Josie wants to dance for the first time at her next tribal powwow. She asks her mom to make her dress and shawl, her aunty to make her cape, and her kookum to make her moccasins and leggings. Then she asks tribal elder Grandma Greatwalker to dream her spirit name. Throughout the winter and into spring, Josie practices the fancy shawl dance. Meanwhile, while her mom, aunt, and grandma sew and bead, Grandma Greatwalker prays for a name. When the powwow finally arrives in late summer, the first thing Josie sees the morning of the dance is an eagle flying overhead. When the time comes to get ready, her mom braids Josie’s hair, her family members present Josie with her fancy shawl outfit, and Grandma Greatwalker presents her with an eagle feather and her name: Migiziinsikwe, Young Eagle Woman. A picture book set on the Turtle Mountain reservation ends with Josie being welcomed into the dance circle of the powwow. At story’s end, a glossary for the many Ojibwe words effortlessly incorporated into the text is followed by a brief note (with hand-drawn map) about Turtle Mountain, where the story is set. The naïve-style art, rich with cultural details, extends the sense of love and warmth found in the narrative. (Ages 4-8)

Josie dreams of dancing at next summer's powwow. But first she needs many special things: a dress, a shawl, a cape, leggings, moccasins, and, perhaps most important of all, her spirit name. To gather all these essential pieces, she calls on her mom, her aunty, her kookum, and Grandma Greatwalker. They have the skills to prepare Josie for her powwow debut.

As the months go by, Josie practices her dance steps while Mom stitches, Aunty and Kookum bead, and Grandma Greatwalker dreams Josie's spirit name. Josie is nervous about her performance in the arena and about all the pieces falling into place, but she knows her family is there to support her.

The powwow circle is a welcoming space, and dancers and spectators alike celebrate Josie's first dance. When she receives her name, she knows it's just right. Wrapped in the love of her community, Josie dances to honor her ancestors.

In this Ojibwe girl's coming-of-age story, Denise Lajimodiere highlights her own daughter's experience at powwow. Elegant artwork by Angela Erdrich features not only Josie and her family but also the animals and seasons and heartbeat of Aki, Mother Earth, and the traditions that link Josie to generations past and yet to come.