Alyson Beecher over at Kid Lit Frenzy hosts a Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge and has a roundup every Wednesday. I love the encouragement to explore more non-fiction. My plan is to read at least 100 nonfiction picture books this year.
This week the American Indian Youth Literature Award winners were announced. We have the age appropriate titles in our library, but I still hadn't read Sitting Bull.
Sitting Bull: Lakota Warrior and Defender of His People by S.D. Nelson
Goodreads summary: Sitting Bull (c. 1831–1890) was one of the greatest Lakota/Sioux warriors and chiefs who ever lived. From Sitting Bull’s childhood—killing his first buffalo at age 10—to being named war chief to leading his people against the U.S. Army, Sitting Bull: Lakota Warrior and Defender of His People brings the story of the great chief to light. Sitting Bull was instrumental in the war against the invasive wasichus (white men) and was at the forefront of the combat, including the Battles of Killdeer Mountain and the Little Bighorn. He and Crazy Horse were the last Lakota/Sioux to surrender their people to the U.S. government and resort to living on a reservation.
The book includes an extensive author’s note and timeline, historical photographs, a map, a bibliography, endnotes, and an index.
My Thoughts: S.D. Nelson does a phenomenal job of showing Sitting Bull as a human being and not simply a legend. The story is told in the voice of Sitting Bull. We see him from childhood as he learns and grows. The Lakota way of life changed drastically during his lifetime. This would be a fantastic book to use when teaching about history in upper elementary and middle school. It could add a personal dimension and fill in many of the gaps in textbooks. It would also offer a perspective that is often absent in the books and curriculum.
The book appears to be very well researched. [Though on closer inspection it appears that his sources were not the best - see update below] The author provides an excellent timeline and thorough author notes. In addition, the book is illustrated with a combination of archival images and Nelson's gorgeous artwork. He has a unique art style that combines traditional Lakota imagery with his own modern twist. I really appreciated the addition of ledger art on the back endpaper. He included a brief explanation of this work. During incarceration, some Native people were given used ledger books and they created works of art in them on top of the used pages.
There is so much to admire about this book. I hope that many people, young and old, have the opportunity to experience it.
Update: I did not realize that this book had problematic content when I read it. Beverly Slapin very thoroughly reviewed the book at Debbie Reese's blog American Indians in Children's Literature a few months after I posted this review. She ended the review with this comment, "But, given the accolades this book has received, it will probably be widely read by youngsters and their teachers, who will think that they’re reading real history. They are not." So, yes, I did think I was reading real history, but after reading her review, I can see that I certainly didn't look closely enough. I appreciate that both Debbie Reese and Beverly Slapin continue to share information with readers because I obviously still fail to notice when things are inaccurate.
The book includes an extensive author’s note and timeline, historical photographs, a map, a bibliography, endnotes, and an index.
My Thoughts: S.D. Nelson does a phenomenal job of showing Sitting Bull as a human being and not simply a legend. The story is told in the voice of Sitting Bull. We see him from childhood as he learns and grows. The Lakota way of life changed drastically during his lifetime. This would be a fantastic book to use when teaching about history in upper elementary and middle school. It could add a personal dimension and fill in many of the gaps in textbooks. It would also offer a perspective that is often absent in the books and curriculum.
The book appears to be very well researched. [Though on closer inspection it appears that his sources were not the best - see update below] The author provides an excellent timeline and thorough author notes. In addition, the book is illustrated with a combination of archival images and Nelson's gorgeous artwork. He has a unique art style that combines traditional Lakota imagery with his own modern twist. I really appreciated the addition of ledger art on the back endpaper. He included a brief explanation of this work. During incarceration, some Native people were given used ledger books and they created works of art in them on top of the used pages.
There is so much to admire about this book. I hope that many people, young and old, have the opportunity to experience it.
Update: I did not realize that this book had problematic content when I read it. Beverly Slapin very thoroughly reviewed the book at Debbie Reese's blog American Indians in Children's Literature a few months after I posted this review. She ended the review with this comment, "But, given the accolades this book has received, it will probably be widely read by youngsters and their teachers, who will think that they’re reading real history. They are not." So, yes, I did think I was reading real history, but after reading her review, I can see that I certainly didn't look closely enough. I appreciate that both Debbie Reese and Beverly Slapin continue to share information with readers because I obviously still fail to notice when things are inaccurate.
I like how you said the book shows him as a human being, not a legend. That's an important thought!
ReplyDeleteI need to read this book too, having just read the book about following in Crazy Horse's footsteps. Thanks for the detailed review, Crystal. It sounds and looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYes, I thought that it was nice to have read the Crazy Horse book so recently. There was some overlap. They would work together well.
DeleteSo true - historical figures so often become lost in legend, and we lose sight of the fact that they were people like you and me, just trying to make sense of a rapidly changing world, and trying to do what was right for their people. Sounds like a powerful book!
ReplyDeleteInteresting that he (she? not sure which S. D. Nelson is) chose to tell the story in Sitting Bull's voice. That has to be a tricky craft choice.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a different way to do a biography. I think it borders on fictionalizing, but it brings the reader in close.
DeleteI missed so many titles at the end of last year. Thank you, thank you Crystal for highlighting this book. I added it to my next order.
ReplyDelete