Welcome to Rigsby, WI, where you will find a bit of early 2000s nostalgia and a whole lotta flannel. It’s an interesting slice of life from the days before technology was everywhere, and teens still spent their days hanging out in their friends’ backyards. These characters here are just so lovably relatable, readers will definitely be seeking out the webcomic where they originated in order to hang out with them more.
While Beth’s mom is the absolute worst, her aunt and all her friends make up for it – we join them mid-basketball game in the backyard, where they are trash-talking each other. It’s a typical small town, where the kids hang out in the mushroom-laden forest to get high or spend time just driving around, stopping for pancakes or thrift store shopping. Much of the drama of this first installment centers around a Homecoming dance. Jeordie and his goth girlfriend, Jenna, are going together, and he’s bummed he has to wear a suit; Beth decides to go with her friend, Anna, just for fun – but then can’t find a dress that fits; and Erik has asked his friend and crush, Pam to go with him but she has only said “maybe.”
It sounds quite mundane, but S.E. Case has created characters who feel multidimensional and talk like real teenagers. Besides the lighter issues surrounding the upcoming dance, this group of friends is also tackling more troubling and darker issues, like racism, mental health, and abuse. The pacing is quick, and their story is engrossing, mostly because they will remind adult readers of their own youth – smoking, feeling disappointed in adults, and trying not to care what other people think of them (even though they obviously do). Rigsby, WI’s color palette has a vibrant autumnal aesthetic – accentuating the oranges, browns, and reds – while incorporating a lot of that grungy-era grit to the characters’ clothing and overall look. Case expertly conveys a range of emotions through character facial expressions, too. The general tone is quiet and earnest, but there’s also a good bit of humor to balance it out. Since this is the first in a series, many parts of the story hint at issues that may be developed in future issues
Most reminiscent of friendship and coming-of-age stories like Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and The Greatest Thing by Sarah Winifred Searle, Rigsby, WI, is distinguished by a wide and varied cast of characters. Mature themes in the story make it best suited for older teen readers, but I think adults (especially those whose adolescence fell within the early post 9/11 years) are going to enjoy this one, too.
Rigsby, WI Vol. 1: Foothold By S. E. Case Iron Circus, 2025 ISBN: 9781638991410
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18)
This anthology celebrates the tenth anniversary of the first Smut Peddler, which was the flagship title of Iron Circus Comics and led the revolution on sex-positive, consent-driven erotic comics.
Although the stories are not new content (originally published in 2012), the book does include bonuses like pin-up art, new introductions, and an oral history of how the anthology got started and why. There are twenty-six stories representing a variety of consensual sexual encounters that portray realistic people in everyday situations and encompasses queer content by queer creators. Every reader will find a story that speaks to them or their experiences and every genre is covered.
Brief creator biographies are included in the back with many of them including links to learn more about the creator. And since the original anthology was funded on Kickstarter, this edition includes the names of all the original backers. I particularly enjoyed the editor letters and oral history that reflected on the Smut Peddler journey and its effect on comics broadly.
This is a well-thought out and inclusive book that self-describes as illustrated porn. That is an accurate description with naked men and ladies in almost every story. Because of that libraries should beware that in the current political atmosphere, this book could cause problems on their shelves regardless of where it is shelved. However, this anthology is an important part of comics history and deserves a place in adult collections where it makes sense.
Smut Peddler X: Ten Years of Impeccable Pornoglyphics By Andrea Purcell Iron Circus, 2024 ISBN: 9781638991151
Corinth is a 15-year-old goth aesthetic high schooler with a “bad boy” boyfriend and supportive parents. She likes to spend her free time cleaning up the beach. One day while collecting trash, she’s lured into the water by a hungry mermaid. Luckily, the mermaid (later named Skylla) saw something in Corinth that made them release her and develop a relationship. As Corinth and Skylla learn about each other, the reader learns more about Corinth’s relationship with her toxic boyfriend. His jealousy drives Corinth to spend more and more time with Skylla even as she doubts herself and her decisions. Skylla learns about human cultures, speech, sign language, and food. They also feel deeply about Corinth and works with the mermaid elders to trade their magic for legs to join Corinth on land, surprising her as a transfer student. But the price of the magic is more than Skylla is willing to pay, which leads to complications and a difficult choice for the couple to make together.
