Turtle Island: The Story of North America's First People

by Eldon Yellowhorn, Kathy Lowinger

Unlike most books that chronicle the history of Native peoples beginning with the arrival of Europeans in 1492, this book goes back to the Ice Age to give young readers a glimpse of what life was like pre-contact. The title, Turtle Island, refers to a Native myth that explains how North and Central America were formed on the back of a turtle. Based on archeological finds and scientific research, we now have a clearer picture of how the Indigenous people lived. Using that knowledge, the authors take the reader back as far as 14,000 years ago to imagine moments in time. A wide variety of topics are featured, from the animals that came and disappeared over time, to what people ate, how they expressed themselves through art, and how they adapted to their surroundings. The importance of story-telling among the Native peoples is always present to shed light on how they explained their world. The end of the book takes us to modern times when the story of the Native peoples is both tragic and hopeful.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Indigenous, Native American, Middle Grade, Childrens, Canada

116 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 2017

Reviews

[grimple ᵔᴥᵔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

"Turtle Island" describes the life indigenous people lived pre-European settlement of North America in 1492. We begin during the Ice Age 100,000-13,000 years ago, and lead all the way through present day and the future.

Informative and easy to comprehend, "Turtle Island" utilizes visually appealing formatting and colorful images to make the experience more enjoyable. Although we travel through thousands of years of history, nothing is overly detailed or confusing as the author addresses a few key topics and then moves on.

In high school, this would be the kind of textbook or reading material I’d like: lots of images, formatted so there’s not a wall of text on each page, and familiar and understandable terminology that I could retain.

Additionally, the tone of the writing is informative yet casual, allowing me to read for long periods of time without becoming agonizingly bored or overwhelmed.

Post reading, I feel as though I absorbed more information than I have with typical history books that are bogged down with unfamiliar vocabulary and unnecessary detail. Had my history textbook in high school been written like this, I'd probably have gotten a better grade in the class.

[Chinook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. It’s a great overview for an adult into indigenous history in the Americas, blending archaeology and myth and sections asking you to imagine yourself in day to day life. I think it would be an amazing textbook for middle school history or research, but I feel I learned several new things and reminded myself of things I’d learned before even as an adult.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too many books about the Indiginous people of North and Central America take place after first-contact, after the Europeans have come and "discovered" them, as though they needed to be found.

This book, based on myths, and archeological digs, and stories that the elders have passed down, is the story of the people of Turtle Island, one of the names given to the North American continent by some of the First Nation people. The stories of these people, go from the time that they first came to Turtle Island in the last great Ice Age, to the year before Columbus came, bringing death and the end of a way of life that had been going on for thousands and thousands of years.

Each section explains how we know what we know, and what life was like back then. The saddest part, is the last chapter, with assimilation, and residence schools.

This should be a text book in all classrooms, and I hope it is. This is the story that needs to be taught.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Ardyth · Rating 3 out of 5]

We're living in a transition time for North American history -- Native historians are trying to combat the strange, homogeneous view of Native peoples which became the norm amongst dominant-culture Americans during the 20th century. It's hard work, and there probably isn't a good way to do it.

Turtle Island chooses to organize by time, with the result that the book jumps around geographically. A lot. The focus here is to counter the "virgin land" narrative by emphasizing the long, varied history of the Americas.

The down side is that all this effort towards variety means there isn't enough time or space for knowing intimately any of the peoples mentioned. One or two pages can't possibly achieve that.

I feel like this was an important book to write and publish, but don't look to it for a solid grounding... only a broad and shallow awareness that there is much more known history than the usual "start with 1492" North American history texts deliver. And, for some families, that is exactly what is needed right now.

[GateGypsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously loved this book. It was definitely written for a young set of readers, and it's a super general kind of overview of the history of North America before the arrival of european colonialists. I definitely learned some interesting facts, though, and am looking forward to sharing this book with my school-aged son.
I think it would be a good book for people, in general, to read, but especially north americans, because many people don't really understand the length and breadth of the history of the first nations peoples of this continent, or how many advances and innovations they had in their world before the settlers came. This book isn't preachy, but it doesn't flinch from truth. I think it would be a wonderful conversation starter for families interested in opening dialogue into deeper and more troubling, related subjects, and also for those who want to gently raise awareness.

[Laura (Book Scrounger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an important read for learning from (and helping kids learn from) Indigenous perspectives on North American history. It jumps around geographically, ranging from Mexico up to northern Canada and Greenland. But the chapters are organized chronologically, which is helpful for integrating it into a history survey. A lot of US history and policy is summarized in one chapter, so obviously a lot is left out, but it's good as an overview.

In addition to the narrative, there are short additions of legends and stories from different Indigenous nations, as well as more imaginative sections that aim to center the reader in the setting being described. The first chapter includes a creation story and discusses different ways of knowing (archaeology, oral tradition, etc.).

