In this fourth book in the unique chapter book series by author Dawn Quigley (Ojibwe) and illustrated by artist Tara Audibert (Wolastoqey), the Elders’ Tribal Center has opened up their talent show to the entire community, and Jo Jo certainly has plenty of talents of her own to show off—though following her substitute teacher’s rules may not be one of them.…
It is good to follow the rules. But there are just so many!
Jo Jo and her classmates are excited that the Elders’ Tribal Center has changed the rules for the talent show to invite the whole tribe to perform. But the rules have also changed in Jo Jo’s classroom, where instead of their teacher, they have a substitute. Since Jo Jo has a knack for being helpful, she puts her mind to helping her classmates decide on their talents—but can she manage to follow the substitute teacher’s rules?
Even if no one else quite understands Jo Jo’s own rules (like that saying “please” makes words softer and fluffier to hear, and that square foods are too pointy to be yummy), her undeniable talents for celebrating, curiosity, and class keep her happily hop-skipping in step with her Ojibwe community.