Author: Laurel Goodluck

Illustrator: Jonathan Nelson

Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing

Summary

Growing up together, Amanda and Kara are more than just cousins—they’re best friends. They know each other inside and out: their favorite colors, toys, and which younger cousin is most likely to get on the other's nerves. But when Kara's family moves off the reservation, both fear that everything will change. The excitement of a new home in a big city brings fresh beginnings, yet Kara eagerly anticipates the family reunion, longing to return home. She worries that the months apart may have put distance between her and Amanda. What she doesn't realize, however, is that life on the reservation without her feels like a new start for Amanda, too. Join the family reunion as the two cousins reconnect, discovering that no matter the miles between them, their bond remains unbroken—love endures through it all.

Review

This is a sweet, relatable story for anyone who had the privilege of growing up near family. There is a certain depth to familial bonds and a childhood built together that truly lasts through the ages, no matter the changes that life brings. It hints at this poignant tone but nicely balances the playful nature of “picking up where we left off” when the cousins reunite again. It gently reassures the reader that moving away won’t dampen a friendship, nor will it erase the precious shared memories. In fact, it may give you reunions to look forward to, and a chance to appreciate those small moments more so than if everything had remained the same.

I also love the glimpse into reservation life and the scenes of the two cousins playing among the corn fields, jumping into a nearby lake, and dancing through a Hidatsa naming ceremony. The author gives more context into the deeper importance of this book, highlighting the history of the 1950s Indian Relocation Act and its ongoing impact of forced family separations.