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jenmangler's review
3.0
As a history buff, I love that this book focuses on how knowing where we come from can help us better know who we are. And I very much enjoyed learning more about Crazy Horse.
karrama's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This short, sparse book distills history and fiction for the middle grade audience. Jimmy is eleven and the kids at school on the Lakota reservation tease him for his blue eyes and light skin, even though he is only 1/4 Caucasian. His grandfather takes him on a road trip, stopping at historical markers and narrating the story of Light Hair, who, when he was grown, is known as Crazy Horse. Jimmy learns more than his history, he learns perseverance and how to choose not to fight.
The author does not mince words, and does not sugarcoat the battles or the side of the story that the historic markers don't share. History and fiction are woven together with few words and little description. Without realizing it, I was half way through the book and knew the feelings of both Nyles and Jimmy as they looked over a rolling landscape, imagining the Army and native Warriors standing on the battlefield. Tasunke Witko's story is told with compassion for the reader and without railing against the "long knives" who entered their territory, but there is no getting around the sadness of the episodes Nyles recounts.
The author does not mince words, and does not sugarcoat the battles or the side of the story that the historic markers don't share. History and fiction are woven together with few words and little description. Without realizing it, I was half way through the book and knew the feelings of both Nyles and Jimmy as they looked over a rolling landscape, imagining the Army and native Warriors standing on the battlefield. Tasunke Witko's story is told with compassion for the reader and without railing against the "long knives" who entered their territory, but there is no getting around the sadness of the episodes Nyles recounts.
in_and_out_of_the_stash's review
2.0
Hmm, this is going to sound strange but I found this book both interesting and boring. The historical parts were interesting but the story was boring. This is aimed at a younger age group but here is an example:
"Past the gate they followed the road toward the parking lot. Off to the right were houses. At the western edge of the parking lot was a two-story stone building. The parking area went further to the south, bending slightly to the east. South of the stone building was a cemetery with rows and rows of white headstones." This is a fiction book not a guide book.
I think this would have come across much better as a narrative non-fiction or written in the first person from the young boy's point of view.
"Past the gate they followed the road toward the parking lot. Off to the right were houses. At the western edge of the parking lot was a two-story stone building. The parking area went further to the south, bending slightly to the east. South of the stone building was a cemetery with rows and rows of white headstones." This is a fiction book not a guide book.
I think this would have come across much better as a narrative non-fiction or written in the first person from the young boy's point of view.
ellenpederson's review
3.0
I feel guilty disliking this book because it's filled with history that doesn't get nearly enough coverage in school. That said, I felt the road trip narrative wasn't strong enough to hold the short stories of military history together. Hoping this book will get into the hands of students who groove on military history and historical fiction on wars...
bookjockeybeth's review
3.0
ARC supplied by publisher via NetGalley
Not sure about this one - would probably need lots of background knowledge to truly enjoy. And a map to understand the details. That said, it's told from entirely Native American perspective about Native American history (Greasy Grass/Battle of Little Bighorn) in a way that most non-Native Americans could use.
Not sure about this one - would probably need lots of background knowledge to truly enjoy. And a map to understand the details. That said, it's told from entirely Native American perspective about Native American history (Greasy Grass/Battle of Little Bighorn) in a way that most non-Native Americans could use.
jbarr5's review
5.0
In the footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall
Have always been fascinated by the legend of Crazy Horse after seeing the mountain they are blowing up and sculpting to depict the horse and rider.
Nils High, his grandfather will take Jimmy on a trip explaining about the crazy horse and the good deeds he made with the US government. He also knows others are bullying Jimmy as they spend time together checking Nil's 12 miles of fencing.
He shows Jimmy where CH had once been and the story of how he saved others from the village fires.
Liked learning of the Lakota traditions. So many struggles and battles!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Have always been fascinated by the legend of Crazy Horse after seeing the mountain they are blowing up and sculpting to depict the horse and rider.
Nils High, his grandfather will take Jimmy on a trip explaining about the crazy horse and the good deeds he made with the US government. He also knows others are bullying Jimmy as they spend time together checking Nil's 12 miles of fencing.
He shows Jimmy where CH had once been and the story of how he saved others from the village fires.
Liked learning of the Lakota traditions. So many struggles and battles!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
preciousbodle's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
brandypainter's review
4.0
3.5 stars
Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
I picked up In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall on the recommendation of several people in the kidlit community who insisted it needed more attention due to its being a much needed portrayal of Native/First Nations people. Now I have read it and I agree whole heartedly.
