Book Review: A BOY CALLED SLOW

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Burchac, Joseph. 1994. A BOY CALLED SLOW. New York: Philomel Books. ISBN 0399226923.

B. PLOT SUMMARY
Slow was born into the Hunkpapa band of the Lakota Sious and his name was given to him because he moves slowly. This type of naming is the custom of the Hunkpapa. Even though females are dominant in this society and parents love girls more than boys, Slow’s parents still feel fortunate to have a son. However, Slow does not like his name and feels unhappy with it. He wishes that he could have a new name like his father’s, Returns Again. His father can communicate with animals and has the four other names given to him by the old bull buffalo. His father is also very brave to help the tribe escape danger at one time. In his tribe, people need to be very brave in doing special deeds to receive a new name. Even though Slow is shorter than other boys at the same age, he grows up to have broad and strong shoulders and kills his first buffalo at the age of ten. One day he leads his people to fight with the Crow and saves their lives as well as he gains many horses and weapons for the war party. His brave and unique deeds win his new name which is the same as his father’s name “Tatan’ka Iyota’ke.”

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a unique picture book presenting American Indian cultural markers in both the illustrations and the text. Baviera uses dark colors of brown, purple, black and indigo-blue with gloomy light to present a mysterious Indian culture. It is easy to discover cultural markers in traditional representations. For example, people with copper skin tone live in Tipis. Males with strong muscles and wide shoulders ride on horses on the plain to fight with enemies to protect their families. Females with straight long hair have calm and gentle attitudes to take care of their children. Drawings on Tipis of horses running, buffalos and horses on the plain and eagles hovering in the forest are animals presented in this story. The recurring themes are about a boy building his self-esteem by using his bravery and wisdom to help the tribe survive. Also, the story shows customs of giving a child a name and the social positions of man and women to be Hunkpapa’s cultural markers.
Language plays an important role in identifying original cultures; however it may be an obstacle for outside readers to get into the reading. The language of the Indian dialects, titles and terms are appropriately used in the text to enhance cultural authenticity. For example, “Wakan-Tanka”is the creator in Sioux, and the term of Tiyospaye and Tipi are the dwellings for Hunkpapa to live. Language flow is very calm and smooth in this story like an Indian telling his/her life experiences and customs while you are reading the book.
The original culture is identified as the Hunkpapa branch of the Lakota Sioux, and the year the story happened is also addressed at the beginning. Even though Bruchac is of the Abenaki descent, he writes a story about Hunkpapa, showing he values all Indian cultures by accurately presenting native languages, customs, dresses, symbols and settings.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Publishers Weekly: “Bruchac's (see Gluskabe and the Four Wishes, reviewed above) meaty yet cohesive narrative is richly complemented by Baviera's large, atmospheric paintings. Employing a somber palette marked by radiant bursts, the first-time children's illustrator evokes the solemnity and awe of ripening adulthood. Satisfying for its attention to historical and multicultural issues; stirring in its consummate storytelling. Satisfying for its attention to historical and multicultural issues; stirring in its consummate storytelling.”

Horn Book: “The pictures evoke a sense of timelessness and distance, possessing an almost mythic quality that befits this glimpse into history.”

Children's Literature: “Bruchac provides another dramatic story in which he tells how a young Sioux brave named Slow earned his name-Sitting Bull. Leading his tribe against the attack of the enemy Crow, Slow proves himself to be brave. The paintings are marvelous, almost mystical, and match the quiet force of this legendary hero.”

School Library Journal: “The illustrations, oils that are rich and somber, convey details of traditional Lakota life, from the warm, close interiors of the family home to a pre-dawn assembly of warriors about to raid their Crow neighbors. The text creates an equally subtle portrayal of Plains Indian life. Many stereotypes of Native American culture are gently corrected, as when the author acknowledges that "women are the heart of the nation.'' The traditional Lakota explanation for the advent of horses is given alongside mention of their historical introduction by European explorers. Dialogue in the Native language helps to convey the richness of the culture. By the time Slow earns his new name, young readers will feel they know a real person-the man who was to become Sitting Bull, one of the great Sioux warriors and a hero at the Battle of Little Bighorn. This book works beautifully as historical fiction; it is less successful as biography as none of the dialogue is documented. An inspiring story.”

E. CONNECTIONS
Hunkpapa Sioux Indian Tribe History
http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/tribes/siouan/hunkpapahist.htm

Other Children’s Literature with Hunkpapa Themes:
Aller, Susan Bivin. 2004. Sitting Bull.
Adler, David A. 1993. Picture Book of Sitting Bull.
Black, Sheila. 1989. Sitting Bull and the Battle of the Little Big Horn.
Collier, Lincoln James. 2003. The Sitting Bull You Never Knew.
Davis, C. Kenneth. 2003. Don’t Know Much about Sitting Bull.
George, St. Judith. 1931. To See with the Heart: The Life of Sitting Bull.
Isaacs, Sally Senzell. 2000. America in the time of Sitting Bull: 1840 to 1890.
Left Hand Bull, Jacqueline. 1999. Lokota Hoop Dancer.
Schleichert, Elizabeth. 1997. Sitting Bull: Sioux Leader.
Shaughnessy, Diane. 1997. Sitting Bull: Courageous Sioux Chief.

Resources come from Denton Public Library and TWU Library.