The Sacrifice

by Diane Matcheck

An Apsaalooka (Crow) Indian girl has lived her life as a despised loner, overshadowed by her dead twin brother, who, it was prophesied at their birth, would become a "Great One" among his people. One night, she sets off on a forbidden journey to prove to her village, and her brother's spirit, that she is the one destined to become the true Great One. Her trek over the plains and into the mysterious region of modern-day Yellowstone National Park is a disaster, culminating in her eventual capture by a tribe of Pawnee. Strangely, these foreigners treat her with an unfamiliar respect, and the girl starts to let down her guard. But when it is suddenly revealed that she has been kept alive in order to be killed in a ritual harvest-season sacrifice, the girl is thrown back into her desperate battle for survival.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction, Teen

208 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1998

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twins were born with a prophecy that one would die young, the other would be one of the greatest Apsaalooka ever. Everyone thought it would be the boy, but he died in a raid when he was 4, leaving his sister, but no one believes in her. After her father's death in another raid, she sets out to prove she is the Great One. She must survive wild animals and starvation, then she is captured by the Pawnee who seem to adopt her, but have a dark motive that will lead to human sacrifice.

[Celia]

During a very warm 4th of July summer afternoon, I finished an interesting book called The Sacrifice by Diane Matcheak. This book had been hanging around my office for over a year, and I finally cataloged it and decided to read it. I love books about the Native American experience, and so this was right up my alley.

The Indian girl has no name at the beginning of the story. She is considered an outcast among her people, because her mother is dead, her twin brother was killed in a raid, and her father, who was once a great warrior, is no longer important among his people. The girl has trained herself to become a great warrior, and wants to prove herself in her village.

The setting is out west in Montana, Wyoming and Nebraska. Her people are Apsaalooka, or Crow, and although most girls did not become warriors, it was not forbidden to do so.

The ending was so exciting, I could not stop reading it until I was done. I heartily recommend this book--really--give it a chance!

[.. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book! Although normally not accustomed to the names and the religion, it's a great book, easy to read without any difficult vocabulary, but very descriptive and detailed. The lesson in this book is that the higher up of a status you are, the more of a duty you bear for your people. It's not about you anymore. You might be called Great One, but that's because you ARE the Great One, or in today, the smart one. You're called the great one not because people fear you and are going to worship you, but because they know you will lead them and help the village, town, or city you live in.

[Pam Reicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my absolute favorite book for young adults. As a middle school teacher, I use it in my classroom as a lit study. My students love it. It has turned non-readers into page turners who don''t want to leave when the bell rings. Is it wrong that it brings me joy to see seventh grade boys tear up or cry while reading??? Because, I LOVE it! This book makes it happen every year! Unfortunately, this book is out of print and my classroom set is falling apart.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was a good book. moved slowly but i reallly like it mainly because it wasn't a stereotypical girl. it was a strong one and she had the same power as a man. if u read it u'll udnerstand. a little romantic too and really sad ending.

[Joshua Gore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girl leaves home
Girl stabs bear to death
Girl declares herself God
Girl learns hubris is a bitch

Perfect book for young girls who dream of glorious combat

[Taylor Rothenbuhler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way of life for Indians is very complex, the way that they view why they do things or why things happen has such a great importance on them. If you are looking for a book that would give you an insider's perspective on what the life of the Indian culture would have been, this is a great option to pick.
There were twins that were born and there was a prophecy that came to their father that one would be the great one of their tribe and that the other would die young. “It is I who made the mistake,’ he said, ‘in thinking that your brother was the one because it is not usual for females to become warriors.” The quote came from page 18 and it was a conversation that she had with her father before he was killed. He admitted that everyone thought that her brother was the Born-Great. The entire tribe would underestimate the girl, they all thought it was the boy who would be the Born-Great. After years passed, the girl was still alive yet the brother passed away young. With their mother gone it was just the father to take care of her until he had passed. With the death of her father she wanted to avenge the other tribe that had killed him.
With her being a woman in the tribe she was not allowed to go out and fight, she was angered with this and so she decided on her own to follow her tribe and go to fight until unfortunate events happen to her and she is later found taken hostage within another tribe. They spoke a completely different language, they had a completely different way of life that she had to get used to. When she becomes accustomed to their way of life and thinks she has been accepted as one of them, things completely change for her.
Within the tribe that she was taken by they always made sacrifices for the stars, but they only did it on people who were not within the tribe. This quote comes from page 206, “Suddenly he stabbed the fiery point at the girl, so rapidly that she cried out before she realized that she had not been touched.” This was right before the sacrifice after they would accept her in their life and they would make it seem like they truly cared for her but did they? Was it all an act or were they being serious? This story takes so many twists and turns throughout it. Was she going to become Born-Great? Or would she die from the sacrifice?
There is only one thing that I would change about the story, I would want them to go into more detail about what happened. I don’t want to talk too much about the ending because I don’t want to spoil it, but I think they could have done it better. I think that it would have brought more closure to the ending knowing what happened or what could have happened.

