Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy of the American Indian Boarding Schools

by Dan SaSuWeh Jones

"Stealing Little Moon is both a moving family saga and an expertly told true story that all Americans should know." ―Steve Sheinkin, New York Times bestselling author of Bomb and Undefeated

Little Moon There Are No Stars Tonight was four years old when armed federal agents showed up at her home and took her from her family. Under the authority of the government, she was sent away to a boarding school specifically created to strip her of her Ponca culture and teach her the ways of white society. Little Moon was one of thousands of Indigenous children forced to attend these schools across America and give up everything they'd ever known: family, friends, toys, clothing, food, customs, even their language. She would be the first of four generations of her family who would go to the Chilocco Indian Agricultural School.

Dan SaSuWeh Jones chronicles his family's time at Chilocco--starting with his grandmother Little Moon's arrival when the school first opened and ending with him working on the maintenance crew when the school shut down nearly one hundred years later. Together with the voices of students from other schools, both those who died and those who survived, Dan brings to light the lasting legacy of the boarding school era.

Part American history, part family history, Stealing Little Moon is a powerful look at the miseducation and the mistreatment of Indigenous kids, while celebrating their strength, resiliency, and courage--and the ultimate failure of the United States government to erase them.

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle Grade, History, Indigenous, Native American, Audiobook, Historical

304 pages, Hardcover

First published September 3, 2024

Reviews

[Rachel Teut · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I was pretty well informed on how the Indian Nations were treated, but this book added even more color and depth on the horrific ways the US government treated these people. I teach 4th graders Nebraska history, and while I feel our textbook does a surprisingly good job of making sure students learn the truth of how the US treated people in the past, this book will allow me to add some additional information to class discussions. One of my favorite quotes was this….

“The loss to Indian Nations has been devastating. But white society will never know the extent of its own loss. White ignorance and dismissal of Indian ways has closed off an extraordinary world of art, culture, ecology, medicine and spirituality that could have been shared, for everyone’s benefit. It will take generations for American Indians to recover. It will take generations more for us (American Indians) to freely share our world again.”

White society took a group of people that were in just about every situation willing to share their knowledge of the land, and sought to destroy everything about the Native culture and way of life. How the Indian Nations were treated MUST be taught and people need to recognize just how horrible it was. No more whitewashing and sparing the details. For as it has been said, those who don’t learn from the past, are doomed to repeat it.

[Bethany W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew nothing about Indian boarding schools until I learned about the mass graves discovered in Canada a few years ago. I have a HISTORY DEGREE!!!! and never learned anything about this. This is such a necessary topic and is quoted in the book about being America's best kept secret. This book is written for a middle grade level, but is a great read for a teen or adult. A heartbreaking read about an appalling time in American history (is there a time that isn't appalling though tbh)

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

A LOT of good information, but a bit densely packed for middle grade readers. I'd love to see a version that was a bit shorter. I would definitely buy this for a high school library.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I love learning about things that our government has tried to keep hidden. This heartbreaking part of our history needs to be told. Thank you to the brave Native Americans for standing up, educating me, and for being the voice of all those silenced.

[Jason Pletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to write a better review for this book, which is why I gave it 3 stars, but I found this to be a difficult read. The difficulty came in a number of ways.

First, I was confused as to the subject of this book - originally I thought that this was going to be about the family members who attended the schools. While that was a part, it definitely wasn’t the focus of the author, which brings me to the second reason. It appears that since the author’s family didn’t have as horrible of experiences as those in other locations, the author felt the need to delve off into the other schools to illustrate how bad they could be, even if they not all were.

Third, the author found it difficult to keep focused on what the storyline was supposed to be. He would jump off in a personal tangent that would blur the lines between past and present that left me wondering where we were in the storyline.

I could go on, but I will let other readers add to or ignore my synopsis.

In closing, yes you can learn something from this book. But it is not well written.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This part of history is not well known but so important. I don't remember learning about this during my years at school.
This book provides an eye-opening look at what the Native American families went through when their young children were taken from the families and sent to boarding schools that were poorly run. It's heartbreaking to read about those young kids being taken and how the government tried to make them like white man. Everyone should read this book, not just middle grade readers.

[Zana · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up.

Wow! Despite this being a Middle Grade nonfiction book, I really learned a lot! I highlighted so many passages from this book and I don't think I've highlighted so much in a setting outside of academia.

Also, I think this book might be better for upper MG and the YA set because of the content (and possibly the book's length and semi dry-ish nonfiction tone too).

I'm really glad a book like this is being published. Native American boarding schools was something I never learned about in K-12 or college. I only know about this topic because of the news about the Kamloops Indian Residential School in Canada, and because lately, I've been interested in US history from marginalized perspectives.

