The Star People

September 1, 2003
Gr 1-4-A young Lakota Indian girl narrates the story of how she and her little brother, Young Wolf, survive a prairie fire. They had wandered away from their village, entranced by the changing cloud shapes created by the Cloud People. They fall into a river and are guided home by their deceased grandmother, one of the Star People, who are the spirits of the Old Ones. The acrylic illustrations are inspired by the Native American ledger-book art of the late 1800s, with figures in profile, vivid colors, and bold shapes. The art enhances the text by blending the supernatural world with that of the children's reality. When Sister Girl and Young Wolf are lost, they are depicted in a heavenly space whirling and swirling with star groups outlined to show animals like the eagle, wolf, elk, and horse. According to the author's note, the Lakota Indians refer to clouds and stars as "Cloud People" and "Star People." A solid addition to collections of Native American tales and an enjoyable read-aloud.-Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA

Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2003
PreS-Gr. 2. While exploring the land around their village, two young Plains Indians--Sister Girl and her little brother, Young Wolf--stray too far. After narrowly escaping a roaring prairie fire, the siblings find themselves lost and frightened in the dark, open land until the Star People, "the spirits of the Old Ones who once walked on the earth," offer comfort and guidance home. In clear, captivating language, Nelson, the creator of " Gift Horse "(2000) and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, tells a stirring, original story based on Lakota legend. An extensive author's note introduces Ledger Book Art, the nineteenth-century Plains Indian style of art that influenced Nelson's acrylic paintings. The graphic, stylized scenes tend to blur individual faces, but the swirling images of the celestial dance beautifully reflect the story's celebration and awe of the natural world. A fine choice for story hours, this will also find wide curricular use.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)