• Forever Cousins

Forever Cousins

Illustrator
Jonathan Nelson
Publication Date
October 04, 2022
Genre / Grade Band
Fiction /  2nd − 3rd
Forever Cousins

Description

In this Native American story, Kara and Amanda are best-friend cousins. Then Kara leaves the city to move back to the Rez. Will their friendship stay the same?

Kara and Amanda hate not being together. Then it's time for the family reunion on the Rez. Each girl worries that the other hasn't missed her. But once they reconnect, they realize that they are still forever cousins.

This story highlights the ongoing impact of the 1950s Indian Relocation Act on Native families, even today. This tender story about navigating change reminds readers that the power of friendship and family can bridge any distance.

Publication date
October 04, 2022
Classification
Fiction
Page Count
-
ISBN-13
9781623542924
Lexile Measure
610
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Charlesbridge Publishing
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV013030 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Multigenerational
JUV011040 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | United States - Native American
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Indians of North America
Moving, Household
Indian reservations
Cousins
Best friends

Kirkus

A sweet story of friendship, family, and community.

Laurel Goodluck
Laurel Goodluck writes picture books with modern Native themes that reflect Native children's cultural experiences and everyday life, showing they have a unique and powerful perspective. Her books include Forever Cousins, Rock Your Mocs, She Persisted: Deb Haaland, Too Much, and Fierce Aunties!. Laurel was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, coming from an intertribal background of Mandan and Hidatsa from the prairies of North Dakota and Tsimshian from a rainforest in Alaska. She received a BA in psychology and an MA in community counseling and family studies from the University of New Mexico. Laurel began writing by crafting a curriculum for community advocacy involving Native teen leadership and later for children newly diagnosed with mental health challenges. Laurel lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her Navajo husband, where they raised two children who are also bent on storytelling. Please follow her on @LaurieGoodluck on Instagram.

Bridget George (Nimkiinagwaagankwe) is an Anishinaabe illustrator from Kettle and Stony Point First Nation. She was born and raised on the shores of Lake Huron--the traditional territory of her people. She currently makes her home with her son Noah and husband David in London, Ontario. Bridget's author-illustrator debut It's a Mitig! garnered the prestigious Periodical Marketers of Canada's Indigenous Literature Award. She has also illustrated Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior by Carole Lindstrom and Too Much by Laurel Goodluck.
American Indian Youth Literature Award
-
Winner 2024