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.

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.

Book Review: THE STORY OF THE MILKY WAY: A CHEROKEE TALE

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ross Gayle and Bruchac Joseph .1995. THE STORY OF THE MILKY WAY: A CHEROKEE TALE. New York: Penguin Putnam. ISBN 0803717377.

B. PLOT SUMMARY
This is a traditional Cherokee folktale told by a grandfather to his grandchildren. It shows people working hard to prepare and preserve food for the long frigid winter. A senior couple finds that some creature has stolen their cornmeal from their bins. They are very upset about their loss and being disrespected because no one should steal from their elders. Their grandson, Grandmother Sun, decides to catch the thief and finds the tracks of a giant dog. The Beloved Woman identified the dog as a spirit dog. Then, people in this community gather all together with their drums and turtle shell rattles to frighten it. Finally, the community members’ collaborate to scare and run the spirit dog away into the darkness.

C. RITICAL ANALYSIS
The story opens with the setting in the living room of a contemporary Indian family. There is a painting of people riding horses under a dark sky full of stars; another painting shows geometric shapes waving. A small vase, a pot with geometric shapes and dry corn are other cultural markers. All of these are arranged on the mantle.

The wooden frame houses, weaving tools, corn and cornmeal, agricultural implements, kitchen appliances, and hunting instruments hanging on the wall also present cultural markers in the story. Moreover women’s hair styles, men’s caps and their clothing help present clear portraits of Cherokee. The story identifies the original culture as Cherokee through its inclusion of traditional traits such as respect for senior persons, family relationship, and cooperation. All of these traits are Cherokee Indian in spirit.

Only a few Indian languages, such as titles, the Beloved Woman and Grandmother Sun are used in the text. Language with rhythm and rhyme plays important role for readers, encouraging them to keep on reading and easily catch the storyline. Men are the dominant character in most Indian stories; however, in this story women with long straight hair and children are dominant. Both the hunting dog and the spiritual dog are animal portraits in the story.

The story presents both modern and traditional Cherokee portraits. Even though the clothing and room settings are different between contemporary and traditional Cherokee Indian, the themes of respecting elders and family relationships never change.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

From the Publisher: “The author and illustrator capture the rhythms of the desert and the spirit of the Tohono O'odham people in a poem designed for choral reading.”

Children's Literature: “Although not all readers will be equally as ease with the rhyming verse, this is a rare portrayal of a little known traditional observance of the rhythms of the natural world.”

School Library Journal: “His use of deep tones and cotton ball clouds is reminiscent of Barbara Cooney's art. This is a versatile title that serves as both a social studies and language-arts extension.”

E. CONNECTIONS

Other picture books with Cherokee Themes:

Arneach, Lloyd. 1992. The Animal’s Ballgame.
Bannon, Kay T. 2001. Curious One: A Cherokee Legend.
Blevins, Wade. 1992. And Then the Feather Fell. mmpm. Lau T.
Blevins, Wade. 1996. A-ta-ga-hi’s Gift.
Blevins, Wade. 1992. Ganseti and the Legend of the Little People.
Blevins, Wade. 1996. Legend of Little Deer.
Blevins, Wade. 1996. Path of Destiny.
Blevins, Wade. 1994. Se-lu’s Song.
Blevins, Wade. 1996. The Wisdom Circle.
Bruchac, Joseph. 1993. The First Strawberries.
Bruchac, Joseph and James. 2001. How Chipmunk Got His Stripes.
Bushyhead, Jean L., Robert H. Bushyhead, and Kay T. Bannon. 2002. Yonder
Mountain: A Cherokee Legend.
Cohlene, Terri. 1990. Dancing Drum.
Craig, Idell. 1995. Cherokee Myths with Morals.
Dominic, Gloria. 1996. First Woman and the Strawberry: A Cherokee Legend.
Duvall, Debrah L. 2002. Great Ball Game of the Birds and Animals.
Duvall, Debrah L. 2003. How Medicine Came to the People A Tale of the Ancient Cherokees.
Duvall, Debrah L.2003. How Rabbit Lost his Tail.
Duvall, Debrah L. 2005. The Opossum’s Tail.
Duvall, Debrah L. 2004. Rabbit and the Bears.
Duvall, Debrah L. 2007. Rabbit and the Well.
Duvall, Debrah L. 2005. Rabbit and the Wolves.
Duvall, Debrah L. 2005. Rabbit Goes Duck Hunting.
Duvall, Debrah L. 2007. Rabbit Goes to Kansas.
Duvall, Debrah L. 2006. Rabbit Plants the Forest.
Ernesto, Lilly. 1995. How Grandmother Spider Got the Sun.
Haley, Gail E. 1996. Two Bad Boys: A Very Old Cherokee Tale.
Hamiltion, Anna Blanche. 1954. Rabbit Goes Duck Hunting.
Hurst, Hawk. 2001. Story of the First Flute.
Keams. Geri. 1992. Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun: A Cherokee Story.
King Thomas. 1992. A Coyote Columbus Story.
King Thomas. 1998. Coyote Sings to the Moon.
Lossiah, Lynn King. 2001. Cherokee Little People.
Michaelis, Catherine. 1994. How Earth was Made: A Cherokee Myth.
Moore MariJo. 2000. First Fire.
Moore MariJo. 2000. The Ice Man: A Traditional Native American Tale.
Moore MariJo. 2000. The Cherokee Little People: A Native American Tale.
Penn, Audrey. 2003. The Whistling Tree.
Pennington, Daniel. 1994. Itse Selu: Cherokee Harvest Festival.
Red Earth. 1998. Selu and Kana’Ti: Cherokee Corn Mother and Lucky Hunter.
Roop, Peter and Connie. 1992. Ahyoka and the Talking Leaves.
Ross Gayle. 1995. How Turtle’s Back Was Cracked: A Traditional Cherokee Tale.
Roth, Susan L. 1988. Kanahena: A Cherokee Story.
Roth, Susan L. 1990. The Story of Light.
Stroud, Virginia A. 1996. The Path of the Quiet Elk: A Native American Alphabet Book.
Stroud, Virginia A. 1995. A Walk to the Great Mystery.
Ugidali. 1981. Stories from Ugidali: Cherokee Story Teller.
Underwood, Thomas B. Cherokee Legends and the Trail of Tears.
Underwood, Thomas B. 1982. Te Magic Lake: A Mystical Healing Lake of the Cherokee.
Wood, Francis Eugene. 1998. Wind Dancer’s Flute.