While it sometimes felt scattered due to the inclusion of so many different groups and stories, it all made a coherent enough picture to provide an overview of the people who stewarded the land in North America for so long. The perspective on Tisquantum (Squanto) was especially interesting. I wish I'd had this resource as a kid.

[Rachel C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in an evening and LOVED IT. It's intended audience is for kids but I wanted a preview before teaching it in our homeschool. I can't wait to start it next month. The book is full of beautiful illustrations and is written to hold short attention spans. I also really appreciated that most of the book is about pre-contact North America. The indigenous peoples had vibrant cultures and civilizations before Europeans came, and this is often overlooked or brushed over in school text books. I think that learning about pre contact is crucial and I hope to see more books like this in the future.
Don't be cheap like like I was, BUY THE HARDCOVER, it's totally worth it. In fact, I think I'll have to go order myself a hardcover now too.

[Gina Faber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very impressed with this book.
Though written for a younger target audience, I found that it didn't speak down at all. In fact, this 50+ year old woman found it engrossing and informative.

I wish all residents of USA and Canada could have the benefit of having this background and history of the native peoples of our land. Perhaps then, we might begin to not only feel the cultural remorse appropriate to the devastation our germs, guns and policies wrought upon their people, but humbly seek to learn from what these cultures can teach us.

[Diana Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by Native Americans this comprehensive YA nonfiction history covers indigenous peoples of North America from the Ice Age to the Indian Wars of the late 19th century.

Beautifully illustrated, it is amazing how much data the authors included...archeological, social, historical, and geological background presented in easy to understand, straightforward style.

In the creation story of many tribes, it is believed North America is a turtle surrounded by the oceans and societies live on the back of this turtle.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice, accessible introduction to Native American history and archaeology for older elementary school students. The illustrations and incorporation of traditional stories are lovely. However, I was surprised to see the use of outdated terms (Anasazi instead of Ancestral Pueblo, for instance) and the dates for certain time periods and sites are incorrect (Cahokia and the Mississippian Period stand out).

[Vik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Viel gelernt und ein großartiger und schön illustrierter Überblick über die indigene Geschichte Nordamerikas. HOWEVER, durch die vielen Einschübe unglaublich chaotisch aufgebaut, oftmals hatte ich gedacht, ich hab mich in der Seite geirrt. Das machte teilweise die Learnings wieder zunichte. Teilweise war der Fokus auch etwas verschoben, dabei hätten gewisse Aspekte mehr Tiefe verlangt.

[Isa Boog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turtle Island: The Story of North America’s First People was an incredibly educational read. It’s aimed at children, but I think it’s a good start to further reading for anyone.
Full review at https://puttingwingsonwords.wordpress...

[Leonard Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I think the first 6 chapters are the best informational book for children I have ever seen. Once the focus switches from archaeology and mythology to history in chapter 7, I think the book becomes less strikingly distinct, though still good.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful resource for anyone who doesn't know the basics of this hemisphere's indigenous history. Written simply for a young audience, but still a good primer for older readers.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book in our curriculum happened to line up with Indigenous Peoples Day this year. It was perfect for bridging a conversation with my kids.

[Jeimy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A history of North America as told by the people who lived there since before Columbus's fateful blunder.

[Amie's Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully written version of the Turtle Island legend of how the earth was made livable for humans.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

I really loved how this was written and put together! It reminded me a lot of the reference books you used to find in the children's section of the library, and I think it will prove itself to be a valuable resource for young people who want to understand more about the Native Americans culture, or who are perhaps studying them in school. The illustrations and photographs were gorgeous and really helped bring the information to life in a really lovely way.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turtle Island details the history of North America's indigenous people from prehistory to prior to colonisation, and touches on what happened after colonisation as well. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Blending archaeological fact, indigenous myths and storytelling, and some lively deductive imaginings, Turtle Island uses multiple sources to tell a story spanning thousands of years. It presented facts and theories, and was incredibly enjoyable and accessible as it did so.While the focus was on prehistory up to 1492, it did touch on the effects that colonisation had on North America's inidgenous peoples.

Turtle Island was well written, entertaining, informative, and accessible. I highly recommend it for middle grade, young adult, and adult readers looking for an introduction to the early history of the people of North America.

[Juli Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and accessible introduction to Indigenous American history.

[Christina Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly important addition to textbooks teaching about the history of the Americas - it is refreshing to read one that doesn't start with the 'discovery' of the Americas by Europeans.

See the full review with pictures on my blog here.


Even though thousands of years have gone by, we have ways of stepping back into the past...

