A BOY CALLED SLOW

By Joseph Bruchac Illustrated by Rocco Baviera

Image Credit: www.goodreads.com

1. Bibliographic 

Bruchac, Joseph, and Rocco Baviera. A Boy Called Slow: The True Story of Sitting Bull. New York: Philomel, 1994. Print. ISBN 9780329083441

2. Plot Summary

Returns Again and his family were blessed with a son who was slow at everything including eating. He was given the childhood name of Slow. As Slow grew up, he wanted a different, braver name. Slow knew that the only way he could change his name was to earn it through an act of bravery. His name was eventually changed to Tatan'ka Iyota'ke (Sitting Bull) because he had the courage to raid the Crow tribe. During the raid, no one from the Lakota tribe was killed and many horses along with weapons were gained. 

3. Critical Analysis

This Native American historical biography by Joseph Bruchac is of the Lakita Sioux tribe. The setting begins in 1831 and portrays the life of Slow, a son of Returns Again. The book is missing an author's note including citing sources for this story. Since these elements are missing I would label this book as historical fiction.

Cultural markers present include many words of the Lakota tribe. Many of the terms are defined in the text for readers. "Some said that the horses were brought by the wasicun, the white man." The characters are described  in the story as wearing moccasins and using weapons such as a coup stick. Storytelling is present in the book including the story of how horses came to the Native American people. This is also an important cultural marker for Native Americans.

The illustrations done by Rocco Baviera are very dark and do not define the faces of the people. These dark illustrations are probably done to respect the people. Most of the illustrations are full page and include a few bright colors for the landscape, sun, and illustrations of how the horses came to be a part of Native American life. At the end we see a full portrait of Sitting Bull along with the land and sun.

I would recommend this story to upper elementary children due to the length of the story and many elements that younger children would not understand. I also would not recommend this as a picture book read aloud due to the dark pictures. Children will want a close up view to see the details of these dark pictures.

4. Reviews and Experts
~ SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (10/1995): "This book works beautifully as historical fiction; it is less successful as biography as none of the dialogue is documented. An inspiring story."

~HORN BOOK MAGAZINE (9/1995): "The story also demonstrates the importance of family and community among the Lakota people. Baviera's darkly atmospheric, dramatic paintings frequently feature startling bits of bright color, as in the setting sun or a piece of sky visible through the smoke hole of a family's tipi. The pictures evoke a sense of timelessness and distance, possessing an almost mythic quality that befits this glimpse into history."

5. Connections
~Students could research more about Sitting Bull and the Lakota tribe.

~Students could read this book as an introduction to learn more about Native Americans.