Something To Hold

Noe, Katherine Schlick        Something To Hold       

 Houghton/Mifflin/Clarion/

Graphia/Kingfisher      2011  250p  $16.99      978-0-547-55813-4       elm/ms

Historical 

Based upon the author’s childhood, the novel looks at commonly-held stereotypes of Native Americans.  Kitty’s family moves to an Oregon Indian Reservation in 1962.  Kitty is accustomed to moving around the country since her father is an employee of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs working with the forest service.  The family is now on the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon.  Kitty feels a little out of place as one of few white children attending the school that educates 300 Native American children.  Kitty is aware of the prejudices and incorrect beliefs held by teachers and the white people in the nearest town, and she sees how their remarks insult the Native Americans.  She becomes a staunch supporter of her classmates, speaking up for them and calling out the injustices she witnesses in her classroom, at baseball games, and in the community.  A physically abusive father with alcohol problems is handled in an age-appropriate way.  Native American customs and beliefs are seamlessly interwoven into the narrative.  A lightning-caused forest fire makes for an exciting conclusion.  This novel provides a well-written look at what is even now the seldom discussed topic of racial prejudice against Native Americans.  A glossary/pronunciation guide and an author’s note correlating events in her childhood with those in the book are found at the end.  

     

VG    Lois McNicol      Native Americans, Prejudice

 

Zimmerman, Dwight Jon. Saga of the Sioux

Zimmerman, Dwight Jon.  Saga of the Sioux .  Henry Holt/MacMillan Children's Publishing Group,  2011.  208p  $18.99     978-0-8050-9364-3     ms/hs      E-BN       

     This is a retelling of Dee Brown’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee for young readers, and focusing mainly on the Sioux.      It is a detailed history of relations between the US government and the Sioux in the mid-west between the end of the Civil War and the early 1900s.  The book’s layout is very attractive, with plenty of beautiful sepia-toned photos and a user-friendly font.  The information will blow students away, as they learn of treaty after treaty, promise after promise, that the US government entered into and then violated.  It is angering, and heartbreaking, to read of the ruthless disregard that the white man and his world had for these indigenous peoples.  The story is told cogently but without extra drama ... it is presented very objectively and simply, without a lot of excess verbiage.  The author is careful to credit Dee Brown’s original book, and he lists a number of helpful resources, as well as a glossary, a good index, and notes. 

Subject: American Indians    

Carol Kennedy

 

Sonneborn, Liz. Northwest Coast Indians.

Sonneborn, Liz.   Northwest Coast Indians.  Capstone Publishers, 2012.  48p.  $32.00  ISBN 978-1-4329-4949-5      elm/ms  (Grades 5-8)      VG-BNS           

     This book discusses foods, clothing, housing, beliefs, and life today pertaining to Indians of the Northwest Coast.  Using the format of answers to questions, it gives quite a complete overview of the Native American tribes living along the Northwest coast of North America.  It covers Alaska and south along the coast of Canada through Washington and Oregon.  This series stresses the similarities among the tribes in the highlighted geographic area.  It explains the early interactions between the Pacific Northwest Coast Indians and non-Indians. 
     The title includes a timeline, glossary, and index.  The source list for further information is extensive.  It includes four books, four web sites and five places to visit.
     The photography is bright and colorful, and it greatly enhances the text. 
The coverage is balanced, emphasizing general patterns among the tribes, and then that pattern is illustrated through details about a specific group.  It would provide an excellent introductory reference to the study of these tribes.
     The First Nations of North America series divides all tribes into ten geographic areas.  Adapting to their surroundings, the tribes in each area share similar customs.  Each title gives a good overview of the history and culture of the tribes covered.    

Subject: Indians of North America - Pacific Northwest

Joan Theal

 

Lifting the Sky.

d'Arge, Mackie. Lifting the Sky.
Bloomsbury see St. Martins 2009 310p 16.99
978-1-59990-186-2 ms/jr

Blue ( a twelve year old) moves around the ranches in the Northwest with her ranch-hand mother. It is a story where a young girl learns to adapt and make friends quickly.
Blue is a young twelve-year old has to move frequently because her mother constantly changes her jobs with different ranches. In the story, they finally settle down in a remote ranch adjoining an Indian reservation. Blue is a resourceful person and learns to help out with the ranch chores, and makes friends with the ranch hands, and the young Indian boy who lives on the next farm. In addition, Blue learns that she has some mystical ability with animals that she puts to good use.
Mackie d'Arge has written a good read that will appeal to young readers. It deals with single parent families and the anxiety produced when two parents can't communicate. The story line also deals with the everyday living side of ranch life. It also illustrates how humans and animals can develop a mutual communication that will benefit both parties.
It is a good read that middle school and upper elementary school readers will enjoy. LM