CRAZY HORSE’S VISION
A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bruchac, Joseph. 2006. Ill. by S.D. Nelson. Crazy Horse’s Vision. New York, NY: Lee & Low Book Inc. ISBN 9781880000946
B. PLOT SUMMARY
Curly was different. He was a natural leader who had serious eyes, strong capabilities, but of small frame. After Curly witnesses a terrible thing, he goes away in solitude to pray for a vision. The vision he sees changes him. He would evermore be known as Crazy Horse, the bravest Lakota who always defended his people.
C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Joseph Bruchac recounts the story of Crazy Horse, an important figure in Native American history. The story flows beautifully as we met a strong, courageous boy who was named Curly at birth. As a young boy curly is a natural leader. The other children look up to him and follow his lead. Unfortunately, Curly witnesses the white man attack his Lakota tribe due to an unjust reason. Bruchac handles this part of the story with grace. He does not elaborate on the injustice of the white man’s attack but rather points out the reason for the attack and how this moment changes Curly forever. Desiring to help his people he unconventionally goes past the holy man, his own father, to seek a vision. On this quest he fasts and prays to help his people. He hears no words but understands what is said, “Keep nothing for yourself.” Curly kept this vision in his heart and after sometime as his father, the tribe’s holy man, sees him change, he gives Curly his name, “Tashunka Witco or Crazy Horse.” He is then free to lead the people by example and deed and was forever known as a defender of his people. At the end of the story he offers an “Authors Note,” which explains the historical life of Crazy Horse. He mentions that Native Americans still depend on Crazy Horse today.
Cultural Markers:
Bruchac uses many cultural markers that authenticate this story as being Native American. First, I loved how he denoted time such as: “two summers ago, eleven winters old, or three winters passed.” The home is denoted to be a tipi and they hunt buffalo with arrows for the tribe. You can hear the sounds of his words through expressions of nature such as, “the hooves sounded like thunder or spots like hail were marked on his chest.” Bruchac uses Native American names within the books such as: Tashunka Witco, High Backbone, Chief Conquering Bear, Wakan Tankan, and Crazy Horse. The strong beliefs in religious practices are noted throughout the book such as: Curly fasts and purifies himself for a vision, prays for strength, and the people look to the elders and the “holy man” for guidance. This book is exceptional and beautifully written.
Illustrations:
S.D. Nelson has been influenced to paint by the traditional ledger book style of his ancestors from the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. All his paintings were done through acrylics on wooden panels. He used two dimensional figures and indistinct facial expressions to illustrate the native people. At the back of the book Nelson notes in the “Illustrators Notes” that colors have special meanings. For example, “red represents the east…yellow represents the south, and blue represents sky and a connection with the spirits world.” He goes on to explain that he chose to use the color blue for Crazy Horse to signify his connection to the spirit world. Nelson also notes that he did not restrict himself to only representational colors but tried to use a contemporary feel to draw children into the story. I believe he did a fantastic job with his illustrations. The colors are vivid, the faces are indistinct to respect the human spirit, and each image from the tipi to nature reflects the native people with dignity and reverence. The illustrations are a magnificent and blend effortlessly with the text to complete the story.
D. REVIEW EXCEPTS
Parents Choice Award
Kirkus Review: …this makes inspirational reading and affords a glimpse into the heart of a renowned American leader.
Booklist: Bruchac has created a memorable tale about Crazy Horse's childhood, capturing the spirit of one of the most dedicated and daring leaders among the Lakota.
School Library Journal: Joseph Bruchac's excellent picture book (Lee & Low, 2000) about the brave Lakota warrior presents information about his youth.
E. CONNECTIONS
*Research the Lakota Nation.
*Research Crazy Horse.
*Discuss what Curly witnessed. How could history have handled this differently?
*Study Native American symbols and color significance. Compare findings to the book.
