At a very strict school in Indigenous Nation, everyone but Holden stays in line until they reach the door at the end of the school day. - (Baker & Taylor)

Explore the world through Holden's eyes. Join him for the day, and celebrate the strong spirit of a boy who rises above the rules surrounding him. - (Salina Bookshelf Inc)

“Fall in Line, Holden!” tells the story of a young Navajo student named Holden as he venture’s through boarding school while constantly being told to “fall in line”. While surrounded by a world that requires him to conform and follow strict rules, Holden's imagination creates a colorful world of excitement. - (Salina Bookshelf Inc)

Daniel W. Vandever, (Navajo) from Haystack, NM is the Communications Director of Navajo Technical University where he also serves as an adjunct instructor. Vandever obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri in Strategic Communication and his graduate degree from the University of New Mexico in Community and Regional Planning. In his free time, Vandever volunteers for the Rug Auction of Crownpoint, providing technical support, to help local weavers sell their rugs. Vandever comes from a long line of educators and is the grandson of Navajo Code Talker Joe Vandever Sr. - (Salina Bookshelf Inc)

Fall in Line, Holden! follows Holden, a young Navajo Boy, through his day at boarding school. Although Holden is required to conform to a rigid schedule and strict standards of behavior, his internal life is filled with imagination and wonder. Whether he is in art class, the computer lab, or walking the hall to lunch, Holden's vivid imagination transforms his commonplace surroundings into a world of discovery and delight. Explore the world through Holden's eyes. Join him for the day, and celebrate the strong spirit of a boy who rises above the rules surrounding him. - (Salina Bookshelf Inc)

Kirkus Reviews

In a modern-day school within the Navajo Nation, the children are expected to conform, but young protagonist Holden's imagination cannot be reined in. As he and his classmates walk single file to recess through the school corridors, Holden stops to imagine that the pictures on the wall have come to life. Unattributed dialogue in large, bold letters—readers will assume it's spoken by an unseen teacher—orders him to stay with the group by calling out the book's refrain: "Fall in line, Holden!" Holden continues to lag as they walk: past the gymnasium, where students playing ball are dressed as Roman centurions; past the cafeteria, where the lunch ladies don witches' hats and ride brooms; past the computer lab, where astronauts float in space; past the music room, where the notes morph into birds. However, when they reach their destination, Holden discovers a pleasant surprise. Debut author/illustrator Vandever grew up on Navajo land, listening to elders speak of the lasting trauma of boarding schools, as he discloses in concluding notes. His illustrations' limited palette is effective in showing how the students toe the line. The figures are rendered as negative space with just black hair and eyes and minimal clothing details—a striking effect. Occasionally the text's rhyme and meter seem forced, but the overall message that creativity and imagination will occur even within strict boundaries will resonate with many readers. A subtle, provocative, and surprisingly joyous read. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus 2017 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.