Welcome, Literary Community

Cynsations: Celebrating Children’s & Young Adult Literature

ON A WING AND A TEAR by Cynthia Leitich Smith, cover by Natasha Donovan (Heartdrum, Sept. 17, 2024). Ages 8 -12.

Like all Kansas City kids, I got on a bus with my classmates and traveled to the American Royal Rodeo. I remember the Clydesdale horses who were so enormous that I was almost afraid of them and Dolly in concert. She was genuinely luminous, sparkly with the voice of an angel, and I have been a devoted fan ever since. Up until recently, Dolly was the only famous vocalist I’d ever seen live in concert.

Dolly cemented her place in my heart with her Imagination Library. Her “Backwoods Barbie” album carried me through a mid-forties divorce and reinvention. I brush-stroked in a reference to her song “Jesus and Gravity” playing on the radio during my middle-grade roadtrip novel, ON A WING AND A TEAR (Heartdrum).

Rest in song, Dolly. You will be loved always.

“Mistakes, and how we respond to them, teaches us who we are and allows us to choose who we want to become. This is why it’s so important to let kids make mistakes. In real life, and in the books they read.” —Christine Hartman Derr from Teen Librarian Toolbox at School Library Journal

★ “A gently magical tale of a Cherokee girl’s coming of age that tenderly handles very real issues; a strongly recommended debut for fiction collections.” —School Library Journal (starred); the novel has also received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews

“Eventually…I had to consider the possibility that maybe all the time I spent searching for the right thing to perfect my process was just a way to avoid the scary inevitable. If I wanted to write a book, I was going to have to actually write it at some point. The trade-off I promised myself was this: I have to write the book, but I get to write it my way.”

—Kauakanilehua Mahoe Adams, guest post for Uma Krishnaswami

Highlights of Publishers Weekly Fall Preview Top 10 YA books include LIKE GLASS by Jen Ferguson (Métis and white), cover art by Alanah Jewell (Oneida Nation of the Thames)(Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 13-up.

Stars are shining on Heartdrum’s 2026 releases!

AANIIN: I SEE YOUR LIGHT, written by Dawn Quigley (Ojibwe), illustrated by Nanibah Chacon (Navajo) (Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 4-up. Starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal.

FREE TO FLY, written by Karina Iceberg (Aleut-Alutiiq), illustrated by Steph Littlebird (Kalapuya/Chinook)(Heartdrum, 2026). Age 4-up. Starred review from Kirkus Reviews.

A GOOD HIDE, written by Karina Iceberg (Aleut (Unangax^) and Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) Nations), illustrated by Natasha Donovan (Métis)(Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 4-up. Starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly.

HERE COME THE AUNTIES!, written by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee), illustrated by Aphelandra (Oneida)(Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 4-up. Starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal.

STRONGER THAN, written by Nikki Grimes and Stacy Wells (Choctaw), illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Lenni Lenape)(Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 4-up. Starred reviews from Booklist and School Library Journal.

RAVEN, RISING by Christine Hartman Derr (Cherokee), cover art by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw)(Heartdrum, summer 2026). Ages 8-up. Starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal.

AN EXPANSE OF BLUE by Kauakanilehua Mahoe Adams (Kanaka Maoli/Native Hawaiian), cover art by JT Ojerio (Kanaka Maoli/Native Hawaiian)(Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 13-up. Starred reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and Shelf Awareness.

MEDICINE WHEELS by Byron Graves (Red Lake Ojibwe), cover art by Kameron White (Cherokee-Choctaw)(Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 13-up. Starred reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and Shelf Awareness.

SHARDS OF SILENCE by Brian Young (Navajo), cover art by Lynnette Haozous (San Carlos Apache Tribe/Chiricahua Apache, Navajo, and Taos Pueblo ancestry)(Heartdrum, 2026). Starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal.

Coming soon:

HERE COME THE GRANDMAS!, written by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee), illustrated by Aphelandra (Oneida)(Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 4-up.

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN: DONADAGOHVI, written by Christine Hartman Derr (Cherokee), illustrated by Morgan Thompson (Cherokee)(Heartdrum, 2026) Ages 4-up.

LIKE GLASS by Jen Ferguson (Métis and white), cover art by Alanah Jewell (Oneida Nation of the Thames)(Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 13-up.

“…it’s about falling in love with a passion that becomes a saving grace, a lighthouse if you will, for Bryce’s dark moments in his young life.” —Byron Graves from Nerd Daily

Celebrate Aunt’s Day with HERE COME THE AUNTIES! by Cynthia Leitich Smith and Aphelandra (Heartdrum, 2026)!

★ “A rapturous reflection on community worth holding close to one’s heart.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “A wealth of aunties contribute to an Indigenous child’s day-to-day in this lovingly communal picture book portrait.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ “A raucous and rousing profile of aunties, this is a story to be enjoyed across cultures and grade ranges.” —School Library Journal, starred review

Rosemary Brosnan and Cynthia Leitich Smith at Heartdrum have bought THE GROUND SHIFTS, a debut middle grade novel by AJ Eversole. When a Cherokee student photographer is assigned to cover the annual Oklahoma Land Rush reenactment for the school’s yearbook, she must decide how to use her camera and voice to tell the truth about the past, even as it challenges relationships and her own understanding of history. Publication is set for summer 2028; John Cusick and Hannah Teachout at Folio Literary Management sold world English rights.