Even though this book is written for younger audiences, adults can definitely learn a lot if you're new to Native American history during the colonial period and modern times. The author made it easy to read and follow along, even though he does go off on (related) tangents. (Which is why I had to knock down half a star.) If you're familiar with nonfiction books on history written this way instead of chronologically, then this might not bother you.

Along with learning about the history of boarding schools and how Native children were treated by the US government, I loved how the author talked about his family's experiences with Chilocco Indian School. It really gave a well-rounded perspective on how Chilocco went from destroying any traces of Indigeneity to one that fully accepted its students for who they were when US policies on boarding schools became more progressive.

I really appreciated the mini biographies of historical boarding school attendees, especially the pictures showing these children in their traditional clothing before vs. after the boarding school officials essentially destroyed their culture and forced them to wear European clothing, forced haircuts on them, etc. The black and white photos were really powerful.

I also loved the chapters on the American Indian Movement and their protests at Alcatraz and Pine Ridge, including how they brought light to the US government's historical and ongoing mistreatment of Native Americans, their cultures, and their land.

The author also mentioned successful Native American activists today (such as US Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland) and how their parents and grandparents were affected by boarding schools and US policies. He also talked a bit about Native Americans in the film industry and how it has evolved from racist stereotypes to much more accurate representations and portrayals today.

I really appreciated learning about all of these topics. I'd definitely recommend for anyone interested in US history or Native American history, written in a way that's easy to read and digest.

Thank you to Scholastic Focus and NetGalley for this arc.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The non-fiction middle grade book, Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy of the American Indian Boarding Schools by Dan SaSuWeh Jones follows the family of the author. In the foreword, we learn that this story will cover four generations of his family and their connection to the Indian boarding school Chilocco Indian Agricultural School. I received this as a NetGalley ARC and the novel will be published September 2nd. This novel informs us about the heartbreaking and true experiences of what happened to many indigenous families in the United States and Canada through SaSuWeh's family's firsthand account.

This book was well written and took a lot of different history and events and put it in a middle grade genre. It was done really well. I honestly think that is a great book for everyone. I had a little understanding of the Indian Boarding Schools, but this gave me a better understanding of what was happening. While being informative, it was also an understanding and nuanced look at what the Chilocco school was for the variety of students that walked through those doors for almost 100 years. The information, pictures, and personal connection in this book would make it a great choice for a literature circle, a class novel reading, or for any non-fiction/history reader.

[Barb reads......it ALL! · Rating 4 out of 5]

##NonFictionNovember24 - Book 3

This book is aimed at middle school readers, so it's very accessible and includes many clarifying side articles to aid in understanding the whole picture.
The book focuses on one particular Indian school, the Chilocco Indian Agricultural School, the school attended by the author's family. And while the author brings home the horror of being abducted from your home and your language, culture, your very appearance stripped from you, there are stories of hope and empowerment.

Since it is November and Indigenous People Month....this is a great place to start to learn about this important part of our history....for middle schoolers and adults.

[wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a multi generational story of Native American children who were "kidnapped" from their families and taken to dozens of Indian schools across the country to be "Americanized". The book includes the stories of the author's Grandmother and mother. The author for a time works at one of these schools. The story starts in the late 1800's to the present day with many personal anecdotes. Written for young adults but I liked it.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative on the history of the boarding schools, as well as sharing details of tribal culture and society. It jumps around a bit but does cover a lot of ground. I didn't know about how positively some families viewed the schools and the opportunities they brought, so that was surprising. It has a hopeful feel overall but sets out how much there is still to do.

[bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

had to sit in silence for a second after i finished it. its so heartbreaking yet so hopeful.

[Maggie Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative non-fiction from a descendant of a Indian Boarding School survivor, but with his own story to tell. One school rose above and bettered the lives of the students and because of it's success was closed anyway. I've read numerous books on the topic, but if you haven't and this is the first exposer to a lesser known part of American history it's a great book to get a brief overview as well as where court cases and laws are in more recent history (2021) from an author who has the right to share it and does it well.

[Hudson Shake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew virtually nothing about Native American’s history in the US, so this is very interesting and enriching to me.

[Liz Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a window into why reparations are important. We cannot ignore the past and think we can move forward. We must acknowledge the past, feel sorrow for what happened and do whatever is in our power to repair the damage.
I was aware of government and churches facilitating "educational" programs for Native Americans but the depth is heart breaking, especially as we try to move forward but politics and prejudice bar the road.
I recommended this for our school libraries in the hopes that more children will become aware of the realities of American history in full and uncensored understanding.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book as it does cover a period of American history which is not widely known and should be shared. Yet, I was conflicted to what the central themes of this book were meant to be. The author seemed equally as conflicted in the telling of the story.

