Native
American histories
“[The Chumash, The Wampanoag]—These titles look at Native American tribes from opposite sides of the continent-the Chumash of California and the Wampanoag of Massachusetts. Each book examines the tribe’s history, social structure, culture, and current status. Organized into broad sections such as ‘Origins, ‘Lifeways,’ and ‘Beliefs,’ the material may require students to do a bit of digging for their research needs; however, a thorough index helps them to navigate through the topics. A section titled ‘Notable People’ provides one- to three-paragraph profiles of several members of each tribe who have distinguished themselves in some way. While both books contain maps, drawings, and historical photographs, their most striking feature is the elegant full-color photography of the land and of the handmade objects created by each tribe.”—School Library Journal “[The Mandan, The Tlingit]—These excellent titles tell the history of two distinct Native nations. The final chapters focus on the modern aspects of each group. Each volume offers two traditional stories, recipes, and language guides. Brief biographies of notable members of each nation are also included. Clear black-and-white archival photographs appear throughout, along with attractive full-color photos by the author and maps and reproductions. Some of the Web sites in Tlingit have moved and some are no longer available. First-rate choices for school or public libraries.”—School Library Journal “[The Haida, The Huron]—These beautiful books present a well-rounded portrait of their respective tribes. The author is sympathetic to the historical events and current status of the people. Each volume includes origins, life practices, beliefs, changes, contemporary concerns, and lists of notable people (historical and current). The illustrations, which make much visual information available, are both photos of modern locations and people and drawings of past circumstances. Tribal artwork is shown and stories told; both are credited. There are also recipes. These books are informationally comparable to Charlotte and David Yue’s books, with an added advantage of photographs.”—School Library Journal “[The Apache, The Cheyenne]—In clear, respectful, and culturally neutral language, Bial introduces the history, culture, and social traditions of the Apache and Cheyenne. Both books open with a folk story relating the origin of the people, and a description of the geography and historical background set the scene. Other chapters discuss economic and social aspects of the people’s lives, such as food, clothing, and arts and crafts; ceremonies and rites generally practiced by the Indian nation; language, including a pronunciation guide and a list of common words; and contemporary issues encountered by each group. Crisp, clear photos in full color and black and white, some taken by the author and some archival, as well as original art, appear on almost every other page. The books conclude with a time line, brief biographies of some of the notable representatives of the culture, and a list of organizations and Web sites. The boldface type in the index refers readers to one of the splendid illustrations, although this feature is not explained anywhere. Both books appear to be well researched, and the texts are clear and comprehensible. Quotes are attributed but are not footnoted. There is no dearth of titles on the various Indian nations for this age group. It’s the comprehensive content, the attractive presentation, and the varied and well-chosen illustrations that make these books worthy of consideration.”—School Library Journal “[The Apache, The Cheyenne, The Haida, The Huron]—Each title offers a thorough historical overview of a Native American tribe and discusses its people’s modern-day struggles. Featuring reproductions of contemporary and historical photographs and artwork that reflects the individual tribes’ unique traditions, these editions are both history lessons and art books. Each title includes a recipe, time line, brief language lesson, and annotated list of notable people of the profiled nation.”—The Horn Book Guide “[Group 5]—Students researching Native American tribes will find a wealth of information in the books of this series…The chapters on daily life and customs, and beliefs, are more complete and detailed than in some other sources and will be a valuable resource for student researchers. Recommended.”—Library Media Connection “[The Powhatan, The Shoshone, The Inuit, The Nez Perce]—…recommended picks for discriminating libraries seeking lasting reference materials for grades 4-6.”—The Children’s Bookwatch “[The Inuit, The Nez Perce]—…worthy of consideration for their unusual and comprehensive content.”—School Library Journal “[Group 4]—Recommended.”—Booklist, ALA “[Series]—Recommended picks for grades 5 and older.”—Children’s Bookwatch “[The Haida, The Huron]—These beautiful books present a well-rounded portrait of their respective tribes.”—School Library Journal “[Series]—Important recommendations for middle school and many a high school library collection…All are bright, contemporary treatments which will appeal to modern audiences.”—Children’s Bookwatch “[The Ojibwe, The Seminole]—Solid cultural and historical overviews for reports, and for general readers curious about Native American people.”—School Library Journal “[The Comanche, The Pueblo]—These impressive volumes present an accurate look at the social and cultural existence of Native peoples from their early history to present-day life…the style is lively and clear. The texts are beautifully accented with full-color and black-and-white photographs, period illustrations, and maps. These are books that will not only provide readers with needed information, but will also inspire them to inquire further about these people.”—School Library Journal “[The Ojibwe, The Pueblo]—Excellent contemporary and archival images are matched with a captivating text that, though reverential in places, offer insightful, detailed glimpses of Native American cultural life in the past, with brief commentary about the present. These accessible, attractive resources make good partners with recent fiction about Native Americans for the same age group.”—Booklist, ALA [Series]-”Raymond Bial’s Lifeways’ series will appeal to
grades 5 and older with their surveys of Native American life, and are recommended
picks for elementary-level collections seeking well-rounded Native books with
a single title devoted to each tribe.” [Series]-”These books would be valuable resources for students doing
reports or for readers wanting to know more about Native American groups. Recommended.” —Book
Report
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