Running with Changing Woman (PB)

Lorinda Martinez is Lók’aa’ Dine’é (the Reed People Clan) born for Táchii’nii (Red Running into the Water Clan). The Tábąąhí (Water’s Edge Clan) are her maternal grandfathers and the Tódích’íí’nii (Bitter Water Clan) are her paternal grandfathers. She was raised in Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico and Shonto, Arizona.

Samantha is a Navajo girl attending Atsá Mesa Community School on the Navajo Reservation. Her life has seemed pretty average when one day at school her body suddenly changes. As a Diné, Samantha must now prepare for the Diné womanhood ceremony called the Kinaaldá, a ceremony once performed by the Navajo deity, Changing Woman. With her life now filled with more drama than ever before, she’s reluctant to participate in the demanding four-day ceremony. With a whirlwind of new adventures and pep talks from those closest to her, Sam’s family and her two best friends do their best to help Sam deal with bullies, boys, and her new responsibilities as a Diné woman.