Book Review: INDIAN SHOES

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Smith, Cynthia Leitich. 2002. INDIAN SHOES. New York: HarperCollins Children’s Books. ISBN 0060295317.

B. PLOT SUMMARY
It is a story about Cherokee-Seminole, Ray and Grandpa Halfmoon who are the main characters in this book. The book is divided into six stories about the secure love between Ray and his grandpa as well as his extended family in Chicago and Oklahoma. In order to get a pair of moccasins for grandfather, Ray tries to trade his own high-top boots to him but it does not work. Finally, Ray wins third place for a drawing of grandpa’s boots in an art competition when he really feels he should have a received first-place. Finding a solution to a dreadful haircut by grandpa, caring for many pets of their neighbors on Christmas Day, going fishing with grandpa at midnight and realizing the true meanings of competition are all valuable examples presented by the author in a way that is both quirky and funny.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a contemporary Indian story. It tells about the relationship between Ray and his grandpa, and the love and care of his extended family. A few traditional culture markers can be found, such as Grandpa’s ponytail hair style and moccasins. Some rituals are the heritage of the colonists such as an ice-cream truck playing “Pop Goes the Weasel.” The fluent writing flow, which employs a dialectic form, i.e., “you’ll never be able to see the ball comin’,” helps to relate the story to the illustrations and enhance the interest of readers, giving them a deeper understanding of modern life among the Cherokee-Seminole Indians.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
From the Publisher: “ Cynthia Leitich Smith writes with wit and candor about what it's like to grow up as a Seminole-Cherokee boy who is just as happy pounding the pavement in windy Chicago as rowing on a take in rural Oklahoma.”

Publishers Weekly: "Though the author affectingly portrays the strong bond between grandson and grandfather, the narrative bogs down with flowery or overwritten passages (e.g., "Ray's and Grampa's breath puffed cloudy as they trudged next door to the Wang home. In the driveway, Mrs. Wang's VW Bug waited to be freed from the snow like a triceratops skeleton embedded in rock"). Kids may have trouble sticking with this collection. "

Children's Literature: “The chapters are short, easy to read, and Jim Madsen's appealing soft pencil illustrations are inviting. Easy chapter books about contemporary Native Americans are hard enough to find that readers may forgive the storyteller's overblown language as poetic licenseand enjoy the theme that it is the small things in life and the friendly connections with those you love that matter most.”

School Library Journal: “There are no mystical nature spirits or cathartic history lessons, only the everyday challenges common to any contemporary kid, as experienced by an Indian boy who is firmly grounded in his own family's heritage. With its unadorned portrayal of urban Indian life, Shoes is a good book for any elementary-aged reluctant reader, and a necessity for indigenous children everywhere.”

Kirkus Reviews: “An excellent choice for younger readers from the author of the bittersweet Rain Is Not My Indian Name (2001).”

E. CONNECTIONS
Cynthia Leitich Smith’s Official Author’s Webside: http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/CLS/cyn_books/shoes/indian_shoes.html

Other Nonfiction with Cherokee Themes:
Aaseng, Nathan. 2000. Cherokee Native v. Georgia: The Forced Removeal of a People.
Barrett, Tracy. 2000. The Trail of Tears: An American Tragedy.
Birchfield, D. L. 2004. The Trail of Tears.
Brill, Marlene Targ. 1995. The Trail of Tears: The Cherokee Journey from Home.
Bruchac, Joseph. 1999. Trail of Tears.
Burgan, Michael. 2001. The Trail of Tears.
Chiltoskey, Mary Ulmer. 1972. Cherokee Words with Pictures.
DeAngelis, Therese. The Cherokee: Native Basket Weavers.
Fitterer, C. Anne. 2003. Sequoyah: Native American Scholar.
Harrel, Sara Gordon. 1979. John Ross.
Hirshfield, Laura. 2001. Cherokee Heroes: Three Who Made a Difference.
Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane. 1993. Cherokee Summer= Cwy ay.
Johnston, Tony. 1998. Trail of Tears.
Lepthien, Emilie U. 1985. The Cherokee.
Lowe, Felix C. 1990. John Ross.
McAmis, Herb. 2000. The Cherokee.
Oppenheim, Joanne F. 1979. Sequoyah: Cherokee Hero.
Press, Petra. 2002. The Cherokee.
Reed, Marcelina. 1993. Seven Clans of the Cherokee Society.
Roop, Peter and Connie. 1998. If You Lived with the Cherokee.
Rumford, James. 2004. The Cherokee Man Who Gave His People Writing.
Santella, Andrew. 2001. The Cherokee.
Sneve, Virginia Driving Hawk. 1996. The Cherokees: A First American Book.
Stein, R Conrad. 1993. The Trail of Tears.
Underwood, Thomas B. 1996. The Story of the Cherokee People.
Waxman, Laura Hamilton. Sequoyah.
Wheeler Jill. 1989. The Story of Sequoyah.