Other books by Joseph Bruchac:
A Boy Called Slow. ISBN 9780698116160
Between Earth and Sky. ISBN 9780152020620
Many Nations: An Alphabet of Native Americans. ISBN 9780816744602
The Story of the Milky Way: A Cherokee Tale. ISBN 9780803717374
Visit Joseph Bruchac’s website at: http://www.josephbruchac.com/
RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME
A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Smith, Cynthia Leitich. 2008. Narrated by Jenna Lamia. Rain Is Not My Indian Name. Digital Audio Book Unabridged Production by Listening Library Inc. ISBN 9780739380185
B. PLOT SUMMARY
Fourteen year old Cassidy Rain has been quietly turning people away and has fallen out of her regular circles. Her mother passed away from a lightning strike, her father is stationed in Guam, and her best friend has just died in a freak accident. Hiding behind her camera, she begins to explore her mixed Native American and German/Irish heritage. As memories of the past begin to surface, healing takes place as she finds her footing again.
C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Cynthia Leitich Smith has written a contemporary Native American novel that is beautiful and tender. It deals with universal issues that many teens deal with today such as family, friends, heritage, death, and finding yourself. Cassidy is a fourteen year old girl who journals about daily life and the emotions that surface. She greatly misses her best friend Galen. He had been the friend that saw her through the loss of her mother. “Galen was the one person who always understood me, the one person I understood.” She struggles to free herself but states: “The memories wouldn’t let go.” Cassidy has always loved taking pictures and decides to take up photography again. She especially loves black and white film: Grandpa always said, “True artists shoot the highlights in the shadows because stories live in shades of gray. He says color can hide the truth.” Ironically, Rain discovers that she has been hiding from the truth, hiding from the memories that are painful, hiding the discovery of her heritage, and thereby hiding from her true self. As the story unfolds she begins to rediscovers herself. I was moved by Rain’s statement, “When I finally picked up my camera again I used it as a wall instead of as a window. Since Galen had died, Mrs. Owen and I had been spinning in place. It was a luminous place because his light still glowed within it but a chilly place, because he really wasn’t there. Now I was finally finding my footing again…” This is a beautiful statement of self discovery. Cynthia Leitich Smith has composed a wonderful novel that will inspire others to rise above their circumstance and live.
Cultural Markers:
Cynthia Leitich Smith’s contemporary novel deals with heritage issues in a beautiful way that allows readers to connect. I loved when Rain states: “ I wanted to tell him we had something in common, belonging to the same tribal heritage, but I’d grown up so far away from it I felt ashamed about how much I didn’t know.” There are many people who feel like Rain, I being one, who have grown up pushing aside my heritage. Rain helps readers like me see that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Her father comments, "A person shouldn’t let her heritage hold her back.” Rain has had a hard time with her heritage due to how the school system has dealt with it. As a matter of fact, she remembers that the subject of Native American’s only came out at Thanksgiving. “The Indians always look like boogie men on the prairie or refugees.” So, when her Aunt decides to host an Indian camp she really does not want to take part in it. In her head she sees, “Aunt Georgia setting up a place where rich white suburban kids would go calling themselves princesses’ braves or guides.” To break stereotype’s the author emphasizes that this camp is not a theme camp on Indian motif but a camp for Native American’s to come and learn more about science, technology and web design. Focusing again on issues of stereotype, Rain comments, “Dealing with the rest of the world and their ideas of us, now that drives me crazy.” Unfortunately those stereo typical ideas are hard to put down.
Rain tells her friend, “Do you have any idea how weird it is to be Native American in this town?” Her friend in return states, “Do you know how hard it is to grow up Jewish in this town?” The author uses this moment to show the universal connection and need we all have to belong and be accepted.