Iron Circus Comics is known for championing its LGBTQ+ creators and stories, and The Sea in You is no exception with a retelling of the little mermaid featuring a nonbinary mermaid and a plus size female lead. Neither of these attributes is a focus for the plot; however, I appreciated these details as it makes it stand out as a retelling with a diverse cast of characters. Another factor that makes this a standout retelling is the twist at the end and the inclusion of heavier emotional issues like toxic relationships and shame.
I absolutely loved the art in this book. The color palette of blues and blacks matches the darker tone of the story, and all the curvy lines fit the characters’ personalities. This is a great addition to any graphic novel collection that is accessible to teens and adults, especially if you’re looking for a title that portrays diverse characters. Some mature younger readers might also enjoy this retelling; however, the heavier emotional themes and discussions might draw attention from parents.
The Sea in You By Jessi Sheron Iron Circus, 2023 ISBN: 9781638991113
Publisher Age Rating: Grade 7-9 NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16)
Creator Representation: Bisexual Character Representation: Pansexual, Nonbinary
Wine Ghost interrupts the narrator introducing her and her pitiful afterlife existence for a very important delivery (it’s pizza). Except that’s not who she finds ringing the doorbell. Instead, it’s an old friend, Seb, who says he just died and “moved in” recently. Wine Ghost invites him to stay with her. Not just for pizza, but until he finds a place of his own. When they start looking at apartments the next day, it becomes painfully obvious that Seb is only out for himself and embodies the term “gaslighting”: calling Wine Ghost out on behavior that isn’t true but makes her think it might be; flirting with other ladies behind her back; and negging whenever possible. Luckily, Wine Ghost has another friend, Pepper, who teaches Wine Ghost that when someone else tells you what to think and it distorts your perception of yourself, to take a step away from that person and re-center yourself. That they don’t define you. You do.
This is an incredibly deep and thoughtful narrative that tackles some big adult themes in under 100 pages. Most of it centers around self-perception and self-degradation. Including how easy it is to be open-minded towards others’ choices and lifestyles while not giving yourself the same courtesy. Wine Ghost also presents as very self-aware until Seb comes along and muddles things up with his lies. It was nice to have the story include the emotional support of a friendship between ladies. It mimics real life situations unlike other media that only showcases women backstabbing each other, especially when a guy is involved. Honestly, it was refreshing.
Although I find the art style incredibly distracting and not to my liking, that is very much a personal preference as I can appreciate that the art reflects the characters and world built by the author. The one negative is that occasionally some of the panels appear out of order. Normally, this would be signified by overlapping panels or text bubbles connecting them in a way that draws the eye, which is the case here, but it is harder to follow. This could be because it is more subtle, or it could be the bright clashing colors. Because of the adult content (including a sex dungeon in use by a variety of hell’s occupants), this belongs in the adult graphic novel section of any public or academic library. Upper teens will likely find it as well, but may not understand the content without the life experience to back it up, so I don’t recommend it for high school libraries.
Wine Ghost Goes to Hell By Sage Coffey Iron Circus, 2024 ISBN: 9781638991052
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+) Creator Representation: Nonbinary, Trans Character Representation: Bisexual, Addiction
A house can be just a place to live but a home can be so much more than that. It can be where you feel safe, where you feel loved, and where you feel comfortable. Mazie Lovie’s middle grade graphic memoir The Lucky Poor tells Mazie’s own experience growing up poor, with not always ideal living situations, until her mom becomes a homeowner through Habitat for Humanity Canada.
Mazie lives with her mom and her younger brother, Jake. They’ve lived in the Bug House, with her mom’s boyfriend, then an apartment that was way too small for the three of them. Her grandparents live on a farm nearby where she spends every weekend, the most stable and consistent home in her young life. Her grandparents have a (two room) vacation cottage home too, where Mazie gets to spend a week every summer. It’s great to live with so much family close by but when it comes to physical space, it’s not always that great.
As Mazie starts getting older, she admits to herself she needs more space, her own dedicated space without Jake barging in. Jake is autistic and it’s not always easy for Mazie to be patient with him. It’s not until she joins a group with other kids with autistic siblings that she feels safe admitting this. It’s a lot of emotions for a tween to handle, dealing with being poor and not having her own room, but Mazie knows her family is part of the lucky poor, the group of people who dance around the poverty line but always have a roof over their head.
