Red Bird Danced

I saw Red Bird Danced by Dawn Quigley on the new book shelf at the library, and it looked like one I'd enjoy (in verse, Native author). The book description says, "Ariel and Tomah have lived in the city’s intertribal housing complex all their lives. But for both of them, this Dagwaagin (Autumn) season is different than any before. From his bench outside the front door of his building, Tomah watches his community move around him. He is better at making people laugh than he is at schoolwork, but often it feels like his neighbor Ariel is the only one who really sees him, even in her sadness.  Ariel has always danced ballet because of her Auntie Bineshiinh and loves the way dance makes her feet hover above the ground like a bird. But ever since Auntie went missing, Ariel’s dancing doesn’t feel like flying. As the seasons change and the cold of winter gives way to spring’s promise, Ariel and Tomah begin to change too as they learn to share the rhythms and stories they carry within themselves."

This was a good read. It was super quick but captured the characters Ariel and Tomah really well even with limited text. It introduced me MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) and the symbol of the red dress and also helped me see the strength and value of Native communities. Glad I read this.

* * (2/3 = Liked it)