Sitting Bull and His World, by Albert Marrin
ISBN: 978-0525459446
New York: Dutton Children's Books, 2000
New York: Dutton Children's Books, 2000
Plot - Sitting Bull's life story is told here as it played out within the history of his people and the land they lived on. The Lakota leader's youth was filled with tests of bravery and skill, all of which he passed through as a . The story of his life is told in the beginning by tracing his son's birth and growing up amongst the Lakota warrior boys. We learn of his youth and watch as his skill and experience build into a personal wisdom that his people begin to notice and follow. Finally, Sitting Bull's later years are revealed, including his victory at the Battle of Little Big Horn where he led a huge group of warriors to crush General Custer's troops, and we see a man who in essence followed all the rules of life that had been put before him, passed the tests, and wrote new ones for posterity. He did not, however, receive training in deceit as a warrior or a leader. This is what the author reveals was his downfall, and Sitting Bull was astute enough to recognize it immediately and to speak to it with other nations. The whites' willingness to break simple agreements and official treaties as a tool of war was something Sitting Bull never expected, and what brought his ability to lead his people to a final halt.
Critical Evaluation - Albert Marrin tells a long and complicated life story as a series of captivating history lessons. The reader learns as much about the world in which Sitting Bull grew up, formed into the leader he became, and ultimately was defeated as about the man himself. Presenting Sitting Bull's life in the way allows the author to reveal so much more about the character than would be possible only focusing on his single life story. The reader is informed about the world that shaped Sitting Bull, including many elements of Lakota life that have appeared barbaric since the first European witnessed them. From there, Marrin explicates his vision of the primary differences in world view between Sitting Bull's people and the newcomers. Through the text the reader learns that differing practices between the groups really grew out of radically different world views, and Marrin communicates clearly his perspective that cohabitation on the plains of North America was simply not ever a possibility. He does not, however, leave it all up to relativism; Marrin judges the whites' use of deception harshly. The language is accessible to young people but certainly not elementary, and the plot, as it were, is engaging. It's a page-turner.
Critical Evaluation - Albert Marrin tells a long and complicated life story as a series of captivating history lessons. The reader learns as much about the world in which Sitting Bull grew up, formed into the leader he became, and ultimately was defeated as about the man himself. Presenting Sitting Bull's life in the way allows the author to reveal so much more about the character than would be possible only focusing on his single life story. The reader is informed about the world that shaped Sitting Bull, including many elements of Lakota life that have appeared barbaric since the first European witnessed them. From there, Marrin explicates his vision of the primary differences in world view between Sitting Bull's people and the newcomers. Through the text the reader learns that differing practices between the groups really grew out of radically different world views, and Marrin communicates clearly his perspective that cohabitation on the plains of North America was simply not ever a possibility. He does not, however, leave it all up to relativism; Marrin judges the whites' use of deception harshly. The language is accessible to young people but certainly not elementary, and the plot, as it were, is engaging. It's a page-turner.
Reader's annotation - A boy grows up to fulfill his society's every image and requirement of a leader; he is brave and intelligent beyond his years and becomes an extremely effective leader to thousands, but his people now live in abject poverty. What happened to unhinge this leader's grip on control over his beloved nation's safety?
Information about the author - Dr. Albert Marrin is professor of History at Yeshiva University in New York. He has published a very large collection of books on history and biographies for young readers since 1967. He grew up reading the Arabian Nights, and has gotten the most joy throughout his life as a storyteller of history more than as a scholar. It is the stories within the time lines that really interest him, and so he has continued for over 40 years to aim his history lessons at young readers who love to hear a good story. He lives in New York with his wife, Yvette.
Genre - YA nonfiction
Curriculum Ties - History of the Plains Indians and European western expansion
Booktalk ideas -
Information about the author - Dr. Albert Marrin is professor of History at Yeshiva University in New York. He has published a very large collection of books on history and biographies for young readers since 1967. He grew up reading the Arabian Nights, and has gotten the most joy throughout his life as a storyteller of history more than as a scholar. It is the stories within the time lines that really interest him, and so he has continued for over 40 years to aim his history lessons at young readers who love to hear a good story. He lives in New York with his wife, Yvette.
Genre - YA nonfiction
Curriculum Ties - History of the Plains Indians and European western expansion
Booktalk ideas -
- Read a section representative of Marrin's explication of the differences between the groups. Start on pg. 63 with "Emigrants changed the land itself." and end with "Native Americans believed in the unity and sanctity of nature."
- Read the opening section describing the birth of Sitting Bull's son. End on pg. 16 with "Nobody had the right to do his or her 'own thing.'" Elicit quick feedback on this concept in relation to a close-knit society.
Reading level - 13+ I put a higher age on this book than School Library Journal because the style of story-telling text will be most enjoyed, I think, by an older audience with the patience and interest to enjoy it. The material is useful for research for students through high school.
Challenge issues -none
Why I included this book - It won the Carter C. Woodson award in 2001 for books for young people, that deal with racial or ethnic issues, and it is truly a great story. The writing pulls the reader forward, waiting to see what happens next or how things worked for the Indians and emigrants of the time. Much more than just an outline of a person's time on earth, this really is a treasure trove of understanding about the man, Sitting Bull, and the world around him.
Why I included this book - It won the Carter C. Woodson award in 2001 for books for young people, that deal with racial or ethnic issues, and it is truly a great story. The writing pulls the reader forward, waiting to see what happens next or how things worked for the Indians and emigrants of the time. Much more than just an outline of a person's time on earth, this really is a treasure trove of understanding about the man, Sitting Bull, and the world around him.
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