When Mazie is 13, her mom is the recipient of a house from Habitat for Humanity Canada. The family is required to complete 500 volunteer hours and maintain the upkeep of the house. The House, as it’s referred to in the book, gives Mazie a taste of the classism that’s been lying within some of her family members. They think Mazie’s mom doesn’t deserve the house. There’s people worse off than they are, they already had a place to live, why should they get a free house? The Lucky Poor does a gentle job of dealing with these heavy topics, as Mazie looks within to try to understand why anyone would feel this way. Readers will also see how hard her mom works at being the perfect homeowner and her need to continue to prove they deserve it.
The book primarily focuses on Mazie’s family but delves more into her friendships as she gets older. The House becomes a space for community; her Girl Guides group uses it as a meeting spot and it serves as a help for other members of her troop. Readers can use the story as a kickoff to think about what their living situation means to them and how it may serve as a place beyond just where their family lives.
The story told in The Lucky Poor ties into the book itself, with Mazie deciding what she wants to do with her life as it ends. Lovie’s art style is colorful and cartoonish, reminiscent of a webcomic in the best way. It may potentially attract younger readers but the narrative of Mazie’s life is more on the older middle grade side. Readers who’ve personally experienced housing insecurity may find this graphic memoir particularly emotional at times and it could evoke big emotions in readers of any class background.
There’s a lot of heart and love in The Lucky Poor, along with potential for discussion about classism and dealing with discrimination, even from the people you love. It’s recommended for readers of other graphic memoirs for middle grade readers, such as The Tryout and Chunky.
The Lucky Poor A Habitat for Humanity Story By Mazie Lovie Iron Circus, 2024 ISBN: 9781638991250
Publisher Age Rating: 11-13
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11), Tween (10-13)
A mage awakens in a mysterious field surrounded by sweeping landscapes and crumbling relics. His purpose unknown, he embarks on a journey with stunning magic in tow, meeting a faithful companion or two along the way. Though this is the set up for many a fanciful tale, the mage soon realizes that this world is not kind to wanton adventurers. There are monsters with abyssal maws that can swallow beings whole, creatures that maul and mutilate for their own cryptic ends, and a corrupted force that seeks to end the mage’s wanderings permanently. Death and carnage rule this land, thrusting unrelenting horror and pain onto the mage at every opportunity. It will take all of the mage’s magic, strength, and perseverance to abate the darkness, but seldom does one attempt such a feat and come out unscathed.
Mage and the Endless Unknown delivers a horror fantasy both memorable and unnerving, its mysteries culminating in a narrative readers will want to revisit more than once to see if they can truly decipher them all. The story is conveyed mostly through images without much clarifying text. As a result, an ominous silence follows our protagonists, encouraging a sense of unease as they encounter peril after peril. Readers looking for a story with a clearly defined plot and explanations for its more abstract elements may be somewhat disappointed, but Miller still creates a sort of dreamlike cohesion during its progression. The reader shares the mage’s lack of knowledge about this strange place, which instills a greater sense of empathy for him as he meets creatures that become more frightening and deadly as the journey continues.
Ultimately, the graphic novel’s aloof and ambiguous tone makes it rife with interpretation, leaving the reader with the task of deciding what it means to them. Though Miller gives some context towards the story’s end, there are still questions one may have towards its meaning and purpose. For me, the process almost became somewhat existential, thinking about certain themes like the pains that inevitably come from living, the weight of trauma and fighting to survive, about how, through all of that suffering, one can still achieve a sense of peace and rest. Despite the constant darkness the mage faces, there is a light of hope at the end, one that reassures and soothes old wounds. Mage and the Endless Unknown has a good amount of layers to it, some of them terrifying, some of them uncomfortable, even some wondrous, but at its core there is something that encourages reflection, whether regarding the mage’s tale or our own.
