Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids audiobook

tw: racism, talks of residential schools, exploration of inter-generational trauma, theft, mild dangerI absolutely loved this book. This is the kind of powwow gathering I would love to go to. I really appreciated the way serious subjects of inter-generational trauma or racism were brought to light, but in a digestible and explainable way for young adults.I have to admit, I wish Roanhorse's story had been toward the end, considering everyone saw the "Ancestor's Approved" shirt at some point in their stories, but that's a small complaint."Fancy Dancer" -something I really love about this story is the continuation of culture in secret when someone tries to take it away. It brought up the effects of domestic abuse and the small ways people reclaim themselves. "Flying Together"-I found this so heart-wrenching, we hold Native military members to such a high esteem that seeing a child deal with their parent having to leave was refreshing. I remember the loneliness and trying to make time pass quickly. I loved the grandpa, and the way they connected throughout their journey."Rez Dog Rules" I feel this story could've been the connection story and held until the end, reuniting all of the stories. But regardless, I highly enjoyed it. "Joey Reads the Sky" This story deserves its own book, I love the ways Dawn Quigley incorporates the mystical feelings/intuition some natives have been gifted with into regular stories. I deeply appreciatd this. I'm extremely grateful for Cynthia Smith, she got this fast-tracked approved, and I deeply appreciate her for letting me read this.

This anthology highlights the joy, strength, and pride of being Native-American, and I just loved this so much. This story radiates so much love and hope, and a celebration of Native-American culture and tradition.- This anthology contains stories that intersecting one another and all take place in a powwow, from the perspective of different Native-American kids from different tribes - and also from the perspective of a rez dog!- The heartwarming stories explore a wealth of themes, things that kids, especially Native-American kids, will really relate to: family, belonging, bravery, loneliness, friendship, and making hard choices. There was not a story I didn't enjoy; I genuinely loved all and how they each painted a different picture and perspective within the powwow. - I enjoyed that the stories were a celebration of Native-American identity - and the many beautiful ways that being Native-American can be different and mean different things to Native kids. - I loved that story shows how powwows are so important to connection, community, and culture. I don't live in the U.S. so my knowledge of Native-American culture is very limited, but I think this book beautifully shows why appropriating the term 'powwow' is so reductive and diminishes how important powwows are to Native-American communities.- Honestly, I loved this so much; I felt so happy after reading this.Content warning: racism, intergenerational trauma, mention of residential schools

This wonderful collection of short stories is a must for schools, children’s libraries, and young adult libraries! Each story centers on Native American traditions and they are interconnected through themes, locations, and the same stories were sometimes even shared from two different perspectives on the same scene. I enjoyed this book as an audiobook and was quite pleased with the content and variety of narrators. Happy to recommend!! NOTE: I am grateful to Libro.fm for making this available as an ALC for me as an educator.For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!

Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids is a groundbreaking anthology collection. Each chapter could be read as a standalone story, but the richness in understanding and breadth of experience are what make the collection as a whole a standout. The chapters get better as you go because the stories become more entwined with one another, furthering the beautiful message of the closing poem "Circles." Some of my favorite chapters included "Secrets and Surprises" by Traci Sorell, "Wendigos Don't Dance" by Art Coulson, and "Indian Price" by Eric Gansworth, but the entire anthology offers so much in terms of reflection for indigenous readers, and education and insight for white readers. The book is packed with social-emotional learning moments, and like a powwow - where everyone is welcome - the reader may engage with multiple and multi-faceted tribal traditions including dress style in regalia, food, legends, music style, and my favorite, a variety of native languages now found in one book. Additional resources are provided with a glossary and pronunciation guide in the back, translating each word or phrase into English. -Jess, Youth Services Find this book and other titles within our catalog.

I loved this so much! Truly, I'm so thankful I was sent an arc of this book! It was so healing, so validating, and there were even Apache characters in this book that filled my heart with so much warmth, made me feel so seen. I'm so, so thankful I was able to read this for NAHM!ARC was provided by Epic Reads in exchange for an honest review.FULL REVIEW COMING SOON!Blog|Instagram|YouTube|Ko-fi

*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.*This anthology is so wholesome. The first few pieces gave me chills, and then I finally settled into it. The interconnectedness of the characters attending the same powwow unfolded seamlessly. There’s so much to learn and take away from each piece, even if reading it without prior context about the significance of powwows and gatherings.While I’m not sure exactly what age group I would recommend this for (maybe ages 9-11?), each story can be vividly imagined/pictured by readers of all ages.

This book is a phenomenal collection. I listened to the audiobook, and the different narration was amazingly done to capture each story. I loved how there was a central event connecting each of the characters. I definitely recommend this book for anyone looking to read a light and joyful short story collection that speaks to many heartfelt themes such as connection, family, coming of age, home, and belonging.

