Firefly Season

“As Sun rises/ on misty mornings” in Cherokee Nation and “moon rises/ on steamy evenings” across the tribal border in Muscogee Nation, seven-year-old Piper, an only child, enjoys visiting extended family—fishing, dancing with fireflies, learning from older cousins, eating grape dumplings, and listening to elders’ stories. Piper also misses her cousins terribly when she and Mama return to their Kansas City home. But “a new day brings/ a new neighbor”: four-year-old Sumi, with whom she becomes fast friends. When Piper’s parents announce a family move to Topeka, Piper and Sumi keep in touch, and a letter from Sumi prompts Piper’s thanking the Creator “for the blessings of family.” As time passes, the two deepen their bond, experiencing each one’s favorite traditions on shared trips to Oklahoma and Mumbai. Declarative language from Leitich Smith (Holler Loudly), a citizen of the Muscogee Nation, traces a familial narrative filled with longing, love, and the blessing of found sisterhood. Colorblock-like gouache and colored pencil illustrations from Gardiner (Sometimes We Fall), a member of the Chaubunagungamaug band of Nipmuck Indians, lean into scenes of community and play in this work about two friends creating their own familial bonds. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author’s note concludes. Ages 4–8. (May)