(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Netgalley. Content warning for racism.)

Mia Harjo Horowitz belongs to two tribes: her mother is Jewish and her biological father, Van, is a member of the Muscogee Nation. They split up when Mia was just three; Mia and her mother now live in West Hills, California with her stepfather Roger. A middle schooler, Mia attends West Hills Jewish Community School, where she's preparing for her bat mitzvah. The immersion in religious and cultural studies - along with racist bullying at school - have got Mia thinking about her Native American heritage, which none of the adults in her life seem to want to talk about. Feeling like she has no other option, Mia takes her bat mitzvah money and secretly buys a ticket to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to learn more about her Muscogee ancestry. Naturally, she gets caught.

Loosely based on the author's experiences growing up as a Jewish-Muscogee kid (though, it's worth noting, her mother was much more open to exploring both sides of the family tree), TWO TRIBES is an important book with great representation, if not the best execution. Perhaps it's the book's audience (middle school), but it felt like the book's central conflicts were solved a little too easily, i.e., the adults all saw the error of their ways and rectified their behaviors without much pushback. The language feels a bit awkward and stilted, as does the artwork, occasionally (the hands especially threw me off).

On the positive side, I enjoyed the glimpses of Muscogee culture Bowen Cohen treats us to. Likewise, she also does an admirable job depicting the racism that Mia - and her friend Chloe, a Chinese American girl adopted into a Jewish family - face as two of the only girls of color at a Jewish school. (The scenes where Mia unwittingly checked a racist book out of the library to learn more about her Native American heritage are devastating.) Ditto: delving into this country's genocidal treatment of its Indigenous inhabitants.

I enjoyed this book. When a person comes from two different tribes is it hard to balance both. Especially when your parents are not getting along. She lives with her mom and step dad who are Jewish and she hasn't see her father in a long time. She goes to a Jewish school where she doesn't look like the other kids. She lies to her mom and step-dad that she is going on a trip with her Jewish school. But takes a bus trip to see her dad and his family and her Muskogee family. I love how Mia is founding who she is. From her Jewish identity to her Muscogee identity.

This is a delightful read, sharing the journey of a young girl discovering the intersectionality’s of her individual person. The other story line opposite Miss self discovery journey is one in which Myths relating to indigenous peoples are dispelled. Lots of information sharing about Shabbat and being a part of a tribe brings a family once torn apart, back together. A wholesome read

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this title. Based on the author’s experience, this book delves into the main character reconciling her Jewish and Muscogee backgrounds. Students may relate to living in two different worlds and trying to find a way to feel at home in both places. This was an engaging graphic novel!

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5

This was a quick read that delved into thorny topics of identity and self-respect. I was surprised at the ending; it felt abrupt and did not provide closure on Mia's father's side of the family.

72%

We've got a good story on our hands, but it felt kinda preachy and forced at times - I mean, no one really talks like they did in real life, and it felt weirdly awkward. I get that it's important to show healthy relationships and boundaries, but you can show me a nail's purpose without hammering it into my skull, you know?

I also wasn't a fan of Mia planning to ask the librarian to remove a book out of the collection because she didn't like what it said, especially since she herself pointed out that it taught her how other people view Native Americans - asking for more relevant books is awesome, but banning books just doesn't sit right with me.

I think some cultural resources to aid further research would've been nice to see at the end of the book, especially since this story is aimed at a younger age-group that may not know how to research things properly.

Mia, who is half Jewish and half Muscogee, learns to navigate both parts of her identity. I loved how she learned to appreciate both cultures and speak up for herself. I loved how her family and the Rabbi were all willing to learn, grow, and change.

I really loved the concept of this story! This follows a young woman struggling to balance her Jewish identity and Muskogee identity. She lives with her Jewish mother and is exposed to many Jewish traditions, but she is curious to learn more about her Muskogee identity. I appreciated how this book addresses anti-Indigenous racism, the lack of validation of BIPOC Jewish folks, friendship, family dynamics, and mixed-heritage. Although a minor character, I really enjoyed the friendship the MC had with an Asian Jewish person. This would be a great book for middle schoolers. Also, the illustrations are gorgeous!

