The Flight of Red Bird: The Life of Zitkala-Sa [Hardcover]

Doreen Rappaport (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

Recreates the life of writer and lecturer Gertrude Bonnin, also known as Zitkala S+a5a, a Native American activist and reformer of the early twentieth century, who fought for legislation to help better the lives of her people."

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up. Gertrude Bonnin (1876-1938) was born on the Nakota, or Yankton, Sioux reservation in South Dakota. At the age of eight, she went to a Quaker boarding school in Indiana, the first of several she would attend, against her mother's wishes. Bonnin was never able to return to her life as an Indian. Relying heavily on Bonnin's own writings, letters, and diaries, as well as other primary sources and conversations with descendants, Rappaport allows her subject to speak for herself about the heartbreak, confusion, and rebellion toward her education in various boarding schools. Consequently, this account dwells most heavily on her schooling and early adult years, during which time she took the name Zitkala-Sa. Unfortunately, her later experiences as an Indian-rights activist are not given much coverage in the book; Rappaport only whets readers' appetite for additional details. The overall impression that one receives from these writings is one of loss and unhappiness, a result of the profound identity crisis that the woman felt stranded between the Indian and white worlds. This well-documented, uniquely presented book, illustrated with black-and-white photographs, should strike a chord among adolescents establishing their own identities.?Lisa Mitten, University of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 7^-10. Zitkala-Sa (Red Bird) was born Gertrude Bonnin in 1876 to a Sioux mother and a white father. At the age of eight, she left the Yankton Sioux Reservation for a boarding school in the East. When she returned six years later, she could no longer find peace on the reservation, and for the rest of her life, she lived between two cultures. She attended college, recruited students for the boarding schools she once despised, and became a well-recognized advocate and political organizer for the rights of American Indians. Rappaport draws heavily on Zitkala-Sa's writings to tell this remarkable story, and it is Red Bird's own words that bring her anguish and confusion to life. The narrative is choppy at times, but Rappaport's account of the contradictions and complex issues that Gertrude has faced in her life will have great interest for young people studying American Indians. Glossary, source notes, black-and-white photos, and an extensive bibliography. Karen Hutt

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1st edition (July 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803714386
• ISBN-13: 978-0803714380
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,617,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Doreen Rappaport is known for her ground-breaking approach to multicultural history and stories for young readers. In her many award-winning books, she brings attention to not-yet-celebrated Americans, along with well-known figures.

A former teacher of music and reading, Doreen knows how to capture children's attention. Her dynamic formats engage even the most reluctant readers.

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is an Orbis Pictus Honor Book, Coretta Scott King Honor Book, Caldecott Honor Book for Illustration, ALA Notable Book, and is on the Blue Ribbon list of the Bulletin Center for Children's Books.

We Are The Many: A Picture Book of American Indians, introduces the accomplishments of sixteen distinguished American Indians.

Her classic Escape From Slavery presents the history of the Underground Railroad through adventure stories.

The Boston Coffee Party introduces children to a neglected event in history books and shows the active roles played by women during the Revolutionary War.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A true representation of the Indian plight., October 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Flight of Red Bird: The Life of Zitkala-Sa (Nonfiction) (Mass Market Paperback)

Wonderfully told story of a special Native American Indian girl and her journey toward womanhood. When Gertrude is eight years old she is sent to a school for Indian children run by Quakers, this is the beginning of the end of her life as it has been. She encounters prejudice for the first time and learns that white people aren't what they always seem to be. As Gertrude grows and becomes more confident she becomes a wonderful orator and representative for the Native American people. This book would be excellent for children to read so they may understand how Native Americans felt about their treatment at the hands of the white man. I think this book would be an excellent source to use in history classes to show children how the Indians felt when they were forced to give their land to white settlers and move onto reservations.