Bruchac, Joseph Books

Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two

Joseph Bruchac

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Terrific book 4 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Bruchac has created a terrific historic novel that has enough action for young male adults and enough history and research to appeal to an adult audience. Bruchac does a wonderful job of giving a sense of the complexities of growing up on a Navajo reservation in the first half of the book. The irony of a nation trying to wipe out the Navajo language but using it as a crucial means of communication during 20th century wars should not be lost on the reader while reading the second half of the book. Bruchac's narrator tells this tale in an even-keeled, even-tempered manner. The reader is allowed to gain his own sense of injustice our nation has inflicted upon its Native American population. Bruchac's description of the progression of America's involvement in World War II's Pacific campaign is well laid-out and dramatically presented. Highly recommended.

Editorial Review:

The United States is at war, and sixteen-year-old Ned Begay wants to join the cause—especially when he hears that Navajos are being specifically recruited by the Marine Corps. So he claims he’s old enough to enlist, breezes his way through boot camp, and suddenly finds himself involved in a top-secret task, one that’s exclusively performed by Navajos. He has become a code talker. Now Ned must brave some of the heaviest fighting of the war, and with his native Navajo language as code, send crucial messages back and forth to aid in the conflict against Japan. His experiences in the Pacific—from Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima and beyond—will leave him forever changed.

Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back

Joseph Bruchac

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Delightful 5 out of 5 stars.
12 of 13 people found this review helpful.

I was fortunate to hear the author speak in the early 90s in my hometown of Syracuse, NY. He is an engaging storyteller. It was then that I discovered his book. The artwork in this edition is rich and appealing. The vignettes of each moon, combined with the illustrations, make an appealing canvas for young and/or exploring minds.

Lucky 13 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Beautiful illustrations and simple prose make this a quietly poetic and aesthetically pleasing selection to read to kids three years old and up. A great introduction to the Native American concept of the seasons of the year and the close and personal relationship with all of Nature.

Traditional View of Seasonal meanings 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book is an excellent work of Native American children's literature. Joseph Bruchac is a well-known Abenaki story-teller who profiles in this book the thirteen moons of the year, and profiles for each moon what is important about that season to different Native Nations. The artwork is a beautiful compliment to the story. If you are looking for a solid and sensitive look at inter-tribal stories for children, this is a great place to start!

Editorial Review:

s on Turtle's shell stand for the 13 cycles of the moon, each with its own name and a story that relates to the changing seasons. Joseph Bruchac and Jonathan London collaborate to reveal the beauty of the natural world around us, while Thomas Locker's illustrations honor both Native American legends and the varied American landscape. Full color.

Trail of Tears (Step-Into-Reading, Step 5)

Joseph Bruchac

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Must for Every Classroom 5 out of 5 stars.
29 of 31 people found this review helpful.

This is a truly outstanding, well written book. My daughter at the age of 7 read this with ease. She was able to discuss Seuoyah, John Ross, Andrew Jackson, and Thomas Jefferson with me. She had an accurate understanding of the Traii of Tears, the Indian Removal Bill, and even was able to discuss how the Cherokee Alphabet came about. The best part was she and I both enjoyed the book. This book would make a great gift for a teacher in grades 2 - 4 or any one wanting to learn more about the Trail Of Tears.

Beyond a Step Five 3 out of 5 stars.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful.

The content provided in the book is informative. However, it is too advanced for a second or third grader to read independently. The child must have a background knowledge in several different areas, as well as a very strong vocabulary, before reading. The content of the book lends itself better to older children (junior high) that are learning about or have an interest in the Cherokee nation. Unfortunetly, the illustations are good for younger children which may cause older children not to read it.

Editorial Review:

In 1838, settlers moving west forced the great Cherokee Nation, and their chief John Ross, to leave their home land and travel 1,200 miles to Oklahoma. An epic story of friendship, war, hope, and betrayal.