This was awesome! Such a cool piece of Pan-Indigenous art featuring so many authors and stories set around the same Pow Wow. Really well planned and edited.

First, I was attracted to the cover illustration, which I think is great. Then, I was attracted to the title, thinking it was going to be a collection of family history stories (because of the word Ancestor in the title). What it is, however, is a collection of 16 contemporary short stories and two poems that are centered around the University of Michigan powwow that is held each year at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan (except 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19).The stories begin with a poem called "What is a Powwow?" by Kim Rogers who writes that it is about family, friends, and remembering those who have passed on, it is also dancing in regalia made with love, and eating fry bread and corn soup, and healing and soul-soothing. And these are just some aspects of what you will find in the stories that follow. One of the things I really loved about this collection is the way they connect to each other. Characters show up in different stories. For example, there is a story called "Joey Reads the Sky" by Dawn Quigley. Joey's mom sells the World Best Fry Bread and this fry bread stand also briefly appears in "Bad Dog" by Joseph Bruchac and "Between the Lines" by Cynthia Leitich Smith. One of my favorite stories is called "Rez Dog Rules" by Rebecca Roanhorse, about a dog named Ozzie with no master who travels to the Powwow with Marino. Marino is hoping to sell his silk screen T-shirts celebrating Native identity and culture to help out his grandma. At one point, Ozzie wiggles into a T-shirt that says Ancestor Approved on it and becomes a walking advertisement. The story is told from Ozzie's point of view, and he briefly appears in "Flying Together" by Kim Rogers, "Brothers" by David A. Robertson, "Wendigos Don't Dance" by Art Coulson, "Senecavajo: Alan's Story" by Brian Young, "What We Know About Glaciers" by Christine Day, and "Between the Line"s by Cynthis Leitich Smith. Connecting the stories to each other like this gives the reader a sense of continuity and the sense like they are also there, to the point where I could feel the beat of the drums as the dancers danced. And I could most definitely taste the fry bread, one of my favorite things about having lived in Arizona for a while.The stories are varied, ranging from lighthearted to very serious. There are a number of different nations represented, including Ojibwa, Choctaw, Cree, Cherokee, Navajo, Haudenosaunee, and Abenaki, and there is a smattering of words in the various Native languages throughout. I was also stunned by the impressive descriptions of the regalia that is made and worn by the dancers. By the end of the book, I had developed a much deeper appreciation for the importance of Powwow than I had had before, mainly because these stories were so informative about them. And yes, anyone can go to a powwow, just learn what the etiquette is if you are not Native. Back matter includes Notes and Acknowledgements for each story and the poems, and a Glossary of all the Native words used in the stories and the Nation they belong to. This is followed by short biographies of the different writers.Ancestor Approved is a wonderful collection that introduces young readers, as Cynthia Leitich Smith writes, to "the diversity of the intertribal Native and First Nations community, of each Indigenous Nation within it, and of young Native heroes." I was so happy to read this and discover they are perfect for middle grade readers because so often anthologies like this are geared toward young adult readers and, believe me, these are stories not to be missed. This book is recommended for readers age 9+This book was an eARC gratefully received from Edelweiss+

Through a series of linked short stories and poems, readers get to join young Native people from across the United States and Canada as they converge in Michigan for an intertribal powwow. Written by new and familiar Native authors, these stories speak to the various ways that Native families and youth stay connected or find new connection with their cultural heritage. From the World’s Best Fry Bread to dancing in regalia to solving powwow mysteries to selling items from booths, this book invites readers to experience the powwow at different levels while also connecting to nature, ancestors and shared humor and tales.The most impressive part of this collection of short stories and poems is that they are all so impressive. Each story has its own voice and point of view, featured characters and tribal connections, yet they come together in a remarkable way where they lift one another up. The stories have shared characters, including a dog who sells t-shirts, a girl selling raffle tickets and a young detective. These elements help tie the tales together, but it is the strength of the writing of each story that really makes the book work.The final poem of the book takes the drum beat that has been happening throughout the book and shows the power of the powwow and the importance of the experience for all who attend. It’s the ideal way to wrap up a book that offers so much joy, connectivity and community.One of the best short story collections for children ever, this belongs in every library. Appropriate for ages 9-12.

This was a very cool collection of short stories that all share one thing in common: the Native American PowWow at the University of Michigan. The vignettes play with perspective and touch on a spectrum of themes around the First Nations/Native American/Indian experience. I saw this on the shelf in the Children's Room and thought this was a great YA read, for someone who doesn't read too much of it!

This is a middle-grade short story collection created by 16 indigenous authors. The stories are interconnected as they tell the stories of different characters as they all attend the same Pow Wow. These stories include tales of family, understanding, inclusion, art, coming-of-age, and so much more… including a dog wearing a t-shirt 🤣I really loved each story as each held its own message and beauty, and I recommend this to all readers!