My grandma had a deep love for this book.

Although the native Indian culture it presented was truly fascinating and interesting, I found myself not overly preoccupied with the messages it conveyed.

I'm not entirely sure why this was the case. Perhaps the simple writing style was a touch too blunt, preventing me from forming a strong attachment to the characters.

However, there were certain parts of the story that did manage to evoke emotions within me. When the Navaho people were forcefully driven off their lands and treated as if they were nothing more than mangey animals, rather than complex, fully-fledged human beings, it was truly heart-wrenching.

Overall, this book was somewhat forgettable for me. Nevertheless, it did succeed in piquing my interest in native Indian authors, for which I am grateful.

P.S. Nehana is indeed a cool character, and she is the sole reason the main character is able to escape from the village.

I am reading this for work.

I will be teaching my 6th graders from this text for this week.

It is pretty culturally relevant for my Native students.

I am really glad to see more books featuring People of Color (POC) in our curriculum.

This not only enriches the learning experience but also helps to promote diversity and inclusivity.

By using such materials, we can expose our students to different cultures and perspectives, which is essential in today's globalized world.

It allows them to better understand and respect the differences among people and builds their empathy and tolerance.

Moreover, it gives our Native students a sense of pride and belonging, as they can see themselves represented in the books they read.

I believe that this is a great step forward in providing a more comprehensive and equitable education for all students.

A simple story unfolds, revealing yet another horrific event sanctioned by the U.S. government against the native inhabitants of North America.

For no just cause, the government rounded up the Navaho Indians and compelled them to march a grueling 300 miles from their ancestral homes.

Prior to this tragic event, Bright Morning and one of her friends endured the unspeakable horror of being kidnapped by the Spanish and sold into slavery.

After miraculously escaping that ordeal, they finally returned home, only to find themselves on the verge of yet another upheaval as the U.S. government forces them to relocate.

The story is told in a quiet, stark tone, perhaps downplaying the true horror for the children who read this book.

However, for the sensitive and empathetic child who is interested in more than the fictionalized cowboy and Indians version of history, the true horror lies just beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered and understood.

This simple yet powerful story serves as a reminder of the unjust and often overlooked atrocities committed against the native peoples of North America.

An exceptional card, full of emotions and, at the same time, full of adventures :)

This card is truly one of a kind. It holds within it a world of excitement and anticipation. Every time you look at it, you can't help but feel a rush of emotions.

It's like a ticket to a magical land where anything can happen. Whether it's a thrilling adventure or a heartwarming moment, this card has the power to bring it all to life.

With this card in your possession, you are ready to embark on a journey like no other. So go ahead, embrace the emotions and adventures that await you with this exceptional card.

I was on a hunt for short books. The reason being that I wanted to finish a few more before the year comes to an end. Fortunately, my husband conveniently found this particular one in a collection of free used books at the school where he teaches.

Short as it is, it is by no means light or easy. I truly appreciate a good children's book that doesn't attempt to dilute the seriousness of a situation. There are no unnecessary graphic details. Instead, it presents just the bare and awful truth of the Long Walk.

My parents met while they were serving missions on the Navajo reservation. They developed a deep love and respect for the people and their culture. Even mentioning Kit Carson's name around my mom will make her go livid with anger.

I'm not sure if every single detail was historically accurate. At times, the tone might seem a bit flat. However, I recognized the central importance of sheep and the matriarchal structure, the hogan and the turquoise. These are familiar to me and are part of a heritage that is still struggling for survival in the modern day.

It's a book that offers a glimpse into a significant part of history and a culture that is both rich and resilient.

3.5 but a round up for the great historical fiction background. I have a profound love for history, and it truly delights me to know that there are others who share this passion to the extent of writing about forgotten events.

While this is a Young Adult novel, it doesn't shy away from delving into an embarrassing chapter in U.S history. O'Dell vividly describes the Sand Creek Massacre led by John M. Chivington. In 1864, a minister from Denver, Colorado launched a surprise attack on a sleeping village of Arapahoes and Cheyennes, mercilessly killing everyone - 75 men, 225 old people, women, and children. He was essentially a serial killer, cutting scalps, removing female and male genitals, and even keeping fetuses as battle trophies. At that time, he was regarded as a hero, but now he is rightfully known as "cowardly and coldblooded." (I had to Google him to learn more about who he was and what he did. The book doesn't go into this much detail but does mention him.)

The narrator is Bright Morning, who unfortunately gets taken by slavers but has the remarkable courage to flee and return home.

Her story is easy to read. Bright Morning's narrative is simplistic, catering to its intended audience, but I did award it an extra star for the postscript. It elaborates on how the Navaho people were unjustly treated by the United States. First, their crops and livestock were destroyed, then they were enslaved by the Utes under a false promise from the U.S. Finally, there was the 300-mile journey of the Navaho's known as The Long Walk. This is a story that has been passed down generation to generation, filled with bitterness, as a way to honor their rich culture.