What a phenomenal four days at the We Need Diverse Books Native Children’s-YA Writing Intensive in Irving, Texas! Mvto/thank you, keynote speaker Kauakanilehua Māhoe Adams, Leigh Baker, hosting editor Rosemary Brosnan, agent-faculty John Cusick, workshop co-chair Christine Hartman Derr, Danielle Emerson, pro-track speaker AJ Eversole, Susan Foss, pro-track speaker Karina Iceberg, editor-faculty Alyssa Miele, Jennifer March, Meggan Taylor, Autumn Loyal Watkins, program assistant Stacy Wells, WNDB Native Fund Rep. and Leslie Stall Widener. Mvto/thank you, We Need Diverse Books and HarperChildren’s.

Cover Reveal! JO JO MAKOONS: THE FUN FIELD TRIP by Dawn Quigley and Tara Audibert (Heartdrum, 2027).

Celebrate the new school year with Heartdrum picture books!

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN: DONADAGOHVI, written by Christine Hartman Derr (Cherokee), illustrated by Morgan Thompson (Cherokee)(Heartdrum, 2026) Ages 4-up.

First review is a rave! “Thompson’s artwork deftly, dreamily, incorporates tribal motifs into landscapes, animals, and backgrounds. Glowing swirls of the Cherokee syllabary encircle Millie and her mother as they read a book together, ‘in their own circle of light.'” —Kirkus Reviews

Celebrate the new school year with Heartdrum middle grade books!

★ “Compassionate, sensate prose relays her gradual understanding of herself and her loved ones, while brief interludes from Browyn’s perspective prior to her death strengthen the novel’s emotional resonance, culminating in a nuanced and deeply gratifying examination of loss. —Publishers Weekly, starred

Celebrate the new school year with Heartdrum young adult books!

HERE COME THE GRANDMAS!, written by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee), illustrated by Aphelandra (Oneida)(Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 4-up. Available for pre-order today!

This heartwarming and exuberant book honors the blessings of every grandmother in a child’s life, by distinguished author Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee) and illustrator Aphelandra (Oneida).

Whether a grandma is mom’s mom or dad’s mom, a great-grandma, a foster grandma, or an honorary grandma, grandmothers bring a special kind of love wherever they go. Grandmas tell stories, teach skills, and make memories, and no community is complete without their helpful hands, loving presence, and good humor.

A wonderful gift from or for a treasured grandma!

Pre-order GABRIEL’S WINTER COUNT by Andrea M. Page and Alfreda Beartrack Algeo (Charlesbridge, 2026).

ABOUT

We are never alone in our tiyospaye.

Gabriel’s parents are leaving to serve, and he will stay with his grandmother, his unci. When Gabriel forgets to give his parents a parting gift, an important tradition in their Lakota family, he is bereft.

But then he learns about winter counts from Unci, and as they wait out the long months for Mama and Daddy to return, he becomes the keeper of the winter count in their family.

Bestselling children’s and young adult author Cynthia Leitich Smith is the recipient of the American Indian Writers Award. Presented biennially, the American Indian Writers Award recognizes written contributions of outstanding American Indian authors, poets, journalists, and film and stage scriptwriters.

New York Public Library Vibrant Voices: New Books from Authors of Color include:

ALMOST SUNSET by Wahab Algarmi (HarperAlley)

AND THEY WALK ON by Kevin Maillard and Rafael López (Roaring Brook)

LEGENDARY FRYBREAD DRIVE-IN: INTERTRIBAL STORIES, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Heartdrum). Featured contributors: Kaua Māhoe Adams, Marcella Bell, Angeline Boulley, K.A. Cobell, A. J. Eversole, Jen Ferguson, Eric Gansworth, Byron Graves, Kate Hart, Christine Hartman Derr, Karina Iceberg, Cheryl Isaacs, Darcie Little Badger, David A. Robertson, Andrea L. Rogers, Cynthia Leitich Smith, and  Brian Young.

#diversebooks #weneeddiversebooks #childrensbooks #picturebooks #YABooks

“An enjoyable read-aloud about the essential part grandmothers play in a child’s world and the joy they bring to their families and community.” —School Library Journal

The Horn Book: “Adams’s verse novel makes inventive use of the page as a visual medium. Her imagery evokes emotions and experiences ranging from isolation, helplessness, and loneliness to self-confidence, courage, and freedom. While Aouli experiences loss and changes in her relationships, she also gains self-trust, romantic love, and connection to her ancestors.”

8/25

Pre-order the paperback edition of A CONSTELLATION OF MINOR BEARS by Jen Ferguson (Métis and white), cover art by Bailey Macabre (Plains Cree; Michif/Ukrainian)(Heartdrum, 2024). Ages 13-up. Paperback release: Sept. 29.

