Traci Sorell

"A group of Native American kids from different tribes presents twelve historical and contemporary time periods, struggles, and victories to their classmates, each ending with a powerful refrain: we are still here"--

Because she has been very ill and weak, River cannot join in the dancing at this year's tribal powwow, she can only watch from the sidelines as her sisters and cousins dance the celebration-- but as the drum beats she finds the faith to believe that she will recover and dance again.

"At the mountain's base sits a cabin under an old hickory tree. And in that cabin lives a family -- loving, weaving, cooking, and singing. The strength in their song sustains them through trials on the ground and in the sky, as they wait for their loved one, a pilot, to return from war."--Amazon.

When Regina's Umpqua tribe is legally terminated and her family must relocate from Oregon to Los Angeles, she goes on a quest to understand her identity as an Indian despite being so far from home.

Many people think of the USA as one country and one land, but it is actually a land made up of many nations. Learn from the descendants of two different indigenous nations -- discover the location and history of each, along with the culture, government and lifestyles that exist today, famous citizens, and oral traditions.

"In Rye, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC, people work hard, kids go to school, and football is big on Friday nights. An eighth-grade English teacher creates an assignment for her class to debate whether Rye's mascot should stay or change. Now six middle schoolers--all with different backgrounds and beliefs--get involved in the contentious issue that already has the suburb turned upside down with everyone choosing sides and arguments getting...

River is recovering from illness and can't dance at the powwow this year. She's been feeling isolated, and not dancing makes her feel even worse, but her community is willing to support her and help her heal both her physical body and her hurt feelings.