The book is fast-paced and relatively short, probably taking only a few hours for fast readers to complete.

Having recently read Soft Rain: a Story of the Cherokee Trail of Tears by Cornelissen, I find myself unable to refrain from comparing it with another book. And in this comparison, Soft Rain emerges as the stronger contender.

The content of the other book is well-chosen, and I don't regret the knowledge I gained about this particular time. It is a period of history that is often glossed over too rapidly. However, it has its shortcomings. It lacks complexity and nuance. The Navajo lifestyle is idealized, and the whites are portrayed in a rather one-dimensional manner as oppressors. Even the protagonist seems emotionally distant.

In contrast, Soft Rain offers a more nuanced story-telling experience within the same time period. It delves deeper into the emotions, relationships, and the true essence of the events. It presents a more comprehensive and realistic picture, allowing the readers to better understand the complexity of that historical era. For a more engaging and thought-provoking read, I would highly recommend Soft Rain instead.

While the plot was interesting to me,

this book was written so horribly that I can't fathom giving it more than 2 stars.

Apparently, Scott O'Dell seems to refuse to acknowledge the existence of commas.

I found myself having to re-read sentences three times because his lack of punctuation made it extremely difficult to determine what he intended to say.

If this book were written clearly, I truly believe it would be a fantastic book for middle-level readers.

However, I would not want my students reading this book for the fear that they would learn the wrong lesson that it is okay to write without proper punctuation.

This is a real concern as students need to be taught the importance of correct grammar and punctuation from the very beginning.

Otherwise, it could have a negative impact on their writing skills in the long run.

It's a shame because the underlying story has potential, but the poor writing quality really detracts from it.

Maybe if the author were to go back and revise the book, adding in the necessary commas and other punctuation marks, it could become a great read for many.

As it stands now, though, I can't recommend it to others.

It was truly an interesting book. If you have a penchant for delving into the topic of slavery and understanding the harsh treatment that Native Americans endured, then this book is a must-read. The author vividly描绘s the dark and complex history of these two aspects. The details provided offer a comprehensive view of the challenges and injustices that prevailed during those times.

I would highly recommend this book to people who have a genuine curiosity and a desire to know more about American history. It serves as a valuable resource that sheds light on the lesser-known but significant chapters of the nation's past. By reading this book, one can gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the struggles and sacrifices that have shaped America into what it is today.

I truly have no desire to employ adjectives that would make this book seem something other than what it is. However, it was indeed a charming and enlightening novel that I thoroughly relished.

In my youth, I had听闻 of the Long Walk. Not residing in the US, I only had the white man's account of this era. It was a dreadful time for the native people in the US, and in my own country, Australia, we too have had our fair share of atrocious treatment towards our indigenous population. Thus, this story elicits anger, shame, and remorse within me as a white reader. I have always detested injustice, and this narrative filled me with an endless sense of anger towards my own race.

The short novel was crafted in such a manner that one could sense the innocence yet maturity of the Native people, their pride, their history, and their culture. One can feel the anguish of being torn away from that which was loved and respected and being transported to a completely foreign place. I savored the author's writing style, which was concise and effectively conveyed the essence of a young girl evolving into a woman during a desolate period.

This is a book that I wholeheartedly recommend.

In this book, it vividly describes how a large number of people led the Navaho's to a forest named bosque redondo. There, they were captured and brutally forced to eat only flower and nothing else.

What I think about this book is that it is an extremely interesting and adventurous one to read. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the lives and struggles of the people during that era.

I highly recommend this book to those who have a passion for reading and learning about the old days and history. It provides valuable insights into how people lived and survived back then, painting a detailed picture of their daily lives, challenges, and the harsh realities they faced.

Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys a good story, this book is sure to captivate your attention and leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the past.

O'Dell's writing style presents a unique blend of satisfaction and frustration.

On one hand, the spareness of his prose leaves a vast expanse for the reader's imagination. This lack of excessive detail creates a palpable sense of tension, making the reader constantly engage and fill in the blanks. It forces us to think deeply about the events and characters, adding an extra layer of depth to the reading experience.

On the other hand, at times, "Sing Down the Moon" seems to lack emotion and reads more like a list of dry facts. The narrative unfolds in a rather mechanical way, with a series of events being simply stated one after another. It can feel a bit monotonous and make it difficult for the reader to fully connect with the story on an emotional level.

Nevertheless, this book offers a valuable insight into a piece of Native American history that many may not be familiar with. It tells the story of another Trail of Tears, which was truly awful and tragic. While it might seem a bit heavy for younger readers, it can also serve as an excellent teaching tool. It provides a historical context and shows how the Navajos lived and survived in the face of great adversity.

Overall, O'Dell's writing has its pros and cons, but it undeniably offers a unique perspective on an important aspect of American history.