8/26

Happy International Dog day! Check out BOWWOW POWWOW by Brenda J. Child), Jonathan Thunder, and Gordon Jourdain (Minnesota Historical Society Press) and ANCESTOR APPROVED: INTERTRIBAL STORIES FOR KIDS, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Heartdrum!) In ANCESTOR APPROVED, a rez dog character, created by author Rebecca Roanhorse, is an interconnecting story element.

From People: Get a jumpstart on spooky season with BACK FOR BLOOD: NEVER WHISTLE AT NIGHT PART II, an Indigenous horror anthology with stories by the likes of Jessica Doe, P.C. Verrone, Jim Terry, Jessica Johns, A.J. Eversole, Sonia Marie Barry, Stephen Graham Jones, Alicia Elliott, Mat RudeWalker and others.

8/28

Book Riot Best (Middle Grade) Books of the Century include: A LONG WALK TO WATER by Linda Sue Park (Clarion); ONE CRAZY SUMMER by Rita Williams-Garcia (HarperChildren’s); ALL THIRTEEN: THE INCREDIBLE CAVE RESCUE OF THE THAI BOYS’ SOCCER TEAM by Christina Soontornvat (Candlewick Press); BROWN GIRL DREAMING by Jacqueline Woodson (Nancy Paulsen); EL DEAFO by Cece Bell (Abrams); ANCESTOR APPROVED: INTERTRIBAL STORIES FOR KIDS, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith; THE JUMBIES by Tracey Baptiste (Little, Brown); and THE PARKER INHERITANCE by Varian Johnson (Scholastic).

8/30

Books are good medicine. Many years ago, a librarian asked me to sign a copy of RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME for her niece who had stopped communicating after the death of a dear friend. The librarian offered the novella in a stack of several titles reflecting a variety of genres and topics. Later, the niece began speaking about her loss, using the book as a bridge. “I understand how Rain felt about having to wear a ridiculous dress to the funeral.”

Today, I’m highlighting four Heartdrum books that, to varying degrees, center this universal theme. The acclaimed YA novels LIKE GLASS by Jen Ferguson and REZ BALL by Byron Graves offer resonant, emotionally wise storylines about the loss of a sibling. The picture book UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN: DONADAGOHVI by Christine Hartman Derr and Morgan Thompson highlights a young girl getting to know a grandfather she met never through gifts he left behind, and my debut novel for tweens, RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME, features a girl navigating life through the lens of a camera after the death of her best friend.

ABOUT

Every Aug. 30, National Grief Awareness Day honors the reality that healing from great loss doesn’t follow any particular timeline or require any specific way of acting and feeling.

8/31

★ ★ 2nd starred review! “A Métis teen travels to the town where her sister died and where her father now lives to understand them both in this genuine and chaotically adventurous YA exploration of grief and personhood.” —Shelf Awareness, starre

Sept. 1

Do you know actor Meegwun Fairbrother from Netflix’s reimagining of “Little House On The Prairie” or from “Outlander” or from the audio edition of HERE COME THE AUNTIES! by Cynthia Leitich Smith and Aphelandra (Heartdrum)?

Sept. 2

I love to visit book lovers! Please contact Carmen Oliver at The Booking Biz (thebookingbiz.com) for rate information and availability for keynotes, workshops, festivals, museum appearances, and library & school visits.

ABOUT

Cynthia Leitich Smith is a bestselling, acclaimed author of books for all ages, including Here Come the Grandmas!, Here Come the Aunties!, Firefly Season, Jingle Dancer, Indian Shoes, On a Wing and a Tear, Sisters of the Neversea, the Blue Stars series (with Kekla Magoon), Rain Is Not My Indian Name, Harvest House, and Hearts Unbroken, which won the American Indian Youth Literature Award. Cynthia is also the anthologist of Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids and of Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories, which won the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature and the American Indian Youth Literature Award. She has been honored with the American Library Association’s Children’s Literature Lecture Award and has been named the NSK Neustadt Laureate. She is the author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint at HarperChildren’s, and served as the Katherine Paterson Endowed Chair on the faculty of the MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Cynthia is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and lives in Denton, Texas.

SEPT. 3

Last call for pre-orders of HERE COME THE GRANDMAS!, written by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee), illustrated by Aphelandra (Oneida)(Heartdrum, 2026)! Ages 4-up.

This heartwarming and exuberant book honors the blessings of every grandmother in a child’s life, by distinguished author Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee) and illustrator Aphelandra (Oneida).

Whether a grandma is mom’s mom or dad’s mom, a great-grandma, a foster grandma, or an honorary grandma, grandmothers bring a special kind of love wherever they go. Grandmas tell stories, teach skills, and make memories, and no community is complete without their helpful hands, loving presence, and good humor.

A wonderful gift from or for a treasured grandma!

Sept. 4

I prefer silence or music without lyrics for writing fiction. Even better, I adore writing on my back yard porch with the garden stretched in front of me, the hummingbirds swooping, and the fountains gurgling, but not when it’s been over 100 degrees for a month in north Texas.

When I’m inside, focused on administrative work, I like chatter in the background. Maybe that’s because I spent a fair amount of my youth writing in noisy newsrooms. Whatever the case, today I’m sharing my fave YouTube channels.