This is beautifully-illustrated and could fit easily into the 'faction' category where you have a factual book, presented with illustrations you might expect in a fiction picture book. I really enjoyed learning more about some of the bits of history I already knew about, as well as finding out more. I particularly liked how multiple perspectives are provided and it is recognized that there was no unified 'Native American' or indigenous culture, despite common traits being a respect for the environment and nature.
The tone of the book changes substantially with the arrival of the Europeans and the subsequent decimation of the indigenous population thanks to smallpox, influenza and other illnesses. This is followed by a sickening list of the relentless discrimination that indigenous people faced from the massacre at the Battle of Wounded Knee to tribes being separated from their ancestral land.
Overall, a fascinating, informative read which will lead many bookworms into further investigation of the rich heritage and history of Turtle Island.

What I liked: The way archaeology, mythology and imagination were tied together to really engage the reader in multiple possible perspectives e.g. presenting some Scientific evidence, followed by a traditional story that is linked to it, then a piece of creative writing inviting children to imagine themselves in the shoes of someone who lived at that time. I also liked how the author talked about the loss of linguistic diversity and what that means for an orally-transmitted culture.

Even better if: It is clearly designed as a book to dip into, or be used as a textbook alongside a course of study so I did not find it the easiest to read from cover to cover. I would have liked even more photographs and drawings of people to allow readers to make stronger connections to the people being discussed.

How you could use it in your classroom: Pick out chapters that are relevant to what you are learning in the classroom in order to provide another perspective or make links with mythology and imagination.

(Thank you to Netgalley and Annick Press for my electronic review copy)

[Kaiti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ARC of this book through NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very good book written in an easy-to-understand manner (middle-grade level I would guess) that tells the human history of the lands now called the Americas (especially North America) through an Indigenous lens. It is very refreshing to see a non-settler take on this history, as, unfortunately, these perspectives are rare to find in published books.

The use of legends and oral histories to flesh out archaeological evidence and provide insight into what life may have been like for people thousands or tens of thousands of years ago was a nice touch. I also appreciated that to book took time to address the fact that the commonly accepted timeline for human settlements of the Western Hemisphere (14 000 years ago) may be wrong, and cited multiple archaeological sites which suggest there could have been people coming here from places other than Beringia.

The one part I didn't enjoy so much was the "imagine yourself as..." parts, but this is mostly personal preference, and I recognize that as an adult I am not the target audience for this book and especially not these sections.

Overall I would be very happy to hear that this book was being taught in schools here. It shows that issues facing Indigenous people today and their histories can be taught at age-appropriate levels, and that the subject matter is not too mature or complex for younger minds to grasp.

[J. d'Merricksson · Rating 4 out of 5]

***This book was reviewed for Annick Press via Netgalley

Turtle Island is a well-written middle-grade condensed history of the First Peoples of America. There were indigenous populations of people in the Americas long before Columbus, or even Leif Eriksson. Previously thought to have crossed from Siberia, over the Bering landbridge, we are now learning these ancient populations followed other routes as well.

This book starts out with the Creation myth Turtle Island and Sky Woman, and follows a loose history of indigenous people, all the way up to the modern day, and throughout North and South America alike. I loved the artwork, pictures, and interspersed myths. One thing that stuck with me, and for which I am thankful, is that they pay proper homage to the indigenous peoples for having created their own monuments and mega-architecture. Nothing irks me more than 'we don't know where Monks Mound, Pueblo Bonito, Temple of the Sun, {insert other large FP building or mounds works} came from. The natives couldn't have built them. Europeans must have done, or else been here earlier and shown them how.’ I have read similar notions in several publications and it angers me every time.

This is a great introduction for middle-grade readers. Personally, I think it would be a great companion for teaching history in schoolrooms.

📚📚📚📚

[Emma Yukish · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Turtle Island: The Story of North America's First People" by Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger is a non-fiction book that offers a comprehensive overview of the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous peoples in North America. Through a combination of archaeological evidence, historical accounts, and oral traditions, the book dives into the rich and diverse heritage of Indigenous peoples, exploring their origins, traditional ways of life, social structures, artistic expressions, and significant contributions to science, agriculture, governance, and more. From the ancient civilizations that flourished on the continent long before the arrival of Europeans, to the impact of colonization, displacement, and cultural survival, the book provides a holistic and inclusive perspective on the Indigenous peoples of North America.

I think that this book is a great way to introduce a young reader to archeology and history. The stories and narratives are presented in a factual and evidence-based manner while still engaging enough for younger audiences. The images and design of the book leads to more interaction and connection with the reader and helps them resonate with groups of people they might not have been familiar with. I will absolutely have this in my classroom.

