Informational

Sequoyah: The Cherokee Man Who Gave His People Writing
By James Rumford

This story of the Cherokee, Sequoyah, wonderfully illustrates how Sequoyah created a writing system for the Cherokee Indians, celebrating literacy and the success of the Cherokee Nation. Although his task was difficult, and Sequoyah knew no English, he persevered and created a system believing that “writing will make us strong.” A running Cherokee version alongside the English text makes the story more real and relevant and highlights major events in Sequoyah's life as well as the origin of Sequoyah’s syllabary. Ages 5-9 (k-3).

Poetry

Woman Who Fell From the Sky
Joy Harjo (1996)

These poems are lively, with exciting meters and rhythms and show considerable emphasis on sounds of language. The content will enrich not only language but allow for children to expand their imaginations and see or hear the world in a new way. Joy Harjo mixes elements of Native American storytelling, prayer, and song, praising the land and the spirit, influences of American culture, and the concept of feminine individuality. Children will be able to interpret and compare images, and findings. The content will encourage them to explore. Grades 4-6

Realistic Fiction

The Unbreakable Code
Sara Hoagland Hunter (1996)

A warm tribute to the Navajo "code talkers" who served in the Marine Corps during World War II, this story opens with a troubled grandson and an elderly Navajo man (his grandfather). It follows the history of how Navajo code talkers came to be and highlights the role they played in World War II. This story, appropriate for grade 2-4 works well with the oil paintings, which portray the Southwestern landscape and the military scenes. Samples of the original code and military terms are included. It spotlights an interesting chapter of World War II history that has received little attention.

Multicultural

The Game of Silence
Louise Erdrich

This is the sequel to The Birchbark House, and continues the story of an Ojibwe girl named Omakayas and her family living in the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior in 1850. The story contains many realistic images of Ojibwe people in that era in regard to traditional cultural activities and in the ensuing changes that take place with the coming of white people. Both cultural and ethnic portrayals accurately convey many social issues and problems; an honest description of Ojibwe life on the shores of Lake Superior in the mid-19th century. Sometimes referred to as a Native American Little House, this story does not provide views of hostility and violence in European settlers' treatment of the natives and it seems as though Native Americans and settlers live in peace, if not common understanding.

Traditional

Manabozho and the Bullrushes

By David Martinson, Illustrated by John Peyton
Anishinabe Reading Materials: Indian Education Department, Central Administration Building, Lake and Second Street, Duluth, MN 55802, 1976. 34 pages

Ages 5-7

Manabozho, Wenabozho, Nanaboozhoo…one of the many, but perhaps most well known cultural heroes of the Anishinaabeg appears in this condensed illustrated version of the dancing bullrush tale. Known by many variant names, Manabozho, most frequently recognized as one who loves to play tricks and cause trouble for others, falls victim to his own pride, arrogance and competitive nature, boasting his dancing abilities for a non-interested group shoreline dancers. As it turns out however, as sunrise reveals the truth of the matter, the nose-in-the-air dancers were bulrushes all along, swaying softly in the evening breeze.

The black and white illustrations beautifully render the emotion, attitude and character one might expect to find in this hero of the Anishinaabeg. This easy reading traditional tale is rich with opportunities to springboard into other cultural themes, moral behavior discussions, or perhaps the importance of humor. Young readers will find little difficulty following and enjoying this story however it may be noted that the oral tradition of Anishinaabe aadizookewin (story telling—delivered in the Anishinaabe language: anishinaabemowin) usually involves a cultural protocol that prohibits certain stories and content being told all year around—these are told when snow covers the ground, in winter. Enjoy!

Biography

Naawigiizis: The Memories of Center of the Moon

By Jim Clark

With an Introduction by Louise Erdrich
Edited by Keller Paap, Lisa LaRonge, and Heid Erdrich
Birchbark Books, Minneapolis
ISBN: 0-9719978-0-2

For as far as memoirs can be considered biographical, this book by respected Ojibwe elder Naawigiizs, Jim Clark, comprises a magnificent collection of short stories about growing up and being Ojibwe. Stories appear in English, bilingually in English and Ojibwe, and in Ojibwe alone, and hold potential to reach audiences of diverse age ranges and linguistic backgrounds. Students and teachers of the Ojibwe language may find this a valuable resource as it offers a variety of stories on many different topics, ultimately highlighting the life of a traditional Ojibwe elder.

Story content includes topics of childhood games and curiosity, going to boarding school, life as a soldier in World War II among others, as well as select traditional practices of Ojibwe people. It is rich in content and conveys wonder about past events and how they impact the future, family structure and cooperation, change and constancy, technology, the richness of Ojibwe humor, and the importance of cultural traditions.

Early elementary readers (grades 3+) as well as elementary (grades 3+) Ojibwe immersion students could make use of this book as the language used is easy to follow and comprehend. Older readers may also find the content lends itself well to the study of related content in historical and cultural frames of reference.

Picture Books

The Secret of the Hawaiian Rainbow: A Hawaiian Story About Colors

Title: The Secret of the Hawaiian Rainbow
Author: Stacey Kaopuiki
Illustrator: Bob Wagstaff
ISBN: 1878498029
Publisher: Hawaiian Island Concepts
Release Date: 1991

This picture book tells the story (in english) of a Hawaiian folk tale that describes the origin of the rainbow. It contains colorful pictures throughout and includes various Hawaiian folk characters. Various Hawaiian language vocabulary, American sign language and Japanese characters are integrated throughout the story as each color of the rainbow, created from objects of Hawaii, are developed. The story has a rich plot, but simple enough for young readers (1st or 2nd grade) to follow, and holds potential for higher grade level extensions as a basic resource in exploration of american sign language and Japanese character writing. The story ends with, well wait a second...I can't give that away....you should find out for yourself! I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised as would any child reading this enjoyable book about color. Enjoy!