Editorial Content for In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
Jimmy McClean is an 11-year-old Lakota boy who lives on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Because his dad’s dad was white, he is often teased by other boys on the reservation for his last name, blue eyes and light brown hair. As his mom, Anne tells him, his problem is that ‘[his] three Lakota parts are all hidden inside. [His] one white part is on the outside’” (p. 3).
Jimmy loves spending time with his grandfather, Nyles High Eagle, especially when they get to ride horses together. In order to help Jimmy overcome his insecurities and best his bullies, Nyles plans a trip for the two of them: they will follow in the footsteps of the great Lakota warrior and leader, Crazy Horse. As Nyles tells Jimmy, “’My great-grandfather --- your great-great-grandfather --- was born in 1860. He saw Crazy Horse, as close as you are to me. He said Crazy Horse had light skin, like you, and brown hair, like you. He didn’t have blue eyes. But some boys teased him, too’” (p. 9).
I believe that Marshall taps into two things that we are missing in publishing --- stories about modern Native Americans, especially children, and stories about historical Native American figures from a Native American perspective.
The grandfather and grandson visit many important places from Crazy Horse’s life, including places he lived, locations of significant life events and spots where battles occurred. At each of these locations, Nyles tells Jimmy stories about Crazy Horse. These tales are interwoven between the modern story of Jimmy and his grandfather throughout IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CRAZY HORSE and set apart through italics. Learning about Crazy Horse increases Jimmy’s pride in being Lakota and also provides him with the confidence he needs to face his bullies when he returns to school.
I really enjoyed IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CRAZY HORSE by Joseph Marshall III. I particularly liked learning more about Crazy Horse in an entertaining, informational and relatable way. However, I felt like I was left wanting more of both Jimmy’s story and Crazy Horse’s story, but perhaps this is a sign of a good book. I believe that Marshall taps into two things that we are missing in publishing --- stories about modern Native Americans, especially children, and stories about historical Native American figures from a Native American perspective. I hope to read more of both these types of stories from Marshall in the future.
Teaser
Jimmy McClean is a Lakota boy --- though you wouldn’t guess it by his name: his father is part white and part Lakota, and his mother is Lakota. When he embarks on a journey with his grandfather, Nyles High Eagle, he learns more and more about his Lakota heritage --- in particular, the story of Crazy Horse, one of the most important figures in Lakota and American history.
Promo
Jimmy McClean is a Lakota boy --- though you wouldn’t guess it by his name: his father is part white and part Lakota, and his mother is Lakota. When he embarks on a journey with his grandfather, Nyles High Eagle, he learns more and more about his Lakota heritage --- in particular, the story of Crazy Horse, one of the most important figures in Lakota and American history.
The book follows the heroic deeds of the Lakota leader who took up arms against the US federal government to fight against encroachments on the territories and way of life of the Lakota people, including leading a war party to victory at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Through his grandfather’s tales about the famous warrior, Jimmy learns more about his Lakota heritage and, ultimately, himself.
About the Book
Jimmy McClean is a Lakota boy --- though you wouldn’t guess it by his name: his father is part white and part Lakota, and his mother is Lakota. When he embarks on a journey with his grandfather, Nyles High Eagle, he learns more and more about his Lakota heritage --- in particular, the story of Crazy Horse, one of the most important figures in Lakota and American history. Drawing references and inspiration from the oral stories of the Lakota tradition, celebrated author Joseph Marshall III juxtaposes the contemporary story of Jimmy with an insider’s perspective on the life of Tasunke Witko, better known as Crazy Horse (c. 1840–1877). The book follows the heroic deeds of the Lakota leader who took up arms against the US federal government to fight against encroachments on the territories and way of life of the Lakota people, including leading a war party to victory at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Along with Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse was the last of the Lakota to surrender his people to the US army. Through his grandfather’s tales about the famous warrior, Jimmy learns more about his Lakota heritage and, ultimately, himself.
