"Here's how you pronounce this word: [spells the word exactly the same way that it is spelled]."

Cheers for representation, but this was very much not for me or for child-me.

Absolutely delightful early chapter book, high recommend as a diverse read alike/replacement for Junie B Jones (realistic fiction featuring a relatable main character who has wonderfully flawed behavior).

This early chapter book is funny and enjoyable. Jo Jo is a realistically flawed hero kids will root for.

I am struggling with giving this book a rating. There are many positives and overall I thought it was a good book. But there were a few things that lowered the rating for me. I know I am not the target audience, so I am eager to read this to my students when school starts back up to get their feedback.

First, it was a cute friendship story with some small misunderstandings that were overcome by the end. Information about Ojibwe language and culture was woven throughout the story in a mostly seamless way.

I say mostly because there was part of the first chapter that made me put down the book when I started reading. Looking back it wasn't that large a part of the chapter, but for me there were too many new words introduced back to back with a bit too much repetitiveness. For example, it was mentioned twice within three paragraphs the Ojibwe is Jo Jo's Native American tribe. Fewer meanings and pronunciations in the text of the book to make it flow better. As an example, Juana & Lucas by Juana Media does a good job at incorporating Spanish words without interrupting the flow of the story. I have seen some books put a glossary at the start of the book, then just use them in the text, which is a format I prefer. However, I enjoyed learning a tiny bit of Ojibwe and Michif and learning some of the history.

I also kept trying to figure out if Jo Jo had ever gone to Kindergarten. It wasn't mentioned, but some of the story felt more like something I would see from my kindergarteners than my 1st graders. Like not knowing that the gym teacher's name wasn't Jim. But I could see it if she did not go to kindergarten.

As much as some of the details bothered me, I liked Jo Jo. She was a bit immature, but had a good heart. Even when she was worried about losing her best friend at school, she just tried harder to be friendly.

While I first received this book as an electronic ARC from Netgalley and the publisher, I got behind on my reading during the end of the school year. I am finally catching up and listed to the second half of the book on audio.

Jo Jo is so much fun and has so much to say!

Her ties to her family and culture were shining through the text. Her constant craving for adventure and her unyielding need to understand why her pets never say goodbye to her on the way to school. The character is funny, witty, and a huge laugh. This story is a necessary tale with a protagonist that deserves her time to shine! And integrates Ojibwe language and traditions so beautifully.

Thank you to NetGalley and Heartdrum for providing me with an ARC, I can't wait to see what comes next in Jo Jo's story!

Oh I absolutely adore Jo Jo! There are parts that tugged at my heart, and others where I was laughing out loud. This book is perfect for fans of Yasmin! I can't wait to share it with my young readers.

There are definitely Junie B Jones vibes in this book. The base concept is very much the same: a young kid at school who consistently misunderstands or misinterprets things that people say. In this case, some of this can be attributed to cultural differences since Teacher is white and Jo Jo is Ojibwe. In fact, I wish the cultural comparison were a larger role instead of being a side element. This series suffers a little from comparison with the Junie B Jones monolith but with time and further volumes it will shine on it's own

Jo Jo Makoons is the first book in what is supposed to become a series. She is a unique character that young children will find amusing. As an adult, I thought that her behavior was often silly, but I think that young children will really be able to relate to her. I would highly recommend this book to young readers that are interested in reading chapter books.

Cute, funny story with hijinks and wordplay. I agree with one of the other reviewers that it would be good to break up the text a little more with illustrations, but the illustrations that are there are fun and expressive. I like that Jo Jo misunderstands things and messes up and it still all works out okay. And I love her cat!

This YR book gives the audience an #ownvoices narrative on being a kid in school, friendships, and just trying to figure out the world. Jo Jo thinks that he school best friend, Fern, doesn't want to be her friend anymore, and all Jo Jo thinks is how can she get other friends then too? As the reader goes along through the story, we are introduced to new words and their meanings, to immerse ourselves in Jo Jo's world. A must read!

This charming new series by Dawn Quigley is engaging and funny. Readers will be laughing as Jo Jo sneaks her cat to school, and cheering for her as she designs a yearbook cover. Jo Jo is charming and relatable, and I can't wait to read more of the series.

She is spunky and full of pride and humor!

Who wouldn't love Jo jo Makoons? Readers will love this first book in a new chapter book series by Dawn Quigley that centers around an Ojibwe girl who lives her life on her own terms and learns a thing or two along the way.
This book is perfect for readers that are moving into smaller chapter books, but still need illustrations to break up the text. Grades 2-3

Thank you Netgalley and The Heartdrum imprint for this e-ARC.

I cannot wait to recommend this book to new chapter book readers!

Jo Jo is plucky, curious, and caring. She's a mixture of Amelia Bedelia when she takes things literally and Junie B. Jones in attitude. The universal theme of friendship will draw all readers, and the art is a lot of fun and complements the story. The author is careful to define new terms from the Ojibwe tribe and how to pronounce the words.

The chapters are short as well as the sentences making this a great pick for a new-to-chapter-books reader. The author carefully touches on themes of diversity in an age-appropriate way and introduces native customs for readers who are unfamiliar with tribal traditions.

I especially love that the author has Jo Jo loving math and doesn't stereotype school subjects.

This is a great book for Katie Woo readers for the next step in their reading journey. A much-needed addition to libraries and classrooms to expand indigenous representation.

Jo Jo Makoons Azure loves polka dots, her #1 best friend/cat Mimi, and her School Best Friend, Fern. But lately Jo Jo worries that Fern no longer wants to be her best friend, and school can be tough. Is Jo Jo doomed to be a Used-to-Be Best Friend?

The first in a delightful series of early chapter books, Jo Jo Makoons is a delightful protagonist who sees the world differently and lives life to the fullest on her Ojibwe reservation. Jo Jo tries her hardest at everything she does, which leads to some wacky hi-jinks when she doesn't quite understand what is happening around her or takes things too literally. This can range from thinking that her gym teacher's name is actually Jim, to smuggling her cat to school, and more.

Full of adorable illustrations and information about the Ojibwe language and culture, the Jo Jo Makoons series is an exciting and enticing preview of what else is to come from the highly anticipated Heartdrum publishing imprint and a phenomenal addition to the ever-increasing range of diverse cultures that are taking center stage in the lives of young readers.

I am certainly looking forward to see what other well-meaning mischief Jo Jo will find in future books!