Eagle drums
(New Books)

"Winter approaches, and there's much to do if Pi?a's family wants to be prepared: hunting, fishing, gathering, and more. Now, Pi?a must travel up the mountain to collect obsidian for knapping - the same mountain where his two older brothers disappeared. As he leaves, Pi?a reassures his parents that he will not succumb to the same fate as his brothers. He will return. But when he reaches the mountaintop, he is confronted by a terrifying eagle god named Savik, who gives the boy a choice: Follow me, or die like your brothers. What follows is a harrowing journey to the home of the eagle gods, where Pi?a faces unexpected trials that teach him lessons on the natural world, the past that shapes us, and the community that binds us. With beautiful full-color art, this vivid retelling of the first Messenger Feast - still celebrated today - brings to life the origin myth of how the eagle gods bestowed the Inupiat with the gifts of music, song, dance, community, and everlasting tradition."--

"A magical realistic middle grade debut about the origin story of the Inupiaq Messenger Feast, a Native Alaskan tradition. As his family prepares for winter, a young, skilled hunter must travel up the mountain to collect obsidian for knapping?the same mountain where his two older brothers died. When he reaches the mountaintop, he is immediately confronted by a terrifying eagle god named Savik. Savik gives the boy a choice: follow me or die like your brothers. What comes next is a harrowing journey to the home of the eagle gods and unexpected lessons on the natural world, the past that shapes us, and the community that binds us. Eagle Drums by Nasugraq Rainey Hopson is part cultural folklore, part origin myth about the Messenger?s Feast ? which is still celebrated in times of bounty among the Inupiaq. It?s the story of how Inupiaq people were given the gift of music, song, dance, community, and everlasting tradition." --

Ages 8-12.,Roaring Brook Press.

Grades 4-6.,Roaring Brook Press.

910L.,Lexile.com

Newbery Honor Book, 2024

American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award Honor, 2024