This is a stunning graphic novel that is quite unique in it’s nature. I have spent a few years now reading Native books and have yet to come across one that offers a Jewish Native perspective. There was some intrigue in it for me as it was so parallel to my own life in a lot of ways and I know it will do that for others. One example is me being Native with Jewish ancestry, though unlike Mia, I’m far more disconnected from my Jewish side than my Native side. But I felt that same curiousity that is represented on the page. This graphic novel has potential for more than the intended target audience because of the story’s depth and the elements it explored.

Two Tribes does deliver on what is stated in the description. Our protagonist Mia is part of a divorced family, her mother and step father being Jewish and her father being Native. She lives with her mother and doesn’t often see her father, and after being heckled by a student at school, she decides she wants to see him. From there we follow Mia as she tests boundaries, figures out her place in both parts of her life, and starts mending fences.

What worried me a little was the depiction of Mia’s father. Without giving spoilers, the readers are clued in that he made mistakes in his marriage with Mia’s mother and in her childhood. Mia doesn’t hold a grudge but it plays a role in her disconnect from her family. The overall message smoothes this out, and shows how a lot of the characters in this story make mistakes and have a lot more to learn. A central theme seems to be the importance of responsibility and accountability, which worked really well in the context of this story. Especially since it can overlap into different aspects since most people come from more than one culture.

I also think this is a graphic novel that a lot of kids and teens will enjoy. Mia seems relatable, and there is just enough humor sprinkled in that it keeps your attention when things get intense.

Overall, an interesting graphic novel that centers Jewish Natives and being mixed.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Heartdrum for an eARC in exchange for an honest review*

What a great story! Emily Bowen Cohen's TWO TRIBES is compelling story of a young teen who's struggling with finding her identity between her divorced parents; her mother is Jewish, her father is Indigenous. Mia, the main character, makes some big mistakes but her decisions are relatable. It's easy to imagine a kid's logic justifying her actions. Mia's Indigenous family is warm and welcoming; they clearly love her very much. Mia's mom comes across as a bit dimensional, a bit like she's stuck being a victim. However, the ending of the book is heartwarming and feels aspirational--an example of how families can come together even if it's not perfect.

Quick read detailing a teen girl's feelings surrounding her mixed heritage. Living with her mom, she's inundated with Jewish culture, but she also wants to learn more about her dad's Native culture as well. The author does an excellent job providing background about both cultures and demonstrates the similarities and differences between the two. Great book for a classroom library.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

I loved this GN. A debut GN that tells the story of Mia’s Two Tribes: Jewish and Muskogee (Creek). She is struggling in her personal life because she wants to learn more about her Muskogee side and her mom doesn’t want to discuss anything that has to do with her father. Mia sneaks off to Oklahoma to stay with her dad and his new family where she reconnects with family and learns the ways of her second tribe. I learned a lot about both the Jewish and Muskogee backgrounds that I didn’t know before. A beautifully drawn GN focusing on acceptance and learning to love more than one side of your self.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

Two Tribes is a graphic novel about Mia who is half Muscogee (Creek) and Jewish. Mia lives in California with her Jewish mom and step dad who don't encourage her to connect with her Muscogee side. The first quarter is really difficult to read. Mia is bullied at school and her rabbi makes some very inappropriate comments concerning Indigenous people. Angry at this side of her family, Mia uses her Bat Mitzvah money to visit her dad in Oklahoma. Her time spent in Oklahoma was my favorite part of the book. Mis learns about her tribe, gets to know her family, and really connects with the Muscogee part of her.

Unfortunately, the artwork can be inconsistent at times. Backgrounds always look polished while characters and people are sometimes awkward and stiff. There are certain panels you can tell more time was spent on them while others are rushed. I do appreciate that it's full color though.

Two Tribes contains a beautiful message for kids like Mia who walk the line between two cultures.

This beautiful graphic novel is an exposition on how we are all human and we all make mistakes, kids, teens, parents, step parents, even the rabbi and of course dear old Jonah.

The story of a half-Jewish, half-Muscogee girl who, on the eve of her bat mitzvah, sneaks away to visit the estranged Native American side of her family in Oklahoma. Mia just assumes her mother would never let her visit her father and his family.. After all, her mom and stepdad regularly made derogatory comments about her father, Van. They had good reason to as Van truly messed up in marriage and fatherhood with Mia and her mother. But it’s never okay to bash a parent in front of a child. So Mia devises a clever plan to travel from her home in Los Angeles to Oklahoma to spend time with her father and family and learn about her Native American heritage and customs. That’s pretty noble of Mia, but also deceptive. She uses her Bat Mitzvah gift money to fund the trip and involves her friend in her deception as she is actually supposed to be attending a Shabbation. She even has her mom sign a permission slip for her to attend. It’s an ingenious plan for a young girl and it almost works.

