Renowned author Nikki Grimes and debut picture book writer Stacy Wells (Choctaw) lend their resonant voices to award-winning artist E. B. Lewis’s (Lenni Lenape) rich watercolors in this story of a Black Choctaw boy who finds strength in the example and history of his ancestors. When Dante struggles with nightmares, his mother believes learning his family’s history will help him cope. The roots on both sides of his family tree run deep, with stories of survival through events Dante’s mother calls “daymares.” Taking discovering his heritage into his own hands, Dante finds out hard truths—but also a love that shines through generations and, finally, a strength to sleep through the night. Features author and illustrator notes, historical references, a glossary, and a note from Heartdrum author-curator Cynthia Leitich Smith.
Authors
Stacy likes to read. A lot. So much so, her husband and children must constantly remind her of their names and positions in the family (she has a habit of confusing them with literary characters). Anne of Green Gables sparked a love of reading that hasn’t let up since third grade. You see, she saw pieces of herself reflected in Anne’s often-misunderstood character—not to mention her stubborn, passionate, and loyal-to-a-fault nature. Due to her love of reading, Stacy also grew to love writing. A lot. Since she was always lost in a book, she thought to get lost in her own stories too. Stacy is an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation, and a children’s librarian. When not reading or writing (or recommending books), she lives life to the fullest in North Texas with her family, which includes a red dog named Blu and two very adorable but very mischievous ferrets.
