Jo Jo Makoons: The Used-To-Be Best Friend

Quigley, Dawn

The first book in a chapter book series about a funny and proud young Ojibwe girl, written by American Indian Youth Literature Honorwinning author Dawn Quigley (Ojibwe), and illustrated by artist Tara Audibert (Wolastoqey).

Hello/Boozhoo—meet Jo Jo Makoons! Full of pride, joy, and plenty of humor, this first book in a new chapter book series celebrates a spunky young Ojibwe girl who loves who she is.

Jo Jo Makoons Azure is a spirited seven-year-old who moves through the world a little differently than anyone else on her Ojibwe reservation. It always seems like her mom, her kokum (grandma), and her teacher have a lot to learn—about how good Jo Jo is at cleaning up, what makes a good rhyme, and what it means to be friendly.

Even though Jo Jo loves her #1 best friend Mimi (who is a cat), she’s worried that she needs to figure out how to make more friends. Because Fern, her best friend at school, may not want to be friends anymore. . . .