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My Place Among Them, a novel by J. Stanion, has been awarded the 2024 Pencraft Award for Best Book for Fiction – Cultural. This recognition follows a series of other accolades for the novel, which has also been honored with the BREW Fiction Book Excellence Award for Political Fiction of the Year 2023 and the BREW Seal of Excellence. Stanion’s novel has garnered attention for its portrayal of Indigenous history and the complexities of cultural identity during a pivotal period in American history.
My Place Among Them tells the story of John Iron Horse, a twelve-year-old Lakota boy who survived the Wounded Knee massacre. The novel delves into the impact of government policies aimed at assimilating Indigenous children and the resulting cultural and personal conflicts. The book has been widely recognized for its meticulous research and narrative grounded in historical events.
In her exclusive interview with The World's Best Magazine, J. Stanion looked into the importance of cultural preservation through storytelling. “Storytelling has always been a way to preserve culture, whether through oral traditions or the written word,” she explained. She emphasized the role of literature in safeguarding traditions that might otherwise be lost to history, adding that her novel not only highlights historical events but also aims to give a voice to marginalized groups whose cultural narratives have often been overlooked or erased.
In another interview, J. Stanion explained how her collection of Lakota Ledger art and Pine Ridge Pottery has deeply impacted her storytelling. She shared, “Touching these artworks connects me to the artist and their history. That connection helps me understand my characters better.” This passion has directly influenced her novel My Place Among Them, where she integrates cultural heritage and artistic expression to create authentic, meaningful narratives.
Discussing the challenges of balancing personal interests with a writing career that led to her award-winning and bestselling novel, J. Stanion advised in an interview, “Time management and personal commitment are key to balancing your passions...an hour or two with my horses, especially if I’m having trouble with a project, provides a real boost to my heart and mind to get back to work with a feeling of peace.”
The Pencraft Book Awards recognize outstanding literary achievement by authors from a variety of publishing backgrounds, including indie authors, small presses, and traditional publishers.
For more information about the award, visit the Pencraft Award website.
The book is available in digital, paperback, and hardbound editions through major retailer sites such as Amazon.
To know more about J. Stanion and her work, visit her official website, www.jstanion.com.
About the Book
In My Place Among Them, J. Stanion delves into the experiences of John Iron Horse, a Lakota boy grappling with the loss of his culture under the U.S. government’s Indian Education program. The novel, which has earned several prestigious awards such as the BREW Seal of Excellence from The Chrysalis BREW Project, portrays the complexities of cultural preservation in a time of forced assimilation.
About the Author
After decades as an educator, J. Stanion became a novelist, fulfilling a promise to her late father. Her debut novel, My Place Among Them, reflects her deep commitment to preserving Indigenous history. Stanion, who has appeared on hundreds of news and media sites including but not limited to Newsweek, MSN News, and others, resides on her family’s farm, where she writes and continues to draw inspiration from the land and her cultural interests.
