Kaya's Escape (American Girl) [Paperback]

Janet Shaw (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Series: American Girl

Enemy raiders are invading Kaya's village! Kaya's mother tells her to run for the woods with her blind sister, Speaking Rain. But Kaya wants to protect her horse, too. As Kaya hesitates, she and Speaking Rain are captured! How will they ever get back home?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Reviewed with Janet Shaw's Meet Kaya.

Gr. 3-5. In 1764, nine-year-old Kaya lives in the traditional homeland of the Nez Perce tribe (present-day Idaho, Washington, and Oregon) with her parents, siblings, and Speaking Rain, a blind girl. In Meet Kaya, she neglects her duties and, when the other children find out, she wonders if she will ever live it down. In Kaya's Escape, Kaya and Speaking Rain are captured and taken to an enemy's camp. Determined to escape, Kaya struggles to make it home through the bitter winter weather without supplies. Nez Perce words are used throughout both stories, and a glossary is appended. A closing section in both titles provides cultural and historical information as well as pictures of the Nimiipuu, known today as the Nez Perce. The editorial staff of Pleasant Company worked with the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Council to create an advisory board that supervised all aspects of the project, including the decision to set the story before contact with white explorers and settlers. Both historically accurate and culturally sensitive, Kaya's stories are welcome additions to this publisher's output and a noteworthy result of a unique collaboration. Karen Hutt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: American Girl (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584854251
• ISBN-13: 978-1584854258
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,700 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Multicultural Stories > Native North & South Americans

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 new different format for a new, different experience, October 26, 2002

By 

hiphopgirl_1000 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kaya's Escape (American Girl) (Paperback)

I was surprised that Pleasent Company had finally broken their traditional format for the Kaya series, but now I understand why, it is to show that the Indians, including Kaya's Nez Perce tribe have a very special place in our nation's past, present, and future.

Kaya's Escape is the 2nd book in the Kaya series and this time Kaya is faced with tremendous challenges as a neighboring tribe attacks while the warriors are away. Told to hide in the forest with her blind sister Speaking Rain, Kaya disobeys because she is worried for the safety of her horse, Steps High, and her one instinctive decision gets both her and her sister captured. Kaya feels very responsible as they are taken away, as slaves, from their homeland and does everything she can to help with the daily chores of her blind sister, to somehow make up for what she did, all the while hoping her father and the rest of the tribe will come and rescue them. When she learns that the people who captured them will soon be moving for the winter Kaya finally realizes she must escape with her sister or they are done for good and will never be able to return home. She befriends anther Indian slave boy and enlists his help in escaping. However, Kaya knows she must make a big decision, can she leave Speaking Rain behind, and go for help, for their is no way a blind girl could make such a journey? This story about Kaya was another success. I recommend all to read it, for it gives a unique experience on Indian life, during the period when the whites had not interfered with their culture.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captured!, September 8, 2002

By 

Tracy Robert (Albuquerque, NM United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kaya's Escape (American Girl) (Paperback)

In "Kaya's Escape" (Book 2 in the series), Kaya's tribe is raided by a neighboring tribe while the men are away from the camp. Kaya is told to lead her blind sister, Speaking Rain, to a hiding place in the forest. When Kaya sees the raiders approaching the horses, she becomes more interested in saving her own beloved horse then in finding safety for herself and Speaking Rain. Then, Kaya and Speaking Rain are taken captive, to be slaves. The raiding tribe also steals their herd of horses as well. They are all taken many days away from their home camp. Kaya has to find the courage and strength to make many difficult decisions in order to insure her future.

This book is filled with action and adventure, but it could also be difficult to follow. During her journey, there are many changes in setting and actions that are described too quickly or unclearly. The ending is not resolved as neatly as it is in many children's books, but this book provides valuable information for understanding the later books in the series. I got through the book rereading sentences as necessary, but enjoyed the story overall. I liked that the difficulties and dangers of other tribes were presented. This book is also a key book in understanding how Kaya develops the character traits that lead her to more maturity and better choices in the future.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars KAYA'S ESCAPE, February 11, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Kaya's Escape (American Girl) (Paperback)

I like this book alot bcause it has good drawings and cool characters the book also gets better when you get to the next capter. What I don't like is when the characters get hurt or get sick. What iI think they should of addedd was how her mom and dad felt when she came home with out her sister.She also should of said why kaya felt bad for the little boy who was there too.