Lesson of the White Eagle

by Barbara Hay, Peter Hay (Illustrations)

After a boy witnesses a friend attack a Native American elder, a white eagle leads him through four life-changing lessons.

125 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2001

About the author

Barbara Hay lives in Oklahoma. A widow, she is the mother of four children, Ben, Peter, Amelia, and Julia. When she is not writing, she enjoys sewing, reading, and spending time at the lake.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

As soon as I read the back cover of this book, I realized that while the focus was new for me, the book fit into a broader genre of books that I had enjoyed reading as a teenager. Person who either did wrong by the focused-on group or is of the group and uninterested in the group's history goes back in time for vaguely mystical-magical reasons and discovers the hardships of that group in the past, comes back a changed person with a new outlook on life. As a teen, the group focused on in the books I read was usually Jews and the trauma was usually the Holocaust. My opinions on this book are shaped by what worked and didn't work in those books.

One of the things that often made those books work was the focus on one singular event or historical trauma. One focal point allows for a clear alternate historical identity for the character to take shape and allows for the audience to focus its attention to better empathize with the historical cast. This book did not have that one singular focus, and it led to a cascade of stylistic decisions that I think detracted from the ultimate impact.

The biggest problem: the multiple historical foci - one minute we're on the Trail of Tears, the next we're at the Carlisle Indian School - leads to a fragmentary historical fiction component where no moment lasts long enough to leave a solid impact. There is no history to how characters get to locations, into situations, etc., so there is no emotional heft that carries over from prior scenes. The constant rushed transitions from scene to scene also leave each individual one too much of a blur to leave a lasting impact. Sure, there are a few images that stick, but that's all they are: images. It all just feels way too rushed.

The author attempts to get around the lack of ability to develop characters that can be properly empathized with by simply inserting the main character and his present-day acquaintances in the roles of Native Americans. But besides the obvious questions about the mechanics (e.g. Are they actually directly inserted into the history, or is everyone actually Native Americans that Dusty is simply projecting the identities of his acquaintances on?), there's a rather bigger representational problem. Why is it in the part of the story that's supposed to be directly about Native Americans are the white characters still taking center stage? It would be nice if the author took the time to push the audience to empathize with characters that are actually established as Native American.

The only Native American that we actually deal with in the historical fiction part of the story is Chief White Eagle. So it pains me to say that he feels completely extraneous and unhelpful to the story. The reason for his existence in this book is entirely created by the fragmentary narrative at this part. He is supposed to help make sense of it. So it would be nice if he, you know, actually did that instead of just repeatedly making a bunch of ambiguous statements that don't really help the audience sort anything out. I understand the reason the author did this. If she had him speak more directly, he would come off as lecturing and preachy, and so would the book. I get that the audience needs its space to come to its own decisions about what's going on. But that's why you give them enough background detail to be able to do so without an expositor to begin with!

Overall, I think this was a good story that is being chained to the ground by some very bad stylistic calls. I'd be interested in knowing if there's another book in this genre dealing with Native American history that handles the narrative better.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a great book for kids and teens wanting to learn about Native-American discrimination in Oklahoma. I think this book is great because it also talks the meaning of friendship and the history of the United States.

Overall, great book!

[Jalynn Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

About the Book:

All 15-year-old Dusty wanted was to go to his hometown's bash for the 1893 Land Run centennial. Instead, he finds himself a witness to a hate crime, and he's the one driving the getaway car. Now a mystical white eagle has invaded his dreams, making him question everything he thought he knew about Indians and the bonds of childhood friendship. After the white eagle takes Dusty back in time to see the horrors the Ponca people endured on their forced removal from what would become Nebraska to Oklahoma Territory, Dusty must decide whether or not to act on the lesson he has learned from seeing in action one of the first American civil rights activists: the Ponca's own Chief Standing Bear.
About the Author:

Lesson of the White Eagle is Barbara Hay s debut young adult novel. Her work has appeared in the Tulsa World, Columbia magazine, the Sooner Catholic, and Women's World Weekly. Hay holds a bachelors degree in liberal studies from the University of Oklahoma. The widowed mother of four children, she lives and writes at her home in Ponca City, Oklahoma.

