From School Library Journal
Grade 3-7?Six original, eclectic short tales inspired by history and elements of African American and Native American folklore. The title story is a creation myth about the genesis of lightning bugs; other selections cover a diverse range of subjects, including Lakota religious rituals ("Ghost Dancer") and life in the days of slavery ("Little Mose"). "The Voodoo Queen" is a fascinating introduction to Marie Laveau, a real-life 19th-century New Orleans figure. "Akiba's Singing Water" is based on the legendary late-18th century mass suicide of Ibo slaves on St. Simons' Island, GA. Finally, "Tale of the Golden Ball" is a fable about the folly of wishing for riches. Of particular note is the author's smooth incorporation of historical facts into the stories. An evocatively eerie, full-page, black-and-white illustration accompanies each piece. Definitions for unfamiliar terms are included; sources are discussed in an appendix. A lengthy bibliography is provided, and titles for young readers are marked with an asterisk. An excellent choice for fans of the supernatural.?Mary Jo Drungil, Niles Public Library District, IL
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Gr. 4-6. Combining fiction and adaptation, this uneven collection of six tales "inspired by folktale, legend, and history" will appeal to children fascinated with the mysterious and the scary. Following the oral tradition of African-American storytellers, Wyeth offers an assortment of unusual characters, ranging from a buffalo soldier's ghost to a voodoo queen. Readers, storytellers, and teachers seeking additional tales or variants of traditional ones will find the inclusion of source notes and a bibliography extremely handy. A suitable addition to fiction and folklore collections.
Mary Romano Marks
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