Being a contemporary novel not too much is said about Native American food except for eating an Indian taco at a Pow-Wow in Oklahoma City. Native American names are not really emphasized and each character seems to have typical American names. Her grandfather lovingly calls her Rainbow but whether that is an authentic Native American name it was never mentioned. Mom lovingly describes the family as a “Patchwork Tribe,” due to the various cultural blends of family history. Her mom is Muskogee Creek Cherokee and her grandmother on her dad’s side was Jubilee Saginaw Chippewa but always called herself just Irish. When describing their features Rain mentions that her brother looks like a "Native American Fabio." She in turn describes herself as being “average weight and height, with a sun kissed Kansas coloring, wavy wheat hair, and hazel eyes.” Cynthia Leitich Smith used a perfect blend of universal themes and Native American cultural markers to make this book connect with our youth of today.
Narration:
The narrator of this story is Jenna Lamia. She has a very pleasant voice to listen to. Lamia’s voice represented Cassidy Rain’s age very well. The dialect of her voice was what I would call a southern accent. Lamia kept the speed of narration at an even pace. The voice inflection although soft still reflected emotion. Lamia narrated slower and softer when Rain was sad. She also used different tones when imitating another person speaking in the story. She did an excellent job of drawing the listener into the novel. While I personally would have liked to have had the book in my hand while listening, Lamia did an excellent job of keeping my attention focused while conveying feelings and emotions. She was able to grab my attention and pull me into the story. I highly recommend this unabridged version as an excellent opportunity to hear a truly insightful novel.
D. REVIEW EXCEPTS
School Library Journal: It is one of the best portrayals around of kids whose heritage is mixed but still very important in their lives. A wonderful novel of a present-day teen and her “patchwork tribe.”
Publishers Weekly: …readers will feel the affection of Rain's loose-knit family and admire the way that they, like the author with the audience, allow Rain to draw her own conclusions about who she is and what her heritage means to her.
Kirkus Review: Tender, funny, and full of sharp wordplay, Smith's first novel deals with a whole host of interconnecting issues, but the center is Rain herself.
E. CONNECTIONS
*Re-read the poem Rain read written by Queenie called: “People Talk.” Discuss the meaning of this poem.
*Note the various cultural backgrounds within the class. Have students discuss their favorite attribute of their culture.
*Study Native American History and discuss what misconceptions the class has had compared to the truth.
*Other related books by Cynthia Leitich Smith:
Jingle Dancer. ISBN 9780688162412
Indian Shoes. ISBN 9780060295318
Visit Cynthia Leitich Smith at: http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/
CROSSING BOK CHITTO
A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Tingle, Tim. 2006. Ill. by Jeanne Rorex Bridges. Crossing Bok Chitto. El Paso, Texas: Cinco Puntos Press. ISBN 9780938317777
B. PLOT SUMMARY
Martha Tom is a Choctaw girl who befriends an African American boy named Little Mo. In search of blackberries, Martha crosses the river Bok Chitto against her mother’s advice and finds herself lost. Little Mo’s father sends him to return Martha home safely. Later that same gesture is returned when Martha and her family help Little Mo’s family reach the Promise Land.
C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Tim Tingle has written an Award winning book that intersects the lives of the Native Choctaw people and African Americans. It is a beautiful tale of friendship and freedom. On one side of Bok Chitto live the Choctaw people who are free on the other side are slave plantations. In this book he describes two cultures, each with their own traditions merging to unite and help the other. Initially the black family helps Martha Tom find her way home and eventually she helps them find their way to the Promise Land. The story has a mystical yet spiritual feel. Both cultures are able to use their spiritual power to remain unseen and maneuver their way around the white people. At the heart of this story is the idea of friendship where two distinct and different cultures look past color and culture to assist a human in need.
Cultural Markers:
This story covers two cultures but for this review I will be focusing on the Native American cultural markers.
Tim Tingle describes how clever the Choctaws were to disguise a path across the Bok Chitto River. They built up stones just beneath the surface of the river so that it appears they walk on the water as they cross. Tim Tingle describes the Choctaw women in, “cotton dresses that skimmed the ground and their shiny black hair fell well below their waists.” The men in the story are chanting the wedding ceremony song as the women stomped and danced to the beat. Tingle portrays Martha’s mother as strong but gentle, “Martha Tom knew her mother could cackle like a mad crow on the outside, while inside she would coo like a dove." He describes the mother’s personality with nature like qualities. Tingle also wrote Choctaw songs within the story. The wedding ceremony song stated:
“Way, hey ya hey ya
You a hey you ay
A hey ya a hey ya!”
