Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids ed. by Cynthia Leitich Smith (review)

Eighteen entries by seventeen authors focus on the powwow, specifically the big intertribal powwow in Ann Arbor, and the two poems and sixteen stories each take a different approach, mostly following kids as they compete in a dance, work on regalia, staff the vendor stalls, or just rub shoulders with others who've come for the celebration. Individual stories vary in impact, but in addition to some familiar Native American authors (Tim Tingle, Eric Gansworth, editor Smith) providing strong entries there are compelling contributions from lesser-known writers as well (Andrea L. Rogers' "The Ballad of Maggie Wilson" is a particular standout). The collection's master stroke is the subtle intersection of the entries, as characters team up across stories, a protagonist of one entry wanders past characters from another, everybody returns to the best fry bread stand, and a dog (who stars in his own tale) modeling theme t-shirts, including the titular "Ancestor Approved," figuratively and sometimes literally runs through several outings. Readers will get a kick out of finding the callbacks, and the effect is an underscoring of the intersectional nature of the powwow itself, as experiences remain individual while sharing commonalities. It's a thoughtful and sometimes funny celebration of a celebration, and whether kids are veteran powwow-goers or new to the experience, they'll long for the convivial warmth of the festivities. A glossary, notes and acknowledgments for the stories, and biographies of the contributors are appended.