A Boy Called Slow.
Philomel Books, 1994

Joseph Bruchac

Joseph Bruchac is a storyteller an author whose works drawn upon his Native American background. He grew up in New York near Sarasota Springs where he lived with his grandparents. Those early years provided an opportunity to listen to them and all of their friends telling traditional stories. In the early days tribal story tellers would sit in the center of a circle surrounded by their listeners. Frequently storytelling would begin with a song of greeting accompanied by drums. Storytelling is traditionally a winter event and would stop in the summer and wouldn't start until the first frost. Bruchac reminded his audience that the tales he tells are different than those published in the books, because storytelling is a different art form.

All of his books have been well received and highly praised. Bruchac has a Ph.D. from Union Graduate School and has won numerous awards including the Parent's Choice Award, the American Book Award, the Skipping Stones Honor Award for Multicultural Children's Literature.

More information on Joseph Bruchac can be found at www.josephbruchac.com.

Book Description

Anxious to be given a name as strong and brave as that of his father, a proud Lakota Sioux grows into manhood, acting with careful deliberation, determination, and bravery, which eventually earned him his proud new name: Sitting Bull. Being named Slow and growing up in the shadow of a great warrior hardly dwarfed the prospects of this protagonistàBruchacÆs sensitively told history of Sitting BullÆs coming-of-age reassures young boys that success comes through effort, not birth. --Booklist Satisfying for its attention to historical and multicultural issues; stirring in its consummate storytelling. --Publishers Weekly The pictures evoke a sense of timelessness and distance, possessing an almost mythic quality that befits this glimpse into history. --Horn Book

From Publishers Weekly

Like most Lakota Sioux boys, Slow yearns for the special vision or manly deed that will inspire his permanent, adult name. Encouraged by splendid stories of his father's bravery, wisdom and leadership, Slow focuses his energy on becoming a warrior. Friends gradually begin to associate his name with careful deliberation. When the moment of his manhood arrives, Slow rides heroically against Crow warriors, earning the name Tatan'ka Iyota'ke (translated, on the final page, as Sitting Bull). Bruchac's (see Gluskabe and the Four Wishes, reviewed above) meaty yet cohesive narrative is richly complemented by Baviera's large, atmospheric paintings. Employing a somber palette marked by radiant bursts, the first-time children's illustrator evokes the solemnity and awe of ripening adulthood. Satisfying for its attention to historical and multicultural issues; stirring in its consummate storytelling. Ages 5-up.

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