Night Bird worries about the fate of the Seminoles when her clan is forced by fears of whites to hold their Green Corn ceremony in secret and wonders if moving onto new land in Oklahoma is the answer to their troubles.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5-- This dramatic short work of fiction introduces students to aspects of Seminole culture and presents an episode of American history from a unique perspective. Night Bird is a young Seminole girl who lives in the Florida Everglades in the mid-19th century. Her cousin and her family come to her village unexpectedly, fleeing white soldiers and inadvertently exposing the tribe's safe haven. Given the option of relocating to Oklahoma or being driven further into the swamp, the members of the camp must decide what to do. Night Bird, who is destined to head the Otter clan in this matriarchal society, faces a decidedly difficult choice. She ultimately opts to remain with her grandmother and learn the ways of the clan in their homeland even though the rest of her immediate family heads west. Full-page black-and-white paintings punctuate the narrative and reveal unique aspects of the Native American customs and dress. Kudlinski's afterword places the story in its historical context. --Yvonne Frey, Peoria Public Schools, IL
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Kirkus Reviews
In the Once Upon America series, the affecting story of a young Seminole in the 1830's when, in response to pressure from land-hungry whites and angry slaveowners whose runaways had been protected by them, many Seminoles were removed to Indian Territory (Oklahoma). Night Bird's grandmother is matriarch of the Otter clan, split by the government's offer of land and safety in Oklahoma. In the best interests of the clan, Night Bird makes the heartrending decision to stay in Florida with her grandmother and a few others, rather than accompany her parents and siblings to Oklahoma. A coming-of-age story, skillfully interwoven with depictions of Seminole life in the Everglades, including beliefs, ceremonies, and the crucial role of oral tradition in sustaining the community. Illustrations not seen. (Fiction. 8-11) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Authors
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Illustrates a sad episode of American history that all children should know,
By Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE) (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)
This review is from: Night Bird: A Story of the Seminole Indians (Once Upon America) (Paperback)
In this story, Night Bird is a young Seminole Indian girl hiding from the white men in the Everglades swamp. After years of pressure, her tribes had been forced southward from Georgia into the murky wetness of the swamps. Seminoles from all over are gathering for the ceremony of the Green Corn. It is a harvest festival where thanks are given and forgiveness sought.
However, in the middle of the ceremony, a new group arrives and it is revealed that they escaped from bondage and a white man was killed in the escape. All know that this means that the soldiers will be coming and they all will be at risk. They have hiding places prepared for the children and canoes ready for the escape. A canoe arrives and it contains a white man with a proposal that the Seminoles leave Florida and relocate to Oklahoma. After he leaves, the tribe engages in a furious debate as to whether they should move to Oklahoma. It splits families apart, as the decision seems to be one between two forms of slow death. The story ends with a heart-rending tale of Night Bird being separated from the part of her family that is going to Oklahoma. While this is a work of fiction, it is an example of the best kind; it could have been true. The only things that would be different are the names. The forced destruction of the Seminole nation is one of the worst examples of genocide in the entire history of the white destruction of the Native American societies. This book, written for the late elementary school child illustrates in an honest and yet non-bloody manner, what actually happened. While not pleasant to read, it is a side of the history of the United States that children need to be exposed to.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent for tween readers!,
By My Kids Mom "Elorasmom" (Princeton, TX) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Night Bird: A Story of the Seminole Indians (Once Upon America) (Paperback)
I could not find this book anywhere but from a reseller here at Amazon, they did a good job and the book is wonderful, I am only complaining that it should still be in print!
4.0 out of 5 stars
Night Bird,
A Kid's Review
This review is from: Night Bird: A Story of the Seminole Indians (Once Upon America) (Paperback)
NIGHT BIRD
by Kathleen V. Illustrated by James Watling This book is about a story of the Seminole indians.this book is very interesting,dramatic and a little sad.I recomended to people who want to learn about history and about de Seminoles.In this book you will find storis of Seminoles indians like nigth bird,his brothers,his sisters,and more. The white people are taking all the territorys of the Seminole indians and they thont now were to go.Then they discover that there are free lands in Oklahoma but they need to do a ceremony that is very inportant.They thont have to much time until the white people discover them but they thesided to do the ceremony... that do you think it will hapen ?
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
