Lesson of the White Eagle

"Being a Friend Should Never

Mean Having to Hate Another"

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Dusty is a typical teen, concerned with school, finding time away from his dad's shop, and hanging with his friends. But when one of those friends attacks an Indian and turns on him, Dusty is visited by the spirit of the Ponca Indian Chief White Eagle, learning lessons of the past and the trials the his people have suffered. As the lessons get tougher and Dusty has to face what has happened, he will have to decide if he will betray his friend or let an innocent person be punished for crimes he didn't commit.

Author - Barbara Hay

Publisher - The Road Runner Press

Age Group - 13 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* One swear word and the boys do some irresponsible and dangerous things. Dusty stands for the rights of Native Americans. Forgiving others after a great wrong is also a theme in the book.

Personal Opinion - Wow. I almost cried at the end of this book. It was a beautiful depiction of overcoming racism and being a true friend. Dusty's struggle and the conflicts he faces were realistic and believable. He doesn't know what to do at first but finds a way to do what is right and stand for what he believes in. Loved how some Native American spirituality came into play. The beginning was a bit long but, as soon as it got to the main conflict of the story, it picked right up and held me to the end, which was just lovely. Will be holding onto and sharing this book for a long time.

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Publisher,

Special Notes - This is the debut novel of Barbara Hay

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads Giveaway program.

To read or comment on this and other reviews, stop by Bookworm

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

 Bookworm's Ranking - 2 Worms

Storyline - After getting in trouble at his school on the Spokane Reservation, Junior decided that he wants to go to school in Reardan, a white school in the town 22 miles away, to try to make a better life for himself. During his freshman year, he deals with racism, crushes, the hate of his tribe, and loses as he tries to find his way and a place to belong and acceptance.

Author - Sherman Alexie

Publisher - Little, Brown and Company

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - Had some good lessons about fighting for yourself, getting out of bad situations, and forgiveness. He also came to see what revenge really was and showed that you have to work hard to make a better life for yourself but it is what is best in the end. There was also examples about what racisim looked like and how cruel and wrong it can be. But the book also had lots of sexual coments, an insolting comment about Christianity and other Christian religion negatives, and bad language. He blamed God for bad things that were happening, made fun of God, and the only time he thanked God was for something gross. I'm not asking for the character to become Christian but some respect would have been nice. Said he could kill himself and some others but was very depressed at the time from some precious people dying in his life.

Personal Opinion - Even though there were parts I liked, I would hesitate recommending this book because of some of the content within. I would have liked the book more if there had been less sexual content and the negative comments about Christianity hadn't been there but I really enjoyed the snappy comebacks that Junior came up with and the book leaving you with hope that he will make a better life for himself unlike some of the others in his tribe. At times, there was a lot of telling instead of showing in the book but it is in diary format so that works. The way it portrayed how bad drunkenness is and what it can do to you which had a sobering affect. If this is what it is truly like in school systems and for Native Americans, oh boy, it is sad.

Video -

Awards - 2007 National Book Award, 2008 Boston-Globe Horn Book Award, 2009 International Book on Books for Young People Sweden - Peter Pan Prize, 2010 California Young Reader Medal, and Finalis for the 2007 Los Angeles Times Book Prize. It has also been on the New York Times Best Seller List.

Links - Learn more about the book and author at: http://www.fallsapart.com/the_absolutely_true_diary_of_a_part_time_indian (P.S. This is the only book by this author that is for young adults)

To read, comment, and rate this and other reviews, stop by http://bookwormreading.blogspot.com/