Singing Down the
Moon by Scott O'Dell, who is also the author of Island of the
Blue Dolphins, is a Newberry Honor Book. Because it was
initially published before I was born and probably won that honor
shortly thereafter, I think the Newberry Honor is more a sign of good
books for youth than, perhaps, it is now.
This is book relates
an historical fiction about a Navaho Indian girl. She watched her
mother's sheep, was taken as a slave, returned home against many
odds, endured The Long Walk, and escaped imprisonment to live free on
the land with her family. She endures loss and pain along the way,
but seems to have an indomitable spirit. I feel like she is a good
example of coming into adulthood – not just in an Indian culture.
While I was reading,
my eldest daughters asked if I would let them read it. I had only
read to the point of first capture and was concerned that there might
be inappropriate goings on, so I told them I probably would NOT allow
them to read it. Imagine their pleasure and surprise when they
learned the next day that I'd altered my decision.
Once given
permission, my eldest daughter read the book in a few hours and then
the next oldest read it, though taking a little longer. They both
enjoyed it a great deal.
We all enjoyed
Singing Down the Moon, though none of us could quite figure
out what the title has to do with anything. We've discussed it and
have no ideas. If you could fill us in, that would be super! I do
recommend this story for children from 9 or 10 years old and older.
It is a good way to learn a bit about the way Indians were treated in
our country's past. Specifically, it is a good illustration of some
of the treatment of the Navaho at the time of The Long Walk.
Have you read
Singing Down the Moon by Scott O' Dell? What did you think of
it?
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