From School Library Journal
Grade 6 Up Even if readers never get beyond Hirschfelder's four-page introduction, they will have read enough to challenge many stereotypes. ``American Indians do not have red skin, painted faces, or feathers on their heads. Eskimos in Alaska did not live in snow igloos.'' For each stereotype presented throughout the book, Hirschfelder details numerous countering facts. The picture that emerges is one of cultural diversity; there are many groups of people with different languages, governments, and ways of life. At the same time, Hirschfelder does not gloss over problems facing today's Native Americans. She presents a factual, unbiased view of reservation problems, including a history of U.S. government attitudes and policies. This book not only provides historical information about Native American groups, but also presents updated facts and statistics about modern people. In the last few chapters, Hirschfelder writes about individual Indians who have been successful. The clear, factual writing is accompanied by black-and-white photographs. The index provides reference access to subjects for report writing, but the book could also be read straight through for a topical overview. This is one of the best written, most respectful studies of Native Americans available. Karen Zimmerman, I. D. Weeks Library, Vermillion, S.D.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Product Description
Explores the everyday life, culture, and preservation of traditions of America's native peoples, the Indians, Inuits, and Aleuts.
