By Andrea Page & Meghan Valerio READ THIS  Synopsis Those who feel the same are kindred spirits. In 1845, Choctaw people gathered to help Irish people weather the potato famine. In 2020, an Irish community remembered the kindness of the Choctaw Nation and reached out to help tribal nations during the pandemic. “An inspiring true pay-it-forward story that bridges two continents, 175 years, and two events in history—connecting Ireland, Choctaw Nation, Navajo Nation, and the Hopi Tribe.” Source: Charlesbridge Publishing website Review An act of kindness created a friendship that lasted over a century. During the devastating potato famine that struck Ireland in 1845, people were hungry. The dire news reached the Choctaw Nation from across the ocean. Choctaw people understood the danger, remembering their ancestors’ hardship on the Trail of Tears with little food and severe weather. Even though they had little to share, they collected money and sent a donation to Ireland. The Irish people didn’t forget this generous act from strangers in the United States. In 1995, Ireland’s President visited Choctaw Nation to give thanks, strengthening their special bond. Then in 2017, they commissioned a sculpture titled Kindred Spirits (created by Alex Pentek) to honor their friendship. And the global bond continued. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Irish communities showed gratitude, gathering donations to help the Choctaw, Navajo, and Hopi Nations. Widener (Choctaw) uses a lively, lyrical language to weave the narrative with Choctaw phrases throughout. Detailed sidebars give young readers more context about the true events on each spread. Yazzie’s (Diné) striking and colorful artwork conveys a feeling of strength and resilience. The back matter includes a timeline and additional historical details. Sources: Choctaw Nation website; Kindred Strangers Who Became Kindred Spirits Reader Recommendation A deeply moving and uplifting story about true kindred spirits, this book resonates far beyond its intended audience. Although written for young readers, Kindred Spirits will touch the hearts of readers of all ages. Through its heartfelt narrative, Leslie Stall Widener and Johnson Yazzie emphasizes that everyone, regardless of background, has the ability to contribute to positive global relationships. This is truly a must-read for all ages. TEACH THIS Pay-It-Forward Across Time: Mapping Kindred Spirits This activity invites students to explore the theme of reciprocal kindness across history while engaging in close reading, discussion, and culturally responsive reflection. It centers Indigenous perspectives, highlights interconnection, and positions students as meaning-makers rather than passive recipients of historical facts. Overview: Students will analyze acts of kindness depicted in Kindred Spirits and trace how generosity moves across time, geography, and communities. They then apply this understanding to contemporary contexts and consider how communities respond to one another in moments of crisis. Implementation Steps:  Suggested Connected Texts To extend the topics of friendship, generosity, and building community by Indigenous authors, please check out the picturebooks:
Andrea M. Page (Hunkpapa Lakota) has previously served as board member of the Children’s Literature Assembly and as the Co-Chair for the 2023 CLA Breakfast Committee. She is a children’s author, educator and speaker. Meghan Valerio, PhD, is a District Literacy Coach (K-12) in Canfield, Ohio. She teaches literacy education courses for graduate students at Bowling Green State University. Meghan is currently serving as the CLA Secretary. Comments are closed.
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