For a rapid overview of history, Scott O'Dell is outstanding.

Specifically, the book "Sing Down the Moon", which is written for 10-year-olds, narrates the harrowing story of the Navajo people in 1863.

During that time, Spanish slavers targeted the Navajo people, and the military compelled them to undertake a march of hundreds of miles to Fort Sumpter.

This account provides a glimpse into the way the Navajo lived and how they coped with the encroachment of the white man into their native land.

It offers young readers a valuable opportunity to learn about a significant period in history and the experiences of a particular indigenous group.

By reading this book, children can gain a better understanding of the challenges and hardships that the Navajo people faced and how they managed to persevere in the face of adversity.

Overall, "Sing Down the Moon" is an important and engaging historical novel that can help to educate and inspire young readers.

The Long Walk/Navaho to Ft Sumpter 1860's

The Spanish Slavers were a constant menace to the Navaho way of life. One beautiful spring day, fourteen-year-old Bright Morning and her friend Running Bird led their sheep to the pasture. The sky was a clear blue, contrasting vividly with the red buttes of the Canyon de Schelly. The fields and orchards of the Navahos held the promise of a bountiful harvest. Bright Morning was filled with joy as she looked out over the beautiful valley that was the home of her tribe. She turned when Black Dog barked, and that was when she saw the Spanish slavers galloping straight towards her. The sight filled her with dread and fear. She knew that their arrival could mean the end of their peaceful existence. The slavers had no regard for the Navaho people and their way of life. They would take what they wanted and leave destruction in their wake. Bright Morning's heart pounded in her chest as she wondered what would happen next.

The stories of hardship and injustice endured by Native Americans are of great significance and should be told vividly.

I have a penchant for historical fiction, but unfortunately, this particular tale failed to captivate me.

The book makes numerous mentions of sheep, but they are always described in a rather one-sided way as simply “cropping the grass”. There is a lack of more diverse and engaging words like “chew”, “chomp”, “graze” or “forage” to bring the sheep to life.

Moreover, I didn't have a deep sense of getting to know the female main character. She came across as stoic and distant, making it difficult for me to form an emotional connection with her.

The entire storyline seemed a bit disjointed, lacking a smooth flow and coherence. Additionally, the conclusion was abrupt and left me feeling rather unsatisfied. It felt as if the story was cut short just when it was starting to build up some momentum.

Overall, while the subject matter is important, this book没能达到我的期望.

Originally published in 1970, Sing Down the Moon was named a Newberry Honor Book in 1971. Set in the New Mexico and Arizona territories from 1863 to 1865, it tells the story of a teenaged Navajo girl, Bright Morning. Despite the American Civil War raging in the East, the Navajo face difficult times. The people they call Spaniards (likely Spanish-speaking Mexicans) raid them and other Native Americans for slaves. But the worst comes in 1864 when the U.S. military under Kit Carson rounds up all the Navajo and puts them in a concentration camp, Bosque Redondo. The Navajo in the book are unsure why, but Confederate raids and the desire for land are likely reasons. This act is devastating to both the real-life Navajo and the characters in the book.

This book was a re-read for me. I read it in 4th or 5th grade and it has stayed with me for over 45 years. It's not that I constantly thought of it, but related things would trigger memories. Recently, I got a copy and hoped it would be as good as I remembered. It's a stark, quick book with a "just the facts" style. There's not much character development and the chaos for the Navajo keeps coming. It's not an upbeat book, as Bright Morning is captured as a slave and then forced to march to Bosque Redondo. But it's about not giving up, and Bright Morning and Tall Boy are admirable characters. I rate this book 4 stars out of 5.

Originally published in 1970.

Named a Newberry Honor Book in 1971.

Bright Morning was out with her sheep on that fateful day when the Spanish slavers suddenly appeared and captured her. Later, she was sold like a piece of property.

Thankfully, she was able to escape along with her friend Running Bird. However, when they finally made it home, they discovered that more trouble was即将降临 for all of her people.

Her tribe was eventually destroyed, and they were forced to move to another place, leaving behind their homeland and everything they had known.

I thought this book was quite good. The pace was rather fast, which made it an engaging read. However, I didn't really have enough time to fully get to know or connect with the characters. I felt that there wasn't enough description of their lives or how they lived.

Nevertheless, it was a good story, and I did like the characters. It's just that I wished there had been more details about them to enable a stronger connection.

It is a sad story, as it is actually based on the real-life experience of the Navaho people being forced to move. It's both sad and a bit depressing. Overall, it's a good story, but it probably could have been even better with more in-depth character development and a more detailed portrayal of their lives.

This is a strange book to me.

I love the poetic narration and the slice of life vibe it gives off. However, I don't quite know how to feel about this book, as it seems to be nothing more than the basest of recounting of a series of events.

Overall, it's hard to like any of the characters, even the ones you are supposed to root for. They don't seem to have any growth; it's just a journey.

The story could end with them happy or with them miserable, and objectively, I wouldn't have felt different because there's no real reason to cheer them on.

Obviously, they are victims from a bad and terrible time in American history and don't deserve any of what happens to them. But being a victim isn't really a personality trait.

