“The story is well crafted, with Jewish and Muscogee beliefs integrated to great effect and art that enhances the text. A powerful graphic novel about honoring every part of our identity.” — Kirkus Reviews

Emily Bowen Cohen creates comics that explore intersectional identity. She is Jewish and a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. She uses personal experience to tell stories that examine contemporary American and Jewish culture. Emily grew up in rural Oklahoma. Her father was the Chief of Staff at their tribal hospital and her mother is a nice Jewish girl from New Jersey. After her father’s early death Emily was separated from her Native family. A decade later, she returned to Oklahoma for a bittersweet homecoming.

Emily drew on her personal experiences to create her debut graphic novel, Two Tribes, published by HarperCollins Native-focused imprint, Heartdrum. The book has garnered many reviews and honors since publication in August 2023. Awards include, YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens, School Library Journal Best Books of 2023, a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award, and American Indians in Children’s Literature (AICL) Best Books of 2023. She has spoken at numerous schools, from elementary through college and was the keynote speaker for Jewish American Heritage Month at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Emily's Featured Titles

Two Tribes

Heartdrum |
Graphic Novel

In her poignant debut graphic novel inspired by her own life, Emily Bowen Cohen embraces the complexity, meaning, and deep love that comes from being part of two vibrant tribes.

Mia is still getting used to living with her mom and stepfather, and to the new role their Jewish identity plays in their home. Feeling out of place at home and at her Jewish day school, Mia finds herself thinking more and more about her Muscogee father, who lives with his new family in Oklahoma. Her mother doesn’t want to talk about him, but Mia can’t help but feel like she’s missing a part of herself without him in her life.

Soon, Mia makes a plan to use the gifts from her bat mitzvah to take a bus to Oklahoma—without telling her mom—to visit her dad and find the connection to her Muscogee side she knows is just as important as her Jewish side.

This graphic novel by Muscogee-Jewish writer and artist Emily Bowen Cohen is perfect for fans of American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. It is published by Heartdrum, an imprint that centers stories about contemporary Indigenous young people.

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Two Tribes: The Real-Life Story of a Jewish-Native American

Emily Bowen Cohen, author of the graphic novel, Two Tribes, discusses the childhood memories that inspired her book. The talk is accompanied by slides of original drawings and illustrations from her book. Emily traces the history of her Jewish and her Muscogee (Creek) ancestors, exploring the similarities and differences. A thought-provoking section explores the roots of current representation of Native Americans in popular culture. Overall, the audience will hear an empowering and uplifting conversation celebrating the increasing diversity of the United States.
Author Talk (8- adult)

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Young Person Workshop

Emily Bowen Cohen, the author of the middle grade graphic novel, Two Tribes, reads a section of her book accompanied by animated drawings. She speaks about diversity in the Jewish community using age-appropriate language as she shares the personal stories behind her book’s panels. Older students will create their own identity stories. Using index cards and pencils, they will consider how their own life experiences influence how they think of themselves. Younger students will participate in an interactive live drawing session.
(5 years – 17 years)

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College Student and Young Professional Workshop (16+)

Heartdrum Educator Guide Including Two Tribes

Honors, Awards & Recognition

2024 YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens
Finalist, National Jewish Book Award
Vermont Youth Book Award Nominee (Grades 4-8 Kids-Choice)
2024 ALSC Summer Reading List
2023 MISelf in Books List
Missouri Association of School Librarians Denny O’Neil Graphic Novel List
Georgia Children’s Book Awards (Grade 4-8) 2025 Finalist
American Booksellers Association Indie Next List
Jewish Women’s Archive Book Club Pick
New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2023
New York Times Editor Recommended Book
School Library Journal Best Books of 2023
School Library Journal Best Graphic Novels of 2023
Texas Library Association Bluebonnet List
Texas Library Association Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List
American Indians in Children’s Literature (AICL) Best Books of 2023
2023 Nerdies: Graphic Novels

Media clips

Media Kit

By clicking the link below you will be directed to a Google Docs Folder
where you can download author photos and cover images.

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