Heart of a Chief

Joseph Bruchac

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 54 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Brenden 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

"Heart Of A Chief" is a great book and I would give it four stars. It has great description and great diologue. In this book you experience the feeling of sadness and laughter. The main character is Chris, who is a Pennacook Indian and lives with his aunt and his grandfather. The biggest problem he faces is that his mother died and his father is an alchoholic. Chris' father is the chief of the Pennacook tribe. His family lives on a reservation and people are trying to build a casino on their property. While this is happening Chris is a new student in his school. Soon he becomes the leader of a group project. They chose a very interesting topic but you'll have to read it to find out. My favorite part is on page 153 when Chris says: "The heart of a true chief beats with the heart of the people." I think it's really inspiring because it's telling us to think of other people. I would recommend "Heart Of A Chief" to anyone because it teaches about respect and leadership. Overall this novel tells you that you can achieve anything you set your mind too.

Editorial Review:

Chris's life is complicated. At school, he's been selected to lead a project on sports teams with Indian names. At home, on the Penacook reservation, the Indians are divided about building a casino. It would destroy the beautiful island Chris thinks of as his own. Is there anything one sixth-grade boy can do?

"Chris's compelling voyage of self-discovery is grounded in everyday events . . . allowing readers to see into the heart of this burgeoning chief."
-Publishers Weekly

"Readers who see injustice in their own lives will admire how much Chris accomplishes with a simple message of respect."
-Booklist

Skeleton Man

Joseph Bruchac

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 57 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Not Appropriate for Young Children 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

The overall theme of this story can be frightening to young children (10 and under). The situations where Molly's parents are in jeopardy can be disturbing. While the reading level is listed as 9-12, I would consider this more appropriate for readers 12 and up due to the subject matter.

Watch Out! 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Bruchac weaves a suspenseful tale of a courageous, determined, heroine who allows her dreams and American Indian heritage to guide her decisions. At first, Molly is unsure of what is coming to her in her dreams; is it memory, or premonition? As the story unfolds, Molly embraces her dreams, and even beckons them to "help" her. She recalls stories told to her from the Mohawk traditions which comfort her, and also warn her of possible danger. She learns to have faith in herself, even when some of the adults in her life dismiss her claims as an "overactive imagination." She is shrewd enough to realize that if she tells the adults everything about her dreams and suspicions, she may be putting herself (and her parents) in more danger. Molly can trust just one adult - her teacher, and this alliance makes her stronger. Knowing that she can rely on at least one other person makes her feel more secure and sane throughout this whole ordeal. This quick, intense mystery is sure to appeal to reluctant readers.

Editorial Review:

Ever since the morning Molly woke up to find that her parents hadvanished, her life has become filled with terrible questions. Where have her parents gone? Who is this spooky old man who's taken her to live with him, claiming to be her great-uncle? Why does he never eat, and why does he lock her in her room at night? What are her dreams of the Skeleton Man trying to tell her? There's one thing Molly does know. She needs to find some answers before it's too late.

The Journal of Jesse Smoke : A Cherokee Boy, Trail of Tears, 1838 (My Name Is America)

Joseph Bruchac

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

The Journal of Jesse Smoke 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful.

The Journal of Jesse Smoke
If you like historical fiction then I think you should read The Journal of Jesse Smoke because it was very exciting. It was exciting when the soldiers came to take all the Indians away. I thought that was interesting because then a white man tried to steal a house when a soldier beat him up. Then they went to the fort. Many died. They called it the Trail of Tears.
The Journal of Jesse Smoke is about how the Cherokee and the Creek Indians have to live in forts. They think it is very unpleasant. Then a lot of Indians die. Most of them are very weak or and ill.
The soldiers wanted the Indian's land so they came and kicked them out. Some of the Indians refused to go so then the soldiers killed them. I thought that was very mean and sad.

11-19-2002
Amozon.com

Editorial Review:

The Cherokees call The Trail of Tears Nunda¹utsun¹yi, or ³The Place Where the People Cried.² In Joseph Bruchac¹s Scholastic debut, Jesse Smoke, his mother, and his sisters are forced to abandon their home, their land, and their possessions when they and several thousand other Cherokees are forced west on The Trail of Tears.

Between Earth & Sky: Legends of Native American Sacred Places

Joseph Bruchac

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Beautiful book 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This book is beautiful and has inspired my class to write & draw.

Knowing other cultures is important for all children. 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This is my third copy. . Its a wonderful overview of many Native American cultural traditions. The map in the back is also outstanding. I keep giving it away. I really think it is special

Between Earth & Sky 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Beautiful book. Great gift to anyone but especially to our Native American family and friends.

