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(1)
4-6
Birchbark House series.
In this fifth entry, Ojibwe boy Makoons, his twin Chickadee, and their warm multigenerational family make a new life on the Great Plains. Throughout, there are poignant moments, including a sense of foreboding as buffalo begin to disappear. Soft black-and-white drawings accompany this finely crafted corrective to the Eurocentric narrative of America's past. A note on the Ojibwe language and pronunciation guide appended. Glos.
Reviewer: Monica Edinger
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2016
(4)
4-6
Shortly after her family is relocated to a Lakota reservation in 1880, ten-year-old Four Winds is sent to a boarding school to become "civilized" with white language and customs. Four Winds chafes under the strict rules designed to sanitize Indians of their culture. Though some supposed Native American language and perspectives feel awkwardly forced into the story, the narrative is well paced.
(4)
K-3
First Facts: Who Lived Here? series.
This book tracks the presence of humans in the Great Plains, from the earliest-known settlers to modern day farmers and ranchers. The straightforward but choppy text skips through decades and centuries, providing a cursory outline of the history of the region. Archival illustrations and stock photos support the text; fact boxes and sidebars provide additional related information. Reading list. Glos., ind.
(2)
4-6
Birchbark House series.
In this fourth installment, eight-year-old Chickadee's abduction from the Ojibwe camp in the deep woods initiates a string of gripping adventures for the boy and a change to his family's way of life. Every detail anticipates readers' interest; they'll absorb the history lesson almost by osmosis. Chickadee is a most sympathetic character--small in stature but big in heart. A map is appended. Glos.
128 pp.
| Dutton
| August, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-525-42077-4$22.99
(3)
4-6
Although Marrin strays from his theme that the Dust Bowl of the 1930s was "the worst environmental disaster in American history," his detour, gratifyingly, covers a lot of interesting ground. The chronology of events is illustrated with dramatic archival photographs and a large number of sidebars that provide readers with background and context about the times. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.
104 pp.
| ABDO
| January, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-60453-045-2$22.95
(4)
YA
Essential Events series.
These books examine seminal events in American history. Each gives background information and discusses the people involved. The writing is straightforward, and readers will find these books useful for reports. The many sidebars are informative and interesting, though the design is crowded. Archival photographs and drawings enhance the text. There are four other new books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Events titles: The Battle of the Little Bighorn, Hurricane Katrina, The Great Chicago Fire, The Assassination of John F. Kennedy, and The Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
164 pp.
| Chelsea
| August, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7910-9347-4$35.00
(4)
YA
Landmark Events in Native American History series.
This series details significant events in Native American history. The texts describe the many instances of prejudice, deceit, cruelty, and cultural insensitivity faced in early contact with Europeans. The burgeoning success of Indian activism and pride in recent decades is documented in Red Power. Art reproductions and sidebars help break up the dry, densely detailed texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Landmark Events in Native American History titles: Black Hawk and the War of 1832, The Trail of Tears, Code Talkers and Warriors, The Apache Wars, Red Power, Little Bighorn, and King Philip's War.
116 pp.
| Nebraska
| November, 2007
|
PaperISBN 978-0-8032-6028-3$12.95
(2)
4-6
Quiet, responsible narrator Lori and reckless show-off Lana are cousins. They often squabble, but when Lana is diagnosed with cancer, Lori looks to their Lakota heritage for comfort. Sneve's tone is unfailingly calm, her turns of plot are almost always unexpected, and her symbolic touches are felicitous.
Reviewer: Barbara Bader
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2008
128 pp.
| Enslow/Links.com
| December, 2006
|
LibraryISBN 1-59845-020-4$33.27
(4)
4-6
Wild History of the American West series.
These books chronicle the history of three events that played major roles in the expansion and settlement of the American West. The readable texts are well researched and informative. The screen shots used to illustrate the books are blurry, but archival photographs, maps, and drawings add interest (a mistake in Cherokee's timeline is unfortunate). Chapter notes are appended. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Wild History of the American West titles: Custer's Stunning Defeat, The Cherokee Trail of Tears, and The Texas Fight for Independence.
24 pp.
| Enslow/Elementary
| March, 2005
|
LibraryISBN 0-7660-2590-X$21.26
(4)
K-3
I Like Biographies! series.
Crazy Horse's childhood, his growth as a hunter and subsequent rise to warrior are all chronicled briefly in this beginner's biography. The sometimes poorly reproduced illustrations add little to this account of the Oglala Sioux and their struggle with and betrayal by the American government. The text is brief; the tone is straightforward, neither apologetic nor accusatory. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.
