Dawn Quigley

Dawn Quigley is a Native American author and educator who writes children's books and young adult literature, with a focus on contemporary Native American characters and experiences. She is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe. Her most well-known works include the "Jo Jo Makoons" chapter book series about a young Ojibwe girl, which began with "Jo Jo Makoons: The Used-to-Be Best Friend." She has also written picture books including "Josie Dances" and young adult fiction such as "Apple in the Middle." Quigley holds a Ph.D. in Teaching & Learning and has worked as a reading teacher and professor of education. Her academic work centers on Indigenous education and literature, contributing to both creative writing and educational scholarship. Beyond her writing, Quigley advocates for authentic representation of Native Americans in children's literature and serves as a voice for Indigenous perspectives in publishing. Her work regularly incorporates Ojibwe culture and language while addressing contemporary themes relevant to young readers.

Readers emphasize the authenticity and humor in Quigley's portrayal of Native American characters, particularly in the Jo Jo Makoons series. Parents and teachers note how the books fill a gap in children's literature with contemporary Indigenous representation. What readers liked: - Natural integration of Ojibwe words and cultural elements - Relatable school and family situations for young readers - Illustrations that complement the stories - Humor that appeals to both children and adults What readers disliked: - Some found the Jo Jo character's voice inconsistent - A few mentioned wanting more depth in cultural explanations - Occasional comments about pacing in "Apple in the Middle" Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: "Jo Jo Makoons" averages 4.2/5 from 500+ ratings - Amazon: 4.8/5 across her titles - School Library Journal and educator reviews consistently rate her books 4-5 stars "Perfect for early chapter book readers who love Ramona and Junie B. Jones," notes one teacher-librarian. A parent reviewer writes, "Finally, a contemporary Native American character my kids can relate to."

Apple in the Middle - A coming-of-age novel about Apple, a biracial teenager who visits her Native American family on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation while grappling with her identity and family history.

Jo Jo Makoons: The Used-to-Be Best Friend - A chapter book following a seven-year-old Ojibwe girl navigating friendship challenges at school while staying connected to her Native culture.

Jo Jo Makoons: Fancy Pants - The second book in the series where Jo Jo deals with the pressures of a school fashion show while learning important lessons about self-expression.

Josie Dances - A picture book about a young Ojibwe girl learning traditional jingle dress dancing and connecting with her cultural heritage.

Cynthia Leitich Smith writes Native American children's and young adult literature featuring contemporary Indigenous characters and experiences. Her books like "Rain Is Not My Indian Name" and the "Ancestor Approved" anthology showcase modern Native youth navigating identity and community.

Christine Day creates middle grade fiction centered on Native American families and traditions from a contemporary perspective. Her books "I Can Make This Promise" and "The Sea in Winter" explore themes of family history and cultural connection through young Indigenous protagonists.

Joseph Bruchac writes stories drawing from Native American traditions and contemporary Indigenous experiences across multiple age groups. His extensive body of work includes both traditional stories and modern narratives that bridge historical and present-day Native American life.

Carole Lindstrom focuses on Indigenous environmental activism and cultural preservation in her children's books. Her work "We Are Water Protectors" and other titles connect traditional Native values with current environmental issues.

Eric Gansworth creates young adult literature exploring Native American identity in contemporary settings. His books "If I Ever Get Out of Here" and "Apple" examine Indigenous youth experiences through perspectives grounded in reservation life and urban settings.