(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sarah Martinsen. Everyone in his Inupiaq village says he's old enough this year, but Charlie doesn't know if he's brave enough to fly so high in the air at the Whaling Festival's sealskin blanket toss. The gentle rite-of-passage story incorporates Inupiaq words and customs, and the expressive illustrations with muted colors neatly convey Charlie's world and eventual toss. An author's note adds context. Glos.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey