Coyote Speaks: Wonders of the Native American World
Grade 7 Up—A general overview of the myths, beliefs, and traditions of Native Americans as viewed through the art, artifacts, and stories of more than 40 tribes and nations. Using a literary approach, each chapter begins with a poem by Dunn and includes retellings of traditional stories from various tribes. The layout and photographs are truly stunning, but have more of an adult coffee-table book look than a kid-friendly style, and the text of the actual stories is small and hard to read. The content is alternately scholarly and whimsical, so that the audience and purpose are unclear. Unclear also is what, exactly, members of each tribe still believe and practice, and what was believed or practiced in a generalized past. While outstanding for its art and artifact pictures, and useful to pique interest in the mystical/literary aspects of Native American beliefs, this volume will not serve well as a research/report tool despite its full index, annotated list of tribes mentioned, credits, and bibliography.—Riva Pollard, Prospect Sierra Middle School, El Cerrito, CACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.