From School Library Journal
Eight essays survey literature, mostly published in the past 10 years, with American Indian themes, and written for an audience that includes a wide range of Young Adults–approximately 11- to 18-year-olds. Molin covers both recommended and problematic literature. Her observations are heavily cited with text from the literature and comments from reviewers and critics, giving support to her observations, but also making for dry and dense reading. She does support her argument of a field in which, despite a few hopeful contributions, there is a distressing tenacity of destructive stereotyping. Through the details she presents, she attempts to show exactly why certain depictions of American Indians are offensive, even if they are not thought, or intended, to be by the author. A lengthy bibliography cites all sources mentioned. Doris Seale and Beverly Slapin's
A Broken Flute: The Native Experience in Books for Children (AltaMira, 2005) offers a broader base of opinions on specific titles and experiences, but any professional who works with young adult literature will also want to read Molin's detailed survey.
–Nina Lindsay, Oakland Public Library, CA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
...as adult selectors of books for youth, librarians cannot take lightly their responsibility to identify and expose demeaning stereotypes, distorted history, or socially ignorant context, regardless of the famous name in the author line or even the excellence of the writing itself. Scholarship is essential, and this book will certainly assist teachers, librarians, and others who want worthwhile, appropriate, and historically accurate Native American-themed literature for young adults....Prepare to be shocked at the 'classic' titles that are sources of false information, but pointing out these books is nicely counterbalanced with recommendations for good reading and an excellent bibliography. This book is a must for those who need some assistance in a culturally sensitive area. (
VOYA )
...this long-awaited book will be a prize for those studying and teaching children's literature. Highly recommended. All collections; all levels. (
CHOICE )
Sound, grounded information which would be helpful for educators, librarians in developing balanced collections for young adults, and other professionals dealing with the field of literature and Native Americans' portrayal. Recommended. (K. McIntire )
...an important and eminently readable book, a treasure that has a place in every library, and in every school where history and literature are taught. (
Multicultural Review, Vol. 15, No. 4 (Winter 2006) )
...any professional who works with young adult literature will...want to read Molin's detailed survey. (
School Library Journal, 10/1/2005 )
Molin, a member of the Minnesota Chippewa tribe, analyzes the depiction of Native Americans in contemporary young adult fiction, historical fiction, and nonfiction written by both non-Indian and Native authors. Novels about life on the frontier, captivity narratives, memoirs, biographies, poetry, and book reviews are discussed. An entire chapter is devoted to the controversy over
My heart is on the ground: the diary of Nannie Little Rose, a Sioux girl. (
Reference and Research Book News )
...highly recommended. (
American Reference Books Annual, vol. 38 (2007) )
...a good present; Paulette Molin's guide provides direction to librarians, teachers, and parents alike.
