The Star People: A Lakota Story [Hardcover]

S. D. Nelson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2003 | Grade Level: P and up

Sister Girl and her brother Young Wolf wander away from their village and soon find themselves far out in the surrounding prairie. They lie down in the grass and watch the clouds passing above billow to form an eagle, horses, and other creatures. Suddenly, animals begin to race past the children on the ground - followed by a wall of fire! Fleeing along with the frightened beasts, Sister Girl and Young Wolf save themselves by tumbling into a shallow stream. The fire leaves behind ash and a barren, forbidding landscape. The children realize that they are hopelessly lost. Night is coming, how will they get home to their parents? And why are the evening stars dancing so? Drawing upon traditional Lakota art, S. D. Nelson's illustrations bring to life a memorable new legend about the Star People.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-A young Lakota Indian girl narrates the story of how she and her little brother, Young Wolf, survive a prairie fire. They had wandered away from their village, entranced by the changing cloud shapes created by the Cloud People. They fall into a river and are guided home by their deceased grandmother, one of the Star People, who are the spirits of the Old Ones. The acrylic illustrations are inspired by the Native American ledger-book art of the late 1800s, with figures in profile, vivid colors, and bold shapes. The art enhances the text by blending the supernatural world with that of the children's reality. When Sister Girl and Young Wolf are lost, they are depicted in a heavenly space whirling and swirling with star groups outlined to show animals like the eagle, wolf, elk, and horse. According to the author's note, the Lakota Indians refer to clouds and stars as "Cloud People" and "Star People." A solid addition to collections of Native American tales and an enjoyable read-aloud.
Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. While exploring the land around their village, two young Plains Indians--Sister Girl and her little brother, Young Wolf--stray too far. After narrowly escaping a roaring prairie fire, the siblings find themselves lost and frightened in the dark, open land until the Star People, "the spirits of the Old Ones who once walked on the earth," offer comfort and guidance home. In clear, captivating language, Nelson, the creator of Gift Horse (2000) and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, tells a stirring, original story based on Lakota legend. An extensive author's note introduces Ledger Book Art, the nineteenth-century Plains Indian style of art that influenced Nelson's acrylic paintings. The graphic, stylized scenes tend to blur individual faces, but the swirling images of the celestial dance beautifully reflect the story's celebration and awe of the natural world. A fine choice for story hours, this will also find wide curricular use. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 36 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810945843
• ISBN-13: 978-0810945845
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,752 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Multiculturalism
  • #22 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Multicultural Stories > Native North & South Americans

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Based on Lakota legend, December 14, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Star People: A Lakota Story (Hardcover)

Parent's Choice award-winning author S. D. Nelson (who is also a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in the Dakotas), presents The Star People: A Lakota Story. Based on Lakota legend, The Star People tells of a brother and a sister who become lost, and must find their way home, with guidance from the heavens themselves. Nelson's warm, multicolored illustrations bring this fantastic picturebook work of Native American folklore to life.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mother Earth and Father Sky., September 8, 2003

By 

N. Gierszewski (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Star People: A Lakota Story (Hardcover)

S.D. Nelson shares the wonder of the prairie and the Native American peoples. The importance of family is the heart of this story. The grandmother guides her grandchildren home when they are lost. The children learn that they are part of their family, the earth and the sky. The art work is outstanding and I look forward to more books by S.D. Nelson. Gift Horse is another of his excellent books.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Star People: A Lakota Story, September 7, 2003

By 

Darcy Nelson (Flagstaff, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Star People: A Lakota Story (Hardcover)

The Star People is a touching children's book about a Native American brother and sister growing up on the Great Plains. This story contains many important lessons including familial love, appreciation for the beauty of the earth, and the importance of all living creatures. The illustrations are colorful, unique and vibrant. They capture the essence of the main characters, Sister Girl and Young wolf, and their wild surroundings.
This is truly a heart warming book that will leave both adult and children readers feeling the magic of the stars, plants, and animals that surround us all.