In the lyrical Powwow Day, readers are welcomed into an uplifting "celebration of dance, song, culture, and community."
River wakes on powwow day full of excitement--until she remembers that, because she's been ill, there will be no dancing and no jingle dress competition for her today. Still, she hopes at least to join in for Grand Entry at the start of the ceremony. She waits with the other girls as warriors enter the arena carrying flags, followed by elders heading up the long line of dancers. But her own feet are still. River watches "through wet eyes" as the dancers move "around the circle, all connected to the drum, Mother Earth, and one another." It seems that River is the only one who "can't feel the drum's heartbeat." An elder prays to the Creator that their "culture and language will stay strong, and that healing will come to those who need it"--like River.
She tries to dance again but isn't able to take part in the intertribal dance, either. The competitions begin and "fancy dancers twirl and ribbons whirl./ Graceful grass dancers sway and weave." Finally, River feels the drum beat inside her. She watches as her sister, cousin and friends step and turn with feathery fans and clinking cones. She sits tall as they "dance for the Creator, the ancestors, their families, and everyone's health... including mine." River, who can "feel the drum fully now," stands and opens her heart--she knows she will dance again at the next powwow.
Traci Sorrell (At the Mountain's Base; We Are Still Here), member of the Cherokee Nation, enhances her graceful text with back matter about powwows. Through River, the author neatly conveys the magic and allure of the dances themselves, along with the all-important sense of community and healing fostered by the celebratory event. Madelyn Goodnight (illustrator of Look Grandma! Ni, Elisi!), member of the Chickasaw Nation, uses dynamic layouts and a variety of viewpoints in her colorful digital illustrations to portray the vibrancy of the powwow. Expressive characters in their detailed dancing dresses are full of life and movement. Readers will likely find it easy to empathize with River's sorrow as well as her hope for strength, for healing and to dance again. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger and children's book author
Shelf Talker: Though River won't be dancing in the powwow, she recognizes the healing power of her community in this lyrical and uplifting story.