School Library Journal Review
Gr 6-8-Rather than a comprehensive study, this book addresses frequently asked questions about Native cultures. Chapters divide the various groups into geographical regions and the queries, different for each area, consider housing, language, famous people, and more. Readers will learn about Mesoamerican cultures, the Ghost Dance Ceremony, the Navajo Code Talkers, Native American life today, and other topics. Insets highlight items of special interest. Relevant facts are featured in bold in the wide margins. The final chapter, "Native Americans Today," provides some interesting contrasts and ideas. The format will appeal to many readers and will serve teachers well for quick facts and discussion points. Average-quality, black-and-white photographs and reproductions illustrate the text. This appealing exploration of cultures should spur interest in the subject.-Mary B. McCarthy, ACLIN/Colorado State Library, Denver (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 5^-8. In a question-and-answer format, Sonnenborn introduces middle readers to the history of Native Americans. Organized by region but with a careful emphasis on tribal identity, the text focuses on individuals, customs, and events that shaped the world of American Indians, beginning with settlements over 12,000 years old and concluding with a chapter on contemporary Native Americans. Although the treatment of the topics is cursory, children will be absorbed by the discussion of such subjects as human sacrifice among the Maya, the Trail of Tears, and the military maneuverings of Chief Joseph and Sitting Bull. Black-and-white photos and drawings offer some visual interest, though their quality is uneven and there are a few peculiar selections. A glossary, a bibliography, and a suggested reading list are appended. --Karen Hutt