In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse

Jimmy McClean, 11 years old and three-quarters Lakota, is teased for appearing white by schoolmates at the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. Marshall's (Returning to the Lakota Way) novel alternates between a field trip Jimmy and his grandfather take in order for Jimmy to better understand his heritage and the principal person they study on the trip, the great Lakota leader Crazy Horse. They follow the geography of Crazy Horse's life through South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana, including a long stay at the battlefield of the Little Big Horn, where in 1876 Crazy Horse was instrumental in the most significant Native American military victory against the white invaders. Though the dates and names are clearly spelled out, the logistics of the battles and travels can be difficult to track, and a lack of descriptive detail hinders empathy with both Jimmy and Crazy Horse. The modern story is a bit too thin, and the older one not delved into thoroughly enough, to allow the book to fully evoke its noble history. Ages 10-14. (Nov.)

Gr 4-8—In this novel that seamlessly integrates Lakota history and oral tradition, Marshall takes readers along for a road trip with Jimmy and his maternal grandfather as they embark on a "vision journey," visiting famous landmarks, monuments, and landscapes integral to the life of the great warrior and leader Crazy Horse. Jimmy, a young Lakota boy, struggles with fitting in on his reservation because he does not look like the other Lakota boys; he has light hair, blue eyes, and his father is of Scottish decent. Grandpa Nyles sees an opportunity to introduce Jimmy to another Lakota who had fair hair and light skin—the famous Crazy Horse. Over the course of their trip, Grandpa Nyles recounts history and stories about the life of the Lakota hero and the events that shaped him into a powerful leader, including famous battles and standoffs against the white settlers. Although many books have been written about Crazy Horse, Marshall transports readers back in time through Grandfather's stories. Italicized passages covering Crazy Horse's childhood, adolescence, and transformation into the famed Lakota symbol of courage and wisdom are distinguished from the modern-day narrative and achieve an immediacy and emotional resonance that most history books fail to capture. As the book progresses, Jimmy and readers learn about an important period of American history from the perspective of the Lakota; readers will walk away with the sober knowledge that in war, there are no winners. As Jimmy and his grandfather's journey comes to an end, the boy has gained much more than a history lesson—he learns a great deal about courage, sacrifice, and the ties that connect him to his ancestors. VERDICT A moving narrative that should be required reading for all students of American history.—Amy Zembroski, Indian Community School, Franklin, WI