Content Warnings
-Racial Tensions
-War
-Non-Christan Creation Myths

[Summer Dabell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turtle Island is an in depth description of Native Americans beginnings all the way up to their lives today. It covers some of the most important of Native American culture such as their storytelling such as the story of Thunderbird and Whale. It also gives some details into the research that has been to try and understand how the Native Americans arrived and spread. The book dives into to certain groups of Native Americans and their ways of life such as the Anasazi in Colorado and their apartments, the Anishinaabe and their discovery of rice, and more. Towards the end of the book it shows how Native Americans were effected by colonization and how it has affected them today.

I really liked this book. My favorite part of this book was the myths and stories that were shared. The Native American's story of how the world was created by the fallen tree tearing a rip in the sky. Native American culture is so interesting because they do use storytelling to explain a lot of it. However, I also really liked that they also included the sadder parts of Native American history such as the assimilation schools. I think it really allowed us to have a better insight to a part of our countries history that isn't talked about enough.

Content Warnings:
Violence

[Clara Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turtle Island was published in 2017. I accessed this book on Epic! for the purpose of this assignment. This book is a nonfiction informational book written for an older audience of around 6th grade and higher. In 108 pages, the author provides a glimpse and timeline of the indigenous people of North America. They begin by telling about the Haudenosaunee and the story of the Sky Woman and the Great Turtle which explains how the land received the name Turtle Island. The book incorporates the story of myths, story of science and the story of imagination and how they all carry the message and show the path of the past. It covers the Ice Age, Adaptations of the 1800's, and so on. It informs the reader on Indigenous Tribes and people such as the Olmec, Anishinaabe, Zuni, Haida, Hohokam, Anasazi, and so many more. This informational book has beautiful illustrations, images, photographs, maps and much more that make this book straight forward and easy to read. I can see this book being used in the classroom to learn about Indigenous civilizations of the past and how they connect to our world today. It can be a great tool to teach non-fiction text features as it has many.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the history of the people in North and Central American centuries before Europeans arrived. Information and understanding who these people were come from archaeological and other kinds of scientific research, artwork, myths, oral storytelling and imagining. There are different origin tales from across the different regions and peoples. I knew there were a great many different nations living in this land, but I really appreciated learning more about who they were and how they survived. I was fascinated by the canals of the Hohokam who created verdant gardens out in the desert. I had no idea about the city of Cahokia on the Mississippi River. The inhabitants of Cahokia, the largest city north of Mexico, created numerous clay mounds that were used for multiple purposes.
Did you know that the people of Mesoamerica wrote books? When the Spanish arrived they burned whole libraries of them down.
The latter part of the book deals with the tragedies following first contact with Europeans after 1492.
This book should be in every school library across the continent.

[Abby Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows the history of the Native people beginning, starting way back at the Ice Age. This book gives readers an idea of what life was like before the Europeans came to America. Turtle Island refers to a Native myth that shows how Central and North America was formed, which they believe was built on the back of a turtle. This book gives readers and the world a better idea of how the Indigenous people lived way back then. The reader is brought way back about 14,000 years. Various topics are discussed in this book, for example the importance of storytelling, expression through art, their way of life, and more. Not only does this book focus on the past, but it also focuses on the modern day experiences the Native people experience.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved learning more about the Indigenous People and their history! I wish their history was taught more in schools because it is so important! I especially loved learning about the importance of storytelling in their culture. It is so fascinating! I highly recommend this book!

Content Warnings:
N/A

[Dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turtle Island is a collection of Native American myths and stories that have been passed down for centuries, what inspired them, and how it was used to describe certain events (such as earthquakes or tsunamis). We learn about the different tools they used for storytelling and such but also learn about the science that was behind the discovery of these tools, people, stories, traditions, and art. The book lets the readers imagine for themselves what it was like and how things were created. It not only talks about the far past but also the recent past with the invasion of their lands and slavery, which led to major cultural changes and the disintegration of many traditions. It ends on a happy note, describing how they are bringing back culture and tradition in this modern day.
I enjoyed reading this book even though I have very little knowledge or interactions with indigenous peoples in the U.S. it helped me to gain a better understanding of who they are as well as the importance of remembering where we came from.

[Kendra Baguley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here is the story of the people who formed the land many call home. The Northern American continent is somewhat of a mystery in how people came here but in this book you'll read of many various theories and people who built their homes in a new place. This book follows along from there to present day showing how the land has changed and the history of the people who lived here years ago; and explaining how this continents history has affected the modern day indigenous people.

I liked this book. It holds good information that is important for all to know but especially those who live in North America. I liked the pictures and the imagine if scenarios; this allowed me to see history through my own eyes and be able to visualize the people from so long ago. I also enjoyed the side stories of various cultures/traditions of people who lived in varying parts of North America. This is a helpful tool in teaching history while also delivering literature in a fun way.

Content Warnings:
Some Graphic Historical stories
Disease topics
War topics
Slavery topics