First up is my go-to to find writing background music. Monterey Bay Aquarium offers Krill Waves Radio and a variety of livestreams, of which my favorite is the jellyfish. Bonus: it turns your TV screen into a soothing virtual aquarium.

The next two are recommended for reflecting on narrative elements through the lens of TV and movies. Crazy Stupid Podcast and Cinema Therapy both feature co-hosts bantering about visual storytelling.

Esther and Adrian Battle-Marston at CSP do deep dives (an episode at a time) and offer thoughtful analysis that’s at its best when contextualizing the themes to the larger culture. The couple strikes me as infinitely engaging dinner companions. If they’re ever in Denton, Texas, tacos are on me!

Cinema Therapy is obviously more film focused, pairing therapist Johnathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright. CT is a go-to for character studies. They’re both goofballs in a good way and vaguely oblivious to race and gender subtexts, but you can tell they’re aware of that and working to do better by inviting on guest commentators. Tacos for them, too!

Nick Lewis is an interior designer, and you know, writers spend *a lot* of time in our spaces. He’s helped me elevate mine, if only by osmosis. When I’m working, I’m either at home or somewhere that requires plane travel. My place needs to serve my logistical needs, reinforce my focus, inspire fresh perspectives, and ground me in my history and sensibility. Okay, if Nick heard me say something like that he’d probably defuse the earnestness with a witty comment. You always know where he stands on his less preferred trends—cheekiness is served. But unlike many commentators, he never crosses the line to mean-spiritedness. Every once in a great while, he offers a update on his personal life, and I’m cheerfully rooting for his happiness.

I would call SoFie Reacts a guilty pleasure, except that I’m unrepentant. An internet search told me that the charming young woman behind the mic is Safae Mokadem. I found her channel during an annual rewatch of “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer,” which is one of my comfort shows. She’s expanded her selections over the years, and I find her emotional investment in the characters and storylines refreshing. SR offers smart commentary without an ounce of self-aggrandizement or cynicism. Not all fandoms are as welcoming to women as they should be, and SR offers me a friendly place to land.

SEPT. 5

This September is the 10th anniversary of World Kid Lit Month, a time to embrace international books for young people. “It’s all about reading and discovering books from or set in another country, and stories translated into English from other languages.” Find a link in stories to a related interview from Cynsations! https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/2016/09/guest-interview-marcia-lynx-qualey-on/ #WorldKidLitMonth

SEPT. 7

@unesco: Sept. 8 2026, is the 60th anniversary of International Literacy Day (ILD). The theme is “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity,” and the initiative “provides an opportunity to take stock of progress, deepen understanding of persistent and emerging challenges, and shape future literacy agendas in a rapidly changing world…The celebration is on Sept. 8 and Sept 9 in Mexico and will be accessible online in English, French and Spanish.”

For 60 years, countries and partners have “advanced literacy as a fundamental human right and a powerful driver of peace and sustainable development.”

Featured Books

THIS IS A STORY by John Schu and Lauren Castillo (Candlewick)

THE OLDEST STUDENT: HOW MARY WALKER LEARNED TO READ by Rita Lorraine Hubbard and Oge Mora (Ann Schwartz Books)

BUNNY’S BOOK CLUB by Annie Silvestro and Tatjana Mai-Wyss (Doubleday Books for Young Readers)

THE WOMBAT’S GO WILD FOR WORDS by Beth Ferry and Lori Nichols (Random House Kids)

SEPT. 8 Grandmas NOW AVAILABLE

Now available! HERE COME THE GRANDMAS!, written by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee), illustrated by Aphelandra (Oneida)(Heartdrum, 2026)! Ages 4-up.

This heartwarming and exuberant book honors the blessings of every grandmother in a child’s life, by distinguished author Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee) and illustrator Aphelandra (Oneida).

Whether a grandma is mom’s mom or dad’s mom, a great-grandma, a foster grandma, or an honorary grandma, grandmothers bring a special kind of love wherever they go. Grandmas tell stories, teach skills, and make memories, and no community is complete without their helpful hands, loving presence, and good humor.

A wonderful gift from or for a treasured grandma!

Sept. 9

Congratulations to Heartdrum debut author Kauakanilehua Māhoe Adams (Kanaka Maoli/Native Hawaiian)! AN EXPANSE OF BLUE is a finalist for the 2026 Golden Poppy, award by California Independent Booksellers Alliance (CALIBA), in recognition of the most distinguished books written and illustrated by creators who have made California their home. Committees for each category are made up of booksellers throughout the state tasked with developing a list of five finalists and one winner.

ABOUT THE BOOK

AN EXPANSE OF BLUE by Kauakanilehua Mahoe Adams (Kanaka Maoli/Native Hawaiian), cover art by JT Ojerio (Kanaka Maoli/Native Hawaiian)(Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 13-up. Fans of THE POET X will fall for this powerful, romantic debut novel-in-verse about a Native Hawaiian girl’s fight to find belonging in a fracturing family, sharing a message of love with resounding emotional truth.

