Seminole

A boy says farewell to a loved one as he imagines her walking on into her next journey, a moving and superbly illustrated story about loss and hope by Fry Bread author Kevin Noble Maillard and illustrated by acclaimed, award-winning artist Rafael López.

When a young boy’s grandmother walks on, he wonders where she’s gone.

Did she go to the market to buy ripe melons? Or maybe she’s in the garden, watering her herbs?

It feels like she’s somewhere far away, so the boy finds new ways to share stories about his day, hoping she can hear him.

Even her house feels like it’s waiting for her return. Then as the boy approaches the kitchen, the scent and memories of her cooking assure him that no matter where she is, her love will always be close by.

Because when someone walks on, they stay with us. They grow in our hearts and guide us as we walk in their footsteps.

Award-winning author of Fry Bread, Kevin Noble Maillard, breathes life and love into this intimate picture book about loss, with illustrations from renowned, best-selling artist, Rafael López.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
40 pages | 10.00" x 10.00" | Hardcover 

When a young boy’s grandmother walks on, he wonders where she’s gone.

Did she go to the market to buy ripe melons? Or maybe she’s in the garden, watering her herbs?

It feels like she’s somewhere far away, so the boy finds new ways to share stories about his day, hoping she can hear him.

Even her house feels like it’s waiting for her return. Then as the boy approaches the kitchen, the scent and memories of her cooking assure him that no matter where she is, her love will always be close by.

Because when someone walks on, they stay with us. They grow in our hearts and guide us as we walk in their footsteps.

Award-winning author of Fry Bread, Kevin Noble Maillard, breathes life and love into this intimate picture book about loss, with illustrations from renowned, best-selling artist, Rafael López.

With simple, lyrical text and vibrant panoramic illustrations, this picture book explores the beauty and resources of thirteen ancestral Indigenous lands and how we all use those lands each day. Simple poetry and portrayals of children and families enjoying rivers, bike paths, beaches, and parks show how everyday activities can include honoring Indigenous nations and cultures.

Author Katrina Phillips (Ojibwe citizen) and illustrator Sam Zimmerman (Ojibwe direct descendant) together have crafted a loving tribute that gently demonstrates recognition and acknowledgement of the nations of people who first called these lands home.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 9.

Additional Information
32 pages | 10.00" x 8.00" | Hardcover 

Award-winning author Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve introduces young readers to the Seminoles people.

The Seminoles are known as “the people who never surrendered.” As White settlers continued to encroach on their land, the Seminoles moved farther and farther into the Florida Everglades and adapted to their new environment with their hard work and ingenuity. And after defending their land in three Seminole wars, they never signed a formal peace treaty with the United States.

This accessible nonfiction picture book introduces the Seminoles’ early history, daily way of life, ceremonies, and more. Learn how they adapted to the Florida Everglades and their unique cultural practices, like their flat roll hairstyle and the role of an ever-burning fire in the annual Green Corn Dance. This updated edition provides the most up to date and accurate information on the Seminole people of past and present. The back of the book includes a section on Seminole life today.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 7 to 10.

This book is part of the First Americans series.

Additional Information
32 pages | 10.55" x 9.47" | Paperback

A living legend roosting in the backyard. An unmissable game. A hair-raising mystery. A road trip full of adventure and danger. And all the overlapping circles that connect us throughout Creation.

Melanie “Mel” Roberts and Ray Halfmoon may be from different Indigenous Nations, but the friends have become like siblings since the Robertses moved in with the Halfmoons. And they soon welcome a distinguished guest: Great-grandfather Bat, whose wing is injured, has taken refuge in their old oak tree.

A rematch of the legendary Great Ball Game is coming up, with Bat as the star player. Grampa Charlie Halfmoon offers to drive Bat from Chicago down to the traditional playing field outside Macon, Georgia, and Mel and Ray are determined to help out.

Together, they all set off on a road trip—facing adventure, danger, and a hair-raising mystery—on the way to the historic game.

