Walking on Earth and Touching the Sky: Poetry and Prose by Lakota Youth at Red Cloud Indian School [Hardcover]

Timothy P. McLaughlin (Editor), S. D. Nelson (Illustrator), Joseph Marshall III (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2012 | Age Range: 8 and up

This is an exceptional poetry collection written by Lakota students in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades at Red Cloud Indian School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The historic school was founded in 1888 at the request of Chief Red Cloud of the Oglala Lakota. The poems enable readers to learn about the unique lives and heritage of students growing up in such distinctive circumstances and straddling cultures. The collection was compiled by a teacher at the school, working with school administrators, and contains never-before-published artworks by award-winning artist S. D. Nelson.

Praise for Walking on Earth and Touching the Sky

STARRED REVIEW
"This is an important collection that offers opportunities for insight into a culture that has too often been either ignored or misunderstood."
--Booklist, starred review

"A moving, fascinating glimpse across cultures. Vivid, polychromatic illustrations by Nelson accompany the students’ evocative works."

--Kirkus Reviews

"As a collection, the poems present an interesting, eye-opening look at the Lakota culture, which is one that is often overlooked. The paintings by S.D. Nelson are gorgeous and vibrant."
--Library Media Connection

Awards:
New York Public Library’s Children's Books 2012: 100 Books for Reading and Sharing list
HONORABLE MENTION - 2012 Aesop Accolade, American Folklore Society

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Timothy P. McLaughlin teaches Native American youths in schools. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. S. D. Nelson is Lakota and is the author of three previous children’s books for Abrams, including Black Elk’s Vision, an ALA Notable Book. Joseph M. Marshall III is a Lakota actor and writer.

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers (April 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419701797
• ISBN-13: 978-1419701795
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,200,110 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Illustrations bring words to life January 2, 2013

By BookLover

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I admire S.D. Nelson's books for children and he continues to enhance book collaborations such as "Walking on Earth and Touching the Sky." The content speaks for itself and is a valuable contribution to understanding the native American experience through the eyes and hearts of its young people. Nelson's illustrations not only unify the book's elements, but also provide a context for understanding the cosmology and world view of the Lakota people

4.0 out of 5 stars Good things from small places December 23, 2012

By Thierry

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

We tend to think that people who are highly creative, intelligent, and gifted, come from metropolitan areas, because they have far more opportunities to expand on their gifts and support to explore their creativity. This children's book just goes to show that the aforementioned qualities can show up anywhere, and in situations that provide limited amounts of stimulation.

The Lakota children writing this book come from an environment that appears barren, to say the least. If you've seen photographs of their reservation, it's easy to see why drug and alcohol addictions are so prevalent. What's so interesting here ,however, is that the lack of stimulation, so widely available in highly populated areas, is not available to these kids, and they tend to be far less precocious as kids in the city, and are very honest about their feelings and how they see their world.

Haiku poetry is a wonderful way to say a great deal in a very few words. The Lakota kids have taken full advantage of the form to create a very apt description of what their inner world is living where they do. I would love to see where the kids are in 10-15 years. People surprise you lots of times. The clear, vivid portrayals of village life presented in this volume, may hint as to the futures of the kids lives down the road.

A well-written picture of modern Native American life on the "rez". Well worth the purchase.

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Amazing. September 29, 2012

By M. B. Strain

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Lakota Youth at Red Cloud Indian School

Walking on Earth & Touching the Sky

Abrams Books for Young Readers, New York, 2012

80 pages.

8+

The poetry and prose of today's Lakota Indian youth is a revelation. Written by youth from 5th to 8th grade attending the Red Cloud Indian School, and edited by Timothy P. McLaughlin, you get a feeling of life on the reservation. Children in this age group are at the edge of becoming adults. They still parrot many of the teachings of their parents and elders, but they are also beginning to think for their selves and challenge the things they are taught.

The conflict of Indian and outside teachings is alive and well in these children. They revel in their Native Pride or "NP" as Ashley Jones writes (36). They also struggle with the state of the reservation. They want a better life, but they live in conflict because they often associate the pursuit of a better life with giving up their NP.

Many of the children simply write the ideas that have been implanted in their minds by their parents, grandparents, and elders. In reading you will see clearly the bitterness of generations passed on again. Occasionally a child will write with such emotion, that you know for sure they are speaking from their own conclusions.

These youth speak with more experience than many of their non-Indian, and non-reservation peers. They see alcohol, drugs, poverty, and death at a much higher rate earlier in life. They are forced to grow up faster than they should. One student, Rayleen Bickerstaff wrote,

Still I'm Loved

When I do something bad, still I'm loved.

When I'm crabby and I'm mad, still I'm loved.

When I stomp around, still I'm loved.

When I beat people up, still I'm loved.

When I do drugs and throw trash around, still I'm loved.

When I die and move away, still I'm loved (61).

I would recommend this book as a great study piece for teachers who are covering American history. Children who don't live near a reservation likely aren't aware that Indian affairs still haunt our nation today. I would have them read the words of these Lakota youth and have them try to come up with solutions. How do we right the wrongs of the past? Are all the wrongs from the past? Who was/is wrong? They have the American spirit. We need to figure out how to share with them the American dream in a way they can receive it without losing their NP. I suspect the answer lies in getting our youth of all races involved. They need to be aware of the problems at an earlier age before prejudice can be taught to them. Having them come up with solutions will strengthen their resolve to reconcile the deeds done now and long ago by all our ancestors. Forgiveness must be a part of the answer.

5Q

4P