Traditional Lit.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Goble, Paul. 1988. Her Seven Brothers. Ill. By Paul Goble. New York: Bradbury Press. ISBN 0027379604

PLOT SUMMARY

This book retells the ancient Cheyenne myth that recounts the origin of the constellation The Big Dipper. At the urging of the dream, a Cheyenne girl sews clothes for seven men who are destined to become her brothers. After a journey of many days she arrives at their tipi and sets up housekeeping for them, becoming their sister. Soon the chief of the Buffalo Nation appears and demands the girl. When he is refused, he leads an attack of the Buffalo People. The youngest brother shoots an arrow into the sky and creates a pine tree which they climb. At the top they step off into star – prairies and become The Big Dipper.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Goble’s engaging style conjures the image of a storyteller reciting his tale to an eager and receptive audience; inviting the reader to join the circle and listen. The protagonist is a strong young women who has the courage to go forth and meet her destiny. The straightforward plot unfolds in a dynamic prairie setting where people live and hunt and face danger.
Goble’s illustrations are drawn with pen and india ink and then filled in with the watercolor “to capture something of the bright colors that one sees in the clear air of the Great Plains.” (Goble, p35). His skill succeeds in evoking the atmosphere of Native American culture. This is a book that will charm adults and inspire children to look at the night sky with wonder.

REVIEW EXCERPT

“Gr. 2-4 – Goble once more combines a respectful retelling of Cheyenne legend with dynamic paintings depicting both traditional Indian life and the beauty of the natural world”.
MacDonald, E. (1988, June). Her Seven Brothers (Book Review). School Library Journal, 34(10), 97. Retrieved September 26, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database.


5. CONNECTIONS

Goble, Paul. 1978. The girl who loved wild horses. Scarsdale, N.Y.: Bradbury Press. ISBN 9780878881215