Sky Dancers by Connie Kirk is a picture book from children's multicultural publisher Lee and Low. This title is set in the 1930s about a young Mohawk boy's relationship with his steelworker father who is helping to build the Empire State Building in New York. At home on the reserve, the boy challenges himself with tree climbing when he is not helping his grandfather. But he misses his father who lives in a New York apartment and only comes back home on weekends. It is the Depression and ironworkers were lucky to have employment. One special weekend, the boy, his mother and grandfather travel by train from their reserve to visit the work site in New York. The boy wonders how his father is able to work on high steel seemingly without fear. His father explains that courage helps but he entrusts his life to Mother Earth and Father Sky. Back home on the reserve, the boy challenges himself to climb his backyard tree up to the highest point and recalls his father's words. Wonderful art deco style illustrations capture the warmth of this Mohawk family and it is a heartfelt tribute to the Mohawk ironworkers of the past and present. The author provides background information about the history of Mohawk ironworkers. A powerful picture book for children from grade one to four. DRA: 38;
