Bookelicious Presents: Eagle Drums with Alaskan Iñupiaq Author and Illustrator Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson
Newbery Honor Book
American Indian in Youth Literature Honor Book
★ “…an engrossing, exciting look into Iñupiaq culture…the power of community, kinship and celebrations.” -BookPage
★ “An authentic, beautiful Alaska Native tale” -School Library Journal
Event Details:
Monday, February 24, 2025
10:00 AM (Alaska Standard Time)
Recommended for Grades 3-6
A magical realistic middle grade debut about the origin story of the Iñupiaq Messenger Feast, a Native Alaskan tradition. As his family prepares for winter, a young, skilled hunter must travel up the mountain to collect obsidian for knapping–the same mountain where his two older brothers died. When he reaches the mountaintop, he is immediately confronted by a terrifying eagle god named Savik. Savik gives the boy a choice: follow me or die like your brothers. What comes next is a harrowing journey to the home of the eagle gods and unexpected lessons on the natural world, the past that shapes us, and the community that binds us. Eagle Drums by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson is part cultural folklore, part origin myth about the Messenger’s Feast – which is still celebrated in times of bounty among the Iñupiaq. It’s the story of how Iñupiaq people were given the gift of music, song, dance, community, and everlasting tradition.
Included in your registration fee:
° Five (5) hardcover copies of the book!
° Virtual author event for your school!
° Engaging presentation and student Q&A with an Indigenous Alaskan author-illustrator
° Recording available for 30 days
° Spotlight Classrooms (select classes appear live to ask questions and interact with author)
° Impactful, positive literacy experience that supports reading joy & skills development
Secure your spot!
Registration fee: $149.00
Registration and Payment Deadline: You must register by February 3, 2025, to ensure your books are shipped in time for the event. However, registration will remain open until the event date.
Born and raised in the rural expanse of the North Slope of Alaska, Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson grew up on fantastic tales from her unique and rich Indigenous Inupiaq culture. When she is not writing or creating art inspired by these stories and experiences, she is studying how to grow food in the arctic and is working at preserving traditional Inupiaq knowledge. She has a degree in Studio Art from Humboldt State University, and has taught all levels of Art from kindergarten to college level. She currently lives in Anaktuvuk Pass Alaska where the open tundra meets the Brooks Range. She very much enjoys rural Indigenous Alaskan life and subsistence living.