In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall

In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse

Joseph Marshall

Amulet Books · Hardcover · November 10, 2015

Through stories of Lakota leader Crazy Horse, a boy learns about his heritage and himself in this American Indian Youth Literature Award–winning novel from acclaimed author Joseph Marshall III. “This powerful introduction to a great warrior and leader invites readers to ponder the meaning of ‘hero.’” ―Kirkus (starred review) “A moving narrative that should be required reading for all students of American history.” ―School Library Journal Jimmy McClean is a Lakota boy, though you wouldn’t guess it by his name.

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Who it’s for
Lakota oral tradition and a young reader’s self-discovery frame a look at Crazy Horse.
Themes
Lakota heritage, Cultural identity, Resistance to U.S. expansion
Genres
Indigenous Historical Fiction, 19th-Century U.S., US: Native American Stories

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About this book

Through stories of Lakota leader Crazy Horse, a boy learns about his heritage and himself in this American Indian Youth Literature Award–winning novel from acclaimed author Joseph Marshall III. “This powerful introduction to a great warrior and leader invites readers to ponder the meaning of ‘hero.’” ―Kirkus (starred review) “A moving narrative that should be required reading for all students of American history.”

Continue reading

―School Library Journal Jimmy McClean is a Lakota boy, though you wouldn’t guess it by his name. His mother is Lakota, and his father is half white and half Lakota. Over summer break, Jimmy embarks on a journey with his grandfather Nyles High Eagle. While on the road, his grandfather tells him the story of Crazy Horse, one of the most important figures in Lakota, and American, history. Expertly intertwining fiction and nonfiction, celebrated Brulé Lakota author Joseph Marshall III chronicles the many heroic deeds of Crazy Horse, especially his taking up arms against the US government. He fiercely fought against encroachments on the territories and way of life of the Lakota people, including leading a war party to victory at the Battle of the Greasy Grass (the Battle of the Little Bighorn) and playing a major and dangerous role as decoy at the Battle of the Hundred-in-the-Hands (the Fetterman Fight). With Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse was the last of the Lakota to surrender his people to the US Army. Through his grandfather’s tales about the famous warrior, Jimmy learns about his Lakota heritage and, ultimately, himself. Drawing references and inspiration from the oral stories of the Lakota tradition, Marshall gives readers an insider’s perspective on the life of Tasunke Witko, better known as Crazy Horse.

Stories and Heritage

Lakota oral tradition and a young reader’s self-discovery frame a look at Crazy Horse.

Come here for

  • A Lakota perspective on Crazy Horse
  • History alongside questions of heritage

Expect

  • Fiction and nonfiction woven together
  • Room to consider what makes a hero

Where it sits

19th-Century U.S.59%
US: Native American Stories44%
Indigenous Historical Fiction43%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • US Biographies
  • US: Native American Stories
  • 19th-Century U.S.
  • Biracial & Multiracial Stories
Show all 6 publisher categories
  • Indigenous Historical Fiction
  • Indigenous Life Stories
Authors
Joseph Marshall
Publisher
Amulet Books
Published
November 10, 2015
Format
Hardcover
Theme
Lakota heritage · Cultural identity · Resistance to U.S. expansion
Reading lane
US Biographies