The Long March: The Choctaw's Gift to Irish Famine Relief [Paperback]

Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick (Author), Gary White Deer (Foreword)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

"This deeply moving work quietly and effectively underscores the drama and pathos of a little-known historical episode. In 1847 the Choctaw, themselves impoverished, raised $170 (the equivalent of more than $5ooo today) to aid the Irish, then in the throes of the great potato famine."-Publishers Weekly, Starred Review• Endorsed by the Choctaw Nation.• A Smithsonian Notable Book for Children, 1998.• Children's Books of Ireland BISTO Book of the Year Merit Award, 1999.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a starred review, PW called this story of the Choctaw Indians, who raised money to aid the Irish during the great potato famine, "a deeply moving work." Ages 7-up.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5AIn the 1830s, the United States government forced the people of the Choctaw Nation to leave their homeland in the area of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, and to walk 500 miles to Indian territory, which later became Oklahoma. These people suffered from starvation, cold, and lack of promised provisions. Many died along the way. Yet, in 1847, when a call went out to help people starving during Ireland's Potato Famine, the Choctaw responded, and sent all they could collect from their meager earnings. This sophisticated picture book describes a Choctaw family who must decide if they want to help faraway Europeans, and who, in the process, try to come to terms with the humiliation and suffering they felt about the Long March. Fitzpatrick collaborated with Choctaw representatives to relate this moving true story with universal appeal. Her striking black-and-white drawings capture the events and show great respect and dignity for all of the characters and their concerns. The words and illustrations work together extremely well, presenting the story in a clear and compelling manner.ADarcy Schild, Schwegler Elementary School, Lawrence, KS
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Tricycle Press (October 26, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582460655
• ISBN-13: 978-1582460659
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 0.1 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #247,194 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > United States > Other
  • #42 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Homelessness & Poverty

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a moving and beautiful book with awesome drawings., May 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Long March: The Choctaw's Gift to Irish Famine Relief (Hardcover)

(I got this book in Dublin, Ireland, recently.)

This is a truly delightful book. The drawings are lovingly created and the story is both touching and well written. What makes it even more compelling is that it is based on a wonderful true act of human generosity over 150 years ago, from one impoverished people to another, who, although worlds apart in both distance and cultures, had a common enemy, in hunger and oppression.

The author travelled to Oklahoma to research the book and has gone to great lengths to ensure the drawings are authentic as well as inspiring. I particularly like the drawings of the great-grandmother and indeed,the clever shadow of the American eagle when Choona raises his arms in the final drawing as well as the subtle, celtic symbols to be found in this same drawing. "The Long March" is a must for the millions of us with Irish-American heritage - every Irish American child should read this book!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A profound look at history & community, May 21, 2001

By 

Rebecca Brown "rebeccasreads" (Clallam Bay, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Long March: The Choctaw's Gift to Irish Famine Relief (Hardcover)

In 1847 an impoverished displaced group of Choctaw Indians collected from their meager resources the sum of $170 to send toward food relief for the Irish Potato Famine.

Through the memories of Choona, now known as Tom, who is very, very old, we learn of how he, as a young man, at last learned of that part of his family's history about which no one would speak & yet everyone looked so wounded. The Long March, when his people were forced to walk from Florida to Mississippi all through one fearsome, killing winter.

The Long March is rich in American history & memory. The marvelous drawings create a magically real place. This is a must for anyone who loves looking at other ways to live in community; other ways of teaching the spirit to grow & learning about courage, wisdom & respecting the memories.

An amazing book - to be read & read again & again & the pictures to be studied & dreamed over. Beautifully evocative.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars not stereotypic, July 2, 2005

By 

Ms Z "bibliophiliac" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Long March: The Choctaw's Gift to Irish Famine Relief (Paperback)

This book seems to be a wonderful portrayal of a Native American family and community and their culture and history. One point that I appreciate is that the author tried to stay true to the Choctaw cultural activities, arts and lifestyle in the beautiful drawings and text. The author did not meld several different tribal cultures together as a homogenous "Native American culture." The message of the book also helps young readers to respect the sacrifices and values of the tribe, as well as to question the way Euro-Americans treated them in the past. A treasured book.