JINGLE DANCER by Cynthia Leitich Smith, illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu (HarperCollins, 2000)(Heartdrum, 2021). Ages 4-up. Also published by HarperCollins Canada.
Jenna, a contemporary Muscogee (Creek) girl in Oklahoma, wants to honor a family tradition by jingle dancing at the next powwow. But where will she find enough jingles for her dress?
A warm family story,
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INDIAN SHOES by Cynthia Leitich Smith, paperback cover art by Sharon Irla, interior art by MaryBeth Timothy (Heartdrum, 2020, 2021). Ages 7-up. Also published by HarperCollins Canada.
Hardcover edition features cover and interior art by Jim Madsen (HarperCollins, 2002).
What do Indian shoes look like, anyway?
Like beautiful beaded moccasins…or hightops with bright orange shoelaces?
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RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME by Cynthia Leitich Smith, paperback cover by Natasha Donovan (Heartdrum, 2021). Ages 10-up. Also published by HarperCollins Canada.
Hardcover edition features a cover by Lori Early (HarperCollins, 2001).
In a voice that resonates with insight and humor, New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith tells the story of a teenage girl who must face down her grief and reclaim her place in the world with the help of her intertribal community.
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Quick Questions
- Why did Mom first leave Oklahoma?
- How long has it been since Rain’s mom died?
- How much is Rain’s weekly allowance?
- Who cruises by the house, whistling at Fynn?
- What does Fynn do for a living?
- What does Aunt Georgia give to Rain?
- What color has Aunt Georgia dyed her hair?
Continue Reading Rain Is Not My Indian Name: My Not So Secret Secret Identity »
Quick Questions
- In the journal entry, who is Galen planning to take to the dance?
- What was Mrs. Owen’s rule?
- What kind of food do Natalie and Fynn bring to Rain?
- Who is Hannesburg’s only known vegetarian?
- When Natalie and Fynn got engaged, who proposed to whom and how?
- Who in Rain’s family is a member of the Hannesburg City Council?
Continue Reading Rain Is Not My Indian Name: Moo Shu and Peace »
Quick Questions
- Who does Galen say that Queenie is going to the party with?
- What does Rain tell Queenie the next Monday at school?
- Has Rain met Spence before the day at the park?
- What does The Flash look like?
- Which camp participant never appears in the story?
- Where is Aunt Georgia proposing as a road trip for the group?
Continue Reading Rain Is Not My Indian Name: Indian Camp »
Quick Questions
- Who did Rain pick as the subject of her third grade class report?
- Who first gave Rain a toy camera?
- What room does Rain call “spacious, uncharted territory?”
- What kind of film does Rain use?
- What question is The Flash trying to answer about Native people in Hannesburg?
- What deal do he and Rain shake on?
Continue Reading Rain Is Not My Indian Name: Malibu Pocahontas »
Quick Questions
- What kind of a bridge does Aunt Georgia want the camp participants to build?
- Does Dad approve of Rain’s decision to cover summer camp for the paper?
- What does Rain discover in her hope chest that makes her determined to work things out with Natalie?
For Book Talks Or Your Journal
interviews
Aunt Georgia tells The Flash that “mostly,
Continue Reading Rain Is Not My Indian Name: Her Mother’s Daughter »
Quick Questions
- What has Marie done wrong in helping to construct the pasta bridge?
- What does Rain want to buy as a baby present?
- Why does Rain’s initial gift plan fall through?
- What does Queenie inform The Flash about the history of pasta?
- What does everyone find out about Queenie’s heritage?
Continue Reading RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME: Trailer Park Dreams »
Quick Questions
- Does Rain go to church on Sunday morning?
- Who does Spence imitate on the museum stage?
- What new measure of Mrs. Owen’s does The Flash ask the summer campers about?
- What surprise information does Queenie have for Rain about Galen and the dance?
- Where does Rain run after leaving the argument with Queenie?
Continue Reading Rain Is Not My Indian Name: Stop The Presses »
