Between Earth & Sky: Legends of Native American Sacred Places [Library Binding]

Joseph Bruchac (Author), Thomas Locker (Illustrator)

Book Description

With grace and drama, Abenaki poet and author Joseph Bruchac retells traditional native legends of ten of America’s most awe-inspiring natural landscapes. These wise stories, together with Thomas Locker’s luminous paintings, evoke the essential spiritual power of the earth. A full-color map charting the homelands of nearly two hundred North American tribes is included. “An excellent choice that will provoke both introspection and discussion.”--The Horn Book

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

More than a guide to places sacred to Native Americans, this reverent book prompts readers to look within themselves to find the hallowed ground that "sets our sprits on the right path." While visiting ancestral land, a Native American man shares with his nephew 10 legends of sacred places from all Seven Directions: East, North, West, South-and Above, Below, Within. From the North, Seneca lore about Ne-ah-ga (Niagara Falls) teaches that "every gift we give/ gives us back a blessing"; from Above comes a confusingly rendered Cheyenne tale about the Rocky Mountains-the only stumbling block among the fables, otherwise gracefully compressed into unrhymed verse. Locker's (Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back) traditional oil paintings, alternating between ethereal illuminations and atmospheric veils, capture the natural splendor of their subjects while retaining the hushed quality of the text. All ages.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6?Bruchac frames 11 legends of Native American sacred places with a conversation between Little Turtle and his uncle, Old Bear, who says, " 'There are sacred places all around us...They are found in the East and in the North, in the South and in the West, as well as Above, Below, and the place Within. Without those places we lose our balance.' " Bruchac writes in language that is dignified and almost poetic in its simplicity. The text is printed in stanzas, enhancing the image of prose poems. Each legend is related to one of the seven directions and is attributed to a specific people. There is a brief pronunciation guide and a map showing the general location of different Native American groups, but no other documentation is provided. Glossy, cream-yellow paper; clear, black type with the first letter on each page done in flowing, yet restrained, red calligraphy; and lush art make this a book that is pleasing to the eye. Locker's landscape paintings are done in the tradition of Constable's work, concentrating on conditions of sky, atmosphere, and light rather than physical details. His colors, veering toward the day-glow intensity of Maxfield Parrish's work, infuse the scenes with the intangible presence of the sacred. It is difficult to convey the beliefs of an entire people in one brief legend divorced from the rest of their tradition, yet these selections point to the richness possible in looking at the Earth in a spiritual way.?Karen James, Louisville Free Public Library, KY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Library Binding
• Publisher: Paw Prints 2008-11-01; Reprint edition (November 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439516979
• ISBN-13: 978-1439516973
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,518,697 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joseph Bruchac is a highly acclaimed Abenaki children's book author, poet, novelist and storyteller, as well as a scholar of Native American culture. Coauthor with Michael Caduto of the bestselling Keepers of the Earth series, Bruchac's poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from Akwesasne Notes and American Poetry Review to National Geographic and Parabola. He has authored more than 50 books for adults and children. For more information about Joseph, please visit his website www.josephbruchac.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Knowing other cultures is important for all children., April 3, 2007

By 

Linda Brockett (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Between Earth & Sky: Legends of Native American Sacred Places (Paperback)

This is my third copy. . Its a wonderful overview of many Native American cultural traditions. The map in the back is also outstanding. I keep giving it away. I really think it is special

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book, January 11, 2007

By 

Trixie Ricardo "Trixie R" (Frisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Between Earth & Sky: Legends of Native American Sacred Places (Paperback)

This book is beautiful and has inspired my class to write & draw.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful little book, September 9, 2009

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BadBoydz "Overproducktion" (Graham, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Between Earth & Sky: Legends of Native American Sacred Places (Paperback)

The children loved the story and the art work, and I did as well. This is one of the those stories that I love reading at bedtime. We've been studying nature awareness in our homeschool, and this is one of the books we are using.