Bruchac, Joseph Talking Leaves, 235 pages. Dial Books
(Penguin Young Readers), 2016. $16.99. Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content:
PG; Violence: PG.
Uwohali's father, Sequoya, has become the target of gossip
and fear in his Tsalagi (Cherokee) village since his return from the west.
People believe that the symbols and characters Sequoya is creating are a form
of witchcraft that will bring nothing good to the people. Uwohali is at first
fearful, but when he takes the time to listen to his father's explanation of
how a written language of their own could benefit the Cherokee, Uwohali is
convinced. The challenge then remains for the family to convince the rest of
their tribe before the threats of violence or banishment can be carried out.
I was excited to see an historical fiction novel about
Sequoya as it seems a piece of American history that could really use a
retelling that kids would be interested in reading. Unfortunately, I do not
know that many readers will really enjoy this book as I found the characters
fairly flat, the story's "voice" dull, and the book overall pretty
boring. The book tells the story but also includes a lot of traditional
Cherokee stories and traditions; these were interesting, but also got a little
tiresome as the story was so often veering off into storytelling mode. I think
this book should be in libraries so students have the option to learn about
Sequoya or teachers could use it with a Native American history unit, but on
its own merits as a novel it does not have a lot to recommend it.
EL, MS, HS--OPTIONAL. Reviewer: TC
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment