The Summer of the Bone Horses

When his father needs to undergo a medical procedure, Lakota youth Eddie’s parents take him to his grandparents’ Rosebud Reservation home. Having never been away from his mom and dad for an extended period, Eddie experiences intense loneliness: “Grandma gave him a glass of juice and put a plate of cookies on the table. But he only nibbled at one because he felt a hurting ache all over.” As the summer progresses, however, he finds himself busy pulling weeds in Grandma’s garden and helping Grandpa take care of their horse. Then his grandfather is badly injured and, as further obstacles arise, it’s up to Eddie to use everything he’s learned to get him to the hospital. Sneve (Rosebud Sioux) crafts a gentle chapter book tale of an Indigenous youth immersing himself in his heritage and learning from his elders. Seamlessly layered plotting builds to a captivating climax, and vivid colored pencil and digitally enhanced drawings with block print textures by Littlebird (Oregon Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) inject warmth throughout. Ages 5–8. (Apr.)