Am's Sapotawan

? Starred selection for CCBC's Best Books for Kids & Teens 2023!

Rocky Cree people understand that all children are born with four gifts or talents. When a child is old enough, they decide which gift, or mithikowisiwin, they will seek to master. With her sapotawan ceremony fast approaching, Amo must choose her mithikowisiwin. Her sister, Pisim, became a midwife; others gather medicines or harvest fish. But none of those feel quite right.

Amo has always loved making things. Her uncle can show her how to make nipisiwata, willow baskets. Her grandmother can teach her how to make kwakwaywata, birchbark containers and plates. Her auntie has offered to begin Amo’s apprenticeship in making askihkwak, pottery.

What will Amo’s mithikowisiwin be? Which skill should she choose? And how will she know what is right for her?