Counting Coup: Becoming a Crow Chief on the Reservation and Beyond

I was a bit hesitant to read this book at first--judging the book by it's cover, it looked "text-booky". From the very first chapter (after the instructional introduction of how to earn chieftainship by counting coup), however, I was taken in with Medicine Chief's recounting of his birth. "With incense of burning cedar and the singing of scared songs, I came into the world. I was singing, too, but they probably thought I was wailing." Each chapter stands on it's own, vignettes that tell the story of Medicine Chief's childhood as the Crow nation transitioned from their traditional ways to life on a reservation. Written as an elder telling stories from the past is probably what makes this book so appealing to me and, I imagine, to the show more middle school students that I teach. It doesn't sound academic even though Medicine Chief holds a PhD and is the Crow Tribal Historian (or was--he passed away in April 2016 at 102 years old). His stories engage with his honest feelings and amusing or intriguing anecdotes. What did wouldn't be fascinated to learn that beef liver is sweet and delicious when eaten fresh and hot from the butchering? show less

Having previously read Medicine Crow’s book for adult’s, From the Heart of Crow Country: The Crow Indians’ Own Stories, this is a shorter, young reader version that can be read in one sitting. It is important that it is available to Montana students, especially here in Billings, as there is such a lack of knowledge and understanding about our original peoples in Montana. I think this book should be in every school library in Montana and required reading in Montana history classes.

I would use this book during Native American Heritage Month, but also encourage it as a general autobiography. I think this book is a good example of how important Montana’s Indian Education for All criteria is. The book can help non-Native students show more gain understanding about a living culture as well as provide inspiration and pride for Native youth. I think this book would also be valuable to begin a unit on interviewing elders in their own families to provide reports to share with their classmates. show less

Born in 1913 on the Crow Indian Reservation, Joseph Medicine Crow recounts his childhood, training to become a Crow warrior and his experiences in World War II. I found this book to be, although interesting, a slow read. It was written in an unemotional matter-of-fact way, rather than in a story-telling manner. Overall, I believe a child would become bored with this book and turn to more adventure-type stories.

Summary:
Joseph Medicine Crow writes about his life as a child through adulthood. This book covers the difficult time when Native Americans were adjusting to reservation life. He talks about his education and how it was very hard as a young child, sometimes in predominately white schools. He did end up completing his Master’s degree, the first Crow to do so. This book also covers the time Joseph Medicine Crow spend serving in the Army during WWII. He was the last Crow to become a War Chief by completing the required four tasks.

Personal Response:
There were times when I was a little confused when Joseph talked about his family because it seemed to jump around. Maybe if I read it again it will fall into place. I thought the history from show more his point of view was fascinating though. The book covers such a complicated time for the Native American people, and this book has such a great perspective on that period.

Curriculum Connections:
This book wouldn’t work for my young K-2 students, but I can definitely see it being a great supplement to a study of the time frame of Joseph’s life for older students. There are so many important historical events that are included in this book! show less

This is a fantastically interesting book! Joseph Medicine Crow led an amazing life, and is very good at telling stories about it. The stories are concise, fun for young people, and show amazing adventures and ways of life that are so much different than anything I have heard or experienced. This book really shows how much more a child can learn about the world hearing it straight from the source.

Teachers can use this book to teach about American history and Native American history, as part of the curriculum before taking children to a Pow Wow, and for biographical reading assignments. Librarians can feature this book in programs and displays related to biographies, autobiographies, Native Americans, and American history.

My personal response to the book: I found this book to be excellent in content and through the pictures. It was an accurate account of Native Americans and provides content worthy of Oyate's recommendations.
Curricular connections: The book's curricular connections includes: Native American, historical, Montana and geography. While students at my 1st/2nd grade library could learn from the book I feel it is advanced for them.

too short =)
(a magyar fordító pedig néhol határozottan szarjon sünt)