Red Bird Danced

Gr 4 Up–Quigley’s novel in verse highlights the beauty and struggles within Native American communities through the alternating lens of two preteens. Ojibwe Nation dancer Ariel, 11, is finding new purpose in her movements while trying to deal with the pain of her missing aunt. Her neighbor in the Intertribal Housing Complex is classmate Tomah, 12, who is a gifted oral storyteller afraid to open up about his reading difficulties. Both characters evolve through the process of finding their voice with hearty emotional impact. They work to overcome and finish strong, displaying pride in their community through their natural giftings. There is an emphasis on the #MMIW (Missing or Murdered Indigenous Women) social cry with statistics shared. The Ojibwe language and cultural practices are effortlessly infused in the free verse poems, with a glossary available at the end.