Inspired by an Ojibwe story, Black Stone is an English/Anishinaabemowin picture book that encourages young readers to find their own inner strength.

After waking from a nightmare, a boy asks his grandfather for help, who tells him that in order to face his fears he must find the black stone.

Withhis Mishoomis’s voice to guide him, the boy embarks on a vision quest to search for the black stone among the tall trees of the jungle, in the depths of the ocean and through the barren desert. He encounters many dangers including a sudden storm and menacing animals. Through it all, the boy finds himself guided by the very creatures he’d once feared. Will he be able to find the black stone? Will he be able to find himself?

Black Stoneis brought to life by Maya McKibbin’s comics-inspired illustrations and accompanied by an author’s note explaining Darcy’s connection to the story and to Ojibwe vision quests.

Key Text Features

writing inspiration

author’s note

illustrations

comics

panels

Correlatesto the Common Core States Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1

With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.2

With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3

Withprompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.6

With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7

With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which theyappear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2

Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3

Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.6

Identifywho is telling the story at various points in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7

Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

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