Eagle Boy: A Pacific Northwest Native Tale [Hardcover]

Richard Lee Vaughan (Author), Lee Christiansen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 31, 2000 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Based on a popular Northwest Coast Native tale, this book recounts the story of Eagle Boy. Born an orphan, the title character grows up to love eagles, despite the fact that the people of his tribe distrust eagles. In return he is ridiculed and made an outcast. One year, the tribe has difficulty hunting and fishing, and must depart their land. With not enough room in their boats, Eagle Boy is left behind. He is saved from starvation by the eagles he loves, and using their assistance saves his starving tribe, who have not been able to find a fertile place to live since their departure. The gorgeous illustrations and tales of adventures and bald eagles will thrill children, while also instructing them about individualism and humanity, as well as Northwest Coast Native life. This is a paperback edition of a pre-existing hardcover book originally published in 2000.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-5-Although most of the people in his village do not like eagles because they steal fish, a young orphan admires these great birds and always shares his catch with them, earning him the name Eagle Boy. Winter approaches and fishing becomes more difficult. In the hope of finding more food, the chief decides to move the village. The people board their canoes and leave Eagle Boy behind, telling him that there is no room for him. He is able to survive through the help of the eagles, and he honors them. Through his feathered friends, Eagle Boy sends dried fish to the chief's youngest daughter, who had befriended him despite the cruelty of her tribe. He is able to forgive the others and eventually rescues the starving people. "From that day on, the people of the Pacific Northwest coast and the eagles lived and hunted in harmony." Lavish double-page paintings evoke a sense of place and capture the majesty of these beautiful birds. In a brief note, the author states that several Pacific Coast Native groups-the Quinault, Makah, Haida, and Tlingit-have versions of this story. Unfortunately, no specific sources are cited. That aside, Eagle Boy is a satisfying, richly illustrated tale.
Mollie Bynum, formerly at Chester Valley Elementary School, Anchorage, AK
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4-8. The village people living along the Pacific Coast didn't like the eagles that swooped from the sky and snatched the silver fish from the waters. But Eagle Boy, an orphan who loved to watch the eagles, always shared his fish with the magnificent birds. One year when the fish became scarce and the people had to move their village, they left Eagle Boy behind. The eagles remembered his generosity and brought him more food than he could eat. Eventually, he saves the village from starvation. Beautifully illustrated with colorful drawings that fill each double-page spread, this tale about trust and forgiveness will be easily understood and enjoyed by young listeners. Based on traditional tales told throughout the Pacific Northwest, from the Quinault and Makah to the Haida and Tlingit. Karen Hutt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sasquatch Books (October 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570611718
• ISBN-13: 978-1570611711
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 10.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,706,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully illustrated, magical tale, November 21, 2001

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eagle Boy: A Pacific Northwest Native Tale (Hardcover)

"Eagle Boy: A Pacific Northwest Native Tale" is retold by Richard Lee Vaughan with illustrations by Lee Christiansen. Together they tell the story of a Native American boy called Eagle Boy by the people of his village. Eagle Boy is scolded by the villagers because he shares his food with the eagles. But when his village faces a food shortage, Eagle Boy's kinship with the winged predators becomes important for everybody.

"Eagle Boy" is a story of ostracism, love, magical transformation, and a mystical human-animal connection. Eagle Boy is a memorable hero. The illustrations are truly marvelous: they are rich with warm colors, and make dramatic use of light and shadow. The book opens with a stunning picture of eagles fishing by the seashore, and contains many other great images. Recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Is this an accurate portrayal of Native Americans?, November 19, 2008

By 

Sage Williamson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eagle Boy: A Pacific Northwest Native Tale (Hardcover)

I would need to consult with the tribes mentioned in the earlier review to find out if the portrayal of Native Americans is accurate. Would they really have put someone down for feeding Eagles? I don't know.

But what bothers me the most is when it's time to go and the adults in the tribe just leave the boy behind. Everything I know of Native culture tells me that would have never happened. Native peoples value family above all else, they wouldn't abandon a child.

Do we ever read Pioneer stories where it's time to go and a child is off playing so they just hop back on the wagon and leave him (or her)? It just doesn't happen. And I think this is a fair analogy.

For this fact alone, I would not read it to Native children. Nor would I read it to non-Native children because I wouldn't want to perpetuate that image of Native peoples.

I know there are Native American traditional oral stories that were created to teach lessons and therefore have some harsh characters or challenging storylines, but when told, there is a storyteller there to help interpet - so children aren't left with negative images of the culture.

I just don't think this book should exist without the proper context - if there even is one. Left alone it is damaging to the image of Native culture and we don't need anymore of that in our world.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soaring with thoughtfulness, June 25, 2001

By 

"[e-mail]" (Hammond) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eagle Boy: A Pacific Northwest Native Tale (Hardcover)

Sharing, kindness and friendship are the main themes in this wonderful Native American folktale. Readers will become aware of the true bonds that can develop between humans and animals. That is an invaluable lesson that will help deepen appreciation for nature.