★ Booklist (starred): “…creative placement of spare, expressive free verse on pages generous with white space will appeal to both literary and reluctant readers, as will Aouli’s fervent love for her sister and Nalu, for the blue sky, and for the big blue sea.”

★ Publishers Weekly (starred): “Via distinctive and emotionally resonant verse, Adams crafts an evocative story about identity, devotion, and belonging.“

★ Shelf Awareness (starred): “…as is so often true of poetry, its specificity is what lends to its universality—in the wide expanse of space between Aouli’s words, anyone might find a piece of themselves reflected.”

Quinney Institute: “This delightful and engaging collection of stories is cohesive and brilliantly connected around the premise of the existence of Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In, a magical space to learn, heal, grow, and be in community: ‘established by grandparents of various tribal Nations to offer hope, humor, and healing to young heroes of Turtle Island’ (Foreword.) The short stories and poems in this collection celebrate Indigenous culture and weave together Intertribal stories from many places and through many voices and perspectives centered around belonging; it is a joy to read for all audiences. The authors address diverse contemporary issues facing modern Indigenous youth, friends, and families, providing new perspectives and insight into topics such as intergenerational connection, love, identity, loss, and reconciliation. We believe the collection thoroughly embodies the spirit of the Quinney award by teaching, through narrative, about Native identity and culture, voice, strength, community, and connection.”

Sept. 10

Cynthia Leitich Smith

Here Come the Grandmas and Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories

September 10, 2026 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Pacific Time

“We look forward to seeing you for our upcoming Native Ways of Knowing Book Club Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. (Pacific Time), where we are featuring Cynthia Leitich Smith. Our next NWOK Book Club Webinar is in celebration and honoring of Grandparents’ Day. Cynthia Leitich Smith, a citizen of the Muscogee Nation, is a bestselling and acclaimed author, anthologist, educator, mentor, and influential advocate for Native voices in children’s and young adult literature. Her extensive body of work includes Here Come the Aunties!, Firefly Season, Jingle Dancer, Indian Shoes, On a Wing and a Tear, Sisters of the Neversea, Rain Is Not My Indian Name, Harvest House, and Hearts Unbroken, which received the American Indian Youth Literature Award. She is also the anthologist of Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids and Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories, which received both the Michael L. Printz Award and American Indian Youth Literature Award. Cynthia serves as author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint of HarperCollins Children’s Books dedicated to publishing and uplifting Native writers, illustrators, stories, and young readers. Her commitment to developing the next generation of Native writers extends beyond publishing: Cynthia coordinates and teaches the annual We Need Diverse Books Native Children’s-YA Writing Intensive, which supports, mentors, and empowers Native storytellers as they develop their craft and bring their stories to young readers.

“Cynthia will be featured in two NWOK Book Club webinars on September 10 highlighting Here Come the Grandmas and Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories, and on January 14 celebrating new Native-authored releases for 2027. Through her writing, publishing leadership, teaching, and mentorship, Cynthia is not only creating powerful Native literature herself but also opening doors for other Native writers and illustrators to tell their own stories, strengthening a growing community of Native voices in children’s and young adult literature.”

https://bit.ly/NWOK-Learn

Online & In person! Join us for “Indigenous Voices: On the Page and Behind the Bylines,” presented by Cynthia Leitich Smith from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 10 at Elmer L. Anderson Library at 222 21st Av. S. in Minneapolis or online! The Friends of the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota Libraries is honored to host the 2026 Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) American Library Association (ALA) Children’s Literature Lecture. This event will also be livestreamed.

https://view.ecommunications2.umn.edu/?vawpToken=HIW56KWQLVGU3K5N2DSNNDYOWA.60269

5:30 to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026

Elmer L. Andersen Library and ONLINE

222 21st Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Sept. 11

Hilarious and heartfelt, this series is centered on a dynamic young Alaska Native woman, her family, community and career. Catch up on season one to be ready for season two this fall on streaming.

ABOUT

“Siaja is a young Inuk mother who dreams of reinventing herself in her tiny Arctic community of Ice Cove, a town where everybody knows your business. After a spontaneous – and extremely public – exit from her marriage, Siaja finds herself navigating the unpredictable, and often hilarious, highs and lows that come with relationships, motherhood, a new job, and finding your way.”

Sept. 12

Sept. 13

Celebrate Grandparents’ Day with HERE COME THE GRANDMAS!, written by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee), illustrated by Aphelandra (Oneida)(Heartdrum, 2026)! Ages 4-up. U.S. National Grandparents Day is celebrated the first Sunday after Labor Day.

Sept. 14

Do reverse order of age market.

Sept. 15

Last call for pre-orders! UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN: DONADAGOHVI, written by Christine Hartman Derr (Cherokee), illustrated by Morgan Thompson (Cherokee)(Heartdrum, 2026) Ages 4-up.

Sept. 16

Last call for pre-orders! LIKE GLASS by Jen Ferguson (Métis and white), cover art by Alanah Jewell (Oneida Nation of the Thames)(Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 13-up.

★ Publishers Weekly (starred): “a nuanced and deeply gratifying examination of loss.” 

Sept. 17

Last call for pre-orders! ON A WING AND A TEAR by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee), cover art by Natasha Donovan (Métis)(Heartdrum, 2024). Ages 8-up.

