Happy Anniversary, Horn Book! It’s been pure joy to watch you grow over the years. I read you voraciously as I honed my writing craft. And now I jump for joy to see my books so thoughtfully reviewed by you.

I learned so much from you as an aspiring kidlit author. I would pore over your magazine to read the reviews, which were so carefully and professionally done, helping me to become a better writer though I didn’t even know it at the time. I just loved reading about the new books and what your opinions were on them. Never imagining that one day I might have books among your pages. Talk about a dream come true.

When I began reading your magazine many years ago, there were not many Native American/­Indigenous creatives in the publishing world. I rarely saw books like the ones that I wrote at the time, and I hoped for the day when that might change.

My hope for the future of children’s literature is to see more Native American/Indigenous creatives in all aspects in the world of publishing. As authors, illustrators, ­editors, agents, reviewers…and I know you will be there championing the conversation. Here’s to many more years of brilliance.

From the May/June 2024 special issue of The Horn Book Magazine: Our Centennial. For more Horn Book centennial coverage, click here. Find more in the "Blowing the Horn" series here.

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