My Review:

Dusty and Jenna decide to go to Jenna's house to hangout one day after school. Jenna's mom decides to go to the store leaving the two teenagers alone in the house. After Jenna's mom returns from the store Dusty runs on home and his mother asks him to set the table for supper and to go get his sister. After some complacency from his little sister Dusty is finally able to get her to come home with him. Dusty helps his Dad his dad in their family run business and he is a little put off by his dad because he is told he will have to help out this Saturday even though Dusty had plans of his own.

Dusty ends up going out with his friends that night and while they are there one of Dusty's friends is bumped into by an Indian boy from the Ponca tribe named Stephen. Dusty's friend threatens Steven which is no surprise because this guy isn't crazy about Steven or his people. Jenna just happened to be where the guys were and seen what happened and made a bet with the bully that he was sure he would win.

This guy that likes to bully people really enjoys causing trouble. He manages to get several of the kids in trouble right along with him while they are at a town event. Afterwards, Dusty goes along with his friends, Garrett and Jimmy for a ride not knowing that this is all leading up to something not so great.



**Disclosure** This book was provided to me free of charge for my honest review by RoadRunner Press.

[Christina Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book in exchange for writing a review.
I enjoyed reading this book, especially because I grew up in Oklahoma. I have read about discrimination in the newspapers and heard about it on the news but have never witnessed it, so reading this first-hand fictionalized story about it really opened up my eyes, even as an adult. Not knowing whether or not the main character was Native American was part of what kept my interest as the story progressed. I also appreciated the extra "Questions for Discussion" in the back of the book.

I had my 16-year-old niece read it, as well (who lives in Shawnee, OK) to open up her eyes. She liked the book, too. However, she did say that the "White Eagle" parts got a little long. She was anxious to discover the outcome!

I think overall this book is a great work of fiction for young readers (younger than my niece) to understand discrimination and how easily things can get out of hand. Again, I enjoyed reading it.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Racism, discrimination, prejudice, these are not just words whose meaning we want to teach to our children. It is the responsibility of every adult to teach our children about these issues and the proper way to handle them. Barbara Hay has found the method to address these issues through this book. Her main character is a fifteen year old teen named Dusty who must decide how to handle a situation. It will mean he must decide to do what he knows he should and run the risk of losing his friends, or stick with his friends in something he knows is wrong. You need to read the book to see what he did.
I loaned this book to a student who seemed surprised that this happened to a Native American. Living in Florida the only Native Americans they were familiar with were the Seminoles and they thought that all of them owned gambling establishments. This book is the perfect way to discuss these major issues. I applaud the author for opening the door for these conversations

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. I almost cried at the end of this book. It was a beautiful depiction of overcoming racism and being a true friend. Dusty's struggle and the conflicts he faces were realistic and believable. Loved how some Native American spirituality came into play. The beginning was a bit long but, as soon as it got to the main conflict of the story, it picked right up and held me to the end, which was just lovely. Will be holding onto and sharing this book for a long time.

In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free through the GoodReads First Reads Giveaway program.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received thie book from a Goodreads Giveaway! (AKA Firstreads)

I like the book overall. It had a great moral to the story as well as a history lesson. Theese lessons can be tied into our world today, and even one person can make a difference in the lives of many.

It was a short book... which is always a downside for me... but still a good story. :)

[Tracie]

I think it was great and interesting. All the characters had their own story, but it was all about Dusty's adventure called life. Once you have something to live for i think that is when it is called an adventure.. Maybe people need to start living for something. I have my family and my nephew. That is when you make life interesting and and worth a while..

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute book/story. Great read for kids.

[Shawn Benson · Rating 3 out of 5]

i thought that the book was a good book and had a very good morale to the story which is that no matter what color your skin is or what you beleifs are we are all the same.

[Kallie Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was alright

[Josephine Youngbear · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a very good book, and it tells you a very good lesson on how not to judge someone if you dont no them or where they come from

[Marybelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dusty went to the council meeting for the statue with Jenna. He is best friends with Stephen now.

[Helio Ortiz · Rating 1 out of 5]

i liked this book but the end is pretty weak sauce. She marries the leslie instead of him.

[James Roberts]

i think i love it

makes u think im though

[Tori Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book. I kinda got lost in the dream in the middle of the book. Besides that it was understandable.

[Tanner Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pretty good

[Denessa Keahna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay but its not really the type of books i usually read. But i think the upperclass men should read this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that the book is set in Oklahoma. Though I find that the book has a slightly didactic quality, it is a good book with a good message.

[Delicia Guevara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was interesting to read but i liked it.