By AJ Eversole

Excited to chat with kidlit author Ginger Reno (Cherokee) today. Her debut novel, Find Her (Holiday House, 2025), was an Edgar Award Nominee and won the Oklahoma Book Award. Today she talks about her debut picture book, Spirit Shadow, illustrated by Mary Lupton (Cherokee) (Holiday House, 2026), on sale March 17th.

How is Spirit Shadow part of your own journey of connection with Cherokee heritage?

Spirit Shadow is mostly my story … An always-there feeling somewhere in the background, like something I was supposed to remember. A vivid childhood memory of a visit to a Cherokee village. Found moccasins. Willa, the main character, is named in honor of my mother who always wanted us to remember our Cherokee heritage. It took a while to come together, but I hope she’d be proud.

Willa has always had two shadows—one physical and one spiritual. Can you talk about where this central image came from and what it represents?

“Different than the shadow that danced at her feet in the sun, her Spirit Shadow followed her everywhere.”

Growing up, I was always proud to be Cherokee, but as time went by, work, marriage, and fast-paced life happened, unfortunately, I let that part of me fall into the shadows. It wasn’t intentional, I didn’t even realize it had happened.

When the pandemic forced everything to slow down, I was finally able to feel that part of me that was missing. I’ve been trying to bring my Spirit Shadow into the light ever since.

After writing Find Her (Holiday House, 2025), a powerful middle grade novel about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), what drew you to explore Cherokee identity and belonging through a picture book?

Spirit Shadow was, and is, an expression of my own desire to reconnect with my Cherokee heritage—to express the feelings that had been tapping me on the shoulder for some time. I wrote and sold Spirit Shadow first but Holiday House was determined to take the time to find just the right illustrator – and boy, did they!

Mary Lupton has truly brought Willa’s story to breathtaking life. I can’t wait for everyone to see it! SO worth the wait!

Diligwa was a real place. A replica of a 1710 Cherokee village. What was it about this specific location that made it essential to Willa’s story?

As children, mom took us to Diligwa one summer and it’s a memory that has always stuck with me. How could it not? To be transported back in time, to walk through the history of your ancestors and see how they lived was such a powerful experience.

Even now, when I think back, it was as if we were walking on sacred ground.

You’re working with debut illustrator Mary Lupton, who is also Cherokee Nation. How has this collaboration shaped the visual storytelling, particularly the incorporation of Cherokee beadwork, weaving, and syllabary?

The more I learn about Cherokee heritage, the more I realize just how much I don’t know.

It is very important to me that all things Cherokee be presented accurately and respectfully in everything I write. I am extremely fortunate that there are so many willing to share their knowledge and answer my questions.

I know Mary worked very hard to ensure every detail was represented correctly—and beautifully, I might add—in every illustration, for which I am thankful. I am definitely a member of the Mary Lupton fan club!

The description includes the beautiful phrase “brown hands crafting.” Can you talk about the importance of showing Cherokee people actively engaged in traditional practices?

Hands can tell you so much. Are they strong? Nimble? Calloused? Old? Young?

Finished wares can obviously be appreciated, but seeing for yourself the actual skill, knowledge, and time required to create takes it to a whole other level. I also believe it inspires others to want to learn and hopefully carry on the traditional artistry.

The story emphasizes Willa joining a Nation of over 400,000 people. Why was it important to convey both the individual journey and the collective identity?

We are one. We are many.

Look at everything the Cherokee—all indigenous people—have suffered through and endured. Terrible, without question. But the personal and collective strength required to survive and even thrive is awe-inspiring. For those who discover/remember they have that same overcomer spirit within them, that same shared strand of resilience in their DNA, it can be life changing.

The book ends with a message for all children to embrace their own ancestors. How did you approach making this specifically Cherokee story also universally resonant?

I believe the desire to be true to oneself is a universal concept.

Although others may have a different ancestral Shadow, chances are it still tugs at their sleeve—wants them to remember. I hope this story encourages them to make that connection.

Spirit has been “quietly beside her since the night of her birth,” beckoning Willa to claim her heritage. How do you see the relationship between ancestral presence and cultural identity?

I’m a perfect example of having one without the other. For most of my adult life, there was definitely a disconnect. Even though it was gradual and unintentional, it’s hard not to feel a certain degree of shame for allowing it to happen, and most of all, sadness for the time missed. But fortunately, my Spirit Shadow didn’t give up trying to get my attention. I am grateful.

The description calls this a powerful tale about reclaiming culture and finding your way home. What does home mean in this context, especially for Cherokee children who may be disconnected from their heritage?

Here, home is making a connection to a ginormous extended family you didn’t know you had—and it’s never too late for a family reunion.

What are you working on next?

I have two picture books I’m very excited about coming out soon:
Many Ways of Being Native – Charlesbridge, Fall, 2026
The Longest Walk – Crown Publishing, release date to be determined.
And I’m currently working on a spooky middle grade – Fingers crossed!

Cynsational Notes

Ginger Reno is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. Her desire to learn about Cherokee history and culture naturally spilled over into her writing. Spirit Shadow is part of that journey. Her debut novel, Find Her, received the Oklahoma Book Award, an Edgar Award Nomination, and was a Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Finalist. Ginger lives in northeast Oklahoma, within the Cherokee Nation, and spends a lot of lakefront porch time with her two favorite people—her unpaid proofreader husband and their German shepherd.

A.J. Eversole is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation and a writer of adult and children’s literature. Her work appears in Legendary Frybread Drive-In (Heartdrum/HarperCollins), a Michael L. Printz Award–winning anthology, Beyond the Glittering World, and Never Whistle at Night Part II (Vintage, 2026). She also reports on Native voices in literature for Cynsations. Find her online @ajeversole.