Jingle Dancer

Smith, Cynthia Leitich. 2000. Jingle dancer. Ill. by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 0688162428

Plot Summary

Jenna loves to watch the videotape of her Grandma Wolfe jingle dancing at a powwow and is excited when her grandma says she can dance at the next powwow. Unfortunately, there is not enough time to order the tin needed to make the jingles for Jenna’s dress. Jenna needs four rows of jingles, without them, Jenna’s dress won’t sing. The next day Jenna visits her aunt, cousin, and a neighbor and asks them each for enough jingles to make a row. Jenna only asks for one row each, because she doesn’t want their dresses to lose their voices. When she returns home, Grandma Wolfe gives her the jingles to make the fourth row. At the powwow, Jenna dances the jingle dance for the four women who gave her the jingles so her dress could sing.

Critical Analysis (Including Cultural Markers)

Jingle Dancer shows how a modern day Muscogee Indian girl looks forward to carrying on the traditions of her people through dancing at a powwow. The setting is contemporary, but each of the women take pride in honoring their heritage and helping Jenna to continue the jingle dancing tradition. An author’s note explains the origins of the traditions and offers more information about the foods and activities at the powwow. The note also explains the importance of the number four, reflected in the story through Jenna’s goal of borrowing enough jingles from four women to make four rows. The watercolor illustrations show the variety of jingle dresses and other regalia worn at the powwow.

Review Excerpts

School Library Journal: “Seeing Jenna as both a modern girl in the suburban homes of her intertribal community and as one of many traditionally costumed participants at the powwow will give some readers a new view of a contemporary Native American way of life... This picture book will not only satisfy a need for materials on Native American customs, but will also be a welcome addition to stories about traditions passed down by the women of a culture.”

Book Links: “This is a rare book depicting a contemporary story of a Native American child. There are rich opportunities to explore dance, family, and the Muscogee-Creek Nation.”

Connections

More books by Cynthia Leitich Smith with a focus on Native American characters:
Smith, Cynthia Leitich. 2001. Rain is not my Indian name. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780688173975
Smith, Cynthia Leitich. 2002. Indian shoes. Ill. by Jim Madsen. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780060295318