Review: Reviewed by Read2Review
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 3, 2013
Ben Woodard's story THE BOY WHO FLEW WITH EAGLES soars with a story worthy to be told over a lively campfire. This story follows a great Native American tradition where stories were told by the elders of the tribe to teach the younger members some of the many of the elements of culture, history, great tribal traditions, and basic respect for each other. The premise is fresh and interesting for a reader of any age. As someone who has written a number of historical books celebrating Native American traditions, I was happy to see something done so well! This book is worthy for young reader to read out loud and written in an intelligent style for an older reader to read for themselves, or to their children as a bedtime story. Laura Leikona's illustrations add to the stories without being intrusive to the story. As an author and illustrator I know that a good balance is important to make sure the best interest of the story is served. They do this and more. Often stories these days are slanted and watered down like some of the recent popular movies that are more fictional than factual. Mister Woodard avoids that pratfall to deliver a most thoughtful story that follows traditional storytelling how it was meant to be remembered.Little Naa'ki is capture by Mother Eagle to be taken up to an eagle's nest for food. Since his tribe has eaten too many of the salmon, the other animals have suffered terribly and winter is soon to come. He promises to catch small fish to feed the eaglets so he won't become their dinner. Naa'ki is a wise and crafty young man who wishes to prosper in spite of his dire situation. The story is seen through his eyes to tell about the careful conservation of salmon as natural resources for the benefit for others. In hunting and gathering societies lack of basic resources often led to warfare and famine. Times may change, but people's natures do not! We are not so far removed from such things.This book holds a number of thoughtful details that make me admire it very much. I know much about these things because I am from these traditions, being from a Choctaw tradition. (I liked the part when the native boy ate cattail roots, which are quite tasty, especially when you are quite hungry. They taste like some tasty cucumbers. Most modern people would starve if they closed the local food store or McDonalds!)THE BOY WHO FLEW WITH EAGLES is highly recommended for few books these days really try to teach something important such as values, respect for each other, and basic great storytelling. It is suitable for readers of any age. As a teacher of over ten years I have worked for numerous reading programs at several school districts. This would be a great choice for that difficult reader: who is hard to get to finally sit down to read something worthy. I respect this story very much because many authors have forgotten the value of not just telling a story, but on how to tell a great story! Well done.