This allows the reader to feel the lyrical chant of this nation. I believe the story portrays the Choctaw people as wise spiritual people who are one with nature and use this wisdom to serve others. This is a moving tale that is sure to please.
Illustrations:
Jeanne Rorex Bridges did a beautiful job illustrating both cultures. Bridges portrays the Native Americans with tan leather skin, strong facial features noted within the eyes, nose, and lips. The women have long black flowing hair, the men have long black braided or pulled back hair. Their shoes are similar to moccasins. Being one with nature, they sit outside on tree stumps to chant the wedding ceremony song. I enjoyed Bridges illustrations which united with the text, created a memorable story.
D. REVIEW EXCEPTS
2008 American Indian Youth Literature Award
Texas Bluebonnet Master Award List 2008-2009
School Library Journal: Dramatic, quiet, and warming, this is a story of friendship across cultures in 1800s Mississippi.
Library Media Connection: Through the poetic cadence of oral storytelling and a quiet, yet penetrating voice, Tingle brings this early American tale to print as a strong read- aloud for young or middle level students.
Publishers Weekly: A moving and wholly original story about the intersection of cultures.
E. CONNECTIONS
*Research the Choctaw Nation.
*Discuss friendship. What made this friendship special and unique?
*Record on paper a tale that has been passed down to you from your family.
Other related books by Tim Tingle:
When Turtle Grew Feathers: A Tale from the Choctaw Nation. ISBN 9780874837773
Spirits Dark and Light: Supernatural Tales from the Five Civilized Tribes. ISBN 9780874837780
To learn more about Tim Tingle visit Cinco Puntos Press at: http://www.cincopuntos.com/authors_detail.sstg?id=45
A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bruchac, Joseph. 2006. Ill. by S.D. Nelson. Crazy Horse’s Vision. New York, NY: Lee & Low Book Inc. ISBN 9781880000946
B. PLOT SUMMARY
Curly was different. He was a natural leader who had serious eyes, strong capabilities, but of small frame. After Curly witnesses a terrible thing, he goes away in solitude to pray for a vision. The vision he sees changes him. He would evermore be known as Crazy Horse, the bravest Lakota who always defended his people.
C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Joseph Bruchac recounts the story of Crazy Horse, an important figure in Native American history. The story flows beautifully as we met a strong, courageous boy who was named Curly at birth. As a young boy curly is a natural leader. The other children look up to him and follow his lead. Unfortunately, Curly witnesses the white man attack his Lakota tribe due to an unjust reason. Bruchac handles this part of the story with grace. He does not elaborate on the injustice of the white man’s attack but rather points out the reason for the attack and how this moment changes Curly forever. Desiring to help his people he unconventionally goes past the holy man, his own father, to seek a vision. On this quest he fasts and prays to help his people. He hears no words but understands what is said, “Keep nothing for yourself.” Curly kept this vision in his heart and after sometime as his father, the tribe’s holy man, sees him change, he gives Curly his name, “Tashunka Witco or Crazy Horse.” He is then free to lead the people by example and deed and was forever known as a defender of his people. At the end of the story he offers an “Authors Note,” which explains the historical life of Crazy Horse. He mentions that Native Americans still depend on Crazy Horse today.
Cultural Markers:
Bruchac uses many cultural markers that authenticate this story as being Native American. First, I loved how he denoted time such as: “two summers ago, eleven winters old, or three winters passed.” The home is denoted to be a tipi and they hunt buffalo with arrows for the tribe. You can hear the sounds of his words through expressions of nature such as, “the hooves sounded like thunder or spots like hail were marked on his chest.” Bruchac uses Native American names within the books such as: Tashunka Witco, High Backbone, Chief Conquering Bear, Wakan Tankan, and Crazy Horse. The strong beliefs in religious practices are noted throughout the book such as: Curly fasts and purifies himself for a vision, prays for strength, and the people look to the elders and the “holy man” for guidance. This book is exceptional and beautifully written.
