Coming Home: A Hopi Resistance Story/Tutuqaykingaqw nima: hopisino pahan tutqayiwuy ep yorhomti by Mavasta Honyouti (Levine Querido, 48 pages, grades 1-5). The narrator starts with his childhood memories of his grandfather, or kwa’a, then goes back to what he later learned of his kwa’a’s own early days. When his father was threatened with arrest, his kwa’a was forced to leave home and go to a boarding school, where his hair was cut, he had to take a new name (Clyde), and he was forbidden to speak the Hopi language. At first, he tried running away, but that resulted in beatings, and eventually things got easier at school as he learned the rules and how to speak English. Finally, he was allowed to return home, where he chose a simple life focusing on farming and family. The narrator concludes by acknowledging the lessons his kwa’a taught him that have helped him as he’s grown up. Includes additional information about boarding schools and their impact on the Hopi, as well as notes about the art and the translation (the text is written in both English and Hopi).

Add this to the growing list of books that describe the cruelties of Indian boarding schools. The author’s admiration for his kwa’a is evident, and readers will be inspired by how Clyde overcame such a difficult experience to value his own culture and family. The unique art and Hopi translation add to this beautiful story.

The Blue Pickup by Natasha Tripplett, illustrated by Monica Mikai (HarperCollins, 48 pages, ages 4-8). Ju-Girl loves working with her grandfather at his Jamaican garage. She helps fix radiators, switch out car batteries, and change oil, but her favorite job is organizing the socket wrench set. When they take a break on the tail of Granddad’s old blue pickup truck, he tells her about his younger days making deliveries all over the island. Ju-Girl encourages him to fix up the truck so it will run again, and one day she arrives at the garage and hears that sound of its engine. Granddad drives her around town, reminiscing about people and places, until they make a stop at a store where the owner has shined up Granddad’s first set of socket wrenches to pass on to Ju-Girl. She uses them immediately to fix the pickup’s battery, and Granddad tells her that she’s reminded him of the importance of taking care of old and forgotten things, and that one day the truck will be hers. Includes an author’s note about her own grandfather and his pickup that inspired the story, along with a photo of her standing in front of the truck.

Another excellent memoir featuring a pair of memorable characters; I particularly liked how competent of a mechanic 7-year-old Ju-Girl is. The illustrations capture the gorgeous island colors from the countryside to the bustling city.