Book Review: In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse

I think having New Year’s Eve fall on a Thursday is absolutely genius!  The library was closed yesterday (Friday) and I don’t have to work this weekend allowing me to begin 2016 in the right way – with lots of reading!  I read In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall III, published by Amulet Books. Check out my book review: In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse.

The story follows Jimmy McClean, a Lakota boy with brown hair, fair skin and blue eyes making him a target for the bullies in his class, but a summer road trip with his grandfather in the footsteps of Crazy Horse, shows Jimmy how to be strong and courageous in the face of adversity.

This coming of age story is beautifully written drawing from the oral stories of the Lakota people and weaving historical fact with fiction, Marshall does an amazing job of taking a closer look at Crazy Horse’s life and what he did for his people.  I really enjoyed how the author was able to weave in specific locations of battles with stories of how loyal and generous Crazy Horse was to his people.  

I think this would make a wonderful text to use in the classroom when discussing westward expansion or for middle grade readers looking for something about standing out and fitting in.  I also found it very reassuring that the book is written by a member of the Sicangu Lakota tribe, truly showing an understanding and education about the topic.

Twitter Booktalk (140 characters or less): A summer road trip with his grandfather shows Jimmy his inner strength while following in the footsteps of Crazy Horse. #WeNeedDiverseBooks

Title: In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse
Author: James Marshall III
Publisher: Amulet Books
Publication Date: 2015
Page Number: 165 pgs.