Synopsis
Poems and essays from the pens of young native Americans express what it means to be Indian today, presenting their thoughts and feelings about racism and the struggles they encounter trying to incorporate Indian tradition into the modern world.
Reviews
Grade 5 Up-- In light of the gifts Native peoples have given to Western culture , they still remain the silent voice in the political, cultural, economic, and spiritual resonance of America. This text seeks to send a voice to the rest of American culture, through the eyes, ears, minds, and hearts of young Native Americans. These poems, stories, songs, and essays cover a span of over 100 years--1887-1990. In a time when many of these young people faced forced assimilation and loss of cultural identity, the common thread uniting their works was one of survival, continuance, and lastly hope. Hirschfelder and Singer have included extensive biographical information on each of the students who contributed to the anthology. The book is divided into six sections, with subject headings as ``Identity,'' ``Family,'' ``Homelands,'' ``Ritual and Ceremony,'' ``Education,'' and ``Harsh Realities.'' This is no romanticized version of Native American life, but rather a picture of traditions that survived through the courage of children. It's an excellent source for social studies and English classes, as well as a fine book for general reading, as it effectively conveys modern Indian life. --Carolyn M. Dunn, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Through more than 60 poems and essays, contemporary Native American children and young adults share their feelings about themselves, their people and their land. While some selections in this anthology are reverent in tone, revealing a deep respect for nature, family and tradition, other writings emerge as protests against prejudice and oppression. In the first section of the book, "Identity," the young Native Americans tell of their struggles to fit into a white society without denying their heritage. Another chapter, "Education," traces their growing desire to learn, if not regain, ancestral customs and beliefs. Readers of all cultures should have no trouble relating to the ideas presented here. Characterized by clear imagery and unadorned language, these expressions of anger, regret and hope provide enormous insight into a race of people whose opinions, until recent times, have been too often suppressed. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Maine to the Aleutians but largely from the West and Southwest; from the 19th century to the present, with a preponderance from the 60's and 70's; from young people whose white schooling estranged them from their tribes to those who view their heritage with pride--these 62 poems and essays testify eloquently to the richness, sorrows, and deep ambivalence of being Native American. The editors (Singer grew up in Santa Clara Pueblo) provide informative introductions to sections on ``Identity,'' ``Family,'' ``Homelands,'' ``Ritual and Ceremony,'' ``Education,'' and ``Harsh Realities''--e.g., a succinct summary of the sorry history of obligatory white-run schools; information on each author and the circumstances of the writing are also included. Always honest and heartfelt; expressing a variety of strong emotions with subtlety, simplicity, or irony but always with intelligence and conviction: pieces that present a compelling image of young people undaunted by their bitter history. Notably memorable source material. (Nonfiction. 12+) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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