Despite all this, the narration is such a winner. It reads more like poetry, and it has the same faults as an epic poem, but that's part of its charm.

The way the words flow and the images they create make it a pleasure to read, even if the story and characters leave something to be desired.

It's a strange mix of good and bad, but in the end, I think I'll remember this book more for its beautiful narration than anything else.

In this book, it vividly describes how Bright Morning and Running Bird are taken to a place where all of their tribes are gathered.

Subsequently, Bright Morning manages to escape with Tall Boy. They are then brought to a city, and from there, they have to fend for themselves.

Later on, Bright Morning and Tall Boy get married. They have a baby and choose to live their lives alone in the cliff.

This book offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, making it a great choice for those who are interested in learning about the history of that era.

Personally, I would rate this book a 3, as it has its engaging moments but could also be improved in certain aspects.

I started reading this book mainly because of my twin nieces. They seemed to be interested in it, so I thought I would give it a try.

However, as I delved deeper into the story, I found myself getting bored. The main character was going through a whole host of experiences, yet there was a lack of detailed emotional description. It was as if the author was more focused on the events themselves rather than the inner turmoil and growth of the character.

This really isn't the kind of book that I typically enjoy. I like stories that can tug at my heartstrings and make me truly empathize with the characters. Nevertheless, I did manage to get a small glimpse of Navajo history, which was somewhat interesting. But overall, this book just didn't do it for me.

Perhaps if the author had spent more time developing the emotional aspects of the main character, it would have been a more engaging read. As it stands, I'm not sure if I would recommend this book to others.

Bright Morning, a Navajo teenager, finds herself as a shepherd of “churro” sheep in the magnificent red buttes of the Canyon de Shelley.

Her life is about to change drastically as she becomes part of a remarkable coming of age story. Amidst numerous changes for her and her people, she is unfortunately captured by Spanish Slavers. However, hope arrives in the form of Tall Boy from her tribe, who rescues her.

When they return, they are met with the harsh reality that they must move from Northeastern Arizona into New Mexico, to a land different from the one they had known so well.

I truly relished this middle grade/YA historical fiction. It introduced me to a tribe that I had very little knowledge about, and for that, I am grateful to have received this account. I believe Scott O’Dell’s afterward was exceptionally well done. It presented an honest portrayal of all the sides involved during that specific time and place, adding depth and authenticity to the entire narrative.

The book I just finished reading is "Sing Down the Moon".

This book is truly heart-wrenching as their tribe endures so much. The tribe has been incredibly strong in fighting for what rightfully belongs to them. They fight bravely for their village, for their precious food sources, and for their very place in the world.

I highly recommend this book to my entire class. They would surely feel a sense of sadness and empathy for the hardships that the people in the book face. It would make them realize how fortunate they are and that they should be truly grateful for all the things they have in their own lives.

Reading this book can open their eyes to the struggles and sacrifices of others, and perhaps inspire them to be more kind and understanding.

Sing Down the Moon, written by Scott O’Dell, is a captivating work of historical fiction designed for readers in the age range of 8 - 12. It has the honor of being the recipient of the prestigious John Newberry Medal.

The story follows the life of a young Navajo girl named Bright Morning. She is unfortunately captured by a group of Spaniards and then sold to the wife of a Spanish soldier. However, Bright Morning is a brave and resourceful girl, and she manages to escape. But her troubles don't end there. When she returns, she finds American soldiers laying claim to her homeland.

The soldiers bring destruction and chaos. They burn crops and chop down trees. They force the Native American people, including Bright Morning and her tribe, to march a grueling 300 miles from their reservation to Fort Sumner. This tragic event is known as the “Long Walk”.

Set against the backdrop of the Native American's desperate struggle to survive in the era of European colonialism, Sing Down the Moon delves deep into themes such as survival, inner strength, faith, and colonialism. The detailed description of the brutality that the Native American population had to endure is an accurate portrayal of that time. The culture is presented with great accuracy and sensitivity.

The story is told from the perspective of Bright Morning. Through her eyes, we get a fascinating glimpse into Navajo customs and their way of life. She reflects on the values and beliefs that are dear to her people and explains the role of a woman in their society. We also learn about the numerous struggles and challenges that they faced during the settlement of the Europeans. Bright Morning vividly portrays the pain and suffering of her people while at the same time, she encourages them to be courageous and hold on to their heritage.

November 25, 2019

Bright Morning adores her black dog.

She has a deep affection for her sheep.

And she loves Tall Boy with all her heart.

All she desires is to lead a good life with her village in the magnificent Canyon de Chelly.

However, with the slave-trading Spaniards and the marauding white soldiers around, life takes an unexpected turn.

The most distressing aspect of this story is that it is true.

It holds true for hundreds of thousands of people, and that fact makes me despise it.

No one should ever be treated in such a manner.

Bright Morning's resolute and adaptable spirit is truly admirable.

She loves her sheep more than any other character I have encountered.

Perhaps except for Tiffany Aching, but it has been quite some time since I thought of her.

CONTENT WARNINGS: Mentions of massacre, slavery, and social injustice are present, although nothing is overly gruesome.