Multicultural Literature

The book I am using for this post is, Brother Eagle, Sister Sky, by Susan Jeffers.

1. Does the book transcend stereotypes? I believe it does. It does however, portray the Native Americans that lived back in the 1850's.

2. Are characters from a variety of backgrounds? The illustrations show both early settlers and Native Americans.

3. Any non-white characters present? Yes, the Native Americans.

4. Is culture or ethnicity accurately portrayed? Yes, the illustrations are beautiful and accurately portray some of the clothing types, symbols and tools and accessories that the Native Americans used.

5. Is the setting of the story authentic? Yes, very much so. It is set in the mid 1850's.

6. If dialect is used, is it used in a legimate way? Yes, the dialect is based on the speech that Chief Seattle gave to Washington D.C. when the government wanted to buy the land of his exhausted and defeated people.
His words were transcribed by Dr. Henry Smith. That transcription was interpreted and rewritten more than once in this century. His speech was adapted by Joseph Campbell for the PBS series with Bill Meyer and for the book, The Power of Myth.

7.Are illustrations authentic and nonstereotypical? Yes, the illustrations are wonderful, very colorful and accurate in many details, such as papooses, medicine wheels, arrow carries, headdresses, mocassins, trader wool blankets, and how the horses were decorated.

8. Are social issues/problems presented frankly and accurately?
Yes, they are. The book portrays environmental issues, along with the message, "The earth does not belong to us. We belong to the Earth."
It also brings up history and how the U.S. government bought Native American lands.