Native American Lit Wise, Bill

Native American Lit

Wise, Bill and Bill Farnsworth (ill.). Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer. New York: Lee & Low, 2007.

ISBN: 1584302690 9781584302698, 31 pages, color illustrations, IRA Children's Book Award, Carter G. Woodson Book Award. Juvenile audience.

A biography of professional baseball player Louis Sockalexis. Growing up in the late nineteenth century, Louis' dreams of becoming a baseball player were ridiculed because he was Native American. His success did not end the racism that plague him. Despite this, he managed to achieve his personal dreams and erode the racial barriers in this country to some degree.

-Somewhat overly simplistic in language given the subject matter; could be made more challenging

-Brevity of presentation allows for a quick yet highly informative read

-Illustrations well-matched to the text, yet not entirely necessary

Research the treatment of Native Americans in the 1800s and present your findings

Write a story about another historical attempt to break down a similar barrier

Draw a picture of the crowd you would see at a baseball game today

Share a time when you were treated unfairly and what you did to combat this

Take turns as different characters acting out a scene from the book

Capaldi, Gina. A Boy Named Beckoning. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books, 2008.

ISBN: 9780822576440 0822576449, 32 pages, illustrations (some color), Independent Publisher Book Awards, other nominations. Juvenile audience.

Recounts the story of the man known as Carlos Montezuma, a Native American doctor and advocate. Kidnapped at a young age by another tribe, Wassaja is eventually bought by an Italian man who raises him as Carlos. He attends medical school, becomes a successful doctor, and spends his life advocating for Native American rights.

-Very informative and easy to follow with interest.

-Illustrations largely unnecessary.

-Quick pace without skimping on too much detail.

Research what it takes to become a doctor, and report your findings.

Write a plan for how you will become what you want to be.

Create a campaign poster to obtain Native American rights for a 19th century issue.

Debate a current issue facing Native American tribes in the U.S.

Write a brief report on another little-known Native American figure.

Steptoe, John. The Story of Jumping Mouse. New York: Lothrop, Lee, and Shepard, 1984.

ISBN: 0688019021 9780688019020, 40 pages, illustrated, Caldecott nominated. Juvenile literature.

Recounts a Native American legend in an illustrated and somewhat modernized version. With the help of an unselfish Frog, Jumping Mouse goes on a long journey. He eventually finds what he is seeking, ending with a stunning transformation that even he did not expect.

-Rich illustrations greatly enhance the storytelling aspect.

-Somewhat traditionalized storytelling method nonetheless preserves the elements of the original myth in a compelling manner

-Emotionally and intellectually stirring

Draw a picture of Jumping Mouse's transformation

Write a poem regarding the journey and transformation

Draw illustrations for another Native American legend

Examine several legends for common themes, characters, etc.

Write a new legend concerning the further adventures of the Frog

Bruchac, James, Joseph Bruchac and Stefano Vitale (ill.). The Girl Who helped Thunder and Other Native American Folktales. New York: Sterling, 2008.

ISBN: 9781402732638 1402732635. 96 pages, color illustrations. Juvenile literature.

Retellings of twenty-four different Native American folktales and myths. Covers a wide array of different tribal beliefs/cultures. Accompanying illustrations also hint at different native American styles of visual design and aesthetic appreciation. Generally light-hearted folktales; few heavy myths.

-Illustrations somewhat simplistic, and not entirely (or even mostly) Native in style

-Stories retold in an entertaining and fast-paced fashion

-Very little additional cultural material; could be expanded

Write your own myth concerning one of the phenomena addressed in these tales

Act out a script based one a legend from the book

Create a single poster that incorporates elements form many tales

Research the relationships between different Native American tribes

Write a poem reflecting the desires of one of the characters form a tale

Hamilton, Virginia. Arilla Sun Down. New York: Greenwillow, 1976.

ISBN: 0688800580 9780688800581. 248 pages, juvenile fiction.

Arilla is half African-American and half Native American, and has trouble identifying with a group of people. Her brother Jack easily identifies as a Native American. Her relationship with her brother challenges her view of herself, leading to an eventual self-discovery.

-Emotionally powerful yet highly age-appropriate.

-Addresses difficult issues of cultural and gender diversity with tact but true investigation

-Perhaps somewhat dated in tone for modern readers

Research your family tree and discover your own background

Write a report about your own "mixed" identity

Conduct a survey to determine other people's sense of identity and cultural background