She Holds Up the Stars

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: Indigenous language, culture, and storytelling. TIMELY AND IMPORTANT THEMES: Introduces the reality of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in a way that is appropriate for middle-grade readership. UNIVERSAL THEMES: The story also includes coming of age, belonging, coming home/cultural discovery. INDIGENOUS WORLDVIEW: The story introduces concepts of Indigenous worldview (respect for nature, interconnectivity of all beings) and spirituality (Jibaykana [Milky Way] as the pathway for souls journeying home). HORSES: The ever-popular horse-driven story is a favorite with young readers! ADVOCATE AUTHOR: Author Sandra Laronde is well-known and connected in the Canadian arts community as a speaker and arts advocate.