved to the city and has been feeling lonely. While she stays in touch with her friend Eden through letters and video chats with her grandmother K�hkom, Sarah finds it challenging to adjust to her new life. At school, a student named Joy is assigned to help her, but they haven't clicked as friends. With her mom busy with work, Sarah feels ignored and alone. One day she meets a girl named Arya, who found Sarah's stuffed animal �h�siw that she accidentally dropped. After a tough day, Sarah falls asleep and dreams of a human-sized �h�siw and other animals having a powwow in the forest. Sarah feels too embarrassed to dance, even in her dream. Her forest friends encourage her to try, and she wakes up revitalized. With newfound confidence, Sarah is excited to share her shawl at show-and-tell. Arya reveals her own feelings of loneliness in the city; Sarah finally feels understood and is excited to have a new friend. This story lovingly depicts Cree culture and depicts the common challenges of being the new kid, and how to stay connected to old friends while making new ones. While the dream sequence plays a vital role in Sarah gaining confidence, it feels slightly out of place in an otherwise realistic story about a child's experience of moving to a new place. Whitecalf's cartoon-style, grayscale illustrations complement the text through spot art and partial spreads. VERDICT This series debut centering an Indigenous girl adjusting to big changes is a recommended purchase for most libraries.-Shana Shea

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2024
Grades 1-4 Sarah, a young Cree girl, is struggling after her move from her community to the city. She hasn't yet made any friends at school and misses her community, especially her best friend, Eden, and K�hkom, her grandmother. One morning, K�hkom mysteriously asks to speak to �h�siw, Sarah's stuffed animal crow, while they're video chatting. Later, Sarah has a difficult day due to rude students and feeling ignored by her mom. She's transported to a magical place where �h�siw speaks and introduces her to his friends, and they celebrate Cree culture with a forest powwow. Through this experience, Sarah learns to be brave, use her voice, share her culture, and find new friends. The book combines rich cultural elements with an exciting plot, and readers will empathize and celebrate with Sarah as she journeys to find her voice and face her fears. The illustrations complement the narrative, providing appealing visuals that enhance the story. This book is a fantastic addition to any children's library, providing both an entertaining adventure and an introduction to Cree culture.

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