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

True enlightenment has its underpinning in mysticism – the conviction in a need to live in synchronization with a superior order of things. Many seem to associate mysticism with religion; however, religion is but one means by which people may observe their mysticism. Anyone who believes that a elemental set of ageless laws or principles underlies all strictly moral and ethical values may be said to be spiritual. In this respect, it makes no distinction whether one’s belief in God arises from their belief in the primary laws of nature, including human nature, or one’s respect for nature and other people arises from one’s belief in God. Both reflect a belief in some higher order that defines the larger whole of which humans are but a part.

The Sacrifice by Diane Matcheck is a story of initiation – of inner enlightenment.

‘Weak-one-who-does-not-last’ prides herself on being nothing like the other Apsaalooka (Crow) girls. She is resolute to become a combatant despite her father’s and the rest of the tribe’s wishes, and she is determined to prove that she, not her twin brother, who dies at age four, is the “Great One” her father envisioned before their births.

Seizing the occasion to prove herself to the tribe, Weak-one disobeys when she is forbidden to go with the war party to avenge her father’s death.

Not always a likeable character, Weak-one is often self-centered and angry. However, she is also brave and resourceful — characteristics that see her through several close encounters with death when she loses the war party’s trail.

Weak-one survives being scalded by a geyser and attacked by a bear before she is captured by a band of Pawnee. At the Pawnee camp, Weak-one is befriended by Wolfstar, and through him she learns true friendship and trust.

We watch in marvel, as Weak-one grows from being a self-centered girl to a strong, gutsy young woman as she overcomes one impediment after another.

Weak-one is a multifaceted and attention-grabbing character, but her tale is the driving force behind the book. Matcheck keeps the reader wondering how Weak-one will survive to prove that she is indeed the Great One until the very end.

Good characterization coupled with a stretched plot and bona fide setting, make this book a good choice not only for readers interested in early Native American life but also for readers looking for a good coming-of-age adventure story.

[Pam Reicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 32 years of teaching, no other YA book has made more of my struggling readers cry—and love reading—than this one. It’s a beautifully written, well-researched story about a young girl determined to prove herself, who discovers through her journey that nothing is as it seems. One of its quiet truths is something we all learn growing up—you think you know, until you realize you don’t, and that’s when you begin to really know.

Every time my middle school students read this, they fall in love with reading. For them, it’s a true page-turner—and it makes them cry. If a book can make a seventh-grade boy with reading difficulties cry, it’s pure gold. This is pure gold.

It breaks my heart that it’s out of print. When I taught children’s literature at a university, I begged the publisher to reprint it, but they refused unless I could guarantee 1,000 sales. I’ve since bought every copy I could find on eBay and Amazon for my students because it’s that important to me.

Now, to address the blog American Indians in Children’s Literature: the post I read openly admits the blogger hadn’t read the entire book—yet still declared it never should have been published. That’s not just unfair; it’s irresponsible. Passing judgment on a work without reading it in full undermines honest discussion and silences stories that can inspire. For my students, this book has done the exact opposite of harm—it has inspired respect for Native peoples, curiosity about different tribes, and genuine concern for the planet.

This novel deserves to be read in full before being judged. And it deserves to be back in print, where it can continue changing hearts, opening minds, and creating lifelong readers.
Help bring this gem back! Email childrens.publicity@fsgbooks.com and ask FSG to reprint it. Let’s get it into more young readers’ hands.

[Mirko Liang · Rating 1 out of 5]

A little conundrum here with The Sacrifice, a darkish adventure set among the Native American's tribes. The author doesn't fool around: the female lead is a bold character with strong personality and high determination. I liked that a lot.
The main issue I had is that for the most part I wasn't really captured by the narration, let's say the middle 70% of the book, which I dragged myself through after a nice beginning and a gripping end. Rich in content, the author must have done a pretty accurate research.
Overall it's okay, though a good okay, but I can't go higher for a book that for the most part I didn't really feel like to read.

[Linda Laird · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disgusting misrepresentation of Native American culture. Doesn't even spell the name of the tribe correctly. Wonderful, authentic books about Indigenous are emerging each year. This is not one of them.

Why would a (reputable?) publishing company recycle this book that was problematic per reviewers when first published in 1998. "Weakness lies in the characterization...Also questionable is the recounting of tribal religious practice, an act of cultural misappropriation."School Library Journal, signed--by Dr. Loriene Roy who is enrolled at the White Earth Reservation. She's a former president of the American Library Association.

[Jasmine Chou · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really interesting to read, but at times the plot was confusing to follow.

