Home to Medicine Mountain [Paperback]

Chiori Santiago (Author), Judith Lowry (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

In the 1930s two young brothers are sent to a government-run Indian residential school — an experience shared by generations of Native American children. At these schools, children are forbidden to speak their native tongue and are taught to abandon their Indian ways. In this multi award-winning book, Native American artist Judith Lowry’s illustrations are inspired by the stories she heard from her father and uncle. The lyrical narrative and compelling paintings blend memory and myth in this bittersweet story of the boys’ journey home one summer and the healing power of their culture.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The real-life experiences of Lowry's father and uncle fuel this account of two Native American brothers in California, sent to a government-run boarding school in the 1930s to unlearn their traditional ways. While the book discloses a sad chapter in the long history of the disenfranchisement of Native Americans, it will also resonate with any kid who has been homesick. But the storytelling wobbles. There is little buildup to the main event?occurring when the boys, still children, ride the rails home for summer break?and the contrast between the regimented life at school and life at home does not create narrative momentum. Lowry's stylized artwork works well both for the prison-like school and the happier scenes at Medicine Mountain: the sharp edges of her compositions lend themselves to a cold, hard look and to a more innocent, naive style. Kids will also be interested to see Native Americans at home in jeans and dresses. This book goes a long way toward replacing romanticized stereotypes with something closer to history, but remains less than satisfying as a story. Ages 6-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-For decades, Native American children were taken from their families and sent to government-run boarding schools. There, the youngsters lost precious contact with their cultures, their languages, and their families. In this personal story, the illustrator shows through vivid, full-page paintings the story of her father and uncle finding their way home from such a school in the 1930s. Stanley and Benny Len, inspired by their grandmother's stories, undertook their own adventure to get home for the summer. Late one night, they hitched a secret ride on a train headed for home, a ride that was destined to become a favorite family tale. The boarding school and teachers are shown in an unflattering light, especially as seen through these memories. The artist and author have brought a little-known chapter of history to children's attention, and have done so in an appealing way. The colorful paintings and intelligent text tell a loving story, best for one-on-one or personal reading. A welcome title.
Mary B. McCarthy, Windsor Severance Library District, CO
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Children's Book Press (October 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892391766
• ISBN-13: 978-0892391769
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 9.6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,764,946 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great words and pictues -- an excellent story of two Mountain Maidu children, April 30, 2011

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Sierra Lady (Bayside CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Home to Medicine Mountain (Paperback)

This is a beautiful book, illustrated by one of the best American Indian artists alive today. The story is poignant and true, and shows how the strength of the individual spirit. This tale, of children who resist the regimentation of an Indian boarding school and return to their homeland, deserves to be widely shared.