★ Kirkus Reviews (starred): “A unique and noteworthy tale that weaves together past and present with humor through stellar, multilayered writing.”

★ Publishers Weekly (starred): “Combining humor, suspense, and a quiet reverence for one’s ancestry, Smith examines how the power of community can affect emotional and physical healing, and the strength it takes to do both.”

★ Booklist (starred): “Incorporating exceptional Native American representation throughout…, this book will appeal to fans of road-trip novels and character-driven stories.”

Sept. 18

“A fantastic fall read for anyone seeking a bit of courage and magic.” —Booklist

ABOUT

RAVEN, RISING by Christine Hartman Derr (Cherokee), cover art by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw)(Heartdrum, summer 2026). Ages 8-up.

★ Publishers Weekly (starred): “a gentle, uplifting portrait of a tween seeking and finding support.”

★ Kirkus Reviews (starred): “Raven’s journey, which addresses grief, stereotypes, identity, agency, and more, unfolds with warmth and depth, while demonstrating the difference that collective voices can make and the healing that can be found in community. A heartfelt and relevant story that’s brimming with hope.”

★ School Library Journal (starred): “A gently magical tale of a Cherokee girl’s coming of age that tenderly handles very real issues; a strongly recommended debut for fiction collections.”

Sept. 21 World Gratitude Day

Happy World Gratitude Day! Gratitude is a daily practice, so let’s shine a light on it.

Featured books:

THANK YOU, OMU! by Ogre Mora (Little, Brown)

Until We Meet Again Sept. 22 pub date

Now available! UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN: DONADAGOHVI, written by Christine Hartman Derr (Cherokee), illustrated by Morgan Thompson (Cherokee)(Heartdrum, 2026) Ages 4-up.

Sept. 23

“Bryce shows real emotional growth as he falls in love with skateboarding, improves his mental health, and engages with his community. A textured, heartwarming story of growth and connection.” —Kirkus Reviews

The novel also has received starred reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and Shelf Awareness.

ABOUT

MEDICINE WHEELS by Byron Graves (Red Lake Ojibwe), cover art by Kameron White (Cherokee-Choctaw)(Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 13-up. The American Indian Youth Literature and Morris Award-winning author of REZ BALL returns with the unforgettable story of a gifted young Ojibwe athlete learning to ride in his father’s footsteps while practicing for a skateboarding championship.

Sept. 24

Now, that it’s officially autumn, let’s break out seasonal books!

FEATURED

A GOOD HIDE, written by Karina Iceberg (Aleut (Unangax^) and Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) Nations), illustrated by Natasha Donovan (Métis)(Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 4-up.

RAVEN, RISING by Christine Hartman Derr (Cherokee), cover art by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw)(Heartdrum, summer 2026). Ages 8-up.

HARVEST HOUSE by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick, April 11, 2023). Ages 12-up.

SHARDS OF SILENCE by Brian Young (Navajo), cover art by Lynnette Haozous (San Carlos Apache Tribe/Chiricahua Apache, Navajo, and Taos Pueblo ancestry)(Heartdrum, 2026).

Sept. 25 ALSC Lecture Reminder

Reminder! Online & In person! Join us for “Indigenous Voices: On the Page and Behind the Bylines,” presented by Cynthia Leitich Smith from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 10 at Elmer L. Anderson Library at 222 21st Av. S. in Minneapolis or online! The Friends of the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota Libraries is honored to host the 2026 Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) American Library Association (ALA) Children’s Literature Lecture. This event will also be livestreamed. https://view.ecommunications2.umn.edu/?vawpToken=HIW56KWQLVGU3K5N2DSNNDYOWA.60269

Sept. 30

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 in Canada honors the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. It’s also known as Orange Shirt Day, prioritizing public education and healing across Canada and the United States. To reckon with parallel assimilation policies, the U.S. has adopted the date as a National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools.

Sept. 28

Kirkus Reviews Audio: “Words and phrases are often repeated in this verse format, but Adams is able to deepen the feeling with each repetition.” Note: Kirkus Earphones Award.

AN EXPANSE OF BLUE, written and read by Kauakanilehua Mahoe Adams (Kanaka Maoli/Native Hawaiian), cover art by JT Ojerio (Kanaka Maoli/Native Hawaiian)(Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 13-up.

Oct. 1

Celebrate the scary season with Indigenous YA horror, mystery and suspense! Highlighted books:

BAD MEDICINE

DEATH IN THE TALL GRASS by Andrea L. Rogers (Levine Querido)

ELATSOE by Darcie Little Bader (Levine Querido)

FIREKEEPER’S DAUGHTER by Angeline Boulley (Henry Holt)

HARVEST HOUSE by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick Press)

LOOKING FOR SMOKE by KA Cobell (Heartdrum)

MAN MADE MONSTERS by Andrea L. Rogers (Levine Querido)

THE OTHERS by Cheryl Isaacs (Heartdrum)

SISTERS IN THE WIND by Angeline Boulley (Henry Holt)

SNAKE FALLS TO EARTH by Darcie Little Badger (Levine Querido)

THE UNFINISHED by Cheryl Isaacs (Heartdrum)

WARRIOR GIRL UNEARTHED by Angeline Boulley (Henry Holt)

Oct. 2

🦇 LOVE BITES AT SANGUINI’S: THE TANTALIZE SERIES 🦇
Four novels. One e-bundle from @candlewickpress.
Now in chronological order—because vampires deserve continuity, too.