Illustrations:
S.D. Nelson has been influenced to paint by the traditional ledger book style of his ancestors from the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. All his paintings were done through acrylics on wooden panels. He used two dimensional figures and indistinct facial expressions to illustrate the native people. At the back of the book Nelson notes in the “Illustrators Notes” that colors have special meanings. For example, “red represents the east…yellow represents the south, and blue represents sky and a connection with the spirits world.” He goes on to explain that he chose to use the color blue for Crazy Horse to signify his connection to the spirit world. Nelson also notes that he did not restrict himself to only representational colors but tried to use a contemporary feel to draw children into the story. I believe he did a fantastic job with his illustrations. The colors are vivid, the faces are indistinct to respect the human spirit, and each image from the tipi to nature reflects the native people with dignity and reverence. The illustrations are a magnificent and blend effortlessly with the text to complete the story.
D. REVIEW EXCEPTS
Parents Choice Award
Kirkus Review: …this makes inspirational reading and affords a glimpse into the heart of a renowned American leader.
Booklist: Bruchac has created a memorable tale about Crazy Horse's childhood, capturing the spirit of one of the most dedicated and daring leaders among the Lakota.
School Library Journal: Joseph Bruchac's excellent picture book (Lee & Low, 2000) about the brave Lakota warrior presents information about his youth.
E. CONNECTIONS
*Research the Lakota Nation.
*Research Crazy Horse.
*Discuss what Curly witnessed. How could history have handled this differently?
*Study Native American symbols and color significance. Compare findings to the book.
Other books by Joseph Bruchac:
A Boy Called Slow. ISBN 9780698116160
Between Earth and Sky. ISBN 9780152020620
Many Nations: An Alphabet of Native Americans. ISBN 9780816744602
The Story of the Milky Way: A Cherokee Tale. ISBN 9780803717374
Visit Joseph Bruchac’s website at: http://www.josephbruchac.com/
RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME
A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Smith, Cynthia Leitich. 2008. Narrated by Jenna Lamia. Rain Is Not My Indian Name. Digital Audio Book Unabridged Production by Listening Library Inc. ISBN 9780739380185
B. PLOT SUMMARY
Fourteen year old Cassidy Rain has been quietly turning people away and has fallen out of her regular circles. Her mother passed away from a lightning strike, her father is stationed in Guam, and her best friend has just died in a freak accident. Hiding behind her camera, she begins to explore her mixed Native American and German/Irish heritage. As memories of the past begin to surface, healing takes place as she finds her footing again.
C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Cynthia Leitich Smith has written a contemporary Native American novel that is beautiful and tender. It deals with universal issues that many teens deal with today such as family, friends, heritage, death, and finding yourself. Cassidy is a fourteen year old girl who journals about daily life and the emotions that surface. She greatly misses her best friend Galen. He had been the friend that saw her through the loss of her mother. “Galen was the one person who always understood me, the one person I understood.” She struggles to free herself but states: “The memories wouldn’t let go.” Cassidy has always loved taking pictures and decides to take up photography again. She especially loves black and white film: Grandpa always said, “True artists shoot the highlights in the shadows because stories live in shades of gray. He says color can hide the truth.” Ironically, Rain discovers that she has been hiding from the truth, hiding from the memories that are painful, hiding the discovery of her heritage, and thereby hiding from her true self. As the story unfolds she begins to rediscovers herself. I was moved by Rain’s statement, “When I finally picked up my camera again I used it as a wall instead of as a window. Since Galen had died, Mrs. Owen and I had been spinning in place. It was a luminous place because his light still glowed within it but a chilly place, because he really wasn’t there. Now I was finally finding my footing again…” This is a beautiful statement of self discovery. Cynthia Leitich Smith has composed a wonderful novel that will inspire others to rise above their circumstance and live.
