The Sacred Stone Camp

In this environmentally conscious picture book, a child, Lil’ Donna, heads to the initial day of a Dakota camp established by Indigenous activist LaDonna BraveBull Allard (1956–2021) to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline. Lil’ Donna understands that “opening the Sacred Stone Camp is an important step in stopping DAPL’s Black Snake,” but the stakes feel high, including “all the things that could go wrong if we don’t win.” As a group meets up to travel by horse to the camp, Lil’ Donna’s Unci LaDonna and Lala Miles offer encouragement. During the ride, Unci offers stories about the camp’s name and why it’s so important to protect water from the oil-carrying pipes whose spills kill wildlife. Indigenous and Asian author Rose melds a child’s journey with extended information on the Sacred Stone Camp and Water Protectors. Luminescent graphite and watercolor illustrations from McKnight, an enrolled member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, trace the journey in vivid greens and blues. Back matter offers context. Ages 5–9. (Oct.)