Eagle Drums is the origin story of the Inupiaq Messenger Feast. Nasugraq Rainey Hopson tells the tale though the eyes of Pinja, a young hunter who lives with his mother and father. They travel around the early Alaskan wilderness in their small family group, mourning the loss of two older sons. As they get ready to travel, Pinja heads up the mountain (the same mountain that killed his two older brothers to search for flint for new arrowheads. He's absorbed in this task when he encounters Savik, the terrifying eagle god. Pinja must chose whether to follow Savik or die like his brothers. Pinja follows the eagle god to the aerie where he is subjected to torturous trials all leading toward one goal. This is an amazing story, engrossing and delightfully readable - it would make a great read-a-loud if middle school teachers do that. Hopson is an excellent, colorful writer. Be sure to read her author notes. This is a book I will buy and return to many times. Thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read the ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley & Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story! An Alaskan Iñupiaq folktale story that keeps you on your toes. Lots of good messages throughout the story and magical realism.

I received this ARC and scored a paperback copy at ALA. Now I can share it! This Alaskan folktale for middle graders contains the origin story of the Iñupiaq Messenger Feast, a Native Alaskan tradition. I adored this title, it had mythology and adventure, and kids will relate to the main character. It'll be a Bookish Society selection at some point.

This book follows Pina, a young Iñupiaq boy/hunter and his role in the origins of the Messenger Feast. I loved that it focused on Alaskan Indian culture. The writing style was expertly done - it felt like sitting at the feet of the storyteller.
There are also illustrations throughout that will captivate young readers (and older readers too).
There is so much to be discussed in this book: isolation, community, teamwork, loneliness, grief, purpose, fortitude, loyalty, honor, trustworthiness, I could go on and on.

I received a dARC from the publisher via NetGalley; this is my honest review.

Gripping, fast-paced, skillfully written in a way that lands as smoothly as masterful storytelling. The style is straightforward, and this allows the heart of the story, characters, and setting to quickly take hold, with no need for embellishment or literary flourishes that might risk distracting a reader.

A story of grief, hope, persistence, and courage — and of community. I’ll share this with middle school readers and adults as well. It would be a great school-year, community, or book-club read. Love love love this one and am going to be thinking of the message I took from it for my own adult life.

Thank you, @NetGalley, for the ebook ARC.

This was such an interesting book. Its Alaskan folklore but feels very contemporary. The author really surrounded you with the feeling of being in Alaska and experiencing the tasks and rituals from their ancestors. The slow pace of the story (no, not boring) made you think and contemplate the meaning and value of the tasks. It was just so well done.
I really enjoyed all the references to purveying food, human relationships with nature and humans relationships with animals of the forest. It was a beautiful book.
Enjoy!

I personally struggled to connect with this particular story. I got about half way through and then decided it just wasn't my style or interest. I do believe that this is a strong, Native American story. If this is something you are looking for in your middle grade classroom- this might be a solid choice.

I really enjoyed the way Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson wrote this, it worked on all sorts of levels. The characters had everything that I was looking for in this type of book. I appreciated getting to learn about the Native Alaskan tradition in this book. It worked well overall and it did everything that I was hoping for. I'm excited to read more from the author as I enjoyed this book a lot.

"This is where I keep my memories—or specifically, one type of memory. This reminds me of all of those humans in the past who dared to use something against me. To try and control me. A record of their methods and what tactics they used.” Piŋa’s eyes widened as he realized what that meant, that these were people that the Eagle Mother had defeated. She smiled even wider, exposing her bluish tongue. “I am old, and there were many humans that I had known before you, and I will probably know many after you. Would you like to be a string on my stick? Hmm?”