Eleven-year-old Carly Tex, a member of the Western Mono tribe in California, is continuing the tradition of basketweaving that has been part of her family and her culture for generations. Carly enjoys learning from her aunt and mother about gathering and preparing grasses, branches and other materials required for weaving, and about the various methods for creating baskets. With her entire family, which includes her father, a younger sister, and an older sister home from college, Carly also attends a California Indian Basketweavers Gathering, where she displays her work and continues to learn. Dugan Aguilar's color photographs accompany Linda Yamane's sensitive, informative text that also discusses the beliefs that go hand-in-hand with the Western Mono weaving tradition. (Ages 7-11)

In this unique series, Native American authors examine their cultural traditions, from Navajo rug weaving in the Southwest to wild rice gathering in northern Minnesota. Each book describes these customs as they are seen through the eyes of the participants and discusses how Native American people maintain their cultural identities in contemporary society.