Navajo Long Walk : Tragic Story Of A Proud Peoples Forced March From Homeland- Grades: 5 -7
As Bruchac states, this story is one of tragedy and triumph that all Americans should know. Here, he and Begay offer an introduction to it. The book opens in 1864 with the peaceful Navajo world shattered by events beyond its control. The author then explains the circumstances leading up to the forced relocation of Navajo people, and their eventual return to their homes and way of life in 1868. Both the full-color acrylic paintings and duotone watercolor pictures evoke a sense of hopelessness and doom. Ultimately, they show the strength of the Navajo nation. Throughout, Begay comments on his illustrations. Beside one depiction, he states, "I can feel the cold chill in the bones of these battered and subdued people living on the brink of nonexistence." While Native words such as Dook'o'oosl"d are explained in the text, there is no pronunciation guide. With large type and larger illustrations, this title has a picture-book look about it, but it is aimed at an audience with some knowledge of Navajo history. Hardcover. Bruchac, Joseph. 2002.
