Rainy's Powwow Book

The Thunderbird Powwow is about to begin and Rainy still does not know what style of dance to choose so that she can be given her own special tribal name. She asks Grandmother White Hair (who had been a traditional dancer), the Powwow Princess (who is a shawl dancer), and her friend Celeste (who is a jingle dancer) what it feels like to dance in their chosen styles. But none of these seem right for Rainy.

As the dancing begins, Rainy enters the arena but she is too shy to move. Then, listening to the drumbeats, Rainy moves with the rhythm and keeps on dancing even when the music stops. The sound of laughter gradually reaches Rainy, who flees the dance floor embarrassed and humiliated. While it is Grandmother White Hair's words that comfort her, it is the eagle's gift that gives Rainy her special name and the inspiration to choose her own dance.

A Native American girl attends the traditional powwow where she is expected to choose for herself a specific form of dance and receive her special name.