THE SUMMER OF THE BONE HORSES

A young Native boy stays with his grandparents on the Rosebud Reservation when his father falls ill.

This summer marks the first time Eddie will be away from Mom and Dad, and he feels “that hurting ache” as soon as he settles down on the sofa for the night instead of in his warm bed. But his grandparents show him the beauty of a life without modern conveniences as Grandma washes clothes by hand and Grandpa boils water for a nightly soak in the tub. Eddie participates, too: He gardens and helps out with the horses and chickens. Along the way, he learns about local dangers such as rattlesnakes. Slowly, his loneliness fades as he learns to make his own playthings (he fashions accessories from string for a group of cow bones Grandpa gives him, turning them into toy horses). When tragedy strikes, Eddie springs into action, using wisdom gleaned from his grandparents to save the day. Inspired by family experiences, Driving Hawk Sneve (Sicangu Lakota) weaves a captivating tale about the healing power of community and familial bonds. Her narrative unfolds at a perfect pace, wringing joy from simple moments, offering a well-realized window (and mirror) into reservation life, and deftly charting her protagonist’s journey from homesick youngster to resourceful hero. Littlebird’s (Oregon’s Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) bold, colorful, and textured images reflect Eddie’s determined spirit.

Infused with tenderness, this family story is simply lovely.