Through poems that capture the essence of each person’s life, acclaimed Native American writer Joseph Bruchac introduces readers to famous indigenous leaders from The Peacemaker in 1000 A.D. to modern day dancer Maria Tallchief and Cherokee chief Wilma Mankiller. Each poem is illustrated by a modern-day tribally enrolled artist.
A tribally enrolled citizen of the Nulhegan Abenaki nation, Joseph Bruchac’s poems, stories, and essays often reflect his deep interest in Native history and culture. His work has appeared in hundreds of publications, from Junior Scholastic and Parabola to The Paris Review and National Geographic and he has published over 170 books.
Sonny Assu, Cannupa Hanska Luger, Jeffrey Gibson, Frank Buffalo Hyde, Rory Wakemup, Shan Goshorn, Jodie Herrera, Tony Tiger, Gregg Deal, Jordon Ann Craig, Alex Jacobs, Tom Harjo, Greg Ballenger, Bobby C. Martin, Andy Everson, Steven Paul Judd, Norman Akers, Chris Pappan, Jeff Edwards, Robert I Mesa, Nocona Burgess, George Alexander, Debra Yepa-Pappan, Richard Glazer Danay, Melanie Yazzie, Shelley Niro, Zoe Urness, Marie Watt, J. Nicole Hatfield, Maria Tallchief
★ Intended to educate non-Native readers and to additionally inspire Native readers (per the author’s note), this ambitious undertaking should encourage all people to learn more about the biographical subjects and to seek out work by the featured artists.
-Horn Book Starred Reviews
★ Visually stunning artwork combined with character sketches reveal the depth of Native American history in an intriguing way. A good first purchase for libraries.
-School Library Journal
★ A brilliant integration of Indigenous American art and history.
-Kirkus Starred Review
