Two Tribes

Gr 5 Up--Mia lives with her Jewish mom and stepdad in Los Angeles and attends a Jewish community school. However, she feels different from her classmates and friends because she is not just Jewish. Her father is Native American, and even though she hasn't lived with him most of her life, Mia longs to learn about that part of her heritage. Because her mom doesn't like talking about her dad, Mia hatches a plan with her best friend to secretly visit him and his family in Oklahoma. There she attends a powwow, meets extended family, and discovers answers to many of her questions about the Muscogee Nation culture. Then Mia's parents discover she lied to both of them about the trip, and Mia is whisked back to L.A. How will she continue to become who she really is, a member of two tribes? Every sentence in this coming-of-age story is purposeful; whether it is demonstrating how to deal with those who would mock her heritage and standing up for who she is, teaching about Jewish and Muscogee Nation culture and heritage, or bringing to light the misrepresentation of Native Americans in books and pop culture, each lesson is artfully woven into the story of a young girl learning to discover and fight for who she really is. The adults are deeply supportive and model how to accept responsibility for mistakes and apologize. All readers will walk away feeling empowered to embrace their unique backgrounds. The artwork complements the text perfectly as Cohen uses internal monologues to great visual effect. The back matter includes an author's note explaining the use of the term "Indian" as well as a Mvskoke glossary. VERDICT A must-purchase for young readers everywhere on how to learn about, be empowered by, and embrace one's identity.--Emily Beasley

A tween with divorced parents feels torn about her heritage in this profound graphic novel, Cohen's debut. Since her Jewish mother left her Muscogee father, middle schooler Mia has been raised by her mother and new stepfather. She attends a Los Angeles Jewish day school and is preparing for her upcoming bat mitzvah. When a school bully claims she's "not a real Indian" because she doesn't embody his stereotypical depiction of an Indigenous person, Mia wonders, "How can I say I'm Native if I don't know anything about it?" Wanting to connect with her Indigenous family, she tells her mother she's sleeping over at a friend's house and runs away to Tulsa, Okla., to visit her father. There, she meets her extended family and learns about many Muscogee Nation traditions and customs at a powwow, until her parents discover her lie. "Just like Mia, I am Muscogee (Creek) and Jewish," Cohen writes in a concluding author's note. In Mia's struggle to reconcile her ancestries, the creator develops a credible portrayal of self-image and acceptance. Plentiful panels rendered in earth tones further enhance this nuanced portrait of Mia's search for identity. Ages 8-12. Agent: Judith Hansen, Hansen Literary. (Aug.)

A powerful graphic novel about honoring every part of our identity.

"The story is well crafted, with Jewish and Muscogee beliefs integrated to great effect and art that enhances the text. A powerful graphic novel about honoring every part of our identity." — Kirkus Reviews

"The narrative about the rich diversity within the Native community is as vibrantly told as it is drawn, in lightly textured, saturated warm tones and dark linework. Readers who enjoyed LaPensée's Rabbit Chase or Fahmy's Huda F Are You? will not want to miss Mia's journey." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books