Many Nations: An Alphabet of Native America (International Reading Association Teacher's Choice Award) - Softcover

I grew up in the small town of Greenfield Center, New York, which is in the foothills of the Adirondacks not far from the city of Saratoga Springs. It is a place I love, close to the forests and the mountains.

I was raised by my grandparents, who had a little general store. My grandmother, Marion Dunham Bowman, was a graduate ofAlbany Law School. Although she never did practice law, she kept the house filled with books. It's because of her that I wasalways reading.

My grandfather, Jesse Bowman, was of Abenaki Indian descent. He could barely read and write, but I remember him as oneof the kindest people I ever knew. I followed him everywhere. He showed me how to walk quietly in the woods and how tofish. He told me that his father never spanked him, but would only talk to him when he misbehaved. He raised me in the sameway.

I loved my grandparents' little general store. I helped out as much as I could, ringing up purchases on the cash register andwashing customers' cars and windows. In the fall and winter, I would sit around the wood stove and listen to the local farmersand lumberjacks tell tall tales. One of those men was Lawrence Older. When I grew up, he taught me the songs and stories heknew about the Adirondacks.

Grade 1-3?In this striking alphabet book, 26 stunning full-color paintings, surrounded by a border painted to look like birch bark, depict aspects of Native American life, and are accompanied by simple poetic phrases. The stated purpose of this project is to exemplify the diversity of Native nations, both past and present. This intention is beautifully carried out, but leads to unfortunate, yet probable confusion. While most of the pictures depict historical dress, settings, and activities, the letter N is represented by a contemporary Navajo man wearing jeans and cowboy boots. Without informed guidance, children may miss the distinction between modern day and historical illustrations, and, therefore, develop inaccurate impressions or generalizations. The use of hanging participles adds to the confusion. Also, among the wonderful variety of tribes shown are two letters represented by animals; while it is not hard to make the connection between them and the peoples, it is not stated. The author's note is helpful but brief, and lacks a pronunciation guide. A marginal addition.?Darcy Schild, Schwegler Elementary School, Lawrence, KS
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