Raven, Rising by Christine Hartman Derr
Published by Heartdrum on July 7, 2026
ISBN: 0063432838
Genres: Cultural / Indigenous, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

From cupcakes to kittens, Raven, Rising is a heartwarming story of a girl overcoming grief and injustice by discovering her own power (literally and figuratively). The main character, Raven, faces many new challenges while moving to a new town after the death of her parents: bullies, a strict dress-code, and guilt. She is able to overcome it all by finding strength in new friendships, reconnecting with her Cherokee heritage, and baking! 

Through first-person narration and emotionally evocative language, the reader will empathize with Raven’s grief and frustration, but be comforted by the unconditional love given by her family and friends–and many sweet treats. This story balances real-world issues with fantastical elements. The revelation that the main characters are capable of magic does not feel out of place by the end of the story, despite it reading similar to a typical realistic fiction narrative. While the tone is lighthearted, the story does deal with some heavy topics that may be uncomfortable for some readers, such as body policing and objectification by a school administrator, bullying, death and mourning, and disconnection with Indigenous identity. 

Fun elements include a Cherokee Glossary at the end of the book to help readers with pronunciation and translations of Cherokee words used in text. Additionally, there is a list of Raven’s favorite books that were either mentioned within the story or inspired it, which works as an intriguing reference guide for readers to expand their literacy journey. Be aware that there are a couple cuss words sprinkled throughout the story, but they are mild. I would recommend this book for children between grades 4 through 8 because of the relatability of the tween characters. 

Reviewed by Jada Gastia, Williams Elementary School (RSU #18)