Jimmy McClean is a Lakota boy despite his last name and lighter coloring (both due to his paternal grandfather). He is bullied at school for not being white and also for not being "enough" Lakota. Over his summer vacation, his grandfather takes him on a special road trip. Together they retrace the steps in the life of the famous Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse. Through this journey Jimmy learns more about the past of his people and about himself.
In all honesty, the parts with Jimmy and his grandfather are not shining examples of excellent characterization and dialogue. However their part is just the frame for the bigger story. The main point of the book is to tell the story of Crazy Horse and life on the plains for Natives from a Native perspective. Marshall (a Lakota himself) uses Lakota storytelling traditions to tell of the journeys and life of Crazy Horse. Through these stories we see life on the plains from the perspective of the Natives. We also get to see the atrocities visited on the Natives by the US Army through the eyes of the people who suffered them. This book is incredibly important. It places Natives as a people who still exist very much in the present in their natural construct while also giving an insight into the past we rarely get. History is written by those who win after all. THERE ARE NO OTHER MG BOOKS THAT DO THESE THINGS. (Tim Tingle's excellent How I Became a Ghost deals with history, but I can think of no other that presents modern Natives to children.) That we have a book about Native people told by a Native is incredibly important.
The pacing of this story is quick and it is a short read. It is written at such a level that it would be easily accessible for the majority of elementary students studying US History. In addition there are details of exactly where Jimmy and his grandfather are going and how they are getting there. As I was reading, I was forming plans in my head for a historical road trip with this book when my son gets to this point in his history studies.
Despite some choppy writing here and there, I firmly believe this is book that needs to be in every elementary library and public library. Next step is getting publishers to publish more of a variety of books like this. It should not be the only one. We need books, both contemporary and historical, that cover all tribes and places.
Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
I picked up In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall on the recommendation of several people in the kidlit community who insisted it needed more attention due to its being a much needed portrayal of Native/First Nations people. Now I have read it and I agree whole heartedly.
Jimmy McClean is a Lakota boy despite his last name and lighter coloring (both due to his paternal grandfather). He is bullied at school for not being white and also for not being "enough" Lakota. Over his summer vacation, his grandfather takes him on a special road trip. Together they retrace the steps in the life of the famous Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse. Through this journey Jimmy learns more about the past of his people and about himself.
In all honesty, the parts with Jimmy and his grandfather are not shining examples of excellent characterization and dialogue. However their part is just the frame for the bigger story. The main point of the book is to tell the story of Crazy Horse and life on the plains for Natives from a Native perspective. Marshall (a Lakota himself) uses Lakota storytelling traditions to tell of the journeys and life of Crazy Horse. Through these stories we see life on the plains from the perspective of the Natives. We also get to see the atrocities visited on the Natives by the US Army through the eyes of the people who suffered them. This book is incredibly important. It places Natives as a people who still exist very much in the present in their natural construct while also giving an insight into the past we rarely get. History is written by those who win after all. THERE ARE NO OTHER MG BOOKS THAT DO THESE THINGS. (Tim Tingle's excellent How I Became a Ghost deals with history, but I can think of no other that presents modern Natives to children.) That we have a book about Native people told by a Native is incredibly important.
The pacing of this story is quick and it is a short read. It is written at such a level that it would be easily accessible for the majority of elementary students studying US History. In addition there are details of exactly where Jimmy and his grandfather are going and how they are getting there. As I was reading, I was forming plans in my head for a historical road trip with this book when my son gets to this point in his history studies.
Despite some choppy writing here and there, I firmly believe this is book that needs to be in every elementary library and public library. Next step is getting publishers to publish more of a variety of books like this. It should not be the only one. We need books, both contemporary and historical, that cover all tribes and places.
bekah_'s review
4.0
This story was about Jimmy and his Grandpa Nyles who travel to different places that Crazy Horse went throughout his life. Grandpa Nyles used this trip to teach Jimmy Lakota history and lessons of life. Grandpa Nyles taught Jimmy how to be courageous, generous, and that it is okay to cry sometimes. I think the most important lesson that was taught was that it is nothing to be ashamed of when men cry because sometimes life makes you really sad. Jimmy talks about how the only time he saw his dad cry was when his uncle died and his Grandpa Nyles tells him that sometime even the toughest men cry sometimes, Crazy Horse cried when he lost his young daughter, best friend, his birth mother, and his other mother. Which I think is important to teach boys and men.