Book cover of She Holds Up The Stars

She Holds Up The Stars

ISBN

9781773210667

Publisher & Publication Year

Annick, 2022

Publisher's Book Page

Author

Sandra Laronde (Teme-Augama-Anishinaabe)

Author's Website 

Illustrator

Synopsis

Summary

The last thing that twelve-year old Misko wants to do is to move away from the city to spend time on the reservation with her grandmother. And yet she feels strangely compelled to go, drawn by a pull that she feels in her dreams—maybe she can finally find out what happened to her mother, who mysteriously disappeared when Misko was young. On the rez, Misko encounters a spirited horse named Mishtadim, who—to her dismay—is being violently broken by the rancher next door and his son Thomas. Misko and Thomas clash at first, only to find themselves drawn together by the wild horse. As Misko slowly discovers her unique bond with Mishtadim, she feels a sense of belonging and comes to understand the beauty of the world all around her.

Notable Achievements

Winner, Horace Mann Upstander Award, 2023; Nominated, Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award for 2024

Reviews

Kirkus Reviews: "This heartfelt story of self-discovery and personal strength is told in language filled with evocative imagery and Anishinaabemowin sprinkled throughout... A tale of strength and determination rooted in the ancestral pull of home and family."

Educator Guide

Link to Guide

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