With an art style that incorporates influences from manga and Western comics, Miller exhibits a great knack for illustrating the uncanny and grotesque. The creatures are drawn with such rigid, realistic detail, providing a stark contrast to our more rounded, charming, and cartoonish-looking mage. Some of their designs defy explanation other than as eldritch-inspired horrors, one sporting a long, wormlike body and tendrils made to literally get under your skin, another a large flying beast with a single gazing eye and a leechlike mouth, the opening of which taking up an entire page. Their designs and presentation have a Junji Ito-esque aesthetic about them, mainly in their bold outlining and how startling they come across when one’s guard is down. While these monstrosities are abundant throughout the graphic novel, Miller balances their presence with a natural world that appears genuinely captivating. Dark forests may appear intimidating with trees that loom and close in all around, but also include gentle waterfalls that house ethereal jellyfish creatures that seem more benign than some of its other residents. Giant mushrooms provide a safe napping space for the mage, while lush, intricate flowers are a source of small comfort. Here, beauty thrives even among such malevolence, which could either be a small reassurance or an opportunity to garner a false sense of security. The backgrounds, with all their enigmatic structures and ruins, hold more secrets of this world, prompting readers to spend time to soak in each page rather than rushing through to get to the next one.
Mage and the Endless Unknown will likely appeal to those interested in a manga-like style combined with darker elements and a vague mode of storytelling. There is a good amount of disturbing imagery in this comic, coming from its inclusion of body horror, gore, and violence, so this title will fare better with an older audience. The publisher has designated the comic as a Teen/Young Adult title, which I believe is apt considering its content. Librarians and educators looking for original graphic novels with unique presentations, memorable visuals, and an engaging mystery should consider purchasing this title.
Mage and the Endless Unknown By SJ Miller Iron Circus, 2023 ISBN: 9781638991199
Publisher Age Rating: Teen/Young Adult NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16) Creator Representation: Nonbinary
The Woman in the Woods and other North American Stories marks the fifth volume in the series of cautionary fables and fairy tales. The eight tales in this volume are from Indigenous nations, told and illustrated by Indigenous artists, and highlighting tales from Odawa, Chickasaw, Métis/Cree, Métis, Ojibwe, Tania, Navajo, and S’Kallam societies. The editors asked each of the authors to ask for permission from the Elders and/or nations to retell and rework the stories for inclusion in this anthology as they recognized and respected the protocol inherent in the gathering of the stories from the people. Unfortunately, there are no source notes included in the collection, making it of less value to educators, librarians, and storytellers than I had hoped. True, the intended audience is middle school readers, not scholars, but the authenticity of each of the tales should be paramount for them as well. I do appreciate the fact that each of the tribal affiliations has been identified for the tales.
While the tales are rendered in black and white with various hues of grey, the cover itself jumps with colour. Ironically, the story alluded to on the cover is not included in the collection. Editor and cover artist Alina Pete remarked that she had hoped to include the creation story of Sky Woman and Turtle Island, but she could not find anyone that had permission to tell this story. Sky Woman fell to the water-covered world and fell on the back of Turtle. One by one, the animals dive into the water to try and find land until Muskrat is successful in bringing back soil. Sky woman spreads the soil on Turtle’s back to create the world as we know it. She shows Sky Woman dancing for joy and two constellations on the back cover featuring two of the characters from the tales within the covers.
Most of the illustrations in the book itself have simple backgrounds, focusing on the characters of each tale. The different styles of illustrations make each of the stories individual in a collection continuous from tale to tale without any commentary. Most of the illustrations are rendered realistically, although one or two stories have manga-like characteristics and vary between historical and contemporary settings. They also vary in length.
The anthology begins with the Odawa creation story, “As it was told to Me,” retold and illustrated by Elijah Forbes, which demonstrates that the world needs the balance of good and bad to exist. It is followed by a trickster rabbit story about the cost of vanity from the Chickasaw people. “Chokfi” is written by Jordaan Arledge and illustrated by Mekala Nava. The next two stories are located closer to this reviewer. “White Horse Plains,” from the Métis settlement St. Francois Xavier, relates the tale of the dangers of greed and conflict. It is written and illustrated by Rhael McGregor. The second Métis tale is possibly the most familiar character in the collection for me. Written by Maija Ambrose Plamondon and illustrated by Milo Applejohn, “The Rougarou” tells the story of a werewolf like monster and a young boy who befriends the Rougarou. I must admit that while I am familiar with many Rougarou tales, this is the first time I have encountered this one. Alice RL’s Ojibwe tale of “Agonjin in the Water” relates a tale of another story of friendship between a human and a mythical creature: the mythical, Mishipeshu the Great Water Guardian of the lakes and rivers.
