Grand Rapids Area Library children's librarian, Tracy Kampa, shares her recommendations on new children’s books for What We’re Reading.
Picture Books
After an update to her library’s collection of Native American books around 10 years ago, Tracy remembered how limited the library’s options were for new books by Native American authors. Thankfully, that has changed over time.
With the arrival of a recent book order, Tracy was struck by how many titles are now from Native American authors.
Publishers like Heartdrum and Black Bears and Blueberries Publishing out of Cloquet are now introducing more and more books by Indigenous authors into the world. Tracy is thrilled that these books are now so readily available and shares her recommendations on new picture books by Indigenous authors:
- I Am Not a Costume, written by Maria DesJarlait, illustrated by Regina Alice Wilman. Maria DesJarlait is an Ojibwe author with ancestral ties to both North Dakota and Red Lake. This is an outstanding primer on cultural appropriation and a good book about finding and using your voice;
- Remember Who You Are, written by Leona Prince and Gabriella Prince (members of the Lake Babine clan of the Dakelh people in Canada), illustrated by Sara General. This is an empowering reminder of the rich and vast culture into which today's indigenous children are born;
- Charlotte's New Moccasins, written by Jen Moudahi, illustrated by Rhael McGregor. Moudahi and McGregor, both Métis, tell the tale of young Charlotte who has outgrown her beloved moccasins and heads to her grandma's house for new ones. Not only is it a lovely story about family and tradition, but it includes fantastic back matter about the importance of moccasins, both in the past and today;
- Moon Song, by Michaela Goade. Moon Song is by Caldecott medalist Michaela Goade, from the Raven moiety and Kiks.ádi clan from Sitka, Alaska. A companion to her summer-centered Berry Song, Moon Song finds a girl telling a winter story to her young cousin. The journey ends in the glorious light that can be found on a cold winter's night;
- And They Walk On, written by Kevin Maillard, illustrated by Rafael López. Maillard is a member of the Seminole Nation. You might remember his marvelous book, Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story. His new book is an ode to those who came before us and leave before us. A young boy remembers his grandma and wonders now that she has walked on, where exactly has she gone? He finally realizes that we are all walking on, and will always be walking, together. It is a beautiful tribute to not only those loved ones who have walked on, but to their ever-present connection to those still here;
- Grandmother Moon, written by Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason, illustrated by Trisha B. Waters. Lamb-Cason, a member of the Schaghticoke/HoChunk Nation, shares the story of a granddaughter who spends weekends with her grandma on the reservation. On their weekly journey, her grandmother tells her cultural stories, like the story of Grandmother Moon, and how she is always watching over her people, protecting them. through all 13 moon phases of the year.
Middle grade books
Tracy Kampa also recommended two new middle grade books.
Lost Evangeline, written by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Sophie Blackall.
Tracy's take: Nobody can write a fairy tale like Kate DiCamillo. She creates characters that you cheer for and builds a world for them that, while it may be dangerous, is also full of hope. Always hope and light. The third book in her Norendy Tales, Lost Evangeline, feels like a story you may have heard before--in all the best ways. A poor shoemaker discovers a tiny girl in the toe of his boot. He names her Evangeline and raises her as his daughter. His wife is not at all happy, but Evangeline and the shoemaker are really quite happy. As soon as the opportunity arises, of course, the shoemaker's wife sells the girl to a man who overheard her beautiful singing voice.
Evangeline, though, is not only smart, but she's also clever. She manages to escape a series of tough situations with the help of a cat and a boy. When she works herself back to the shoemaker's house, he is gone--off to the sea to look for his daughter. His wife remains at home, alone, counting the gold coin she received for the tiny girl. Evangeline heads to the sea to find her father. Will they ever reunite? Not by the end of the story, but remember, this is a DiCamillo: the ending is full of hope and especially light. A welcome familiarity and a reminder that stories will always go on are hallmarks of the beautiful Lost Evangeline, part of the Norendy Tales by Kate DiCamillo, with illustrations done by the incomparable Sophie Blackall.
The Trouble with Heroes, by Kate Messner.
Tracy's take: I am knee-deep in my search for Newbery-worthy titles of 2025. These months leading up to the announcement find me scrambling to read what I've somehow missed. I just finished one book that, in my eyes, is a strong contender. We first meet Finn Connolly in the time between the cemetery vandalism, as reported in the newspaper, and his first court appearance. He is charged with seriously damaging a headstone and never denies that he alone is responsible. Finn is surprised then when he is offered a deal by the daughter of the woman whose stone he overturned. If Finn manages to summit 46 peaks in the Adirondack Mountains during the summer, the charges will be dropped. Finn is reluctant. Obviously, his mom can't take that much time off work to go with him. But Kelly, the daughter, assures Finn that all is taken care of. Finn will be accompanied by a series of chaperones, each of whom has reasons not known to Finn, who want to spend time with our juvenile-not-really-delinquent. Oh, and he has to bring the dead woman's dog with him.
Hike after hike after hike after hike, the reader is witness to Finn's transformation, and Finn's story is slowly revealed. The story involves heroism during 9/11 and subsequent mental health and addiction battles. Feelings of abandonment and unworthiness, a journey that includes his dad's ashes, the healing properties of nature, not to mention an absolutely perfect ending. And there might be an incident with a bear, but I'm not gonna ruin that for you, except to reassure you that the dog probably doesn't die. Told in verse and sprinkled with both photographs and cookie recipes, this is my first five-star read of 2025. Please, please don't miss The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner, and then gift a few dozen copies to all your closest friends of any age.
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