Sing Down the Moon

O’Dell writes this Newberry Award Honor Book in short, nearly truncated sentences and in language that is clean and simple while metaphor-filled. The dialog is sparse, successfully reflecting the sparseness of the Canyon de Chelly landscape. The story watches a subtle character arc for the protagonist Bright Morning who opens the tale wanting little more than the responsibility to tend to her mother’s sheep and sees her in the end making bold, dangerous decisions for her family while bringing confidence back to her once-strong and haughty, now wounded husband’s shattered spirit. A wonderful read aloud that leaves you wanting to wander the trails of Canyon de Chelly and listen for the voices of the Navaho.

When a teenaged Navajo girl is interrupted by Spanish slavers one day while she's shepherding sheep, it's only the beginning of a marked change in life for her and her people in Sing Down the Moon by author Scott O'Dell.

I remember listening to the reading of another book by this author, Island of the Blue Dolphins, back when I was eleven or so in school. I was vaguely interested at the time, listening with one ear, but this author's writing style wasn't my thing back then.

And I'll admit I didn't get far the first time I tried this book some months (or a year?) ago. With the heroine's fear of being struck down by the gods if she ever displayed too much happiness, and her early mention about once seeing her long-dead grandfather walking show more around on a snowy night, my openly happy self who isn't into seeing dead relatives figured I'd have to be in a different frame of mind to give the book another try sometime.

I'm glad I gave it another try.

I likely would have thought this children's book was boring when I was a child, but now I can appreciate this kind of understated read that has unassuming beauty and muted but strong emotion. The joy resonated with me, and I could also feel the grief and shame caused by unjust treatment and tragedy affecting the young and old in this story. I was engrossed, needing to see what would become of this heroine, and the simplicity, warmth, relief, and triumph of her last four words in the book...just wow.

I remembered some important parts of American history, I learned a little more, and this historical fiction devotee may even try Island of the Blue Dolphins again in the future. show less

The history is interesting - a time and series of events I knew little about - but the story is dull and pointless. Things happen randomly and are narrated point by point, with very little emotion in any of them. She's captured, she escapes, she saves the dog, the boy is wounded, the Long Knives come, they're herded out of the canyon, a child dies, many die, she gets married, she escapes again...there's no difference between these events. And we learn her name only at the very end - since it's apparently rude to say someone's name to them, and the whole thing is from her point of view. Early on she gives a name but we aren't told what it is. I'm not sure why this bothers me, but it does. Very flat and dull. I won't read this again, and show more I'll be wary of others by him - though O'Dell is supposed to be very good. Hmm, I've read one other by him - and had a similar complaint. I don't think he works for me. Also, what is the title supposed to be about? There's nothing related to it mentioned in the book - I don't even remember any mention of the moon (which is odd for people living as these do). show less

"Sing Down the Moon" is a Native American novel that follows a young Navajo girl named Bright Morning. Bright Morning tells the story of what life was like as the U.S. Government began removing the Navajo from their land. She recounts the emotional turmoil and experiences she had to go through and helps show readers what the Native American experience was like during this time. An amazingly well-written novel, that helps students build empathy for other cultures.

Easy-to-read, moving, middle grades story about a Navaho girl coming of age while her life is being torn apart by the U.S. government and their relocation policies. Set between the years of 1863 and 1865, Bright Morning survives being captured by the Spanish, the loss of her village, and The Long Walk.

Living in the eastern part of the United States, we hear a lot about the Trail of Tears, but not much about the Long Walk, both very important parts of American history that need to be remembered. This story is short and to the point while still containing plenty of adventure to keep young readers turning the pages. The writing is engaging and the first person perspective keeps the tradition of not telling one's name, which is something I found interesting as an adult. An important book to teach young readers about having strength through hard times and certainly deserving of the various honors it has won.

A gentle tale of a young Navajo maiden around the time of that nation's own "Trail of Tears". Not graphic, but somber, and definitely worth a read for youth or adults.