The Taino story that follows gave its title to the anthology. It is written and illustrated by Mercedes Acosta and also focuses on the relationship between a woman and a spirit of a young girl who sees the mysterious “Woman in the Woods.” The penultimate tale, “Into the Darkness,” is a Navaho shapeshifter tale about a character so frightful that no one dares to speak its name. It is written by Izzy Roberts and illustrated by Aubrie Warner. The final tale, written by Jeffrey Veregge and illustrated by Alina Pete, is a romantic tale from the S’Kallam people. The Moon in “By the Light of the Moon” falls in love with Octopus Woman, the Queen of the Salish Sea in Puget Sound. The bright light of the Moon makes it possible for the Moon to watch her dance and to send her kisses. The power of the kisses has a surprising repercussion.
The stories are followed by two pages of concise biographies of the creators including their tribal affiliations and, in most cases, their sexual orientations.
Recommended for middle school and public library collections. Because the book is part of the cautionary fables and fairy tales series, most of the stories have strong lessons imparted in the story line, but they are not dogmatic and do allow the power of the storytelling to shine through. I just wish there were adequate source notes—did I say that already?
Cautionary Fables & Fairy Tales, vol. 5: The Woman in the Woods and Other North American Stories Edited by Kate Ashwin, Kel McDonald, Alina Pete Iron Circus, 2022 ISBN: 9781945820977
Publisher Age Rating: 10-12 Series ISBNs and Order
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11) Creator Representation: Cree, Metis, Navajo, Bisexual, Queer, Genderqueer, Nonbinary, Trans, Two Spirit Character Representation: Cree, First Nations or Indigenous, Metis, Navajo
Charlie Lamonte is thirteen years old, queer, black, and questioning what was once a firm belief in God. So naturally, she’s spending a week of her summer vacation stuck at an all-white Christian youth backpacking camp. As the journey wears on and the rhetoric wears thin, she can’t help but poke holes in the pious obliviousness of this storied sanctuary with little regard for people like herself . . . or her fellow camper, Sydney.
(Publisher Description)
As the Crow Flies By Melanie Gilman ISBN: 9781945820069 Iron Circus Comics, 2017 NFNT Age Recommdnation: Teen (13-16)
Have you heard the one about the skull who borrowed body parts to pass himself off as a human so he could trick the village beauty into marriage? No? Well, what about when the daughters of Frog and Snake had a playdate? Okay, fine. But surely you’ve heard the story of the crocodiles who voted on whether or not to eat a man that had saved one of their lives? No? Wow, have we got some stories for you!
(Publisher Description)
Girl Who Married a Skull and Other African Stories Edited by C. Spike Trotman, Kate Ashwin, Kel McDonald Art By Various Creators ISBN: 9781945820243 Iron Circus Comics, 2018 NFNT Age Recommendation: Tween (10-13)
The five short stories in this black and white anthology embody diversity in female protagonists, settings, and types of monsters while exemplifying effective horror tales evocative of a virtuoso storyteller sitting around a campfire with an attentive older audience. They are arresting in their execution and filled with unsettling suspense married with the recognition of various human experiences, especially lonesomeness while surrounded by family and community. Here we discover that not is all what it seems when you seek consolation and friendship in the dark unknown. While none of the tales literally take place at the legendary crossroads at midnight, they all exemplify what could possibly happen when the supernatural is invited into your heart and home.
The 350-page book itself has heft, lending its weight to the seriousness of the material within and the well-developed characters in each story. In the first tale, “The Girl in the Fields,” the reader is introduced to Frankie, a queer teen whose relationship with her religious older parents is volatile. She begins a friendship with a voice and eye through the fence to the peculiar neighbour’s farm. The growing friendship soon descends into a perilous adventure with the monster, who may not be exactly as advertised. This gruesome story is followed by a tale about an entirely different type of monster. College student Christina, in “Mattress, Used,” finds an old stained mattress that is being discarded. Since she has been sleeping on a pile of blankets, she regards this as a major piece of luck. Unfortunately, Christina’s health, well-being, and education are the currency paid for this “find.”
“The Boy from the Sea,” features Nia, a young girl, who is vacationing at the beach with her family. Left on her own, she is befriended by a young boy who only visits at night. His antics and promises arouse suspicion in Nia’s older sister with devastating and long-lasting results. The next tale also takes place by the water with an antagonist much more recognizable as a monster than in the previous tales. The water creature in “Our Lake Monster” began as a popular tourist attraction maintained by a family but when the creature grew and caused a fatality, the family and monster went into hiding. The monster kept growing and the family decided to sell it for research purposes. However, things quickly go amiss when the youngest member of the family disagreed with the decision.