(3)
4-6
American Battlefields series.
Each book in the series highlights important battles in American history, dropping interesting tidbits that young readers might not have encountered yet (e.g., clarifying that Paul Revere's engraving of the Boston Massacre was inaccurate, but helped to raise support for the colonists' side). Maps, reproduced paintings and photographs, and other graphics complement the information. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these American Battlefields titles: Lexington & Concord, Gettysburg, Little Bighorn, and The Alamo.
48 pp.
| Enslow
| December, 2004
|
LibraryISBN 0-7660-2216-1$23.93
(4)
4-6
Best of the West Biographies series.
This biography depicts the life and accomplishments of a Native American hero. The factual account, although somewhat romanticized, tells of Crazy Horse's victories, particularly at Fort Phil Kearny and Little Bighorn. Landau briefly discusses the Crazy Horse Memorial sculpture. Illustrations, maps, and archival photographs are included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.
56 pp.
| New Mexico
| October, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-8263-3609-4$18.95
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Ronald Kil.
Set in the mid-ninteenth century, this fictionalized biography tells of the childhood of a Native American boy who grew up to be an important Arapaho chief. The story is adequately, involving but the illustrations are done in too many styles (some black and white, others color) to make the book look coherent.
161 pp.
| McElderry
| April, 2003
|
TradeISBN 0-689-85287-8$$17.95
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
James Watts.
Curry has carefully researched and sensitively retold tales from fourteen Native American nations. Attractive pencil drawings enhance the stories, which were originally told to explain physical phenomena and events and to teach lessons of discipline and self-respect. Included are brief notes on the Indian nations and source notes for the twenty-six tales.
126 pp.
| Benchmark
| December, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-7614-1684-6$$34.21
(3)
4-6
Lifeways series.
Each book in this handsome and useful series gives both historical background and thoughtful discussion of the Native American tribe in contemporary times. The books are heavily illustrated with clear photographs and art reproductions, and the text in each is respectful and informative. Backmatter includes brief biographies of notable people. Directory, reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Lifeways titles: The Arapaho, The Chumash, The Shawnee, and The Wampanoag.
32 pp.
| Gareth
| September, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-8368-3702-9$$23.93
(4)
4-6
Native American Peoples series.
The titles in this series give readers an introduction to a Native American tribe, beginning with origins, history, and traditional lifestyle and ending with contemporary life. The text of each is quite brief and full of generalizations, giving readers only a cursory look at complex topics. The illustrations and photos give each book added interest and approachability. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Native American Peoples titles: Cherokee, Cheyenne, Comanche, Navajo, Aztec, and Cree.
32 pp.
| Gareth
| September, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-8368-3701-0$$23.93
(4)
4-6
Native American Peoples series.
The titles in this series give readers an introduction to a Native American tribe, beginning with origins, history, and traditional lifestyle and ending with contemporary life. The text of each is quite brief and full of generalizations, giving readers only a cursory look at complex topics. The illustrations and photos give each book added interest and approachability. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Native American Peoples titles: Cherokee, Cheyenne, Comanche, Navajo, Aztec, and Cree.
48 pp.
| Benchmark
| October, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-7614-1601-3$$27.07
(4)
K-3
Hands-on History series.
These books provide clear instructions for making a variety of items related to American Indians. Most projects use accessible materials but do require adult assistance. Maps, illustrations of varying quality, and archival photographs combine with a superficial text to explain the significance of the featured craft. Limited historical information makes these supplements to existing collections. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
(4)
4-6
Don't Know Much About series.
Illustrated by
Sergio Martinez.
A broad overview of Sitting Bull's life and times is explored in a contrived question-and-answer format. Some of the questions are silly ("Were Sitting Bull's parents named Mr. and Mrs. Bull?") or awkwardly phrased to suit the Q-and-A style, but the pencil illustrations, information boxes, and reproductions will draw browsers to the somewhat choppy volume. Timeline. Bib., ind.
48 pp.
| Bridgestone
| January, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-7368-1565-1$$22.60
(4)
4-6
American Indian Nations series.
Each of the books in this series examines a Native American group: the East Coast Powhatan and Wampanoag and the Blackfeet in Montana and southwestern Canada. Brief, choppy sentences are accompanied by contemporary and archival photographs, illustrations, and sidebars. Directories, map, reading list, recipe, timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these American Indian Nations titles: The Powhatan, The Blackfeet, and The Wampanoag.]