Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Sa, Native American Author, Musician, and Activist
by Gina Capaldi (Author) Gina Capaldi (Illustrator)
"I remember the day I lost my spirit." So begins the story of Gertrude Simmons, also known as Zitkala-Sa, which means Red Bird. Born in 1876 on the Yankton Sioux reservation in South Dakota, Zitkala-Sa willingly left her home at age eight to go to a boarding school in Indiana. But she soon found herself caught between two worlds--white and Native American.
At school she missed her mother and her traditional life, but Zitkala-Sa found joy in music classes. "My wounded spirit soared like a bird as I practiced the piano and violin," she wrote. Her talent grew, and when she graduated, she became a music teacher, composer, and performer.
Zitkala-Sa found she could also "sing" to help her people by writing stories and giving speeches. As an adult, she worked as an activist for Native American rights, seeking to build a bridge between cultures.
The coauthors tell Zitkala-Sa's life by weaving together pieces from her own stories. The artist's acrylic illustrations and collages of photos and primary source documents round out the vivid portrait of Zitkala-Sa, a frightened child whose spirit "would rise again, stronger and wiser for the wounds it had suffered."
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Review quotes
"Adapted from her writings, this illustrated book tells the courageous story of Zitkala-Sa, also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin. Capaldi has illustrated the book throughout with richly colored paintings that capture the essence of the accompanying storyline. Assimilation into the dominant culture is not glossed over but handled in a delicate manner that accentuates the enormous obstacles Bonnin overcame. Bonnin is portrayed as a strong woman who fought not only for Native American rights but also for women's rights. Bonnin's gifts as a speaker, author, and musician helped to persuade people to believe in the power of her message. This title will fill the gap in most libraries of strong, non-stereotypical Native American role models. A bibliography and further readings are included." --Library Media Connection
JNF025200 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | United States/19th Century
JNF007110 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Social Activists
JNF007040 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Music
JNF007030 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Literary
JNF018040 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | United States - Native American
Political activists
Yankton Indians
Indian women authors
Indian women activists
Indian musicians
Women musicians
Zitkala-eSa
Yankton women
