I've LOVED Sing Down the Moon from the moment I first read it as a child!

Bright Morning is incredibly brave and strong for a girl of just fourteen. Her love story with the handsome Tall Boy is truly unique and special. Tall Boy gets shot in the leg while saving Bright Morning, which leaves him unable to run and hunt. He initially feels sorry for himself, but Bright Morning gives him tough love until he accepts his new disability and her unending love for him. I have a soft spot for heroes with medical problems.

I've known about the Cherokees' Trail of Tears for as long as I can remember, but it was from this book that I first learned about the Long Walk of the Navajo. It's an important part of history that people should be aware of.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Native Americans, real-life history, and romance. It's a captivating story that will keep you engaged from start to finish.

I have a significant goal in my life, which is to read all the books that I possess. Among them, there is one that I have had since elementary school. Therefore, I made up my mind to read it. However, to my great disappointment, it turned out to be an extremely unsatisfactory experience.

I was once a huge fan of one of Scott O’Dell’s other books, but this particular one was just terrible. There were numerous historical inaccuracies throughout the text, which really disrupted my reading experience. Additionally, the plot seemed to be all over the place, lacking a clear and coherent structure.

I had initially thought that the book was about one specific thing, especially based on the description on the back of the book. But as I delved deeper into it, I realized that it was about something completely different. This inconsistency left me feeling confused and misled.

In conclusion, I simply would not recommend this book to anyone, regardless of their age. It failed to meet my expectations and did not provide the engaging and informative reading experience that I had hoped for.

Scott O'Dell weaves a captivating and moving tale about the young Navajo girl, Bright Morning.

He takes us on a journey from her simple yet beautiful home life to the harrowing moment when she is kidnapped by the Spaniards.

The story further unfolds to reveal the subsequent forced removal of the Navajo, along with other tribes, by the dreaded "Long Knives".

O'Dell does manage to set the stage for the reader to sympathize with Bright Morning's plight. However, there is a certain aspect in his delivery that creates a distance.

Published in 1970, "Sing Down the Moon" was, perhaps, well-intentioned at that time. But O'Dell's attempt to make Bright Morning's dialog "authentic" by emulating a "Native American" sound comes across as rather stiff and simplistic.

To the ears of 2022 readers, it makes her seem more like a stock stereotype. This fails to add any real value for today's audience.

While we do sympathize with Bright Morning as a character, we don't quite feel like we are getting to know a real person. This is where the distance lies. The characters in this story truly deserve to be more fully developed and given their own unique voices.

Only then can we truly connect with them on a deeper level and understand the full magnitude of their experiences.

Book 13

Sing Down The Moon

In this book, an Indian girl named Bright Morning, who is part of the Navajos tribe, lives in a canyon with her family and tribe. One day, while with her friend Running Bird, they go up to the high mesa to feed the sheep. Suddenly, Spaniards come and take them away to sell them as slaves. They manage to escape, but when they return home, the long knives arrive and chase them out of the canyon. Will they ever get their beloved canyon back? Will the long knives hunt them down and kill them?

I really like this book due to its abundant use of figurative language. For example, when Bright Morning describes the rain and wind, she says, "At first it was a whisper, like a wind among the dry stalks of the cornfield." Here, the author compares the wind to a whisper, creating a vivid image. She also mentions the rain hitting the ground, saying, "It was a sound, like the feet of warriors dancing." Additionally, "It was a roar that shook the earth" and "He looked at me as if I had turned into a witch" are other examples of the beautiful figurative language in the book. Each one is truly amazing and adds depth to the story.

The reason I gave this book a 3-star rating is that it lacks a significant amount of detail. When Bright Morning is captured and escapes, there is very little description. I believe this is why the book is not very long. However, despite this drawback, I absolutely loved the ending. Bright Morning is happy, and a new life can begin. I also really liked the portrayal of friendship between family and friends. The courage of the girls in the face of danger is truly inspiring. Overall, the book is a quick and adventurous read that offers an interesting glimpse into the lives of the Navajos.

Bright Morning and her friend are Navaho young women. They lead a simple life, busily taking care of their sheep. However, their peaceful existence is brutally disrupted when Spanish slavers arrive and abduct them.

Bright Morning, a resourceful girl, manages to find a way to escape her new servitude. Just as she does so, the Long Knives (white men) come and drive her people out of their beloved valley, forcing them towards Fort Sumter. Bright Morning's heart longs for the day when she can return to the valley she loves.

I truly appreciate how O'Dell brings to people's awareness the injustices that befell the Navajo people. I was already aware of the US soldiers' forcible relocation of Native tribes, but the Spanish capturing young Navajo women for slavery was a new and shocking revelation to me. It is of utmost importance that these people and events are not forgotten.

The book has value in preserving historical events. I can't recall reading another historical fiction set in the Arizona region. However, I didn't find it an outstanding read. Perhaps it's due to the difference in writing styles over the past 50 years of middle grade/young adult literature. The plot didn't strike me as overly compelling. Although there was an overarching plot of Bright Morning longing to return to her valley, it felt rather muted. When the story ended, it seemed somewhat abrupt and incomplete.