On one hand, it focuses on the forced enrollment and poor treatment of Native Americans in the American boarding school system. Many readers may be aware of the horrific news of mass burials in one of the boarding schools in British Columbia and may be thinking they are reading about these atrocities. On the other hand, the book focuses on the positive experiences that the author and his family of four generations had at the boarding school of Chilocco. There were numerous passages where the author would start to talk about the kidnapping and the poor treatment as part of a conversion training of Native Americans to “Westernized” thinking, but then would quickly negate it in the next sentence to say how his great grandmother thrived and even worked at the school after graduating and still managed to not lose her sense of culture.

I tried to convince myself I liked it because it provided a holistic view that nothing is all good or all bad, but it leaned towards a more positive success story version which harmed the atrocities narrative of this novel. It also became quite repetitive at points where the author would bring up a topic, and then repeat the topic in a quasi-news article version of it. It then would include topics unrelated to the boarding school story with the Native American civil rights movements. Interesting, but made me more confused on the intended scope of the novel.

With that being said, I do look forward to reading the author’s book on ghosts and the supernatural as the snippet at the end of the book was really good!

[Dylan Teut · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a powerful, but gutting read.
I feel disappointed that so much history revealed in this book was revealed just now to me- Where did the educational system fail or breakdown so severely that I was never taught much of this history?
I feel discouraged that some of the tropes and stereotypes and total misunderstandings of historical context are perpetuated through instruction in classrooms even today, whether teachers know it or not.
I feel empowered to figure out how we can shake up some of the harmful narratives out there to ensure that history is portrayed in a manner in which we honor all perspectives.
I feel empowered to help children who have been hurt by the system this country has created to jeopardize their ability to learn and grow among other children their age.
I feel the need for more books like these.

[Lexi Koritko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very eye opening to the impact American Indian boarding schools had on families. I never considered how the treatment of children at the schools, could impact their own future children with learned abuse.

The ending of the book discussing today's government was also impactful:
"For the first time since the United States took our lands, American Indians had been given a voice in how some of the lands would be controlled." This quote touches on the impact the Obama administration had on the American Indian lands in 2016, and how long it took for American Indians to have a voice about their land. Only for 85% of the land to be revoked under Trump in 2017. Fortunately, the lands were 'returned' when Biden was in office in 2021.

[Jessica Di Salvio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve cried from beginning to end. Never felt more ashamed of being white. Ashamed of how people treated first nation. Even if it wasn’t me or my ancestor, society contributed to those horror. First nation are and always will be the first Canadians and Americans. The « true blood » of this continent. And yet, they were assaulted, raped, abused. They were treated like animals while we had so much to learn from their culture. A culture white people tried to erase for no other reason than racism, religion cult and stupidity.

This book heart broken me. But I was glad of the hopeful ending. But this will never NEVER repair what was done to them. And for that, I’m deeply sorry.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book lays bare the painful story of the U.S. government’s policies toward Native American culture (i.e. expunge it) and the cruel ways in which those policies were implemented. All Americans should educate themselves on this part of history.

The book itself needed a lot more editorial help, including clarity about sources. There is an extensive bibliography at the back, but the text doesn’t refer to source material (what is the basis of the accounts of individuals’ thoughts and feelings, for example?).

As a piece of writing, I would rate this book lower than a 3, but I’m rounding up in light of the importance of the subject matter.

[Victoria Godi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the American history you don’t learn about in school but really should. I got really interested in Native American history after watching an episode of a show and they mentioned the boarding school and mistreatment, so when this book was a part of Goodreads challenge, I decided to give it a go. It talked about a lot which was great just felt like it could have been organized better. Definitely recommend!

[Carli · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. The story of American Indian boarding schools is told through the lens of the author’s own family’s experiences at one particular boarding school. This informative history should be considered essential reading for all humans, especially in our current and upcoming political climate. Recommended for grades 6+, and especially for grown-ups. #mglit #librarian #librariansofinstagram

[Debra B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to earn a bookmark in the quarterly Goodreads reading challenge. Not normally the type of book I would read, I found it informative and it brought me to tears. The author does an amazing job of describing one of the most heinous episodes in American history in the treatment of its indigenous peoples.

[Paige Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great and informative book on the history of boarding schools and American Indian children who were sent there. However, the book reads a bit heavy for a middle grade book and it felt less focused, especially in the later chapters.

[Book Mitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Angela Apple-Mcconahy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankful to have this account of the factual history of American Indian boarding schools. So heartbreaking.

[Shawna Theobald · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hard read emotionally, but a story that needs to be heard and shared.

[kristin]

really sad and informing book about residential schools in the us as well as politics about indigenous peoples. definitely recommend as an audiobook.

[emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

impactful and educational! i did wish it was more narrowly focused on multiple boarding schools’ history. overall, this is an important read regardless!

[Erin Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfathomable, yet factual. Five stars for exposing some of the American History we all need to know, but did not learn in school.