Cultural Markers:
Cynthia Leitich Smith’s contemporary novel deals with heritage issues in a beautiful way that allows readers to connect. I loved when Rain states: “ I wanted to tell him we had something in common, belonging to the same tribal heritage, but I’d grown up so far away from it I felt ashamed about how much I didn’t know.” There are many people who feel like Rain, I being one, who have grown up pushing aside my heritage. Rain helps readers like me see that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Her father comments, "A person shouldn’t let her heritage hold her back.” Rain has had a hard time with her heritage due to how the school system has dealt with it. As a matter of fact, she remembers that the subject of Native American’s only came out at Thanksgiving. “The Indians always look like boogie men on the prairie or refugees.” So, when her Aunt decides to host an Indian camp she really does not want to take part in it. In her head she sees, “Aunt Georgia setting up a place where rich white suburban kids would go calling themselves princesses’ braves or guides.” To break stereotype’s the author emphasizes that this camp is not a theme camp on Indian motif but a camp for Native American’s to come and learn more about science, technology and web design. Focusing again on issues of stereotype, Rain comments, “Dealing with the rest of the world and their ideas of us, now that drives me crazy.” Unfortunately those stereo typical ideas are hard to put down.
Rain tells her friend, “Do you have any idea how weird it is to be Native American in this town?” Her friend in return states, “Do you know how hard it is to grow up Jewish in this town?” The author uses this moment to show the universal connection and need we all have to belong and be accepted.
Being a contemporary novel not too much is said about Native American food except for eating an Indian taco at a Pow-Wow in Oklahoma City. Native American names are not really emphasized and each character seems to have typical American names. Her grandfather lovingly calls her Rainbow but whether that is an authentic Native American name it was never mentioned. Mom lovingly describes the family as a “Patchwork Tribe,” due to the various cultural blends of family history. Her mom is Muskogee Creek Cherokee and her grandmother on her dad’s side was Jubilee Saginaw Chippewa but always called herself just Irish. When describing their features Rain mentions that her brother looks like a "Native American Fabio." She in turn describes herself as being “average weight and height, with a sun kissed Kansas coloring, wavy wheat hair, and hazel eyes.” Cynthia Leitich Smith used a perfect blend of universal themes and Native American cultural markers to make this book connect with our youth of today.
Narration:
The narrator of this story is Jenna Lamia. She has a very pleasant voice to listen to. Lamia’s voice represented Cassidy Rain’s age very well. The dialect of her voice was what I would call a southern accent. Lamia kept the speed of narration at an even pace. The voice inflection although soft still reflected emotion. Lamia narrated slower and softer when Rain was sad. She also used different tones when imitating another person speaking in the story. She did an excellent job of drawing the listener into the novel. While I personally would have liked to have had the book in my hand while listening, Lamia did an excellent job of keeping my attention focused while conveying feelings and emotions. She was able to grab my attention and pull me into the story. I highly recommend this unabridged version as an excellent opportunity to hear a truly insightful novel.
D. REVIEW EXCEPTS
School Library Journal: It is one of the best portrayals around of kids whose heritage is mixed but still very important in their lives. A wonderful novel of a present-day teen and her “patchwork tribe.”
Publishers Weekly: …readers will feel the affection of Rain's loose-knit family and admire the way that they, like the author with the audience, allow Rain to draw her own conclusions about who she is and what her heritage means to her.
Kirkus Review: Tender, funny, and full of sharp wordplay, Smith's first novel deals with a whole host of interconnecting issues, but the center is Rain herself.
E. CONNECTIONS
*Re-read the poem Rain read written by Queenie called: “People Talk.” Discuss the meaning of this poem.
*Note the various cultural backgrounds within the class. Have students discuss their favorite attribute of their culture.
*Study Native American History and discuss what misconceptions the class has had compared to the truth.