With loving care and boisterous humor, acclaimed author Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee) tells a modern folklore story about friendship, embracing the unexpected, and all the overlapping circles that connect us throughout Creation.

Reviews
"A unique and noteworthy tale that weaves together past and present with humor through stellar, multilayered writing." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Cynthia Leitich Smith incorporates the traditional Muscogee story of the ball game between the Animals and the Birds, and legendary Great-Grandfather Bat, into her novel about modern-day Indigenous characters. Though it nods to the traditional tale, this is an all-new story set in a world that young readers will recognize.

Some of the characters in this work are introduced in other books by the author. Ray and Grampa Halfmoon were first depicted in Indian Shoes. Mel was introduced in a short story in Ancestor Approved. And, the story of Bat is mentioned in the picture book Jingle Dancer. Though this new story stands alone, readers may recognize the characters they already have relationships with that will make the story feel even richer. 

Keywords/Themes/Subjects: Family and Community; Blended Family; Mystery; Animals.

Additional Information
240 pages | 5.50" x 8.25"| Hardcover

Orginating from Florida, the Seminole nation has a deep history in North America. Discover more about the Seminole nation, their traditions and story.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Indigenous Nations in North America series.

Additional Information
32 Pages | Paperback

Perfect for fans of The Marrow Thieves, Hatchet and The City of Ember, H.E. Edgmon's middle grade debut offers a bittersweet tale of hope and survival, a modern classic for the climate change generation.

One year ago, a solar flare scorched the Earth and destroyed life as we know it.

With their parents gone and supplies running dangerously low, step-sisters Millie and Rose only have one chance at survival: leave home with their infant half-brother and loyal dog Corncob in search of Millie’s grandma, a Seminole elder. As they navigate the burning land with a group of fellow survivors, dodging The Hive, a villainous group that has spent the last year hoarding supplies and living in luxury, the siblings have to learn to rely on each other more than ever, and discover how to build a new life from the ashes.

Expertly balancing heartbreak and hope, The Flicker is both a thrilling survival story and a tender exploration of Indigenous ideas of identity and found family.

Reviews
"Edgmon’s middle grade debut is a dystopian, anti-capitalist, Indigenous, gender nonconforming love letter to tweens . . . The writing is engaging, the plot is lively, and the social dynamics are believable, even when presenting lessons. Edgmon doesn’t pull any punches with this book . . . Through a story with some genuinely frightening moments, Edgmon helps readers explore identity. After all, who are we after all the systems we’ve used to define ourselves crumble?" —School Library Journal, starred review

"Incisive worldbuilding surrounding the climate collapse makes this middle grade debut a simultaneously cautionary tale and dystopian adventure in which Edgmon showcases the unflagging power of community in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Additional Information
288 pages | 5.13" x 7.62" | Paperback 

The beloved chapter book by New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith about the love and adventures shared by a Cherokee-Seminole boy and his Grampa now has brand-new illustrations! A perfect pick for new readers.

What do Indian shoes look like, anyway? Like beautiful beaded moccasins... or hightops with bright orange shoelaces?

Ray Halfmoon prefers hightops, but he gladly trades them for a nice pair of moccasins for his grampa. After all, it's Grampa Halfmoon who's always there to help Ray get in and out of scrapes—like the time they teamed up to pet sit for the whole block during a holiday blizzard!

Award-winning author Cynthia Leitich Smith writes with wit and candor about a boy and his grandfather, sharing all their love, joy, and humor.

Reviews
“The stories’ strength lies in their powerful, poignant evocation of a cross-generational bond and in the description of the simple pleasures two charming characters enjoy.” — ALA Booklist

“A very pleasing first-chapter book from its funny and tender opening salvo to its heartwarming closer.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Shoes is a good book for any elementary-aged reluctant reader, and a necessity for indigenous children everywhere.” — School Library Journal

“Indian Shoes is about belonging to family and community, helping neighbors, and sometimes feeling different but most times knowing who you are in the world.”— Multicultural Review

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

Additional Information
80 pages | 5.12" x 7.62"