Remember My Name (The Council for Indian Education Series)

Purchased for 50 cents at a used book sale, "Remember My Name" by Sara H. Banks is a short children’s chapter book that introduces young readers to Annie Rising Fawn, a young Cherokee girl living during one of the most tragic times in American history: the upheaval and forced removal of Native Americans from their homeland.

Told in third person limited point-of-view through Annie’s eyes, the story captures the confusion and sorrow of a child grappling with the massive changes her people are experiencing. However, we don’t always fully understand what’s going on or why the adults in the story make certain decisions. This ambiguity reflects the childlike perspective of Annie but leaves readers feeling uncertain about the larger show more historical context. (Which was frustrating for me as an adult who wants to know what the heck is going on and why!)

The vivid imagery is one of the novel’s strengths, painting engaging scenes that draw readers into Annie’s world. However, the book sometimes lacks the cultural depth needed to fully distinguish Annie’s Cherokee identity. At times, it felt as though the story could have been about white settlers in the 1800s, as there wasn’t enough emphasis on the unique aspects of Cherokee life, traditions, and worldview. In my opinion, a deeper exploration of their rich culture would have added significant value to the story.

The novel did teach me some surprising historical details, such as the fact that some Cherokee people owned Black slaves, which was unexpected. I also learned that, before they were removed from their land, Cherokee schools were shut down, and the printing press was closed. I had no idea America removed the Natives' first amendment rights! (Freedom of the Press and the Freedom of Speech.) This action severely restricted their ability to learn, communicate, and share news. The Cherokee people were even forbidden from holding public meetings! They dangerously did so in private at great risk to their lives.

Several questions about the plot left me curious. The adults’ decisions are not fully explained, leaving readers, like Annie herself, to grapple with uncertainty.

I also wish the book had offered a glimpse of what it was like to walk the Trail of Tears, though I understand that the direct horrors of the journey may have been too harsh for young readers. Annie’s secondhand understanding of the tragedy still conveys the gravity of this dark chapter in history.

Overall, despite its limitations, Remember My Name is a decent children's story about identity, survival, grief, loss, and resilience. I believe it serves as a valuable spring board for young readers to learn about Cherokee history and the impact of forced relocation. However, I felt it left a lot of room for deeper exploration into the cultural richness of the Cherokee people and their heritage. show less

Eleven-year-old Annie Rising Fawn Stuart is sent to live with her uncle, a wealthy Cherokee plantation owner in Georgia, where she befriends a young slave girl and is caught up in the tragic events surrounding the forced Indian removal in 1838.
Lexile: 710 [view chart]

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