Describes the history, mythology, daily life, art, and religious rites of Native American tribes of North America.

Written by distinguished plains archaeologist Larry J. Zimmerman, this richly illustrated text is an introduction to the life, myth, and art of the indigenous peoples of the United States and Canada. The author ably conveys the profound appreciation the native North Americans had—and continue to have—of life, death, and the cosmos, and the interconnectedness of all things material and spiritual.

Avant-garde art between 1910 and 1950 is well known for its use of "primitive" imagery, often borrowed from traditional cultures in Africa and Oceania. Less recognized, however, is the use United States artists made of Native American art, myth, and ritual to craft a specifically American Modernist art. In this groundbreaking study, W. Jackson Rushing comprehensively explores the process by which Native American iconography was appropriated, transformed, and embodied in American avant-garde art of the Modernist period. Writing from the dual perspectives of cultural and art history, Rushing shows how national exhibitions of Native American art influenced such artists, critics, and patrons as Marsden Hartley, John Sloan, Mabel Dodge Luhan, Robert Henri, John Marin, Adolph Gottlieb, Barnett Newman, and especially Jackson Pollock, whose legendary drip paintings he convincingly links with the curative sand paintings of the Navajo. He traces the avant-garde adoption of Native American cultural forms to anxiety over industrialism and urbanism, post-World War I "return to roots" nationalism, the New Deal search for American strengths and values, and the notion of the "dark" Jungian unconscious current in the 1940s. Through its interdisciplinary approach, this book underscores the fact that even abstract art springs from specific cultural and political motivations and sources. Its message is especially timely, for Euro-American society is once again turning to Native American cultures for lessons on how to integrate our lives with the land, with tradition, and with the sacred.

In her own singularly beautiful style, Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech intricately weaves together two tales, one funny, one bittersweet, to create a heartwarming, compelling, and utterly moving story of love, loss, and the complexity of human emotion. Thirteen-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle, proud of her country roots and the "Indian-ness in her blood," travels from Ohio to Idaho with her eccentric grandparents. Along the way, she tells them of the story of Phoebe Winterbottom, who received mysterious messages, who met a "potential lunatic," and whose mother disappeared. As Sal entertains her grandparents with Phoebe's outrageous story, her own story begins to unfold—the story of a thirteen-year-old girl whose only wish is to be reunited with her missing mother.

More than 160 tales from eighty tribal groups present a rich and lively panorama of the Native American mythic heritage. From across the continent comes tales of creation and love; heroes and war; animals, tricksters, and the end of the world. “This fine, valuable new gathering of ... tales is truly alive, mysterious, and wonderful—overflowing, that is, with wonder, mystery and life" (National Book Award Winner Peter Matthiessen). In addition to mining the best folkloric sources of the nineteenth century, the editors have also included a broad selection of contemporary Native American voices.

A convincing explanation of why interactive or movable books should be included in the library collection that documents their value as motivational instructional tools—in all areas of the school curriculum, across many grade levels. Pop-up books possess universal appeal. Everyone from preschoolers to adults loves to see and tactilely experience the beautiful three-dimensional work of Robert Sabuda, David A. Carter, and other pop-up book creators. Sabuda himself was inspired to become a pop-up book artist after experiencing the 1972 classic pop-up The Adventures of Super Pickle. The effect of these movable books on young minds is uniquely powerful. Besides riveting children's attention, pop-up books can also help build motor skills, teach cause and effect, and develop spatial understanding of objects. Based on their direct experience and many presentations to teachers and librarians, the authors have provided template lesson plans with curriculum and standards links for using the best pop-up books currently available in the instructional program of the school. The book also includes profiles of the most notable authors, a history of the format, definitions of terms such as "flap book" and "paper engineer," and information on how to create movable books. Librarians will find the section regarding collection development with the format—how and where to acquire them, proper storage methods—and the annotated listing of the authors' 50 favorite pop-ups extremely helpful.

Native North Americans have rich and diverse cultures and traditions. However, many misconceptions, prejudices, and stereotypes exist due to the lack of understanding and ignorance of these cultures. It is important that children and adolescents learn about and appreciate the invaluable contributions that North American Native groups have made to American society. Equally important is the availability of resources that accurately and objectively portray the historical events that occurred when European settlers displaced thousands of Native North Americans from their ancestral homelands. In Native North Americans in Literature for Youth, Alice Crosetto and Rajinder Garcha identify hundreds of appropriate and quality resources, including books, Internet sites, and media titles for K-12 students and educators. Entries are subdivided into chapters covering geographic regions, history, religions, social life, customs and traditions, nations, oral tradition, biographies, and fiction. Additionally, there are chapters for general reference resources, curricular resources for educators, media, and Internet sites. Annotations provide complete bibliographical descriptions of the entries, and each entry is identified with the grade level for which it is best suited. Reviews, awards, series, and URLs for supplemental online resources are also included. Anyone—especially students, teachers, librarians, and parents—interested in locating useful and accurate resources regarding Native North Americans will find this reference book a helpful and essential tool.

This insightful guide explores the pre-Columbian native civilizations that thrived in North America, revealing a diverse range of cultures, languages, and customs. Particularly interesting is the examination of the various adaptations necessary for life in a continent that ranges from the arctic to the sub-tropic, including effective techniques for farming, fishing, and hunting. The devastating impact of European contact and conquest is described, as is the inspiring story of cultural survival in the face of near extinction. The modern life of native North American peoples and the ways in which they are keeping their heritage alive are also celebrated.

Coyote and the other land animals devise a plot to steal fire from Curlew, the keeper of the sky world, and they successfully bring fire to Earth, protecting it against the month-long rain that Curlew sends down to extinguish it.

The Maya Empire became a thriving civilization between the third century and the seventh century CE, but by 900 CE war, drought, and disease wiped out most of its cities and the Mayan people were greatly reduced. Unfortunately, the greatest threat to their existence was yet to come, when the Guatemalan genocide would decimate those who remained in the 1970s and '80s. The facts of the Mayans' story will be intertwined with profiles of individuals and in-depth looks at related topics. Readers will learn how to help those faced with genocide and understand a history that could otherwise repeat itself.