One Real American

Starred review from August 1, 2020
Grades 6-10 *Starred Review* Ha-sa-no-an-da, aka Ely Samuel Parker, was born in 1828 to a privileged Iroquois family, but his story begins before that, with his ancestors who understood that gaining a European education might work to their advantage in resisting colonialism. This biography of Parker doubles as a history book that challenges many existing narratives of that era of Native and colonial contact. While being educated at various English schools, Ely was raised to value his Seneca roots. As a young man, he served his community as an interpreter and a representative of the Iroquois Nation in DC, arguing against colonial settlement and Indian removal. From there, he rose to become Grand Sachem of the Six Nations and a prominent engineer. Later, he was assigned to the staff of Ulysses S. Grant, eventually writing the Civil War terms of surrender. Acclaimed Abenaki author Joseph Bruchac relies on Ely Parker's own writings, a biography by Parker's grand-nephew, and the historical knowledge of Native elders to create this complex account of power and people that should be essential reading in middle- and high-school classrooms.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

September 1, 2020
Ely S. Parker, Seneca Grand Sachem and secretary to Ulysses S. Grant during the Civil War, is a fascinating biographical subject. Raised by a prominent family of Seneca orators, Parker (1828-1895) went from a humble Iroquois childhood to the halls of Washington, D.C., where he juggled leadership roles in two clashing nations. Educated by Baptist missionaries, Parker's early life echoed that of Fredrick Douglass as he became aware of the need for literacy through hurtful public encounters. He studied law, then worked as an engineer, diplomat, cultural informant, and commissioned officer in the Union Army. As a member of Grant's entourage, he saved him from capture and became the first Native American to run a governmental office. By the time Parker was ousted as Commissioner of Indian Affairs due to racism, the trade-offs he made in his lifetime came into question. To leave his homeland only to be forgotten by a friend who became president was a poignant turn of events. Unfortunately, the author only scratches the surface of Parker's complex interiority. Parker's tribal traditions, histories, and mythologies are covered in a condensed manner. Archival photos and maps add to the expertly researched material. The most heartfelt aspects of the book are the direct quotes from Parker's autobiography; readers will delight in his eloquent statements. A Civil War tale about perhaps the most accomplished yet little-known Native in U.S. history. (timeline, endnotes, bibliography, image credits) (Biography. 10-14)

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Starred review from October 1, 2020

Gr 6 Up-Bruchac's outstanding biography chronicles General Ely S. Parker's remarkable life as a Sachem for the Seneca nation, a civil engineer, a lawyer, a general, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and an investor. Prior to the narrative, Bruchac, who is of Abenaki ancestry, discusses how Native American stereotypes taught in school differed from his personal life experiences. Readers then learn about the surrender of General Lee to General Grant at Appomattox in 1865. Parker, the highest ranking Native American in the Union Army, wrote the official terms of surrender for the Civil War. The text subsequently follows a chronological sequence. Each chapter begins with a quote from Parker, allowing readers to contextualize primary source material. Bruchac excels in detailing Parker's life and the history of the Seneca people and other Native Americans. The text also dispels myths about Native Americans within the context of U.S. history. Parker's character and abilities are juxtaposed against the racism and injustice he faced, whether it be by loss of land or discrimination in professional settings. Well-chosen and effectively captioned black-and-white photographs and illustrations further aid readers in understanding Parker's life, and they are credited in the back matter. The bibliography and notes sections, with both primary and secondary sources, reflect Bruchac's research efforts. VERDICT A well-executed biography that all libraries serving middle and high school students need to have.-Hilary Writt, formerly at Sullivan Univ., Lexington, KY

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 9, 2020
Employing historical photographs and first-person quotes, Bruchac (who is Abenaki) uses straightforward language in this lively biography of Ely S. Parker, an Iroquois engineer and lawyer who served as both a Seneca Grand Sachem and a Civil War general and wrote the “official terms of surrender marking the end of the Civil War” at Appomattox. Born in 1828 on the Tonawanda Seneca Reservation and educated tuition-free by Baptist missionaries before studying law, Parker’s knowledge of English saw him translating, at age 16, the Seneca Nation’s efforts to preserve tribal lands. Though the bar exam was denied to him due to racist policies that didn’t extend citizenship to American Indians, he became an engineer during the Civil War, rose to the rank of general, and eventually served as Ulysses S. Grant’s secretary. Appointed the first Native American Indian Affairs commissioner, his enemies eventually used his race to discredit him and force him from the position. Parker faced much prejudice, injustice, and hostility, never becoming well known, despite his many accomplishments. By providing a highly detailed portrait of a complex man, Bruchac’s well researched book goes far to correct that oversight. Ages 10–14. Agent: Barbara Kouts, Barbara Kouts Literary Agency.