Turtle Island The Story of North America's First People

Gr 4-7-The multifaceted history of the Indigenous peoples of North American before and after European contact is made accessible in a well-written, fluid narrative complemented by appealing graphics. The author tells the history of Turtle Island with a rich blend of archeology, oral tradition, prophesies, and so much more to discuss the evolution of the first peoples from Canada through Mexico. Engaged Engaged readers' will often be prompted to consider their responses to scenarios, situations and settings beyond their daily experiences. The text provides a balanced retelling of tragic encounters that occur when cultures clash, war ensues, and the result is loss; it also does not shy away from discussions about destruction of Aztec codices, diseases that ravaged and destroyed Indigenous families, or assimilation policies that established boarding schools. Yet despite the devastation, the underlying theme is one of the resilience of Indigenous people. The book closes with mention of the Native America Apology Resolution signed by President Obama and Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission study of the impact of residential schools. Throughout the text are concise sidebars that discuss Indigenous sports, inventions, science, art, technology, literature, and notables past and present. -VERDICT Highly recommended for middle to high school collections for its innovative, nonstereotypical, and engaging approach to the history of Indigenous peoples in North America.-Naomi Caldwell, Alabama State University, Montgomery © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A comprehensive overview of the Indigenous populations of North America from 100,000 years ago until the present in just over 100 pages is an ambitious undertaking. Happily, this one is surprisingly successful. A collaboration between Yellowhorn, a Piikani professor of First Nations Studies, and Lowinger, a white children's author, the text engages readers through a variety of means: stories from different nations, straightforward scientific and historical information, and sections labeled "imagine," portraying slices of life in various times and places. From captivating origin tales to mind-boggling advances in archaeological technology, there is a little something here for everyone, with stock images that complement the text. It is a pity that the final chapter on modern times was not fleshed out more, leaving out much Native political and environmental activism from the 1960s to the present day as well as continuing struggles over demeaning sports team names and mascots. The list of notable people skews heavily toward men (where are Maria Tallchief and Louise Erdrich?). Oddly, this chapter also consistently refers to Indigenous people as "they" rather than "we," depriving young Native readers of a more intimate reading experience. Overall, the book offers an appealing introduction to the diverse nations and remarkable resilience of the original inhabitants of this continent and is likely to inspire respect, pride, and a desire to learn more. (maps, sources, further reading, index not seen) (Nonfiction. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.