The land grab The legend of Big Heart

Alfreda Beartrack-Algeo, 1954-

Book - 2022

"The Land Grab is the story of Alfred Swallow and his Lower Brule Lakota family as they fend off attempts to take their land. In 1929 Alfred is eleven years old and has many responsibilities not expected of a young boy. He and his Lakota family are being forced to leave behind their tribal values and traditions and assimilate into mainstream of American culture and society. His grandfather has instilled in his grandson many Lakota traditions which Alfred respects, but at times struggles to understand the message they convey. Young Alfred draws from his tradition when an unscrupulous U.S. Land Agent, who knows the value of the family's land, is determined to grab their land with intimidation and force. The family and their neighbor...s band together to stop the unlawful actions, but can they stop a determined criminal?"--From back cover.

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YOUNG ADULT FICTION/Beartrack-Algeo, Alfreda
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Young Adult Area YOUNG ADULT FICTION/Beartrack-Algeo, Alfreda Checked In
Subjects
Genres
Young adult fiction
Published
Summertown : 7th Generation [2022]
Language
English
Main Author
Alfreda Beartrack-Algeo, 1954- (author)
Physical Description
121 pages ; 18 cm
Audience
RL 6
ISBN
9781939053404
Contents unavailable.
Review by Booklist Review

In 1929, 11-year-old Alfred Swallow lives with his mother, younger brother, and grandparents on the Kul Wicasa Lakota Reservation in Iron Nation, South Dakota. The story begins with a water ceremony that reveals rich details about the quotidian life of these Native people and their culture. As part of this, considerable attention is given to Alfred's spirituality, too. Life is good for the family until Jim O'Neil, an avaricious U.S. land agent, shows up with an offer to buy Grandfather's 640 acres of land for a fraction of its worth. When Grandfather refuses the offer, O'Neil threatens to take the land by the power vested in his office, with or without the family's consent. Author Beartrack-Algeo, a member of the Lower Brulé Lakota Nation, gives readers an insider's look at the life of a Lakota family in the 1920s. While the information offered is invaluable, the book can feel a bit didactic, and the dialogue is sometimes stilted. Nevertheless, readers will enjoy this authentic portrait of Native American life and culture.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

When his people are treated unfairly, a Lakota boy's determination wins out. In 1929, 11-year-old Alfred Sparrow lives on the Kul Wicasa Lakota Reservation in South Dakota with his mother, younger brother, and grandparents following the disappearance of his father, who left to find work in Wyoming and was never heard from again. The family treasures the tribal allotment land his grandfather has worked so long and hard to sustain. When Mr. O'Neil, the local government agency superintendent, and his cohorts try to swindle Alfred's grandfather and other Lakota landowners out of their land, Alfred looks to his dreams, then shares what he learns with his friends. Together, they come up with a plan to defeat their enemy and save their homes. Lakota culture and traditions are incorporated throughout the story, for example when Alfred dreams of the golden eagle spirit helper. He remembers his grandfather telling him, "Grandchild, a golden eagle came to your mother when you were born. It will surely watch over you throughout your life." Alfred later calls on this helper when he and his dog are attacked by wolves after getting too close to a den of wolf cubs. This series opener by Beartrack-Algeo (Lower Brule Lakota Nation) begins slowly, and the quantity of and dense approach to conveying historical information may deter the intended audience of reluctant readers. Things pick up toward the end of the book with several exciting action-packed scenes. An informative Lakota historical novel heavy on exposition. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.