The story leans more towards the young adult genre today, as the main character is in her mid-teens. Over the course of the book, Bright Morning gets married and has a child, but these events seem like secondary, quick background details. In fact, I almost got the impression that she loved her missing sheep more than her husband or son. This book would be a great choice for readers studying Arizona or Navajo history, as those are its strongest points.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None. There's a marriage and a birth, but no details about intimacy between Bright Morning and her husband.
Violence: People, including small children, die from starvation. Tall One, Bright Morning's future husband, is injured in a scuffle with the Spanish slave traders, and his arm is permanently damaged.
Ethnic diversity: Most characters are Navajo, with some Spanish and white American side characters
LGBTQ+ content: None
Other: Kidnapping & forced to be a household slave. A woman resorts to eating dogs out of hunger, which horrifies Bright Morning, who loves her dog. Tall One is degraded in the eyes of the community because of his disability. Wrongful incarceration of Navajo by American soldiers.

Beautiful young adult book written by a renowned author.

It tells the captivating story of Bright Morning and the Navahos of Canyon de Chelly.

The book covers an actual event known as the Long Walk, during which the Navahos were forcibly removed and taken to Fort Sumner, a distance of 300 miles away.

Bright Morning's young life undergoes a dramatic transformation when the Spaniards, who were slavers, abduct her and her friend.

Moreover, when the Long Knives commence the removal of all her people from their homes, her world is turned upside down.

However, Bright Morning's positive attitude and lovely spirit infuse the story with a beauty and a sense of hope.

Her unwavering determination and courage in the face of adversity make her a truly inspiring character.

I really loved this book for its engaging narrative, rich historical context, and the powerful portrayal of Bright Morning's journey.

It offers a unique perspective on a significant event in Navaho history and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

I am pretty sure I read this book sometime in my youth.

I vividly remember the title, yet the storyline seems to have eluded my memory.

Frankly speaking, it is rather depressing for a middle grade novel.

Unfortunately, any account of the interaction between southwestern Native American tribes and European settlers is bound to be a somber one.

In the midst of the harrowing experiences of kidnapping, enslavement, and forced relocation, Bright Morning remains resolute in her determination to return to her home.

She continuously battles to get back to her people and their land, even when those around her in the same dire circumstances have given up hope.

I truly admire her unwavering tenacity.

It is this strength of character that makes her such an inspiring protagonist.

Despite the countless obstacles and hardships she faces, she never loses sight of her goal.

Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and courage of the Native American people during a difficult period in history.

I was engaged in buddy reading this particular book with a student. The initial plan was for me to read only until chapter 18. However, the story was so captivating that I simply could not put it down.

As I delved deeper into the narrative, I found myself completely immersed in the world created by the author. The vivid descriptions and well-developed characters made it impossible for me to walk away.

I now look forward to having rich discussions with the student about the various themes and ideas presented in the book. Additionally, I anticipate conducting research on how "Sing Down the Moon" has already and will continue to inspire further exploration and analysis.

This reading experience has not only been enjoyable but also intellectually stimulating, and I am excited to see where it leads.

Rereading the books from my childhood, I came across this one by chance while cleaning out the depositary in the library. It is still excellent. The realistic and at the same time interesting story of a Navajo tribe and a girl named Clear Dawn.

The Navajo people have a rich and unique culture, and this story beautifully展现s their way of life, traditions, and values. Clear Dawn is a young girl who faces many challenges and adventures as she grows up within the tribe.

The author does a great job of描绘ing the landscapes, the people, and the emotions in a vivid and engaging way. Reading this book again, I was able to重温the magic and wonder of my childhood. It reminded me of the importance of family, community, and respecting the environment.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story that is both entertaining and educational. It is a great way to learn about different cultures and gain a deeper understanding of the world around us.

This is an excellent book that I highly recommend for having a class discussion with my students.

It offers a wealth of engaging and thought-provoking topics that can stimulate lively conversations and critical thinking among the students.

The book's content is presented in a clear and accessible manner, making it easy for the students to understand and relate to.

By using this book as a basis for class discussions, I can encourage my students to express their own opinions, share their experiences, and learn from each other.

It also provides an opportunity for them to develop their communication skills, as they engage in respectful and meaningful dialogue with their peers.

Overall, this book is a valuable resource that can enhance the learning experience in the classroom and help my students to become more informed and engaged learners.

A beautifully told story about the Navajos during the 1800’s when they were removed from their land. This story provides a vivid and detailed account of the hardships and struggles that the Navajo people faced during this difficult time in history.

O’Dell was an excellent writer of children’s historical fiction. His ability to bring history to life through engaging characters and exciting plotlines made his books a favorite among young readers.

This particular story about the Navajos is no exception. It offers a unique perspective on a little-known chapter in American history and is sure to capture the imagination of students from grades 5-9.

By reading this story, students will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Navajo culture and the importance of respecting the rights and dignity of all people. It is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about the history and heritage of the Native American people.

I feel that I'm being awfully generous with my stars here. However, when compared to the other O'Dell books I've read, both in the past and very recently, this book was clearly the best.

The topic was extremely interesting to me as I have a deep love for Native American culture and history. I would very much like to read some nonfiction about the Long Walk that the Native Americans were forced to endure. As I was reading, I realized how tragic it is that I'm no longer even surprised at the atrocities committed on the Native Americans by the earlier settlers. While listening to this book, I was pondering how different history would have been if the Europeans had come in and become neighbors with the Native Americans instead of forcing them off their ancestral lands.

My biggest complaint about this book was its coldness. It felt more like a recitation of facts rather than a story. I recently read "The Black Pearl" and attempted to read "The King's Fifth". Both of those were incredibly boring to me, but they had far more emotion and feeling in them.

Still, it wasn't painful to read this one, for which I was glad. It had a great topic.