[Elfdart · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was an amazing story about the development of inner strength and the overcoming of inner demons. the heroine of this story was very strong, the reader could track her development as the novel progressed. i won’t go through the whole plot as that would probably take some time, but suffice it to say that the heroine approached all of her problems face on and gave the reader the impression that she was sure of her actions (though maybe not the driving motivation in the beginning). she resolves to do something and then carries it out to the best of her ability. as the story progresses she becomes less obsessed with the past and gains a more… present (for lack of a better word) grasp on herself. in the beginning she sets out on this journey to prove herself, and by the end of the book she reaches a place within herself where the most important things in life are not society’s perception of her or her material possessions or status. the most important thing is not that she is the great one (never in the story does she doubt this, but at the end it is not her focus any more), the most important thing is that she live her life as best she can.
i think that this story was told well for the level it was targeting. there wasn’t really any gore in it, though it was implied that the characters partook of such activities, and it portrayed the heroine’s overcoming of obstacles effectively. it doesn’t present the most detailed methodology, but the concepts will be understood by those who read it. the story provides a decent, though again not very detailed, look at earlier native american lifestyle and society. it is more a story about inner struggle than about native american culture, so it doesn’t really focus on that aspect too much.
the heroine of this story was a great character to follow. she was strong and smart and passionate. i recommend this book to pretty much anyone with the capability of reading it, no matter your age you’ll definitely get something out of it.

[Elfdart · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was an amazing story about the development of inner strength and the overcoming of inner demons. the heroine of this story was very strong, the reader could track her development as the novel progressed. i won’t go through the whole plot as that would probably take some time, but suffice it to say that the heroine approached all of her problems face on and gave the reader the impression that she was sure of her actions (though maybe not the driving motivation in the beginning). she resolves to do something and then carries it out to the best of her ability. as the story progresses she becomes less obsessed with the past and gains a more… present (for lack of a better word) grasp on herself. in the beginning she sets out on this journey to prove herself, and by the end of the book she reaches a place within herself where the most important things in life are not society’s perception of her or her material possessions or status. the most important thing is not that she is the great one (never in the story does she doubt this, but at the end it is not her focus any more), the most important thing is that she live her life as best she can.
i think that this story was told well for the level it was targeting. there wasn’t really any gore in it, though it was implied that the characters partook of such activities, and it portrayed the heroine’s overcoming of obstacles effectively. it doesn’t present the most detailed methodology, but the concepts will be understood by those who read it. the story provides a decent, though again not very detailed, look at earlier native american lifestyle and society. it is more a story about inner struggle than about native american culture, so it doesn’t really focus on that aspect too much.
the heroine of this story was a great character to follow. she was strong and smart and passionate. i recommend this book to pretty much anyone with the capability of reading it, no matter your age you’ll definitely get something out of it.

[Katie Hamstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sacrifice follows an Apsaalooka (Crow) girl who has grown up on the fringes of her community, treated poorly because she was considered "bad in the head." When her father dies, and she is denied the opportunity to seek vengeance for his death, she sets out to follow the warriors, but loses track of them and her way. Her will to prove herself drives her to push forward rather than go back and face humiliation. She finds her way to modern day Yellowstone National Park, survives a bear attack, and is abducted by a band of Pawnee men. In the Pawnee camp, she is surprised to find happiness through Wolfstar, the boy who slowly softens her stone heart.

I am so glad I found this book again after all these years. I found it during my high school days in the school library and was deeply affected by it. Over the years I remembered the story, but not the title/author. So, after years of searching, I was ecstatic about sinking my teeth into it once more.

This story was as beautiful, heart wrenching, and as moving as I remembered. This coming of age tale about a "Crow" girl mesmerized me from start to the final page. Without spoilers, that ending still gets me and leaves me with a massive book hangover. In fact, it left me craving more.
I absolutely loved it.
Content Warning:
Violence
Death
Abuse

[Demetri Swann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't very interesred in this book. I couldn't quiet grasp the understanding of the story. I felt like the authors focus just wasn't there. The book was very confusing to me. There were some good things about the book like the authors attitude towards his characters. For example Weak One is very overshawdoed by her brother Born Great. She is determined to prove to everyone that she is great but this feeling is developed throughout the story because she feels different about being the great one at the end.
The theme was almost like Native-American in a type of way lots of unique tribe names that represent their lives. Weak One and her family are in the Apsaalooka tribe. The setting takes place in the woods and Yellow Stone National park and other places. The setting plays a major role in the story. The story is very mysterious so I suggest reading it if your into mysterys.

[Robyn Maire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this story would be one of a cliché chosen one girl who is just sooo special. But it wasn’t. Our protagonist has a lot of character growth and goes from arrogant outcast to a girl who has proven herself to be worthy. It was also way more brutal than I expected a book with a 15-year-old protagonist to be. You learn a lot about Apsalooka and Pawnee culture, which is cool. Overall I liked it more than I expected I would.

[Adamesq · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not expected

I was very confused. Don't get me ring, I liked the book, its just that the say the main characters name maybe twice. If that! I honestly can't even remember it. Only read this book if you like slow books with little to no action and not even anything of importance until chapter at least 22. There are only 24 in the book! So enjoy