Carlson, Lori Marie. Moccasin Thunder: American Indian Stories for Today. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children's Books, 2005. Print.
Summary:
This is a collection of ten stories from a variety of authors. Their common thread is the fact that the main characters are all American Indian. These are modern tales that address modern problems that the members of this ethnic minority face everyday. The stories are from a variety of backgrounds from the desert to Canada and the subjects include group identity as well as the normal teenage angst as well as participation in the drug culture.
Personal Impression:
Since this is a collection of short stories, the writing is not the same for every tale. Some are better than others. I happen to like short story collections because if there is one that is not to your taste then you can skip over it but still keep reading the book. There was one tale in this particular set that almost physically hurt to read. Not that it was written badly but because it was such a painful tale to witness that it was hard to finish. All in all I enjoyed the book. I think it is necessary that the world see that Native Americans or American Indians if you will, are not the stereotypes that many people imagine; dwelling on the past, surviving the present drunk, and all hating outsiders. Young adults have the same types of problems the world over. Its called growing up and finding yourself.
Reviews:
From School Library Journal:
Starred Review. Grade 9 Up–The young people's experiences in these 10 short stories will resonate with Native readers and inform and affect non-Natives as well. Joy Harjo writes about a boarding-school experience. Sherman Alexie talks about the slow painful separation and divorce of parents, and the needs of a boy to be seen/heard/taught by his father. Cynthia Leitich Smith shows an example of the everyday struggles Native people have with stereotypes, and the pain it causes on all sides. Richard Van Camp offers a glimpse into a life of addiction, loss, and the struggle to overcome poverty. Linda Hogan demonstrates the pride, generosity, and determination of an elder living on the reservation selling eggs and grain to make ends meet. Lee Francis shares a story of self-realization, oral tradition, and ways things are passed from one generation to the next. This distinguished anthology offers powerful, beautifully written stories that are thoughtful and important for teens to hear.–Marlette Grant-Jackson, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist:
Gr. 8-11. Ten stirring contemporary short stories by Indian writers, including Linda Hogan, Louise Erdrich, Sherman Alexie, and Susan Power, show teens--lost, loving, funny, uncertain--coming of age on the reservation and in the city. Joseph Bruchac's Abenaki youth mocks the "noble" tourist stereotypes of beads and feathers; he is bitter because he is "a homegrown immigrant in his own land." Richard Van Camp tells of a high-school dope dealer who wants to be a teacher but messes up. In Joy Harjo's story, two girls at boarding school go wrong, but the principal helps them. Often tempering the harsh realism of poverty, drink, drugs, racism, and, sometimes, sexual abuse in the stories is often a grandmother, a source of hope--not perfectly wise, but a caring link with rich tradition. Resentful of patronizing charity as well as prejudice, these strong older women help move the characters toward a deep spiritual connection. Readers will welcome the change from generic reverential images of primitives stuck in the past. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Retrieved from Amazon.com; http://www.amazon.com/Moccasin-Thunder-American-Indian-Stories/dp/0066239575
Uses in a Library Setting:
A program or club that focuses on short stories would benefit from the use of this book. A program bringing attention to the lives of American Indians would also benefit from using this book, even if just in the display. In a school library setting for older students, this book would be an excellent accompaniment to a lesson focusing on American Indians or modern problems for youth.
No comments:
Post a Comment