Written by Traci Sorell, Illustrated by Frane Lessac
I have never read this book before.
Ratings: Amazon: 4.8 out of 5 stars. Goodreads: 4.34 out of 5 stars.
This book has the following awards: 2019 Sibert Honor Book, 2019 Orbis Pictus Honor Book, NPR’s Guide To 2018’s Great Reads, 2018 Book Launch Award (SCBWI), Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2018, School Library Journal Best Books of 2018, 2018 JLG selection, and the 2019 Reading the West Picture Book Award
The Cherokee community is grateful for the blessings and challenges that each season brings. This is modern Native American life as told by an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation.
This book was one of a long list of books that were “frozen” by the Pennsylvania Central York school board in 2021. There was a direct reason for this freeze, or rather ban, given for this book or any of the books on the list. Thankfully the nearly year-long ban on this book and others was lifted unanimously. One of the supporters of removing the books, “Jennifer Hyman, said the books were a “smokescreen” to indoctrinating students in critical race theory. She accused the former superintendent, Michael Snell, of trying to introduce a critical race theory takeover in the district. She urged those listening to “educate themselves about critical race theory” and to be vigilant of “radicals within our ranks.”
This book is also part of the list banned from the Northampton Pennsylvania Area School, the same one that was donated by a non-profit called the Conscious Kid. This was also discussed in previous reviews, to read more, please click on the link.
In 2023, this book was part of the “Essential Voices” curriculum, which was then temporarily banned in Duval County. Afterward a committee review, it was determined that it could be used in classrooms.
My take: This book has a beautiful Psalms-like pace and sound. It also has a wonderful perspective of keeping things in a positive light despite the generational trauma they endured. No, the book does not address any generational trauma, despite what many might say. The only conclusion that I could come to is that the objectors did not read this book, especially since this book was part of a group of books that were banned as a whole.
Here are a few links about this book and the challenges or bans.
Children’s book about Hank Aaron currently under review | firstcoastnews.com
Central York school board rescinds banned book list (ydr.com)
Banned Books 2022 – We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga – Marshall Libraries
The Banned Book Reviewer 
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