American Indian Youth Literature Award: Middle Grade Honor Book! Hello/Boozhoo-meet Jo Jo Makoons! Full of pride, joy, and plenty of humor, this first book in an all-new chapter book series by Dawn Quigley celebrates a spunky young Ojibwe girl who loves who she is.
Jo Jo Makoons Azure is a spirited seven-year-old who moves through the world a little differently than anyone else on her Ojibwe reservation. It always seems like her mom, her kokum (grandma), and her teacher have a lot to learn-about how good Jo Jo is at cleaning up, what makes a good rhyme, and what it means to be friendly.
Even though Jo Jo loves her #1 best friend Mimi (who is a cat), she's worried that she needs to figure out how to make more friends. Because Fern, her best friend at school, may not want to be friends anymore?
The Heartdrum imprint centers a wide range of intertribal voices, visions, and stories while welcoming all young readers, with an emphasis on the present and future of Indian Country and on the strength of young Native heroes. In partnership with We Need Diverse Books.
- A Heartwarming Friendship Story: Jo Jo has a #1 best friend (her cat, Mimi), but she needs a school best friend, too! When Fern starts sitting with other kids at lunch, Jo Jo has to learn what being truly friendly means.
- Laugh-Out-Loud School Hijinks: From misinterpreting rhymes to accidentally bringing her cat to school, Jo Jo’s attempts to navigate first grade will have young readers giggling.
- An Unforgettable Native American Heroine: Meet Jo Jo Makoons, a proud Ojibwe girl whose name means “little bear cub.” She shares her language, her family, and her unique view of the world from her home on the reservation.
- Perfect for Beginning Readers: With short, accessible chapters and hilarious situations, this book is an ideal choice for kids transitioning to chapter books and a great read-aloud for the whole family.
"A fun and fanciful story...
Jo Jo Makoons, the first in a series, provides Indigenous children an opportunity to see themselves in books and teaches non-Indigenous children more about Ojibwe culture."
