In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall III
New York : Amulet Books, [2015]
165 p. : ill., map ; 21 cm.
This is a little gem of a book! I love a brief, emotional and enlightening book. Marshall succinctly retells the story of Lakota Indian and warrior, Ta-sunko-witko - known more commonly as Crazy Horse.
Marshall embeds the story of Crazy Horse within the story of Jimmy, a contemporary eleven-year-old Lakota boy growing up in South Dakota. This boy has light hair and blue eyes and so is teased and bullied by a couple of classmates. During the summer his beloved grandpa takes him on a road trip through South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana - tracing places in the life of Crazy Horse which the grandpa fills in with storytelling. As he teaches Jimmy about Crazy Horse's great character and courage, he also notes that Crazy Horse also was known as "Light Hair" when he was young - something that connects him with Jimmy.
As they trace the places important in the life of Crazy Horse - Nebraska near Ash Hollow State Park, Forts Laramie and Reno in Wyoming, and battle sites like the Hundred in the Hands (Fetterman Fight) in Wyoming and the renowned Battle of the Little Bighorn (Battle of the Greasy Grass) in Montana. They even visit Fort Robinson in Nebraska where Crazy Horse surrendered and was murdered.
Within all this history, is a lovely story of an elder passing on his knowledge to his grandson. The grandfather, a Vietnam veteran, is clear-eyed about the cruel nature of war and battle, and also keenly aware that courage also means protecting the vulnerable and those you love. By the end of the story, Jimmy is starting a new school year and - though fearful of the bullies - has a newfound strength in confronting them.
I definitely recommend this novel.
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