Night Bird: A Story of the Seminole Indians (Once Upon America) (Paperback)

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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.

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.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (April 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140343539
• ISBN-13: 978-0590623988
• Product Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 20 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,100,607 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Illustrates a sad episode of American history that all children should know, July 1, 2006

By	Charles Ashbacher "([e-mail])" (Marion, Iowa United States([e-mail])) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

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.