JINGLE DANCER

By Cynthia Leitich Smith Illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu

Image Credit: cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com

1. Bibliography 

Smith, Cynthia Leitich., Wright Cornelius Van, and Ying-Hwa Hu. Jingle Dancer. New York: Morrow Junior, 2000. Print. ISBN 9780688162429

2. Plot Summary

Jenna is a girl of who dreams of dancing during the powwow. She is a descent of the Muscogee (Creek) and Ojibway (Chippewa/Anishinabe) descent and this dance is a family tradition. Jenna has been practicing this dance and seeks her grandmother's permission. To dance in the powwow, Jenna must have a dress with jingles. Jenna seeks out members of her family to get enough jingles. She finally has enough jingles and proudly dances for each person who loaned her jingles for her dress.

3. Critical Analysis 

This fictional story by Cynthia Leitich Smith is a simple story about a girl who wants to continue the family tradition of dancing at the powwow. The characters are portrayed in the modern-day with Jenna's cousin as a lawyer, Mrs. Smith living in a duplex, and Grandma living in a modern neighborhood. We also see characters who care for one another, especially Jenna. "'May I borrow enough jingles to make a row?' Jenna asked, not wanting to take so many that Aunt Sis's dress would lose its voice." This book also includes an author's note telling the readers more about Jenna's descent as well as more information about the jingle dance and attire.The author also included a glossary for some words that most people will need to refer to.

There are many cultural markers present in this story which include references to various food, dancing at the powwow, and clothing that Jenna had to wear at the powwow. We see the reference to Indian tacos and fry bread. We also see phrases such as "As Moon kissed Sun good night" that lets the readers know that this story is of  Native American people. One cultural marker lacking is the use of Native American language. We also see the importance of the number four while Jenna is gathering enough jingles to make four rows.

The illustrations done by Wright Cornelius Van and Ying-Hwa Hu are full page watercolor illustrations. These illustrations include many bright colors and would be good for a storytime read aloud. Throughout the illustrations we see people of light brown skin along with many other cultural markers. These include Indian shoes, artifacts, baskets, and a pouch for carrying the jingles. 

4. Reviews Excepts

~SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (7/2000): "An author's note and glossary tell more about the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, the Ojibway origins of jingle dancing, and the significance of the number four in Native American tradition. This picture book will not only satisfy a need for materials on Native American customs, but will also be a welcome addition to stories about traditions passed down by the women of a culture."

~KIRKUS REVIEW (4/2000): "The layout of the book is straightforward--mostly double-page spreads that extend all the way to the edges of the paper. Jenna lives in what looks like a nice suburban house, the others seem solidly middle-class, and cousin Elizabeth is a lawyer. The author is deliberately showing us, it would seem, that all Native Americans are not poor or live on rundown reservations. A useful portrayal of an important cultural event in a Creek girl's year."

5. Connections

~Students could research more about the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the Ojibway (Chippewa/Anishinabe) descent.

~Students could read other books by Cynthia Leitich Smith and visit her webpage. 

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.

CROSSING BOK CHITTO

By Tim Tingle Illustrated by Jeanne Rorex Bridges

Image Credit: www.goodreads.com

1. Bibliographic

 Tingle, Tim, and Jeanne Rorex Bridges. Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship & Freedom. El Paso, TX: Cinco Puntos, 2006. Print. ISBN 9780938317777

2. Plot Summary

Bok Chitto is a river that runs through the Mississippi where one side of the river is the Choctaws and the other side is a plantation and home to many slaves. Martha Tom is a young Choctaw girl who crossed the river to find blueberries for a wedding. While there, she could not find her way back to the river and a slave's son, Little Mo takes her back to the river. Little Mo learns that his mother is going to be sold and asks Martha Tom for help. The Choctaws help Little Mo and his family across the river where they will become free.

3. Critical Analysis

Tim Tingle retells a wonderful story of people from other cultures who become friends and help each other at important times. In this story we see two families who are willing to help neighbors out. This is a story that many older elementary children would enjoy.

In this Native American book, we see four motifs present in this story. The candles held by the Native American women while the slaves are crossing the river represent fire. The river represents the water, the earth is represented as the outside church for the slaves, and wind is represented when "the old men began to sing the old wedding song." This wedding song is sung in Native American language.

The illustrations done by Jeanne Rorex Bridges are full page spreads with natural colors and fine details. When Little Mo's family became invisible, Bridge's illustration portray them just enough that the reader can see them and the guards could not. The Choctaw women are portrayed with long dark hair and brown skin. Many of the men also have long hair that is braided on the sides. The clothing looks to be of simple print. Their shoes include moccasins that we would normally see on Native Americans.  We do not see any leather or other clothing like fringes or headdresses that most people would label as Native American.

4. Reviews and Awards

 ~SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (07/2006): "The layout is well designed for groups as the images are large and easily seen from a distance. There is a note on modern Choctaw culture, and one on the development of this particular work. This is a lovely story, beautifully illustrated, though the ending requires a somewhat large leap of the imagination."

~LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION (11/2006): "Tingle brings this early American tale to print as a strong read- aloud for young or middle level students or for a great quick read for older readers. The language is vividly brought to life through rich earthen-toned illustrations by Jeanne Rorex Bridges."

5. Connections
~Read this story as an introduction to Native American Literature study and then research more about Native Americans.