Perfect for readers who crave:

• Girls with grit
• Diverse heroes
• Monster mayhem
• Paranormal romance
• Buffy vibes

#ParanormalRomance #YAHorror #VampireBooks #OctoberReads #BookTokMadeMeDoIt #BTVS

Oct. 3

★ “beautifully written story that digs with unflinching honesty into complex issues of grief and messy relationships. A painful and genuine exploration of family, self, and creative expression.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred

The novel also has received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Shelf Awareness.

ABOUT

LIKE GLASS by Jen Ferguson (Métis and white), cover art by Alanah Jewell (Oneida Nation of the Thames)(Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 13-up. From award-winning author Jen Ferguson (Métis) comes the luminous story of a family steeped in grief and love.

Oct. 4

Since 1982, Banned Books Week has addressed challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools, highlighting “the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas.”

The 2026 theme is Let Books Be — Protect the Freedom to Read.

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

“The struggle against book bans is too immense to capture in a single image. This year’s Banned Books Week campaign features three illustrations showing how libraries and access to information enrich our lives. The artwork from award-winning illustrators Hyesu Lee, Loveis Wise, and Mikey Burton embraces joy and creativity as acts of resilience, reminding our communities that a handful of people running organized censorship campaigns should not be allowed to dictate what the rest of us can read.”

TOP 11 MOST CHALLENGED BOOKS OF 2025

SOLD by Patricia McCormick

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky

GENDER QUEER by Maia Kobabe

EMPIRE OF STORMS by Sarah J. Maas

LAST NIGHT AT THE TELEGRAPH CLUB by Malinda Lo (tie with TRICKS)

TRICKS by Ellen Hopkins (tie with LAST NIGHT…)

A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES by Sarah J. Maas

A CLOCKWORK ORANGE by Anthony Burgess (tie with next books)

IDENTICAL by Ellen Hopkins (tie with immediately previous and next books)

LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green (tie with previous two and next books)

STORM AND FRY by Jennifer L. Armentrout (tie with previous books)

Oct. 5

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Featured books:

THE RECESS QUEEN by Alexis O’Neill and Laura Huliska-Beith (Scholastic)

“Swirling perspectives in the gouache-and-collage artwork provide a sense of movement and largesse. And humorous details, such as steam coming from Mean Jean’s ears, or her bouncing another child like a ball, playfully convey the underlying drama of the situation.” —Publishers Weekly

CHRYSANTHEMUM by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow)

★ “Henkes’s language and humor are impeccably fresh, his cozy illustrations sensitive and funny, his little asides to adults an unobtrusive delight. . . . Another winner from this perceptive artist.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

RAVEN, RISING by Christine Hartman Derr (Heartdrum)

★ School Library Journal (starred): “A gently magical tale of a Cherokee girl’s coming of age that tenderly handles very real issues; a strongly recommended debut for fiction collections.”

Like Glass Oct. 6 Pub Date

Now available! LIKE GLASS by Jen Ferguson (Métis and white), cover art by Alanah Jewell (Oneida Nation of the Thames)(Heartdrum, 2026). Ages 13-up.

★ Publishers Weekly (starred): “a nuanced and deeply gratifying examination of loss.” 

Oct 6 pub date

Pre-order GABRIEL’S WINTER COUNT by Andrea M. Page and Alfreda Beartrack Algeo (Charlesbridge, 2026).

ABOUT

We are never alone in our tiyospaye.

Gabriel’s parents are leaving to serve, and he will stay with his grandmother, his unci. When Gabriel forgets to give his parents a parting gift, an important tradition in their Lakota family, he is bereft.

But then he learns about winter counts from Unci, and as they wait out the long months for Mama and Daddy to return, he becomes the keeper of the winter count in their family.

Oct. 7

Now available! ON A WING AND A TEAR by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee), cover art by Natasha Donovan (Métis)(Heartdrum, 2024). Ages 8-up.

★ Kirkus Reviews (starred): “A unique and noteworthy tale that weaves together past and present with humor through stellar, multilayered writing.”

★ Publishers Weekly (starred): “Combining humor, suspense, and a quiet reverence for one’s ancestry, Smith examines how the power of community can affect emotional and physical healing, and the strength it takes to do both.”

★ Booklist (starred): “Incorporating exceptional Native American representation throughout…, this book will appeal to fans of road-trip novels and character-driven stories.”

Oct. 8

“This coming-of-age story is recommended, especially for readers in a time of transition who will relate to the flow and feelings of the protagonist.” School Library Journal

Oct. 12 Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Nov. 1

Celebrate Native Heritage Month with 2026 picture books recommended at IndigenousReadsRising.com.