She arrives via bus and is greeted warmly and becomes so enamored with the new life she wants to to abandon her life in Los Angeles and devote herself to life with her Muscogee relatives. She tells dad she wants to move and live with him.

Mia keeps in touch with her mom via cell phone telling lie upon lie to cover her story. But lies tend to catch up with us just as it did for Mia and the wayward prophet Jonah.

I really enjoyed this book from start to finish as there is so much content….
The Jewish customs, the Muskogee customs, the punishment she incurs spending time with the rabbi where a study of Jonah is used to teach Mia a lesson. I was impressed with how the author allowed the characters to make mistakes and bad decisions, then each has the errors of their ways revealed to them and they then chose to make amends. That’s the way it should be. Own up to your bad choices and simply say I’m sorry, I was wrong. .
The part of the book that keeps readers engaged is waiting for the next shoe to drop as one knows Mia’s deception is going to finally catch up with her as well as the stiff consequences.

Two Tribes is a beautifully illustrated book illuminating a troubled teen who takes on her identity and exploration of self. I highly recommend this wonderful debut graphic novel.

Beware of some terms used in this story and understand there is a point being made if it feels offensive. The author’s afterward addresses this quite succinctly.

Coming of age, blended families, religious references, cultures of the Jewish and Muskogee come together to make a fine graphic novel.

Drawing on the author's own experiences, Two Tribes explores what it means to belong to two cultures at once: in middle-schooler Mia's case, Jewish and indigenous (Muscogee). Some great character work in this comic; I especially liked Mia, as well as Gramma, Nova, and Rebbetzin Goldfarb. The dialogue was pretty stiff throughout, and I thought the ending wrapped up a little too neatly and abruptly, especially with Mia's mom and stepfather. I liked Mia and the Rabbi's conversations, though. I wasn't loving the art style at first, but it grew on me over the course of the book. Great to see this representation in middle grade, even if the execution is a little clunky.

Not sure I understand why Mia's necklace in the book is a hamsa while the cover shows a Star of David?

TW: racism, divorced parents, mention of past infidelity, white settler colonialism, reference to the Trail of Tears

I enjoyed this graphic novel. I don't know what level it's being promoted to, but felt it was written at the level of high middle grade. Working within a high school it definitely could fit too, but I think higher reading level students might want a little more within it to follow.

Two Tribes is an important middle grade graphic novel about personal identity and navigating a bi-cultural existence. This book is a rare exploration into life for a tween who is both Muscogee and Jewish, and readers will empathize with Mia’s questions and struggles. While I wish the illustrations were better and the story was less preachy in parts, I do think this is worth reading, and I look forward to reading whatever this author writes next.

Within this book Cohen explores the multiple identities of a young Muscogee and Jewish girl. I found the representation of Muscogee culture and families in Oklahoma to be accurate and written with love. I found Mia’s struggles with figuring out her identity well written and the emotions she experienced to be shown well. Through the art Cohen is able to show the landscapes of Oklahoma as well as different aspects of Mis family’s culture from ribbon skirts and fry bread to challah. Mia’s cousin was one of my favorite characters in the book. She’s an indiginerd who incorporates her Muscogee identity with nerd culture. She seems like she would be an incredibly cool cousin to have. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this graphic novel and would recommend it to everyone, but particularly to young people with multiple racial/ethnic and religious identities as Mia’s journey is helpful in understanding one’s own.

Identity and living your entire true self are two themes in this graphic novel debut by Emily Bowen Cohen. The story, inspired by the author’s own life, is appropriate for readers aged 8-12. The ARC, provided by #NetGalley and published by #Heartdrum - an imprint of #HarperCollinsPublishers - is filled with colorful illustrations. Mia is both Jewish and Muscogee. Living in California, she begins to feel out of place and yearns to find out about life with her dad, who lives in Oklahoma. Without telling her mom, Mia takes a journey to discover her Muscogee self and uncovers values of self, identify, and family.

An intriguing graphic novel of a girl struggling to honor both parts of her identity, and to find her place in each. Heartfelt, honest, enlightening.