Editorial Review:

The silent stories of our ancient land and its native peoples are given voice in reverential prose poems and radiant paintings.

Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving

Joseph Bruchac

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Most American children know the story of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving, but the Native American side of the tale is far less familiar. Joseph Bruchac, a prolific and award-winning author of Native American descent (The First Strawberries, A Boy Called Slow) describes life in 1620 for a man who was destined to save the Pilgrims even as he was losing his family and tribe. Told from Squanto's point of view, this historically accurate and detailed story brings to life one of the most important moments in America's past. Demonstrating how much his people (the Patuxet, the People of the Falls) value honor, Squanto befriends English traders, even after being kidnapped and taken to Spain. After much hard work, Squanto manages to sail back to his homeland, where, in spite of his discovery that many of his people have died from disease brought by white people, he acts as envoy between the English and his own people, and helps the pilgrims survive in their new world.

Throughout this moving tale, Squanto's belief that "these men can share our land as friends" poignantly shines through. Greg Shed's gouache illustrations capture the warmth and dignity of Squanto and his friends. Young readers will be fascinated by this lesser-known perspective on the Thanksgiving tradition that remains strong today. (Ages 6 to 10) --Emilie Coulter

Native American Stories (Myths and Legends)

Michael J. Caduto, Joseph Bruchac

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

great for children and adults 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 11 people found this review helpful.

i am not a native american but my ansestors were so it is in my blood and i am very proud of it. i had this book when i was a child and i loved the stories and the ways of the [native] americans. this book is great for children, and i think that native american haritage is very important.

(sniff) If only I could make corn! 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

A story. Who knows what a story can mean? A story that I like can be heroic, strong, yet at the same time frail, encouraging and emotionally evoking, but the same story to you might just be the opposite. But whether a certain story falls in line between you and me, stories mean a great deal to us.

The same was with the Native Americans. Stories were not given space in the ear just for the story's sake, but because stories played an intricate role in the beliefs of the people. When the right person (like a chief or leader of the people) spoke of a tale and told a story, it was woven into them. The stories were so varied among them, since there was so many different tribes (popular imagination contrary to reality), that a story on how death came to be, or the creation of the world, or even how the oceans were formed, could be explained in so many different ways by them.

I liked this book. It was insightful, and the map at the beginning pages of the book (set back in the sixteen hundreds), along with the description portion that tells a few things about some of the tribal nations, are eye opening to how vast they were before the colonist arrival.

From reading this book it gave me a deeper respect for who they were and who they are, as well as it amazes me how God made one man so different form another.

I recommend this book to anyone who has interest and/or is intrigued by...no wait, I recommend it to everyone.

-Jake Smithers

Editorial Review:

A collection of myths drawn from the native cultures of North America--from the Inuit in the north to the Zuni, Hopi, and Cherokee in the south--each beautifully illustrated by Mohawk artist Fadden. "A good supply of tales written with simplicity and directness."--Booklist.

The First Strawberries (Picture Puffin)

Joseph Bruchac, Anna Vojtech

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Get this book! 5 out of 5 stars.
22 of 23 people found this review helpful.

I love this book both for it's great story and because it is a terrific resource for teachers. It's one of those books (like Where the Wild Things Are or Runaway Bunny) that just grabs kids up and speaks directly to things they are deeply connected to. In this case: inequity, anger and how to deal with those feelings.

If you are a teacher (or parent) and want a book that addresses these issues witout being overly complicated or inauthentic - run, don't walk and buy this wonderful book!

Editorial Review:

From an award-winning Native American storyteller comes this captivating re-telling of a Cherokee legend, which explains how strawberries came to be. Long ago, the first man and woman quarrelled. The woman left in anger, but the Sun sent tempting berries to Earth to slow the wife's retreat. Luminous paintings perfectly complement the simple, lyrical text. Complete harmony of text and pictures: altogether lovely. -- Kirkus Reviews, pointer review Joseph Bruchac is an award-winning storyteller whose books for children include Eagle Song, Children of the Longhouse, and Arrow to the Sun (all Dial). He lives in Greenfield Center, New York. Anna Vojtech lives in Marblehead, Massachusetts.