The Star People: A Lakota Story
Grade 1-4-A young Lakota Indian girl narrates the story of how she and her little brother, Young Wolf, survive a prairie fire. They had wandered away from their village, entranced by the changing cloud shapes created by the Cloud People. They fall into a river and are guided home by their deceased grandmother, one of the Star People, who are the spirits of the Old Ones. The acrylic illustrations are inspired by the Native American ledger-book art of the late 1800s, with figures in profile, vivid colors, and bold shapes. The art enhances the text by blending the supernatural world with that of the children's reality. When Sister Girl and Young Wolf are lost, they are depicted in a heavenly space whirling and swirling with star groups outlined to show animals like the eagle, wolf, elk, and horse. According to the author's note, the Lakota Indians refer to clouds and stars as "Cloud People" and "Star People." A solid addition to collections of Native American tales and an enjoyable read-aloud.Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.