“Kindred Spirits” is the final story, and my favorite. An elderly woman, living in isolation beside a bog, is surprisingly open to a friendly visit from a corpse from the bog. The woman, after communicating with the corpse and the others who subsequently arrive for tea, consults the library and local history experts for information about the cadavers. Armed with the knowledge and understanding of the nature of her nocturnal visitors, she immediately panics but realizes that, perhaps, the situation is not as dire and dreadful as she imagines now that she has friends.
Howard’s black and white illustrations are evocative, spooky, suspenseful, and often grotesque. Her use of crosshatching on white backgrounds adds to the intensity of the stories being told. Howard is skillful with facial expressions, portraying unmistakable realistic and vivid characters of diverse ages, ethnicity, and body types. The atmosphere in each of the tales is distinct but efficiently retains a cohesion to the overall ambiance of the volume. Her ingenious use of shadows creates an effective spooky intensity in each of the tales, establishing and maintaining suspense and tension, often beyond the final panel.
All these tales together offer a glimpse into the unsettling horror that can be awaiting each and everyone of us. While many monsters may be supernatural, the fear and longing driving both the humans and the monstrous is not so far out of bounds, closer perhaps than the famous crossroads at midnight. I highly recommend this graphic novel, which began as a Kickstarter project, for teens and adults who love to read horror and to be frightened safely within the covers of a book.
The Crossroads at Midnight By Abby Howard Iron Circus Comics, 2020 ISBN: 9781945820687
Title Details and Representation Publisher Age Rating: 13+ NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16)
Welcome to Rigsby, WI, where you will find a bit of early 2000s nostalgia and a whole lotta flannel.
Comics and led the revolution on sex-positive, consent-driven erotic comics.
Corinth is a 15-year-old goth aesthetic high schooler with a “bad boy” boyfriend and supportive parents. She likes to spend her free time cleaning up the beach. One day while collecting trash, she’s lured into the water by a hungry mermaid. Luckily, the mermaid (later named Skylla) saw something in Corinth that made them release her and develop a relationship. As Corinth and Skylla learn about each other, the reader learns more about Corinth’s relationship with her toxic boyfriend. His jealousy drives Corinth to spend more and more time with Skylla even as she doubts herself and her decisions. Skylla learns about human cultures, speech, sign language, and food. They also feel deeply about Corinth and works with the mermaid elders to trade their magic for legs to join Corinth on land, surprising her as a transfer student. But the price of the magic is more than Skylla is willing to pay, which leads to complications and a difficult choice for the couple to make together.
loved, and where you feel comfortable. Mazie Lovie’s middle grade graphic memoir The Lucky Poor tells Mazie’s own experience growing up poor, with not always ideal living situations, until her mom becomes a homeowner through Habitat for Humanity Canada.
A mage awakens in a mysterious field surrounded by sweeping landscapes and crumbling relics. His purpose unknown, he embarks on a journey with stunning magic in tow, meeting a faithful companion or two along the way. Though this is the set up for many a fanciful tale, the mage soon realizes that this world is not kind to wanton adventurers. There are monsters with abyssal maws that can swallow beings whole, creatures that maul and mutilate for their own cryptic ends, and a corrupted force that seeks to end the mage’s wanderings permanently. Death and carnage rule this land, thrusting unrelenting horror and pain onto the mage at every opportunity. It will take all of the mage’s magic, strength, and perseverance to abate the darkness, but seldom does one attempt such a feat and come out unscathed.
The Woman in the Woods and other North American Stories marks the fifth volume in the series of cautionary fables and fairy tales. The eight tales in this volume are from Indigenous nations, told and illustrated by Indigenous artists, and highlighting tales from Odawa, Chickasaw, Métis/Cree, Métis, Ojibwe, Tania, Navajo, and S’Kallam societies. The editors asked each of the authors to ask for permission from the Elders and/or nations to retell and rework the stories for inclusion in this anthology as they recognized and respected the protocol inherent in the gathering of the stories from the people. Unfortunately, there are no source notes included in the collection, making it of less value to educators, librarians, and storytellers than I had hoped. True, the intended audience is middle school readers, not scholars, but the authenticity of each of the tales should be paramount for them as well. I do appreciate the fact that each of the tribal affiliations has been identified for the tales.
