Eagle Boy: A Pacific Northwest Native Tale

by Lee Christiansen (Illustrator), Richard Lee Vaughan

Based on a popular Northwest Coast Native tale, this book recounts the story of Eagle Boy. Born an orphan, the title character grows up to love eagles, despite the fact that the people of his tribe distrust eagles. In return he is ridiculed and made an outcast. One year, the tribe has difficulty hunting and fishing, and must depart their land. With not enough room in their boats, Eagle Boy is left behind. He is saved from starvation by the eagles he loves, and using their assistance saves his starving tribe, who have not been able to find a fertile place to live since their departure. The gorgeous illustrations and tales of adventures and bald eagles will thrill children, while also instructing them about individualism and humanity, as well as Northwest Coast Native life. This is a paperback edition of a pre-existing hardcover book originally published in 2000.

Genres: Picture Books, Indigenous, Childrens, Native American, Historical Fiction, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2000

Reviews

[Whole And · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent tale about treating our animal friends with kindness and respect, while everyone was shooing and complaining about the eagles 'stealing' fish, one kind soul was sharing his food with eagles instead of despising them. Reciprocity was his reward in his time of need.

The phrase 'How we do one thing is who we do everything' come to mind with this story since the same folks that did not want to share with the eagles didn't think twice about leaving the kind boy behind one their search for more food. "Let the eagles feed you" they mocked.

They soon discovered how wrong they were to leave him behind. They also discovered that he had created harmony and was taken care of. After working through his emotions of being left, with the help of a fiercely just eagle, the boy was able to forgive his tribe and have them back with much food for everyone.

Beautiful imagery and meaning. A book we could all reflect and grow from.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated book appeals to kids of all ages. It makes a really good read-aloud book, too.

A note for teachers and librarians - a number of great lesson plans and story time ideas related to the book are available online!

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this tale of respect for animals, gratitude, and forgiveness. It would pair nicely with Kristina Rodanas' Dragonfly's Tale, which is also Native American.

[Lagobond · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm seeking out a variety of world mythology & fairytales for the kiddos (ages 9 & 7). This one did not make the cut, because I'm of two minds about the morale of the story. I do like that the tale emphasizes the importance of kindness, of helping each other (including the animals we share our Earth with), and of forgiveness.

But bitter personal experience has taught me that while forgiveness is important for one's own sake if not for the other person's, I have also learned that it is equally important not to allow truly cruel people back into one's life. In this story, Eagle Boy's forgiveness is offered to the very people who had left him to die, while laughing at him -- and who did not even apologize upon their return. Yes, in the context of the story this makes sense, because Eagle Boy needs the people of his tiny village in order to survive long-term. And sure, the chief offers his daughter in marriage... but one could argue that this is not actually a favor to Eagle Boy, as much as it is acknowledgement that the boy is suddenly seen as useful to the village. Hard life in a tough environment, and all that. As the kiddos aren't part of a tiny village and will always have other people to fall back on, I don't want to put this kind of messaging in their heads. I want them to know that it is okay to say "you have hurt me deeply, and I will not allow you to be part of my life from now on."

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This retelling of a Pacific Northwest Native Tale is moving and beautiful. The illustrations are also beautiful, but haunting, and maybe even fearsome. It is not a fable for the youngest children, but it is a tale of values of a cultural group. It could be a valuable resource for middle grade and even middle school research of native American folk tales and fables.

[Ellie Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was a great retelling of this story. This would be a great book to read in a classroom. It allows some insight into Native American culture and stories that could segway into a good lesson on culture. I also loved the message of treating our animal friends kindly as well as our peers kindly too. Really great story.

[Adrienne B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story for a class read-aloud. I used this book to supplement my fairy tales, folk tales, and myths unit in ELA at the recommendation of our Indigenous Support Worker at our school. Provides lots of comparisons to other texts, as well as ways to differentiate the meaning behind different types of stories.

[Liz P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story entertained my 4-year-old son. It's a bit longer than the books we typically read together but it was well worth it. The illustrations are fantastic. Excellent book!

[Mrs. Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Lee Vaughan takes you on a thrilling adventure in Eagle Boy. This was an awesome book because it had humorous characters that the reader will enjoy. At the end of book it made me feel like it was a fabulous folktale that made me not forget the book. Eagle Boy lives in the northwest with the eagles. The orphan loves eagles. When the people go on the boat the people said “there’s no more room.” Sadly Eagle Boy walked away. Because the people said “let your friends, the eagles, feed you. I thought Eagle Boy was sad and lonely at that point. My favorite part was when Eagle Boy dreamed of eagles. Will Eagle Boy survive on his exciting adventure by himself? Find out in Eagle Boy retold by: Richard Lee Vaughan
By:Owen

HOWDY, book readers, if you loooooooove reading books you will sure love the most amazing, AWSOME from native culture… Eagle boy an awesome, exciting and book with a lot of action and guess what? That’s the book you’re holding right now!
See how one native boy can change his whole entire village, and save them! So who knows why it is awesome? No one? Well because it has magic! Also in eagle boy when his native tribe says a young kind, great, awesome, nice and eagle helper boy thinks about eagles too much and helps them they leave him there and go to find another place but the young boy also known as eagle boy can take care of himself, of course, with a little help from eagles! For example, how he manages to eat, and of course survive! So tag along with eagle boy to find out about the action.
When you read this book I hope you will understand why this automatically became one of my favorite books! Find out about eagle boy! So I hope you have a nice time reading eagle boy!

By: Kichu

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous bright illustrations where a boy believes in the eagles who live close to his village.
An Indian boy's friendship with eagles ultimately saves his village in the Pacific Northwest from starvation.

[David Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eagle boy is an excellent book to read for children to learn the rewards of compassion. I like how eagle boy was able to find the positive out of a bad experience, so he could make compassionate decisions that helped out his tribe who left him or dead on the beach.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

great re-telling of a classic northwest native american tale

[Ck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tale about how a community helps one another, after realizing their mistake in what they've done.

[Kiddo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really striking illustrations. Interesting story. Parents should know it includes a boy being abandoned by his whole village and left to starve. (He doesn't).

[Jean-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this to complement our Northwest Native American history lesson.