Bad River Boys

by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, Bill Farnsworth (Illustrator)

Told from the point of view of three Lakota boys, this story examines how Lewis and Clark's expedition effected the natives which lived on the uncharted lands they explored, creating misunderstandings on both sides that led to future trouble.

Genres: History, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Native American

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve was born and raised on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. She was the daughter of an Episcopal priest and a Lakota Sioux mother. Sneve received her B.S. and M.Ed. in 1954 and 1969, respectively, from South Dakota State University. She has taught English in public school of South Dakota, and at the Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau. Her career also includes editor at the Brevet Press in Sioux Fall, S.D. Sneve is a member of the board of directors, Native American consortium, Corporation for Public Broadcasting ; member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe; member of board of directors of United Sioux Tribes Cultural Arts; and Historiographer of the Episcopal Church of South Dakota.

Reviews

[Erin G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction; grades 3-5. This book wasn’t as good as I was expecting it to be. It told the story of the Indians meeting with Lewis and Clark in a different way, but I think it had too many Indian words in it for me to really enjoy it. There’s a glossary in the back- I would definitely look at that before reading it if I could go back and read it for the first time again.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction
3rd-5th grade
I really liked how this was written from the Indians perspective when Lewis and Clark came into their territory. It really establishes what it was like in those days and the feelings of mystery and fear are written into the book, making you feel like you’re with Antler and Cloud.

[Viviana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Art 3-5 stars

[Mickey Bits · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun fictionalization of an imagined meeting between native peoples and the Lewis and Clark Expedition to Explore What We Bought Some Years Back.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I especially liked the informative 'Historical Notes' at the end of the book. Very nice artwork. A story more from the Indian's perspective, of their meeting with the Lewis & Clark expedition.

[Matt Guendel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an alright book about a tribe of Indians who Lewis and Clark ran into. In this book one of the main problems was that the white men and the indians spoke a different language so they couldn't always understand each other. In this book it is interesting to compare the significance of trade back in the day to how we just spend money now. It was an alright book I honestly didn't think it was that interesting.

[Sharlet Mullen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my favorite story about the Sioux tribe. I was interested because of the Minnesota background but did not like the language differences. It really makes Indians seem so different from Americans Yet they are not.

[Audrey Sanders · Rating 2 out of 5]

PICTURE BOOK
I didn't love this book, although the illustrations were beautiful! The story was slow and hard to follow, and I don't know if children would find this story appealing.

[Kim Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read aloud for 5th graders with many opportunities to check for understanding and discussion.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not terribly interesting. No compelling new anything. Leaves you feeling..."And...what else?"

[M.M. Hudson · Rating 3 out of 5]

As stated in the summary, Bad River Boys is a fictionalized account of a real story. The major problem highlighted within the book was the lack of good translators. Lewis and Clark were only mentioned by name one time and shown to be rude and almost cruel in their treatment of the Sioux. They seemed unprepared to have come across this nation, although, historically, the nation were well known up and down the river for trade.

It was also noted that their only translator was a slave. This was not surprising to me but did highlight the fact that slave trade was common and used by Lewis and Clark. They are not made to be the heroes they are often portrayed in history. This would maybe anger an adult reader to this children's book. This reviewer finds it to be more accurate.

The book had a brief history of the visit as noted in journals by Lewis himself. The author is also quick to note that Lewis and Clark purposely went out of their way to not encounter this tribe again. It was also noted that due to their encounter, bloodshed almost happened because of the misunderstandings and lack of interpreters. A short glossary is also found in the back to help with definitions from the Lakota Sioux, which I found helpful.

The illustrations were all in muted brown and yellows. Very little other color was added. This was not only intentional but purposeful as well.

Overall, I liked this book and think it could find its place. However, I think since it is mostly fictionalized book, it might get lost among other books of the Lewis and Clark expeditions. I do applaud the author for trying to portray a much more accurate account of them and certainly for highlighting her own nation at the same time with honesty and forthrightness.
3 stars.


Disclosure: I obtained this book from my local library. All views are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~M.M. Hudson, #AtoZBlogChallenge