Navajo: visions and voices across the Mesa

Begay, Shonto. 1995. Navajo: visions and voices across the mesa. New York: Scholastic. 0590461532

Plot Summary
The book is a collection of poems and paintings about life in northern Navajoland. Begay's personal introduction shares intentions to expose his experiences growing up Navajo, schooled in government boarding schools, and during a time of great technological advancements. The poems are intimate reflections about his family members, seasons, animals, ancestors, and rituals of today.

Critical Analysis
The collection is a beautiful, personal piece that both Navajo and non-Navajo can enjoy. Begay's paintings are done in a pattern of small strokes across the page with vibrant and earth tones blending. They create moods of daylight and dusk, solemn faces of contemplation and peace, subtle backdrops of animal spirits and cliff dwellings. They are about each poem but stand as their works of art without verse as well.

The poems are free verse and rhyme. Begays words are flowing and vividly descriptive. They juxtapose the old and today understandings of life. For example, in Navajo Power Plant "Navajo power plant and the powerful healing plant [tobacco], they share the same plateau. One gives us strength and wisdom here and now - one gives power to strangers somewhere over the horizon." (p34) Also, in Anasazi Diaspora "The buildings [cliff houses] were left standing to remind us for all time what will happen if we choose to forget our history, our stories, and above all, our relation to our mother, the earth." (p43) Begay paints portraits, with both his words and paints, of the continuity of his life from those before him and those to come.

Some of the poems are simple descriptions about events in the daily lives of his friends and family. Coyote Crossing is a poem about an afternoon his aunt and uncle were riding in their truck and a coyote crossed the road. They pulled off to honor the coyote and to reflect on their journey. He describes the contents of the glove box (unknown papers, Book of Mormon, corn pollen pouch) and in so doing shares the modern possessions of his relatives. The prayer said after seeing the Coyote is about harmony with the Earth and Sun, and restoring the beauty through respect. All the while, a European hitchhiker sits in the truck bed nibbling his organic snack. Again in a reverence to life's continuity, his uncle says "Coyote learned all our lessons in mythic times. He carries with him wisdom and strength as well as the dark sides of us."(p39)

The poems are neither fantastical or wild visions, but relate common understandings, from common situations and people, and the ways that the author comes to know his place in the world. This book was fantastic. I enjoyed it because it was a balance between the myths and legends of the people and the simple lessons of life learned through interactions with people and the environment. It is a shame that it is often miscataloged into the children's area simply because the large thin format of the book. It would support any adult poetry section as well. Or could be found in the Navajo Indians section of the non-fiction area.

Review Excerpts
"With these heartfelt paintings, poems and memoirs, the noted Navajo artist fulfills his stated goal of taking the reader "into the corners of my world, the Navajo world." - Publishers Weekly

"His figures are dignified but not idealized. Powerful and appealing in both word and image..." - School Library Journal

"His work is not angry or sentimental; there is an honesty and straightforwardness that allows his readers/viewers insight into his world-view. The variety of images reflects the complexity of life that many contemporary Navajo face." - Booklist

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0590461532/sr=8-1/qid=1184448842/ref=dp_proddesc_0/103-0135049-6180654?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1184448842&sr=8-1

Connections
Other Navajo stories for young readers:

• Alice Yazzie's year. Ramona Maher. 1582460809
• Secrets from the center of the world. Joy Harjo. 0816511136
• Morning Arrow. Nanabah Chee Dodge. 068841687x

Additional Information
Dine author & artist of Maternal Clan: Bitter Water and Paternal Clan: Salt Clan
website http://www.shontogallery.com/

Gluskabe and the four wishes

Retold by Bruchac, Joseph. Gluskabe and the four wishes. Illustrated by Christine Nyburg Shrader. 1995. New York: Cobblehill Books. 0525651640.

Plot Summary
This is the tale of four Abenaki men who set out in search of the mythical Gluskabe. It was known that he would grant one wish to those that come to him. Each men had different wishes, but only one of the four wished for something other than a selfish desire. Gluskabe grants them each their wishes in a pouch that they cannot open until they return home. The temptation is too great for the three selfish men and they are destroyed by their own desires. The last man is granted his wish to be the best hunter in order to feed his people and he is given the gift to understand the animals.

Critical Analysis
Opening with an Author's note, Bruchac identifies this as a traditional story among the Wabanaki of New England and the Nations within this. Then he identifies his own tribe affiliation with the Western Abenaki. He explains how he acquired this and other stories and how he interprets them and then recreates his own version. It is meant to be a teaching story and it clearly carries a message throughout the text that is not subtle.

Children will respond to the soft hued images of the four men and the gray haired Gluskabe. The illustrator, Shrader, focuses our attention to the various facial expressions, different characteristics among the men and simple dress of the men versus the Great Spirit and the first man who acquires many possessions. These contrasts are subtle but conscious. The environment is appropriate to the region (type of trees, animals, water). The anthropomorphic qualities of some of the elements (wind, tree, rock) is disturbing.

As far as legends go, this is a simple message and most can identify with the desires of at least one of the characters. The tale is a sort of Wizard of Oz parallel. I can't help but wonder what more children's books about Native American legends does little to dispel the stereotypes of Indians living in the ways of old, mythical lives. There is a library full of these, but much fewer books with modern, real characters teaching a similar message. It would be interesting to read the tale of a Gluskabe who is somehow more realistic in the ways of today integrated with the same message, characters and themes but easier to identify for children.