Nov. 2

Celebrate Native Heritage Month with 2026 chapter books and middle grade books recommended at IndigenousReadsRising.com.

Nov. 3

Celebrate Native Heritage Month with 2026 young adult books recommended at IndigenousReadsRising.com.

Nov. 4

Native military family representation in my fiction reflects reality. According to the National Indian Council on Aging, “American Indians and Alaska Natives serve in the Armed Forces at five times the national average and have served with distinction in every major conflict for over 200 years.” The U.S. population is about 1.4% Native and the military is 1.7% Native, “the highest per-capita involvement of any population to serve.” We also have the highest concentration of women servicemembers. Nearly 20 percent of Native servicemembers are women vs. 15.6% of all others.

FEATURED BOOKS

HERE COME THE GRANDMAS!, written by Cynthia Leitich Smith and illustrated by Aphelandra (Heartdrum)

INDIAN SHOES, written by Cynthia Leitich Smith, cover by Sharon Irla, interior at by MaryBeth Timothy (Heartdrum)

ON A WING AND A TEAR by Cynthia Leititch Smith, cover by Natasha Donovan (Heartdrum)

MISSION ONE: THE VICE PRINCIPAL PROBLEM (THE BLUE STARS), written by Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith, illustrated by Molly Murakami (Candlewick Press)

HARVEST HOUSE by Cynthia Leitich Smith, cover by Britt Newton (Candlewick Press)

HEARTS UNBROKEN by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick)

RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME by Cynthia Leitich Smith, cover by Natasha Donovan (Heartdrum)

Nov. 5

Online and in person SOON! Join us for “Indigenous Voices: On the Page and Behind the Bylines,” presented by Cynthia Leitich Smith from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 10 at Elmer L. Anderson Library at 222 21st Av. S. in Minneapolis or online! The Friends of the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota Libraries is honored to host the 2026 Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) American Library Association (ALA) Children’s Literature Lecture. This event will also be livestreamed. https://view.ecommunications2.umn.edu/?vawpToken=HIW56KWQLVGU3K5N2DSNNDYOWA.60269

Nov. 9

“Children’s Book Week, established in 1919, is a celebration of books and the connection they bring. This beloved program continues to grow and adapt each year with new resources and ideas for joining in. As part of the longest-running national celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading, schools, libraries, and bookstores will celebrate Children’s Book Week on May 4-10 and November 9-15, from coast to coast across all 50 states.” CBW

The 2026 poster by Grace Lin, features the spine of my middle grade novel, SISTERS OF THE NEVERSEA. Can you find it SISTERS OF THE NEVERSEA, cover by Floyd Cooper (Heartdrum) received five starred reviews, plus one for the audio edition.

Nov. 10

Rock Your Mocs is a global movement each November where Indigenous people honor culture, identity, and connection by wearing or displaying our moccasins.

Nov. 11 Veteran’s Day

According to the U.S. Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs, Veterans Day on Nov. 11 is “[a] celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”

ABOUT

I AM OSAGE: HOW CLARENCE TINKER BECAME THE FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN MAJOR GENERAL, written by Kim Rogers (Wichita), illustrated by Bobby Von Martin (Choctaw)(Heartdrum, 2024). Ages 4-up.

This informative and inspiring picture book by acclaimed author Kim Rogers (Wichita), with striking artwork by debut illustrator Bobby Von Martin (Choctaw), celebrates the achievements of Clarence Tinker, a member of the Osage Nation who became the first Native American major general.

Clarence Tinker always knew that he wanted to do something extraordinary. Something adventurous. Something that made a difference in the world. But as a member of the Osage Nation at the turn of the twentieth century, there were a lot of obstacles that he had to face to achieve his dreams. When he was a child, Clarence was taken away from his family and community. He was forced to attend a prison-like boarding school, like many other Native children of his generation. There, he wasn’t able to speak his language or practice his Osage customs.

Still, Clarence kept his dream close to his heart and joined the US Army with the goal of becoming an officer. Though he was treading an unfamiliar path, he worked hard and never forgot his Osage values and traditions that, ultimately, paved his way to success.

I AM OSAGE, the first nonfiction project from the Heartdrum imprint, combines gorgeous, vibrant artwork with a stirring text that celebrates an unsung hero while also shedding light on significant American history.

★ School Library Journal (starred): “Tinker’s life unfolds and is not separate from the struggles of Indigenous people in North America, as colonial entities unlawfully or immorally controlled and restricted their freedom to pursue dreams. Von Martin’s illustration glow with the radiance of oil paintings, drawing the eye to key moments in Tinker’s life and highlighting aspects of Osage culture. VERDICT An excellent addition to nonfiction collections for young readers.”

“Validating, illuminating, and respectfully rooted in Ojibwe culture.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred)

The book has already received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal.

Threads

🦇 LOVE BITES AT SANGUINI’S: THE TANTALIZE SERIES 🦇
Four novels, one e-bundle—now in chronological order from @candlewickpress.

For fans of girl heroes with agency, diverse casts, monster mayhem, paranormal romance & Buffy vibes. 🖤

Reel

Oct. 2

Oct. 7

LOVE BITES NOW AVAILABLE

—————————