*Other related books by Cynthia Leitich Smith:
Jingle Dancer. ISBN 9780688162412
Indian Shoes. ISBN 9780060295318
Visit Cynthia Leitich Smith at: http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/
CROSSING BOK CHITTO
A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Tingle, Tim. 2006. Ill. by Jeanne Rorex Bridges. Crossing Bok Chitto. El Paso, Texas: Cinco Puntos Press. ISBN 9780938317777
B. PLOT SUMMARY
Martha Tom is a Choctaw girl who befriends an African American boy named Little Mo. In search of blackberries, Martha crosses the river Bok Chitto against her mother’s advice and finds herself lost. Little Mo’s father sends him to return Martha home safely. Later that same gesture is returned when Martha and her family help Little Mo’s family reach the Promise Land.
C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Tim Tingle has written an Award winning book that intersects the lives of the Native Choctaw people and African Americans. It is a beautiful tale of friendship and freedom. On one side of Bok Chitto live the Choctaw people who are free on the other side are slave plantations. In this book he describes two cultures, each with their own traditions merging to unite and help the other. Initially the black family helps Martha Tom find her way home and eventually she helps them find their way to the Promise Land. The story has a mystical yet spiritual feel. Both cultures are able to use their spiritual power to remain unseen and maneuver their way around the white people. At the heart of this story is the idea of friendship where two distinct and different cultures look past color and culture to assist a human in need.
Cultural Markers:
This story covers two cultures but for this review I will be focusing on the Native American cultural markers.
Tim Tingle describes how clever the Choctaws were to disguise a path across the Bok Chitto River. They built up stones just beneath the surface of the river so that it appears they walk on the water as they cross. Tim Tingle describes the Choctaw women in, “cotton dresses that skimmed the ground and their shiny black hair fell well below their waists.” The men in the story are chanting the wedding ceremony song as the women stomped and danced to the beat. Tingle portrays Martha’s mother as strong but gentle, “Martha Tom knew her mother could cackle like a mad crow on the outside, while inside she would coo like a dove." He describes the mother’s personality with nature like qualities. Tingle also wrote Choctaw songs within the story. The wedding ceremony song stated:
“Way, hey ya hey ya
You a hey you ay
A hey ya a hey ya!”
This allows the reader to feel the lyrical chant of this nation. I believe the story portrays the Choctaw people as wise spiritual people who are one with nature and use this wisdom to serve others. This is a moving tale that is sure to please.
Illustrations:
Jeanne Rorex Bridges did a beautiful job illustrating both cultures. Bridges portrays the Native Americans with tan leather skin, strong facial features noted within the eyes, nose, and lips. The women have long black flowing hair, the men have long black braided or pulled back hair. Their shoes are similar to moccasins. Being one with nature, they sit outside on tree stumps to chant the wedding ceremony song. I enjoyed Bridges illustrations which united with the text, created a memorable story.
D. REVIEW EXCEPTS
2008 American Indian Youth Literature Award
Texas Bluebonnet Master Award List 2008-2009
School Library Journal: Dramatic, quiet, and warming, this is a story of friendship across cultures in 1800s Mississippi.
Library Media Connection: Through the poetic cadence of oral storytelling and a quiet, yet penetrating voice, Tingle brings this early American tale to print as a strong read- aloud for young or middle level students.
Publishers Weekly: A moving and wholly original story about the intersection of cultures.
E. CONNECTIONS
*Research the Choctaw Nation.
*Discuss friendship. What made this friendship special and unique?
*Record on paper a tale that has been passed down to you from your family.
Other related books by Tim Tingle:
When Turtle Grew Feathers: A Tale from the Choctaw Nation. ISBN 9780874837773
Spirits Dark and Light: Supernatural Tales from the Five Civilized Tribes. ISBN 9780874837780
To learn more about Tim Tingle visit Cinco Puntos Press at: http://www.cincopuntos.com/authors_detail.sstg?id=45
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