Referred to as the “Rez Kid” by the kids on her school bus, a Native girl wishes her classmates knew how wonderful life on her reservation is. Her family members give her various suggestions, each celebrating cultural values, but the girl wants to come up with something on her own. Pencil, crayon, and digital illustrations accentuate the girl’s familial relationships, pride in the land, and activities like beadwork and medicine gathering. Ultimately, the girl determines that the best way to showcase reservation life is to invite her classmates to visit. While perhaps unrealistic that the entire group would come together, the solution is grounded in the Native child’s generosity and commitment to her community. An introductory Author’s Note provides perspective on reservations, often referred to as “the rez” by Indigenous peoples in the United States and Canada.

A celebration of traditional ways of life and the power of sharing what we have. “Rez kid!” The girl ignores the taunt as she hurries to the back of the school bus. She just wants to get home to the reservation, where she can feel safe. When she tells her family members what happened, they each offer advice. Their ideas are different, but similar at heart: share something from the reservation with the other children. The girl listens but decides to come up with her own idea – one rooted in her ancestral past. An inspiring story about embracing who we are and sharing our gifts with others.