As you read this story it is clear that a live regaling of this would be extremely effective. Bruchac is clearly a storyteller. A slightly complicated story for the intended audience ages 4 to 8.

Review Excerpts
"Bruchac is a master storyteller, and his talent is amply displayed in this retelling of an Abenaki tale." Donna L. Scanlon - School Library Journal from http://www.amazon.com/Gluskabe-Four-Wishes-Joseph-Bruchac/dp/0525651640/ref=sr_1_1/002-5446896-4425626?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183848175&sr=8-1

"The author’s note, located at the very beginning of this picture book gives a wealth of background information on this particular traditional story, recognizes the distinct culture of the Wabanaki people, and establishes Bruchac’s creditability to be telling the story of Gluskabe." Allison Gurza from http://www.humboldt.edu/~crc/critiques/Bruchac.pdf

"The reader may excuse the {tale's} didacticism for, as the opening note explains, 'these stories are strong teaching stories.' However, Bruchac observes the three transformations with a coldly clinical eye, ignoring the possibilities for irony, or even horror, that the tale bountifully offers. Shrader's pastels capture the mystic haze that surrounds Gluskabe's island; the adventurers are neatly individuated, but rigidly posed. Bruchac states that he has researched at least four written versions of the tale, but he does not provide citations." Bush, Elizabeth, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"The impeccably sourced, well-told tale, with its parallels to more familiar folktales--'The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship,' 'Diamonds and Toads'--is illustrated with dramatic, atmospheric oil paintings that aptly suggest an inchoate new world." Parravano, Martha V., The Horn Book

Connections

• Bruchac, Joseph. 1990. Gluskabe stories.


• Landau, Elaine. 1996. The Abenaki.


• Tsonakwa, Gerard Rancourt. 2001. Seven eyes, seven legs: supernatural stories of the Abenaki.
  

Becoming Naomi Leon

Ryan, Pam Munoz. 2004. Becoming Naomi Leon. New York: Scholastic. 0439269695.

Plot Summary
Naomi Soledad Leon Outlaw lives with her great-grandmother and brother in Lemon Tree, California. Her estranged mother shows up at their trailer home after seven years without word or support. Gram and the mother, Terri Lynn now renamed Skyla, struggle to understand each other's place in the children's lives and futures. When Skyla's ill-intentions become clear, Gram brings the children and friends down to Oaxaca, Mexico in search of the only other living relative, their father. The story unfolds through Naomi's perspective as she learns how much of her life is influenced by the two parents she has never known.

Critical Analysis
This is a story of a strong, creative young girl who is at the stage in her life discovering who she is and why. Ryan creates a vivid tale, rich with supporting characters of substance and relationships that influence and support Naomi's struggle. It is clear that she is close to her Gram and brother, Owen as well as her Gram's friends and neighbors. The family structure, although less than ordinary, reads natural and significant to the story and Ryan's desire to create an alternative view of family and identity.

The mother is abusive, confused and weak and although she has done little to show her love to her children, they love her with the longing of children who want to know her. The father is a Mexican fisherman who Ryan illustrates as a loving and kind wood carver, wise and fatherly to the children when he finally gets to reconnect. The great-grandmother is a strong mother/father role in their lives and yet is described in a fluid, loving way. Despite poverty and unusual situations, Gram clearly does what is best for the children with all her heart and tough love. Both children develop quirky but important daily habits of coping with their slightly abnormal circumstances: Owen sticks tape to his shirts to keep himself together, Naomi makes lists in her notebook. Both are highly probable and clever.

The story evolves well. The location and identities of the characters are significant and yet, universal. The author shares the children's understanding of themselves through Naomi's voice that is both wiser than her years, and yet struggling like a child her age might do. The descriptions of the Mexican celebrations and daily life are rich, colorful and true to form. She creates a wonderful tale that celebrates a situation that would be quite true and yet difficult to develop realistically. Ryan never falls into the trap of describing relationships in a superficial or ethnically stereotypical way. Naomi's voice is ripe with observations from the eyes of a child sometimes and from the eyes of one who understands so much.

The author does a beautiful job of laying the plot out. Divided into chapters by the names of clever animal's characteristics, the author subtly incorporates Naomi's interests and identity into her interactions with others. The Mexican-American connection is apparent and important to the characters but does not outweigh the other factors. Well done.

Review Excerpts

"Characterization is excellent and listeners will be happy that Naomi finds confidence, love, and security. A good choice for most collections."–B. Allison Gray, School Library Journal

"In true mythic tradition, Ryan, the author of the award-winning Esperanza Rising (2000), makes Naomi's search for her dad a search for identity, and both are exciting. Mom is demonized, but the other characters are more complex, and the quest is heartbreaking." - Hazel Rochman, Booklist (both reviews from http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0439269970/sr=8-2/qid=1183428404/ref=dp_proddesc_0/105-0937988-9058008?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1183428404&sr=8-2)

Connections

• Meyer, Carolyn. Jubilee Journey. 1997. 0152013776. - Another story about a young girl with a mixed race identity that is learning how all of the pieces of her family make up who she is.
• Conly, Jane Leslie. Trout Summer. 1995. 0805039333 . - Also a story about a brother and sister who learn from an elder about how they can better understand themselves by knowing the family they came from.
• Ibbotson, Eva. The Star of Kazan. 2004. 0525473475 . A juvenile fiction story about a young abandoned girl who struggles for her own identity that is challenged by an estranged mother who resurfaces.