CRAZY HORSE'S VISION

Bruchac, Joseph. Crazy Horse's Vision. New York: Lee & Low Books, 2000. ISBN 1-880000-94-6.

PLOT SUMMARY:
Tells the story of Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse, from childhood through his transformation into one of the best-known Native American heroes. As a young boy known as Curly, he was a brave leader of few words. When he was able to sit upon a wild horse, he was able to keep the horse, which he then rode to hunt buffalo, and later in battles. Dismayed by the harsh and unfair treatments his tribe was receiving from the white soldiers, Curly went off by himself to receive a vision to guide him. His vision told him to "keep nothing for yourself", which he then led the rest of his life by. His father, knowing his son would defend their people, gave Curly his own name, Tashunka Witco, meaning Crazy Horse.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Bruchac and Nelson beautifully portray the legend of Crazy Horse and the vision that focused his life. The story itself unfolds melodically, and the quiet bravery of Crazy Horse shines through. The Native Americans in the story are seen as peaceful and brave, while the White soldiers are depicted as unnessarily killing and rampaging.

The illustrations (acrylic painted on wooden panels) are profoundly necessary to tell the story. The illustrations and the story are interwoven beautifully together. Both Bruchac and Nelson write extensive notes after the story. Abenaki Indian, Bruchac , gives history about the Lakota (Sioux) Indians, and more about Crazy Horse's life and death. The story ends with Crazy Horse going forth as a young warrior to defend his people. The author's note includes much more about Crazy Horse, including his defeat of Custer at Little Bighorn, and his stabbing death by a white soldier as he was trying to talk about peace.

Artist S.D. Nelson, of Lakota (Sioux) descent explains in his note following the story about how his paintings were influenced by the traditional ledger style of his ancestors. The endpapers show the Battle of Little Bighorn, which was the ultimate win for Lakota chief, Crazy Horse. He explains how Indians sent to boarding schools were often given ledger books to draw, and many used these ledger books to preserve their legacies and heritage. He also talks about the colors he uses in his paintings, such as blue for Crazy Horse to symbolize the sky and the connection with the spiritual world. Other traditional symbols are also used in the art such as lightening bolts and hail spots to represent the powers of a thunderstorm, and dragonflies and lizards to represent speed and elusiveness. The vibrantly colored and outlined paintings of the Indians, their horses, and their surroundings contrast to the more subtle backgrounds of the white soldiers. For the most part, the Indians are portrayed larger than life, while the white soldiers are in the background. This is effective to show the significance of Crazy Horse and his transformation into the chief of the Lakotas.


REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Parent's Choice Gold Award

Horn Book Magazine:
Nelson's acrylics on wooden panels, patterned after drawings in ledger books done by children attending eastern "Indian Schools," contain scenes and individuals also reminiscent of the two-dimensional figures recorded by Plains Indians, including Sitting Bull and No Heart. The purest forms appear on the end papers, which vividly depict Crazy Horse leading warriors during the Battle of Little Bighorn.

School Library Journal:
While there are many stylistic similarities to Nelson's art in Gift Horse (Abrams, 1999), here the artist has a stronger sense of book design, and takes better advantage of double-page spreads, full bleeds, and tight croppings. A fine introduction to a hero long overlooked.

Publisher's Weekly:
As he did in Gift Horse, Sioux artist Nelson blends contemporary and traditional elements for the striking illustrations that accompany this story of the legendary Lakota warrior. Bruchac's description of the vision quest is compelling, and his decision to limit his canvas to a few select events demonstrates his understanding of his audience; an afterword describes subsequent events in the warrior's life.

Booklist:
Bruchac has created a memorable tale about Crazy Horse's childhood, capturing the spirit of one of the most dedicated and daring leaders among the Lakota. In beautiful illustrations inspired by the ledger book style of the Plains Indians, Sioux artist Nelson fills the pages with both action and quiet drama.

CONNECTIONS:

* Have students research the Battle of Little Bighorn. Then have them reread this story. What were they surprised to learn? Do they feel this story accurately represents the history? Try to find a story from the perspective of General Custer. Does this story lean more towards the white soldiers?

* Ask students how they feel about Indian reservations. First talk to them about the history of reservations and how they came about. Also talk to them about boarding schools. Compare these boarding schools to current boarding schools. What is the same? What are the differences? Have any students visited Indian reservations? What were their opinions then about them and have thier opinions changed? Why do they think many Native Americans choose to stay on reservations now?

*Talk to students about insider and outsider perspective when writing books about other cultures. Both the author and the illustrator for this book are insiders. Find some examples of books that are written or illustrated by outsiders. Use some books with flaws as examples. Ask students if insiders can also write or illustrate flawed books? Ask them if outsiders can write or illustrate as well as insiders? If so, in what instances?